Vishal Sapuram@rAma Anjaneyar temple on Aug 25th,2014

[rajeshnat]

Vishal Sapuram@rAma Anjaneyar temple on Aug 25th,2014
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Chitraveena : Vishal sapuram (disciple of Chitraveena ravikiran)
Violin : MYsore Sangeetha (Whose disciple is she??)
Mrudangam : Sumesh Narayanan???

Concert Type : Nirvana - no concert to follow
Day/Duration : Monday/ 90 minutes
Crowd : 10 to 12 only despite being a free concert
Hall : rama anjaneyar temple , Tambaram sanitorium
Occasion : Vinayaka chaturthi celebrations

1.jaya jaya janaki (S) - nAttai - PD
2. kanakana ruchi rA - varAli - T

3. nannu vidachi (R,S) - reetigowlai - T
7 mins alapana and 4 mins violin return
8 mins swaras

4. krithi in shyamA???
5A. kari kAlabha mukham?? (R N S T) -sAveri - MD
8 mins alapana and 6 mins violin return
N and S for 8 mins
5B. tani for 7 mins

6. Speech
...

Rama anjaneyar has two temples next to each other, all within the same compound in tambaram sanatorium .This concert was on the occassion of vinayaka chaturthi . The crowd count is very very less(10 to 12) - the motivation for the performing artists has to come from within the ensemble than a usual concert where rasikas have scope to motivate. The start was scheduled at 7pm but as I entered at 07:25 pm the concert did not even start . The concert started at 07:30 pm.

Vishal started with a standard opener in nattai with jaya jaya , a purandaradasar krithi , certainly the musical vibrations were rich. The next number in varali was excellent , I love pancharatna krithis when dropped early- it adds a real high oomph effect and I could spot a fairly effortless play in him - there was economy of movement , but sangathis were so deep and kept me engrossed . The contrast of varali heaviness which had more azhuttam with a back to back reetigowlai was sowkhyam personified play. The alapana had a very high reetigowlai jeeva pidi like a typical semmangudish reetigowlai and the krithi nannu vidachi was played very well - that too the ornamentation on those goose bump lines ramaiyya rama , pattabhi rama was superb.

The shyama filler was nice , i could not identify the krithi - but the muse did continue . THe main in saaveri was a mixed bag , the alapana was played more in patches and I could not sense a typical cohesion like his previous reetigowlai alapana. THe krithi kari kalabha mukham in saveri(not very sure of the krithi) was excellently played.Particularly the swaras were excellent - the speed was there I could also notice a certain kind of sharpness with no excess vibration between notes. When there is agility if your ear does not notice too much of drag in notes it is just nice . IN saaveri swaras I could spot a manodlin srinivas like approach especially in swaras with his sharpness.

The violinst mysore sangeetha played well only from second half . She had certain shade of roughness for the first few krithis. I think the mrudangam artist is Sumesh Narayanan - He had a different look that day then the last time that i saw him.He maintained the right kalapramanam for every krithi and was consistent . Tani was just good . I had to leave at the end of main when the speech started - my home was just too far from tambaram.

Personally my experience of chitraveena is very limited .I have heard chitraveena ravikiran only twice or thrice in live concerts . Apart from the proximity of veena tone in chitraveena, for some time I could notice a shade of tone like mandolin .

Vishal has real sowkhyam and depth without anavsiyam. His poise was excellent - there were quite a few audio mike howls ,but he was very cool he just smiles and moves forward . Perhaps this kind of poise will surely help him in long run.At times for few krithis i could notice few tick tick sounds which were not that musical . This is my first concert of his and I heard just for 90 minutes , i should hear him more .Vishal appears immensely gifted.

Overall a very good to excellent concert.

[mkal]

I believe Mysore Sangeeta is currently a disciple of Sri. T.N. Krishnan. She has also trained under chitraveena Sri. Ravikiran and chitraveena Sri. Narasimhan. She also gives vocal concerts.

[CRama]

Rajesh, Thanks for the review. I have heard about this young vidwan- but did not get an opportunity to listen so far. Hope he plays some time in this part of the city. Being Ganesh Chaturthy, Karikalabhamugham is an apt choice- (Even if you are not sure, I presume he would have played that only). Rarely heard in concerts.