Cleveland Aradhana 2016 (March 23, 2016 to April 3, 2016)

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 23 Mar 2016, 18:46

The day we uphold and herald in NA has arrived! It's the start of the Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival in Cleveland today

Snow storms daring vernal equinox and cold winds challenging emerging blooms don't put a damper on this grand festival in our part of the world. We will soon see musicians from the heat city merrily circulating in shawls and parkhas, their faces filled with excitement. Children sparkling in their finery (covered in winter vestments at times), putting their hearts into the music which they have made part of their lives...

Such a festival of North America will commence this afternoon...

May it bring more torch bearers of CM to keep it alive and well. May the hard work and dedication of the organizers reap benefits which make a lasting imprint in the world of CM in the coming years...

Waiting for the mangala vAdyam (nAgasvaram) to herald in plenty of bountiful music in the coming days

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 02:40

As I entered the house mid-afternoon, the strains of the universal mOhanam on the nAdasvaram greeted me. taDAgam onRuNDAkkinAr gaNanAyakar followed.Then, an expert exposition of the tavil ensued.

tambUri mITidava in sindhu bhairavi and rAdhA samEta krishnA in YamunA KalyANi were spun out.

A great way to start the festival which holds promise of very good performances by eminent artistes and the young ones.

Would like to know what Sashikiran and company discussed in their hour. Will catch up with it in the Demand round, hopefully...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 03:16

Youngsters on stage: Thanmayee Krishnamurthy of Texas, disciple of TMK, starts with a sketch of kEdAra gowLa (promise of bhAva already) and sings T's vENu gAna lOluni. sogasugAnu pADagA neraval line is presented with sogasu. She carefully builds up her performance with the able support and sweetness of Sushmitha Ravikumar's violin (who is from Ohio and made a mark in the Carnatic Idol program?).

Nidhi cAla sukhamA with neraval and svarAs at mamatA bandhana is a wholesome affair.

With bArO krishnaiyya, they wind up. The youngest of them, Suraj Srinivasan (from Ohio again) does well accompanying and in his tani...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 04:48

Waiting for others--those who are actually in Cleveland (ah, better!) and those who are watching from everywhere in the world through streaming (thanks to icarnatic).Please bring to Rasikas.org your input!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 04:57

Our man TNS has commenced his concert with varNam. Voice in good form. He's warming up...what better than viribONi, the task master among varNams to do that!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 05:06

Is firing off kalpanA svarams now.MAE playing along smoothly, Sunder Rajan only too familiar with the lead man's drift, plays diligently.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 05:11

A brisk hamsadhvani with Sri raghu kula...more sparkly svarAs...A hOli of a splurge with them...

A leisurely Ananda bhairavi rAgA delienation now--glimpses of ARI in his concert honoring him...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 06:20

I was away for a few minutes, didn't get the song

but the neraval was at bhAnukOTi (sounded something like kApADu?)when he wound up.

The main--kalyANi on the same day and nidhi cAla (tsAla) sukhamA too! Neraval though was at dAsarathi tyAgarAja. After the youngster's good singing, the jAmbavAn's rendition as well!

tani is a pleasure to hear when MAE plays. Add Sundarkumar's joining in. Having fun listening to this now...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 06:37

After that delicious tani which even this novice savored, ARI reminder in TNS starting yArenRu rAgavani eNNinIrammA (AruNachala kavi), singing it rather precis fashion than lingering on with it.

A quick pari dAnamiccitE in Bilahari follows suite, though followed by svarAs at pAlincuvEmO.

rAgA tODi--RTP? tODiyil pADugiREn??

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 07:27

A measured rAgA presentation, tAnam with some flourishes, now getting into it, decorating it, lingering with it, playing around with it, and then handing the baton to Sundera Rajan who does justice to it. Then TNS really giving it a treatment which pleases no end...

Then comes his lauding the master of the concert format. Easy seeming outwardly, but intricate were his ways, TNS praises ARI. So, 'ariyakkuDiyai aRiyak kUDumA, mArga dariSi, sangIta ratnAkara--ariyakkuDiyai...becomes TNS's pallavi line! varALi, kAnaDa, behAg, suraTi, back to tODi! An inspired presentation, MAE 's flourish at the end makes the finale grand!

nirupamAna sAmi follows.

pavamAna...then kallAp pizaiyum, a surprise follow up...

