Yesterday’s concert for Sruti in Philadelphia was unlike any I have attended. At the outset, it was announced that Rama’s Guru, Ivaturi Vijayeswara Rao garu, had passed away the previous night. Pantula Rama walked onto the stage and the sorrow on her face was unmistakable.
Rama started with Sri guruna palitosmi in Paadi. Tears were streaming down her face and her voice was slightly quivering. Her partner in life and on stage, MSN Murthy with his strong, supportive bowing was musically egging her to go on. Patri played as only he can, lifting the krithi. It was so emotional as an audience member that I was wondering whether Rama would be able to continue. And then she began kalpanaswarams for this krithi! Her voice got stronger and the PDPN pidis of Padi brought out the raga beautifully. Any questions on its rakthiness were unequivocally answered.
Sri Guruguha tarayaasumam at a fast clip changed the pace. Rama’s pronunciation and clear enunciation ensures sahityam will make as much of an impact as the sangeetham.
Rama announced she was going to sing Ranganayakam next. She talked about how her Guru would highlight the appropriateness of the ragam (Nayaki admiring the Nayaka) and the composer’s intent in beginning the krithi in the lower half as a way of bowing down to the Lord. She said she was singing all of her Guru’s favorite Dikshitar kritis and that every note she sings is imbued with what he taught her.
Kanjadalayadakshi in Kamalamanohari , was a nice change of pace and a veritable playground for Patri.
Subhapantuvarali was taken up for alapana next. The melancholy that pervaded was accentuated. Rama’s voice has strength and mellifluousness in equal measure which makes her build up of alapana fantastic – there are these incredible flourishes at the end of phrases that spring up on you. MSN Murthy was at his emotive best in his alapana. Sri Satyanarayanam was sung with intensity. Satyagnanaandamayam Sarvam Vishnumayam was an excellent choice of Neraval. Rama’s signature neraval singing is a class apart. She does not do the standard traversing of the octave. She sticks to the part of the octave of the line and explores those notes in such a way that we are left with a fully unfurled lotus at the end. MSN Murthy matched her at every step. Both slow and fast paced swarams were sung.
Kambhodi Alapana was up next. It was built up very well. The alapana on the violin was excellent eliciting appreciation from Rama. Rama took up tanam and signalled Patri to join in. It shows her confidence in layam to have Patri as the mridamgam artiste. Patri played so softly , but so effectively. Sri Subramanyaya Namaste, the majestic Kambhodi krithi was the main krithi of the evening. Neraval was at the pallavi line-SrıSubrahmanyaya namaste namaste manasijakotikotilavanyaya dınasaranyaya. An excellent round of swarams followed in both speeds. At the end of the piece, a smile finally showed up on Rama’s face.
I cannot say much more than one word, exhilarating, about Patri’s taniyavarthanam.His ability to play such intricate patterns effortlessly and literally predict the artist is beyond my grasp.
Mayetvam in Tarangini and Mamava Pattabhirama in Manirangu, both sung at madhyama sruthi were sung with the emotive accent they deserve. As a knowledgeable friend remarked, Rama’s gamakas are exquisite – with just the right weight and vibratto. The concert concluded with Mangalam kosalendraya.
Pantula Rama is a consummate artiste with such high musical values. Her countenance on stage is as dignified as her music. She could not have paid a better tribute to her Guru. His soul was with her yesterday.
Her teaming up with MSN Murthy and Patri Satish Kumar is such a terrific combination.
A Dikshitar thematic concert always leaves me humbled and in awe – of a man whose infinite musical intellect created masterpieces that stand before a listener like the great edifices of nature , a la Grand Canyon. It’s up to the listener to absorb and appreciate as much as her limited faculties will let her.
Don't miss Pantula Rama’s concert if it happening in your neck of woods!
