Jayanthi Kumaresh, Cleveland Aradhana 2015

[maduraimini]

Jayanthi Kumaresh was accompanied By Anuradha Sridhar on the violin, Mannargudi Easwaran on the Mridangam and Guruprasad on the ghatam.
She started with a short alapana of Sahana. This karuna rasa filled ragam was played so well by the artist. She played the Karunimpa varnam. Very soulful rendering.
The next one was Lathangi raga with Patnam Subramaniam Iyer's 'Aparadamula'. This popular kriti was fast and delightful. Anuradha's violin blended so well with the veena. Niraval, swaram at 'Kripa juchi' was exhilarating.
I do not know what the next song was, except it was in KAnada ragam. I think KAnada is a very beautiful ragam, but not used much in concerts. Don't know why.
Then a fast Thyagaraja kriti, 'Nenarunchi' in the ragam Simhavahini. I loved this ragam and the song. This really made you sit up.
Ragam, Tanam in Shanmukhapriya was enjoyable. I am not sure of the pallavi, but remeber hearing Nee padame gathi kripakari. Arasi or Sri Sundararajan can confirm. The Tani by Easwaran Sir and Guruprasad was fulfilling.
The last song was another favorite of mine- Chandrasekhara Eesa in Sindubhairavi.
Then it was cut off.
I see many of the artists don't get to finish their concerts because of the time frame, as the next artist will be waiting. But it is hard for us to hear half the song or miss the last one. I understand Sundaram has to make sure the coming artist gets his/her share of time. Can I ask the artists to cut off one song from their list and finish the song? Or limit the time in another song? Ofcourse, they know well how to sing and they are the ones to judge how to finish . So I leave it to them, but it is onerasika's request.
The Mridangam and ghatam artists were up to their mettle and I enjoyed their playing.
Jayanthi's veena playing was like violin- no string plucking sound. I think she and Anuradha make a wonderful team and hope to hear them often.

[arasi]

The two cousins gave a wonderful performance. Though Anuradha sat on the side, it could as well have been a duet most of the time. How they blended together in mellow sounds! Their appreciation for each other and the warmth with which they egged each other on was touching. The wealth of the Lalgudi tradition
was spread out right in front of our us to see.

Was the kAnaDA one SrikAnta enagishTu daye mADO tande? What swift playing with all the bhAvam in tact!

Then, that simhavAhini and following shaNmukhapriya which stole my heart away.

Mahavishnu,
Your review of Jayanthi Kumaresh's concert did too and since it is my first listen to a full time concert of hers, I am amazed at her gift.

And what professionals! With a loss in their family less than a day ago (quite a number of them in their family the past few years ), they were so professional in putting all their mind to what was at hand--the concert...

Though brief, the tani had the MAE stamp, and with Guruprasad aiding him, we had a mini treat.

[Sundara Rajan]

Maduraimini: Please see my brief coverage of Jayanthi's veeNa and my note to you in page 6 of main coverage of the Aradhana at 12:43 GMT and 15:24 GMT

[mahavishnu]

And what professionals! With a loss in their family less than a day ago (quite a number of them in their family the past few years ), they were so professional in putting all their mind to what was at hand--the concert...

Yes, my most sincere condolences to them. So many losses in the last couple of years, in addition to the most recent one.
If there is just one thing that can be said about the Lalgudi paramparA, it would have to be about their unrelenting sense of professionalism. Strings and nerves of steel, but a heart that is all gold.

[rajeshnat]

Yes, my most sincere condolences to them. So many losses in the last couple of years, in addition to the most recent one.

Just in case if many are wondering who is being referred to :

Ananthagopalan , husband of Vidushi Padmavathi ananthagopalan (Vainika ) and brother in law of LGJ passed away yesterday. In April 09th,2015 The Hindu, his photo was put in obituary. Incidentally he was born in 1921 , as per obituary

[Nick H]

I am glad to know that Guruprasad has "made it" to Cleveland and that all you people there are able to enjoy his playing. Can the ghatam be a "melodic" instrument? Well, no, not really, but in his hands it seems to be so. He makes a positive and noticeable contribution to any concert, but without any trace at all of intrusion.

[mahavishnu]

Was the kAnaDA one SrikAnta enagishTu daye mADO tande? What swift playing with all the bhAvam in tact!

Arasi: The kAnaDa song was Sri nArada nAda (just found this on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlR50tdwuRE)

[arasi]

Great! Another round of her playing (Anuradha's too) for me to savor

Now, I will hear vara nArada...

[maduraimini]

I am sorry I forgot to mention about their loss. My sympathies to the artists who performed so well in spite of the death of a close family member. That is the true spirit of an artist, I guess. I did not know they were cousins either, until Sundaramji said that day in his introduction.