TMK, RKS, KAP@ HYMA, Houston, Sunday, October 12, 2014

[vasanthakokilam]

(Posting this on behalf of Sri. Shankar Vaidyanathan, Houston. He had some technical difficulty in posting this )

A melodious musical evening with Vidvans TMK, RKS, KAP@ HYMA, Houston, Sunday, October 12, 2014


"For the sake of us on the stage, and, for the sake of you in the audience, let us forget that this is a concert. Let us just listen." - T.M.Krishna

Houston welcomed the Vidvans with rain. There were residual clouds trying to decide whether to pour more on the land to nourish the life on the land or move on to the Gulf of Mexico to feed the original life. It was a bit cooler than usual Houston Fall weather. We were advised to take our seats early and maintain Western concert decorum. The Houston Youth Music Association (HYMA) had made impeccable arrangements under the guidance of Vid. Rajarajeshwary Bhat, and, mentored by Vid. Vittal Ramamurthy. Vittal Sir tested the microphones with the perfirming artists and set up the sound system. We had a gifted sound engineer. The hall's acoustics were nearly perfect.

On this day, Krishna was going to sing. And sing. And sing. He opened his heart. It was like listening to a fire side chat between old friends. All three Vidvans were clearly masters of their own art. They were on an intellectual plane continuing on a dialogue. And, they decided to pick up from where they left rshankar at New Jersey! How I wish it was a Saturday and there were no limits on how long they could converse. What was needed was some good Kumbakonam filter coffee and a warm blanket to curl next to the fire. This is not a roaring fire. It was like a soul warming and comforting fire.

They started with "Rave Himagiri Kumari Kamakshi" (Thodi?)

Maya Malava Gowlai was next. Starting off with Manickavasagar's Siva Puranam "Pullai" in Virutham, they seamlessly went on to build "Sri Natadhi Guruguho." They built it brick by decorated brick and it was an experience to hear! The dual Thamburas by Chinmayi and Thanmayi was harmonious. His disciple slowly joined in...and, Krishna encouraged her to sing along.

After a brief Kamas (Kshanaro), Krishna announced he was going to sing a Thanam in Salagabhairavi...and...after the majestic Thanam sang "Padavini."

RKS followed with a rendition of Shankarabharanam. Krishna then said there is nothing more to singing a Kriti in that raga today but instead wanted to sing a different one.

He took Reethigowlai ("Dhvaitamu Sukama".) It had a different feel. My wife really loved it.

They took Bhairavi ("Kanchi Kamakshi") and then Thani followed.

Krishna asked for permission to sing more. Now we were close to the three hour mark. Left to themselves, they could have easily continued for another hour or so.

Krishna wrapped up with a Maand ("Bharo Krishnaiyya"), Behag ("Irakkam Varamal"), followed by, a Behag Thillana, and, Mangalam.

Overall, my father-in-law summarized it best by saying it was a melodious evening. Krishna was singing in his now usual Vilamba Kalam. He had very good range and his voice was majestic. I had the impression of attending a Hindustani concert where they take fewer ragas for construction and exploration. I personally liked the MMG and the "Irakkam Varamal"...I had been unconsciously humming "Pazhi Ethanai Naan Seyyinum" at work. This concert was a joint production by the three Vidvans and they deserved equal credit.

I hope either TMK himself or a recording label is preserving this concert tour for the ages. It is clear to me that irrespective of what he writes or what is being written about him, TMK is now entering the prime of his musical career. He has clearly captured the youth segment. He is a force. He will become a legend in his own way. He commands respect and he has earned our listening. Irrespective of whether we agree with him or his doings, it is in our musical interest to have an open mind, and, listen to his soulful music. Because that is how we can begin to comprehend genius. I have started reading his book recently. Part One is required reading for all aspiring students.

(I am not too certain of the ragas or the spelling of Kritis but I think the forum will pardon!)

Best,
Shankar Vaidyanathan, Houston.

[rshankar]

Beautiful review of what seems to have been another beautiful and melodious evening!
And you got to hear his irakkam varAmal pOnnadenna - one of favorites from his vast repertoire.
On another note, I do wish he'd sing some varNams too, for I believe he knows a ton of them.
A question and a comment: who is the student you've referred to?
Comment - it should be pizhai ettanani nAn seidAlum (how many ever misdeeds I may commit), and not pazhi (blame).

[Ranganayaki]

Thank you, VK, our thanks to Shankar Vaidyanathan. Each review has been making me look forward to our turn here with greater anticipation.. ..

[rajeshnat]

Shankar vaidyanathan
Thank you for your review and all the organizers giving time and also extra time . This concert with two swarajathis must have been wonderful . He sings irakkam varamal with such intensity -it must have been a great finish. Looks lot of weighty krithis has been the syrup of his US tour. Keep it going TMk,RKSK and KAP.

[Rsachi]

he has earned our listening. Irrespective of whether we agree with him or his doings

That BEST describes TMK!

[mahavishnu]

Thanks VK and thanks to your friend in Houston.