An evening to cherish...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 24 Mar 2016, 07:45

Tastes as well as opinions do differ. I think this was one of TNS's mediocre performances. Nothing new nor cherishable except for the pallavi line.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 24 Mar 2016, 07:51

arasi wrote: The main--kalyANi on the same day and nidhi cAla (tsAla) sukhamA too!
....
TNS praises ARI. So, 'ariyakkuDiyai aRiyak kUDumA, mArga dariSi, sangIta ratnAkara--ariyakkuDiyai...becomes TNS's pallavi line! varALi, kAnaDa, behAg, suraTi, back to tODi!

Sundara Rajan wrote:Tastes as well as opinions do differ. I think this was one of TNS's mediocre performances. Nothing new nor cherishable except for the pallavi line.

Vellore sangeetha sabha gave the award sagIta ratnAkara to ARI. this award is now the prestigious award of cleveland , apt for including the lines . I wish i was there to listen to pallavi.

As such before that nidhi chala sukhama in kalyani that too hearing front to back on the same day, perhaps TNS could have avoided.

Thank you arasi and sundara rajan who must have heard ariyakudi live , like last year you both are leading the report now . Please continue with your wonderful writing.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 08:15

Sundara Rajan,
I was going to send you mail. Maduraimini too. Wanted to know how your trip to India was. Wanting you to write about the festival as you did so admirably well, last year.

As for TNS, I'm looking at him not as he used to be, but as to how capable he is, even now. I thought he might take a longer time to settle down, but that wasn't the case at all this evening

Rajesh,
Thanks. I'm not sure how often I can sit and listen, and on top of it, write about the happenings. The coming days may not be as free as it was today for me. Yet, will try to post.

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 24 Mar 2016, 21:53

arasi wrote: As for TNS, I'm looking at him not as he used to be, but as to how capable he is, even now.

Can't be expressed in a better way!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Mar 2016, 23:37

Sivaramakrishnan,
Thanks for saying that. No Krishna for vocal support either. The voice settled in no time, and it was all his show. If I heard him right, he said something like: wouldn't have sung an RTP, but ARI inspired me.

Only wish my dearly held yadukula kAmbOji had been delivered in a bit more cajoling fashion, rather than down pat.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Mar 2016, 00:01

Day Two at kalyANi festival (nay, at Cleveland), Rajesh!

Was keen on listening to Pranav Kikkeri (who has won our hearts before).

The youngster has grown--in his music too, it was evident. His bEgaDa rAgA sketch and vallabha nAyakasya itself established his pATAntara.

mAyammA next from this young thing (something which is difficult even for more mature singers). He surprised us by showing his ability. All with feeling...

Then came KalyANi, Rajesh

Luckily, a rather not often heard ninnuvinA gatigAna jagAna. Neraval at vinuta pAlini.

Being a half hour program, that was it.

As Sundaram remarked, Ravikiran's trade mark was all there.

Way to go, Pranav! We will be there cheering you all along

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 25 Mar 2016, 05:19

icarnatic streaming has been horrible, to say the least, here in central Florida.
Lot of interruptions ! Is it so in other areas also ?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Mar 2016, 06:48

Sundara Rajan,
My listening today was sporadic but even in those brief periods, I came across several sound glitches--with no sound at all at times.

Not any more, it seems. Now, listening to Muralidharan's response to Unni Krishnan's mukhAri (enRaikku siva krupai varumO?).

Did you catch the words of Unni's opener in panthuvarALi? Sounded like umaikkuriya tiru maindA? Not familiar with that song. SuguNamulE ceppakuNTE came next.

He's starting on chArukEsi alApana now.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Mar 2016, 06:53

After some meandering in the first numbers, he's catching my attention now. He's getting into the spirit, it seems...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Mar 2016, 07:04

So well sung! Nagai now adding his fine touches...

ADamODi galadE rAmayya--mATa...

Swift svarAs in chaduvulanni...Nagai's sparkling replies...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Mar 2016, 07:27

And a short tani by Tiruvarur and Rajesh--riveting...Kudos, Karthik

You really are growing in stature!

Suttum vizi chuDardAn kaNNammA which came next could have been more inspiring. The words were sort of mushed. BhArathi deserved better...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 25 Mar 2016, 07:50

Thankfully the web stream recovered after Unnikrishnan started his performance.
I missed the first song and got to hear Unni's remark that it was Neelakanta Sivan's composition. When he was doing alApana in mukhAri, I told my wife how nice it would be if the song to follow was "EnRaikku Siva Krupai", but that it won't be since he had already presented a Neelakanta Sivan's composition. He proved me wrong and did a good job of EnRaikku Siva Krupai. I am not a fan of Unnikrishnan because he used to sing with almost closed mouth ! His MukhAri alApana and song with full throat was delectable and hope he continues to do so in the future too. At Bharathi's composition, he reverted to his old habit and swallowed the words ! You win some and lose some too !

