Concert in memory of Kanchi Periyava by Rama Varma

[Rasikapriya2013]

A stellar performance by Prince Rama Varma with Sri S.Varadarajan on the violin, Sri Harikumar on the Mridhangam, and Dr.S. Karthick on the Ghatam at a quaint Shiva Vishnu Temple at Virugambakkam on 5th June 2014.
A class unto himself in Pure Music, he certainly draws ardent rasikas if not crowds.
With a pitch perfect voice, coupled with delightful choice of song selection he enthralled the audience from beginning till end.

Opening with the very Auspicious and fast paced Nattai, "Rakshamam Sharanagatham", a Meenakshi Suthan Krithi on Guruvayoorappan set the stage for a very memorable evening. Tuned by Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar it was amazing how clearly he enunciated the lyrics even at such high speed. The swarams that followed were spontaneous, colourful, joyful and explosive.

"Sabapthikku Veru deivam samanamaguma"in Aboghi. A Gopalakrishna Bhararti's Krithi, famous for its heart wrenching meaning, was rendered with such vibrancy, capturing the attention and instilling Bhakthi in the Rasikas.

A very nidhanamana Kedaram. The Alapanai which started with no hurry, helped us regain our composure and soak in the lullaby sweetness of the raga. Sri Varadarajan's Violin followed the Alapanai faithfully.
Muthuswami Dikshithar's "Ananda Natana Prakasam" on Akasha Lingam of Chidambaram was so soothing and I have not heard many others sing Kedaram or this song as beautifully as Sri Rama Varma does.

The concert being at Shiva Vishnu temple, it was befitting to sing "Hariyum Haranum Onre" by Sri M.D.Ramanathan in Attana. This one was a little charmer where M.D.R fans had a trip down memory lane.
When Rama Varma playfully imitated his manasika Guru's way of stretching "Pa" in the place "Paalithu Arulvan", he brought the song alive in front of us, the MDR way.

A very elaborate and meditative Panthuvarali followed next. Breathtakingly beautiful, he offered this raga with complete mastery and much variety in terms of musical scales with no ambiguity. Touching the higher octave and gliding smoothly to Manthra Sthayi Shadjamam showed the versatility and immense commitment of the artist towards music thus ensuring the enjoyment of the rasikas.
Sri Varadarajan played with a sense of anticipation and with great nidhanam following like a shadow throughout.
Swati Thirunal's "Sarasaksha" layered with emotive rendition and a torrential Kalpanaswara at "Beema Sevya" with his trade mark pattern of tossing the syllable in a patterned manner making it playful and entertaining for the rasikas. Passing the baton is something Rama Varma enjoys doing for his main. His style of ending the koraippu with a silence is always a treat to watch and enjoy.
The Tani avarthanam was exclusively melodic and the healthy competition between Harikumar and Ghatam Karthick during Tani was the highlight for the evening.

Post main it was the toe tapping "Varaleela gaana" a Thyagaraja krithi followed by a rare Thillana composed by Balamurali Krishna in Garudadhwani depicting the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja.

[HarishankarK]

But he did not include any song related to Kanchi Periyava or on Goddess Kamakshi, that's strange because usually he does a lot of research and pops up surprises in his concerts.
There are a handful of krithis on the Kanchi seer himself and not to mention tons of krithis on Kanchipuram deities. He could have sung at least 1 composition like that. Just an observation not an accusation.
Yes there is a lot peace and sukham in his rendering style and concerts.