This is getting curiouser and curiouser, as Lewis Carroll would say.
Despite having followed Krishna's music closely and having been to many of his concerts over the last several years, I am still not sure what to expect when he performs here in the Bay Area, a couple of weekends from now. I suppose unpredictability is the new spice of life. Move over, variety!

I wonder if it was LGJ's tillAna in behag. I've heard him sing it on 2-3 occasions. He does an extraordinary rendition... I suspect that he got the original pADam from Bombay Jayashree.

Ravi, yes he does have an amazing repertoire of varnams. Including some very rare ones like "manavi chEkona rAdA" in sankarabharanam by Ponniah Pillai. I am assuming he learned a lot of Ponniah Pillai/Tanjore Quartet compositions from Sri Seetharama Sarma.

[vasanthakokilam]

Shankar Vaidyanathan, Thanks very much. That is a wonderful write up.

Thanam is being pulling out of its sandwiched position to give it more air. It is now open-faced. Before starting this U.S. tour we heard of his Tanam + Varnam, In Chicago it was Ragam + Tanam, In NJ it was Tanam + Thillana and in Houston it is Tanam + Krithi. Now, I am curious what else Tanam can be combined with. Tanam + Viruththam + Song? ( just speculating )

RKS followed with a rendition of Shankarabharanam. Krishna then said there is nothing more to singing a Kriti in that raga today but instead wanted to sing a different one. He took Reethigowlai ("Dhvaitamu Sukama".) It had a different feel. My wife really loved it.

Was RKS's Shankarabharanam an alapana or alapana plus a composition? Did TMK launche into Dhvaitamu Sukama straight away after shankarabharanam or was there a rItigowLa alapana? Just curious.

[Purist]

VK wrote : " Thanam is being pulling out of its sandwiched position to give it more air. It is now open-faced. Before starting this U.S. tour we heard of his Tanam + Varnam, In Chicago it was Ragam + Tanam, In NJ it was Tanam + Thillana and in Houston it is Tanam + Krithi. Now, I am curious what else Tanam can be combined with. Tanam + Viruththam + Song? ( just speculating )"

It could be 'Thanam Mangalam :p

[shankar vaidyanathan]

vk, thank you for posting. It was Shankarabharam raga alapana by RKS. After that, TMK took a pause...he looked for some notes,and, may be referred a book too. It was a couple of minutes before the Reethigowlai. Those additional moments let us appreciate what an excellent effort it was by RKS.

mv, now that you mention, I thought during the corcert that TMK could compose music for a Bharathanatyam dance ballet.

rshankar, thank you for the correction in "Irakkam Varamal." They said that Chinmayi and Thanmayi, the Thambura artists, were his students.

I think the Thilla went like ..."Madhavan Maruga"...I have heard other Lalgudi lineage artists singing that so it may indeed be a LGJ composition.

Best,
Shankar Vaidyanathan, Houston.

[Ranganayaki]

yes.. "Madhavan Maruga".. that would be LGJ's tillana..

Lakshman has posted this somewhere:

C: mAdhavan marugA malariNaip-pAdamE gatiyena paNindEn
nI dayai puriyAdirundiDil nIdamA parivuDan aruLvAi

among other things, I love the successive swaraksharams which blend so well into the rest of the line.. I've highlighted in bold and underlined it.

I've never come across 5 in a row in any other song. Does anyone else know of others? And to me, it is so much more subtle than any other I"ve ever come across..

[vasanthakokilam]

I vaguely recalled some discussion a long time back about a whole composition in swarakshara. Searched and found this, though probably not the one that was talked about earlier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da3fL6tzWM0
(I hear the swaras but I can not speak for the aksharas!). If there is interest in discussing swarakshara, we can move these posts to a different thread later.

[rshankar]

DRS has composed an entire kRti using svarAksharas

[Ranganayaki]

VK.. yes i agree about swarams and aksharams.. I don't think it is 100 pc swaraksharam.. it is probably replete with swaraksharams.. I don't think it had five in a row. (did it?)

I feel the flow of the song is contrived except at some spots (where lyrics go: Satchitananda)

It doesn't beat the behag tillana .. That one is so subtle, so unobtrusive.. And he doesn't overdo the device.

Ravi, would you be able to give me a reference?

[kunthalavarali]

ma ni dhA ni dhA ni sa rvam mA dha van seyal(மநிதா நிதானி ஸர்வம் மாதவன் செயல்) in todi, a pallavi by TRS

[arasi]

Can someone bring DRS's kruti to us?

Kunthalavarali,
Interesting to hear about TRS's pallavi line! Years before that (1949, '50?), Prof V.V. Sadagopan sang a pallavi resembling that: manidA, nidAni SAnthithanai sanmArga sAdhanamAga ninai?

[Ranganayaki]

Thank you, Kunthalvarali

[panchanathan]

Dear SV, You are all lucky to listen to this music atleast once a year.
Why only youngstrer. I am 77 and I do not miss his performance. They are
a great team.
Panchanathan, Chennai-600102.

[thanjavooran]

Shri Panchanathan Avl,
Welcome to the forum. We expect more reiviews of all the concerts enjoyed by you.
With wishes,
Thanjavooran
19 10 2014