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Mar 2016, 21:11

Friday, the third day of the festival, listening to the kids in competition. Every year, we are
impressed no end by their music. How do they do it?

Their singing the lyrics as well (if not better) than their counterparts in India!

When I switched on, a very young violinist was on stage--no sound

Then it came. A teen singing sAvEri, trying to catch the rAga bhAvA and succeeding in it.

An Anandbhairavi, in a lovely voice--chintayamAm--a young DKP singing it? Naraval at
santatam Ananda sachidAnanda was so well sung by her--and the bhAvA!

Speaking of bhAvA, they all do not learn from the same teacher who excels in that department--so, is it what our kids find on their own, I think...

KApi and difficult bEgaDa which followed, said the same to me. They seem to be making their own discovery of the bhAvA in CM, is it??

About the weekend and the ArAdhana : some of you rasikAs will be there--Lakshman, MKR, Srini and others. Please share your impressions with us.

Meenaakshi, your pictures are eagerly awaited. Of Ramanathan and others too, of course...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 26 Mar 2016, 00:42

Back to the competitions after the break.

"Sing chArukESi", a judge says, and out pours the rAgA, krupayA pAlaya SaurE and neraval and svarAs, then rasikapriyA with aruL seyya vENDumaiyyA, and now a varALi--all as if the kids are part of an ambiance where all they hear is this kind of music. I come to the point over and over again. Where do they capture it? With what?

With parents supporting them, their finding an interest in it, taking to it, finding more to latch on to it, searching more, listening more, and practicing hard?

Learning western music at school helps too, for svara sthAnAs? Wondering, wondering...

Anyhow, how do they capture the rAga bhAvA?

All I can say to them is: Great, kids

Now, I'm ready to hear the kAmbOji which fills the room sweetly...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 26 Mar 2016, 02:03

The competitions are over. I'm glad the judges MAE, Nagai M and Ramakanth were generous in their praises of the children, echoing my sentiments.

Interesting. Sundaram, in a few words reflecting his immense pride for the kids said this: smarts and focus--that's what you have--to make you the Sanjay Subrahmanyans and TMKs of tomorrow...

The latest Sangeetha Kalanidhi is a role model after all, it seems...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 26 Mar 2016, 02:15

What happened to the ceremonial procession etc. at 4:00 p.m. It is now 4 p.m and it appears that they are preparing for the "Carnatic + Jazz" torture !

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 26 Mar 2016, 03:22

I was wondering too.

Was waiting to hear the mangala vAdyam

See procession and kOlaTTam too, the traditional and colorful part of the ArAdhanA.

They could not run out of time again and delay programs like yesterday, I guess. So the omission.

The fusion has become a tradition too. It was noisier than usual to start with. It always has some interesting bits, though.

The children sing sweetly in this as well. However, no chorus of theirs this time to make an impact.

After nATa, tilang and kadana kutUhalam excitement, Aruna"s two lines starting hamsanAdam sounded calming.

Now, Carnatica Bros sound settled down and appealing in kalyANa rAmA...Calm after storm..the two children joining in. Aruna as well...

The tani of TiruvArur, Guruprasad, the tabla artistes and the band was appealing.

Hardly heard Aruna though...

Waiting for TNK eagerly...

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 26 Mar 2016, 06:55

I started late this year. I was not feeling well and felt lazy. With Arasi urging me, I got my ticket today. I heard Aruna Sairam, Shashikiran, Ganesh and others with the Jazz Musicians. I thought it was good. I can listen to this combo for a while, but not this long. Piano and Carnatic is ok. For me this was long.

