GAYATHRI GIRISH AT RAGASUDHA HALL- 4/11

[CRama]

The above concert was organized by Nadopasana on 4 Nov 2014 at 6.15 PM. GG was accompanied by Raghavendra Rao on the Violin and Ganapathiraman on the Mridangam. The list of songs.

Sarasooda- Varnam- Saveri
Ramabhakthi saamraajya-Sudhabangala-T (S)
Eesaanadi Sivaakaara manche-Sahana-MD (R)
Baagaayanayya-Chandrajothi-T (S)
Sarasasaamadana-Kapinarayani-T
Enraikku Siva kripai varumo-Mukhari-NS (R)
Kamalambaam Bhajare-Kalyani-MD (R,N,S,Tani)
Ramajogi-Khamas- Bhadrachala Ramadas
Sreenivasa Thiruvenkata-Hamsanandi-PS
Rama Rama-Chenjuruti-Divayanamam-T
Mangalam- Sourashtram

A brief alapana of Saveri for the varnam set the stage ready for a weighty concert that was to follow. The long array of swaras at pallavi for Ramabhakthi samrajyam gave the kalaikattal for the concert. There were many interesting combinations landing at ri which was scholarly.

The detailed alapana of Sahana with many refreshing expressions was a demonstration of the myriad hues of the ragam. Gayathri Girish is one artist who has always been presenting a new composition in every concert, and this was no exception. Easanadi of MD is rarely heard in the concert platform. Of course, this was part of the MYRIAD FORMS OF SIVA. Gayathri Girish explained the significance of the rare song of MD which facilitated wholesome enjoyment of the song by the rasikas. The iconographic details of Tripurasundari was explained. The legs of the bench in which Ambal is sitting are the four faces of Siva and Siva, with his fifth face Easanam is lying on bench. MD in the line Sree Sharada samsevitha parsva yugale mentions that Ambal is flanked on both the sides by Lakshmi and Saraswathy. As we have observed in many of his compositions, in this kriti, MD has intelligently woven the name of the ragam Sahana (known in ancient times as SHANA) in the words Eesanadi. This song was new to most of the audience and they relished a lot.

The next song Bagayanayya was decorated with elaborate swaras in the first kalam. After the brief filler in Kapinarayani, Gayathri launched on the second ragam- Mukhari in a detailed manner. Her alapana took 5 minutes and she explored the various facets of this ragam in a most telling manner which is not a very common feature in many of today’s concerts. The way she presented the song Enraikku Siva kripai was something special- with considerable repose and with special emphasis on the sahithyam. Especially her singing of the charanam with suitable voice modulations and stressing on the appropriate words and repeating the key phrases brought into light the philosophical values conveyed by the composer which many times do not get the required attention. The whole thing was incredibly serene. For me, this was the take away of this concert and I am sure the same with majority in the audience.

Ragam Kalyani- the queen among the ragams was handled with the dignity it deserves. A detailed alapana for about 15 minutes had TNS flavour throughout with the judicious handling of jarus, brighas, to the enjoyment of discerning rasikas. The Navavaranam kriti of MD proved most fitting for the weighty alapana done by Gayathri Girish. Neraval was done for the pallavi and Gayathri’s starting of the neraval from Kalpita Maya kaaryam thyajare was a pointer to her attention to the sahithya bhavam. Elaborate swaraprastharams in two kalams had the optimum quotient of vyavaharam and the audience enjoyed every phrase of it.

The tail enders were also soaked in melody and bhava. The Divyanamam is a new one for me. The accompanists played their role excellently. The alapanas and returns of Raghavendra Rao were succinct. Mridangam by Ganapathiraman embellished the concert significantly. The hall was full and one particular feature of this venue is the presence of many knowledgeable rasikas in the audience. No wonder all the concerts in this venue turn out to be superb and this was no different. An auspicious curtain raiser for Gayathri Girish for the forthcoming Music season.

[rajeshnat]

Rama Rama-Chenjuruti-Divayanamam-T
The Divyanamam is a new one for me.

Crama,
There is a rama rama rama mam pahi , part of divyanama krithi subset of sadguru. The raga is yamunakalyani. Did you mistake yamunakalyani as shenjuruTTi. Tx for you

[priyaram78]

Thanks Sri Crama for the detailed review of Gayathri's concert for rasikas like me. Cant wait for the december festival.....to read reviews here in rasikas !

[CRama]

Rajesh. This song is in Chenjuruti. There are many songs starting with Rama Rama in that group. Yamunakalyani- I do not remember having heard the same.