AISHWARYA SHANKAR AT INFOSYS HALL- 21/2

[CRama]

The concert of Aishwarya Shankar accompanied by Anayampatti Venkatasubramaniam on the violin and Kallidaikurichi Sivakumar on the Mridangam was organised by Mudhra in their monthly concert programme. List of songs

Varnam-Sankarabharanam-Ata talam
Nekkurugi-Abhogi-Adi-PS (S)
Nadupai balige-Madhyamavathy-K.Chapu-T (R,N,S)
Devi brova-Chinthamani-Adi-SS
Sree Sankaraguruvaram-Nagaswarali-Roopakam (MV.Sivan)
Sree Krishnam bhajamanasa-Thodi-Adi-MD (R,N,S)-Thani
Karpooram narumo-Khamas-Adi-Nachiyar thirumozhi
Thirupugazh-Ragamalika
Thillana-Poornachandrika
Mangalam

Aishwarya is a disciple of esteemed Guru Smt. Suguna Varadachary. Aishwarya’s family was originally from Kolkata and the family relocated to Chennai to pursue Aishwarya’s musical career. I know Aishwarya’s family from my Kolkata days and am watching her steady progress. She can be seen singing along with her Guru as well as with Radha Bhaskar in the Raga Anubhavam programmes. She is giving solo concerts as well. Aishwarya is well oriented towards layam areas also as she has been singing RTPs in complex talams even when she was in Kolkata. In the RTP series organised by Saraswathi in NGS in Dec, she presented a Dwi raga pallavi in Mohanam and Thodi in a complex talam which was rated high in the reviews.

Aishwarya has a strong mellifluous voice that has got good throw and her diction, patantharam and manodharmam are strong. Presently she is doing her doctorate in music. That was a short intro to the young vidushi. Now about the concert.

The varnam was presented in the right kalapramanam giving an indication of the pristine music that was to follow. For the Abhogi song, sparkling swaras at Sikkal Singara vela guhane had the kalaikattifying effect. The ragams Madhyamavathy and Thodi- both were presented in full details both for more than 10 minutes- both qualify to be billed as main – no submain and main. Her abundant sancharams around key swaras revealed her high manodharmam. There was the right mix of brighas and plain notes and her voice traversed the three octaves effortlessly. There were many rare sangathis in raga alapanas. The neraval at Ajanubahuyuga for Nadupai and Sankha chakra for Sree Krishnam bhaja manasa were very elaborate- something very special with the Musiri school. Her swaras were also highly imaginative.

The planning of the concert- see the mix of talams, ragams, composers as mentioned by Ariyakudi which is the topic of discussion elsewhere. Devi brova provided the required visranthi at that juncture and the next filler Sree Sankaraguruvaram pepped up the tempo of the concert.The violin returns and raga alapanas of Anayampatti Venkatasubramaniam was very good. The accompanists embellished the concert significantly.

Many a time, I have seen that the monthly concerts of Mudhra attracts poor audience- sometimes even 15-20. This concert had a reasonably good audience- about 70-75. I presume this is a result of the Music Appreciation courses conducted by Mudhra. Thanks to Mudhra for the initiative in this direction.

This was a very good concert which lasted for two hours and ten minutes. Wait for the webcast by paalam. Whenever you get a chance to hear Aishwarya Shankar pl do attend. You will enjoy the concert.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Thanks CRama for the details of the concert.
(I remember listening to her a few years back at P S School, Mylapore and her father Dr.Shankar introduced her to us). Happy to note that she has blossomed into a consummate artist.
Interesting to note that it was a concert with no 'Sub main - Main' divide. It is also notable that though niraval at 'Sikkal singaravela' of abhogi is uncommon, nobody would compromise on 'Ajanubahumiha' in 'Naadupai'!
Congrats to the artists and Mudhra.

[CRama]

Sikkal singaravela- Neraval was not done. Only second kala swaras.
Ajanubahuyuga- GNB used to do elaborate neraval at Ajanubahu but quickly start rendering swaras at Payojaksha. MLV also followed suit.
TNS used to do neraval and swaras at Vedasannuta.