Then I listened to my favorite old time Vidwan, Sri T.N.Krishnan with Viji Krishnan. Here let me say that I may give some wrong Raga names or sahitya words, but I want you to remember that I am a senior and my memory is not that good. Also, I am not feeling very well for the past week. So please forgive me for any mistakes I make. I may want to write Bilahari and write Begada instead! Sorry folks!
1. Sri Krishnan and Viji started with the Thyagaraja kriti 'Nada tanumanisam' in chittaranjani. This kriti was made popular with the non CM people by P.U.Chinnappa, a popular movie actor of the 40s.
2. Another Thyagaraja song in the ragam Ravichandrika, 'Niravathi sukhada' in Adi talam followed. They played niraval, swaram in this beautiful ragam. I remember my sister learning this song, when I was a little girl and I loved it.
3. A melodious raga alapana in Pantuvarali followed. The way they handled this raga was divine. Took you far away. The song was Thyagaraja's ' Siva Siva ena rada'. They played Niraval, swaram very nicely.
4. Next was another popular kriti of the old veteran Sri Madurai Mani Iyer- Sarasa Sama Dana in the ragam Kapi Narayani. This Thyagaraja kriti was one he always sang.
5. The next was a divine raga alapana in my favorite ragam 'Kapi'. kapi was handled in a masterly way by the Maestro and Viji. I did not know the song he played. Tiruchy Sankaran on the Mridangam and Gopalakrishnan on the kanjira gave a splendid Thani.
6. The last one was Gopalakrishna Bharathi's ' Eppo Varuvaro' in Jonpuri. Another beautiful song in a beautiful raga played beautifully!
I thought he was going to play the Mangalam when Sri Sundaram came on the stage and praised the vidwans.
The concert was wonderful, though short. When you think of Sri Krishnan's age, it is surprising he came all the way from Chennai and played for more than an hour to make us all, his fans , happy. Thank you Sri Krishnan and Viji. Also thanks to Sri Sundaram and The Aradhana committee for bringing him here.

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 26 Mar 2016, 08:08

Mods,
Should this be in the General Discussion section instead of here? If so, please feel free to move it there. Thanks.

badari · Post by **badari** » 26 Mar 2016, 09:41

All reviews of the concerts in this series could be posted here. I feel this thread is in the right place

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 26 Mar 2016, 11:24

Possibly full-fledged reviews can be here while online commentary-like posts can be in GD.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 26 Mar 2016, 18:12

TNK's violin performance was quite good, considering his advanced age. Was well supported by his daughter. However, there was nothing to call home about, simple selection of well known beaten up krithis. The kApi raga RTP was enjoyable.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 26 Mar 2016, 18:40

Yes, Sundararajan. TNK looks frail, but snatches of his playing still had magic. Viji supported him (played with him) admirably--anticipating, guiding at times (Sriram who was billed, wasn't there). The fingers may not cooperate at this age to engage in nimble play, but all the sAdhaka (practice) of a life time comes in 'hand'y, no doubt.

Started with nAda tanumanisam which had sauwkya. Even the spirited niravadi sukha had a sense of calm to it. But for a few violinists, this aspect in playing the instrument is almost a lost art now

Siva Siva ena rAdA followed. What bhAvA, even in svarAs! That one short phrase with which he finished was precious!

sarasa sAma dAna was nothing to rave about.

Yes, that kApi was endearing.

SK Tiruchy Sankaran and Gopalakrishnan made the concert even more special with their playing.

The other honoree at Cleveland this year, fellow violinist V V Subramaniam lauded TNK (the deity?) by the side of whom the daughter played admirably.

Anyhow, the darSan and music from a phenom in CM happened at Cleveland and we are thankful for that...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 26 Mar 2016, 18:44

This Saturday morning's streaming of the ArAdhana is interrupted and is unavailable until now. Now at 9:14 has resumed, thankfully.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 27 Mar 2016, 01:10

Mduraimini: Sorry to learn that you are not feeling well. Pray and wish, as an elder person, that you recover soon and be back to enjoy the arAdhana music and add your comments. Incidentally, P.U.Chinappa sang "kAdal kanirasamE" in the raga
Chittaranjani, which I used listen to over and over again !

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2016, 02:16

Going back a bit yesterday...

After TNK and Viji's concert, the very first of a dance presentation this year, by Bhraga Bissell...

VinarA!
A cornucopia of varied emotions drawn from mythology and this human condition made up this performance. VinarA! (Listen!) Be it a plea or a prayer to God or daring a human whose devilry is dastardly--a kaNNagi against the king who takes her husband's life or a bhImA who dares his revered brother and is appeased by another brother who says, stop that, the bow I have will take care of the evil doers. An idea worked on and presented by Sujatha Vijayaraghavan (Nritya Seva mani) and executed by Bhraga Bissell was something I enjoyed watching. As always, I miss not having Ravi (Rshankar) by my side to enlighten me on the nuances of dance.

Yet, for someone who saw MS Bissell in a solo performance for the first time (have seen her in Cleveland dance productions), it was an absorbing experience. I understood Sujatha when she asked the audience to come closer because she said the expressions change ever so quickly in the abhinayA in the performance. How true! The gamut of expression as a protagonist AND of those she faced at every instant was something to see in Bhraga.

Having known Sujatha from when she was an infant, I know of her capabilities, but of her various achievements, I still keep finding out! While Sundaram spoke of her, one thing he left out was that she is a writer and a journalist. Her old novel Arangam is set entirely in the CM world (which she is only too familiar with) and is still a good reread for me. Her presentation was as expected. Well researched, a lot of feeling going into the theme and in empathy with the dancer's mind.

That's why it worked for me. Without and fuss or ado, Bhraga changed from one character to the other. I loved her padaRi varugudu, BhArathi's ODi viLaiyADu pAppA and her HanumAn and rAvaNA in Arunachala Kavi's rAmasAmi dUtan nAnaDA. Her face burst into various emotions with such ease, along with her steps and gait. The music (though taped, simplified for Cleveland) was excellent...

Next, don't want to miss Rhada's naTTuvAngam for the next Cleveland dance production...

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 27 Mar 2016, 03:35

Thank you Sri Sundararajan for your kind wishes. Thanks for reminding the words for P.U.Chinnappa's song. I remember all the young people listening to that song on the Radio. We did not have any TV at that time.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2016, 03:57

Badari,
What do we call iraTTai nAyanam in kannaDa (you know enough tamizh to figure that out)

I recollect having more than one thread for the ArAdhanA every year. I know, not very accugaTTu/just right, and so I happened to post my impressions in the icarnatic thread.

I only latch on to other reviews because I'm not proficient enough to write one myself. If you and others prefer it, we may request the admin/moderators to move what we have in Gen Discussions to here...

Maduraimini,
Good to see that you are listening

Do post whenever you can...

Sundara Rajan,
Music will make her feel much better!

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 27 Mar 2016, 04:26

Aishwarya's concert:
I forgot to turn on the computer and missed Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan's concert and feel bad.

I have been listening to Aishwarya for a few years and I see her doing better each time. Today's concert shows us her singing has matured. I cannot hear her younger sister Soundarya's voice. Aishwarya's voice is getting louder (from the younger girl's reedy voice) as she matures. Her diction is also very good. I enjoyed her concert. Reminded me of Smt. M.S. as she sang most of her songs.

1. When I turned on the computer She was singing 'Rangapura vihara' in Ragam Brindavana Saranga. This Dikshitar kriti was a M.S. favorite.
I did not know if she started with something else- This is when I started listening.
2. She started a beautiful Pantuvarali raga alapana which had many good turns and twists. The wonderful alapana was followed by Swathi Tirunal Maharaja's memorable kriti 'Sarasaksha paripalaya mam'. She did niraval at ' Bamini samudaya'. The swarams came out very well.

3. Next came a very melodious Shankarabharanam alapana. This had shadows of M.S.. She started Saraoja Dala Nethri of Shyama Sastri. I love this song. It has all the nelivu, suluvu ( twist and turns) of this ragam. Shyama sastri's kritis have so much Bhakthi in them that make you fall in love with the song. Her niraval swarams were sung at the usual 'Sama Gana vinodini'. This song was splendid. She is singing so well and will be close to M.S. when she gets older.

4.' Siva Siva siva Bo' in Nadanamakriya was next. This song in Mishra jampa talam is by Mysore Sri Jaya chamrajya Wodiyar. I have heard M.S. sing this song many times. It was well sung.
5. Mythrim Bhajatha followed. This Ragamalika kriti in Kapi and Yamuna kalyani was composed by Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswathi swamigal. Very well done by Aishwarya.
Smt. Narmada played the violin exquisitely. She shadowed her and her alapanas were beautiful. Shivakumar on the Mridangam and Balaji on the Ghatam did a good job. It was a beautiful concert reminding me of an M.S. concert

May God shower this young artist with his Blessings.

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 27 Mar 2016, 07:10

It was UN concert of MS. Rama Nannu Brovara was the opener, done faithfully, though neraval was not done. For lack of time, vadavaraiyai was not sung. VVS mentioned grandma and grand-daughters as 3 gems, a very short, but powerful tribute, while releasing the CDs.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2016, 08:06

Yes, as Aishwarya herself announced at the beginning: fifty years ago, my great grandmother sang at the UN in New York with my grandmother. I am singing the very same songs with my sister today, in this centenary year of hers.

An impeccable, engaging SankarAbharaNa AlApanA.SarOja dala nEtri sung in a way to make us proud. The strong and far reaching voice has become richer in feeling in a year's time (I last heard her in her Gayana Samaja concert).

She is gaining new heights every year. She is focused on her great-grand mother and grand mother's singing, as if it's a mission of hers.

When I find the three generations together in the same space in their home, I get enveloped by their strong sense of uniting in music which is their very own sphere. I am touched by it all--by its earnestness, oneness in thought and in their execution of any piece they choose to sing.

I see Aishwarya maturing into a seasoned chanteuse, with the immense support she gets from her family. On her own, she considers it her mission I think, in keeping the MS tradition going, and what a grand thing it will be!

Little Soundarya has even more going for her. With a lovely voice and with so many role models!
Different voices, but I heard them blend so well, whenever I could hear Saundarya singing.
Again, that devoted grandmother teaches her immense skill in that to her!

I wouldn't be surprised if I hear that the grandmother was fully awake to hear her grand daughters sing in Cleveland this afternoon which surely would have been an unearthly hour for her to be awake:)

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 27 Mar 2016, 11:32

Merged the two Cleveland 2016 threads. Please continue here. This is currently in the General Discussions sub forum, we can move it to the Review forum later.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 27 Mar 2016, 18:47

Arasi: I hope you received my response to your query last night.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2016, 18:55

Yes, I did. Thanks...

This morning, we have streaming problems. No sound, but can see the kids singing. They try to fix it at icarnatic if we alert them...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 27 Mar 2016, 21:10

When AruNa Sairam started her Gambira nAttai song, the program was exactly ONE hour behind schedule ! I know the difficulty in organizing such a stupendous program, but such long delays are avoidable if only the organizers were not too ambitious and crowd the day with too many items with the impossible aim to start the program at or before 8:00 a.m.! Now I am afraid the result will be to cut short Neyveli's evening program !

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 27 Mar 2016, 21:27

Vazhi maratthirukkuthE was NOT composed in/ about Chidambaram temple, but in Tirupungur temple !

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 27 Mar 2016, 22:25

First Karaharapriya, my favorite raga, of the programs this year. I hope she sings something NEW and off the beaten track and not Chakkani rAja or pakalanilaPadi
again !

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 27 Mar 2016, 22:32

OH now! let me congratulate little Geetha for her alApana of karaharapriya.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2016, 23:37

And Aruna added that each and every child in the hall was equal to her. She praised Cleveland and Sundaram for that. A generous lady she is, to make the child sing with her, out of the blue as it were

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 28 Mar 2016, 00:45

I caught Aruna when she was winding up her chandrajyOthi song bAgAyanayyA. Sound problems and my own being away from my maDik kuZandai (lap top) was the reason.

Recovering from a severe throat problem? You could hardly see that, the way Amruta varshini flowed out of her. A svara volley at Sri nanadana, sweetly responded by Raghavendra Rao.

vazhi maRaithirukkudE was prefaced by a virutham, and launched us on a leisurely trip with her, as in old times.

GNB's sAma gAna lOlE (hindOLa) was sung in a pondering mood and was calming, no oTTam (speed) at all. Her svara prastAra starting with mmmmm gmgs, her playing around m was very pleasing to hear. Then to d, doing all this with poise and yet without losing momentum. Raghavendra matched her mood and svara patterns aptly and ably.

Purvi kalyAni dAsara pada, then a moving SlOkA on kAmAkshi followed by kanaka Saila vihAriNi which drew you into its core of devotion and praise.

Sri guruguha pAlayA sumAm woke you up from that state with vigor.

KharaharapriyA: though her voice must have felt kara kara/scratchy, her very first phrases were engaging.The rAga bhAvA was intact, and her maturity in handling it was very evident, but her cough made us realize that she had to overcome it, and that's when she introduced Geetha on the stage as someone she had met that morning. "kuzhandai enna azhagAp pAdRadu!" How well the child sings! " You sing now!"
"Every child in this hall does", she exclaimed.

tsakkani rAja mArgamu it was (sorry, Sundara Rajan--but), it had all its sangathis intact,and was sung in a modulated voice.

A lovely padam in sahAna followed. Couldn't catch the words (streaming glitches).

A very appealing rAgamAlikA abhang--not fire brandishing, but a gentle one (Harimau, I think of thee--even you would have approved

).

Thanks to Cleveland for bringing Aruna Sairam this year. She's coming back next year, folks!