JAYASREE AND JAYARAJ- VEENA- NADA INBAM- 26/3/16

[CRama]

I always do have greatest regards and appreciation for this Veena couple who never fail to give a chaste classical no-nonsense fare in their concerts- whether big or small. The recently heard mini concert in the Deekshitar Akhandam left me crave for a big concert of theirs and I am thankful to Nada Inbam for sponsoring their concert in the Ragasudha hall on 26/3/16 at 6.15 PM. They were ably supported by Thrissur Narendran on the Mridangam and Trichy A.S.Murali on the Ghatam. List of songs.

1. Navaragamalika varnam
2. Mahaganapathim-Nata-Chatusra Ekam- MD(R,S)
3. Saaleevaateeswaram bhaje- Devagandhari-MD (R)
4. Annapoorne Visalakshi-Sama-MD
5. Kamakshi Bangaru- Varali-SS (R,N,S)
6. Manavyala-Nalinakanthi-T (R,S)
7. Giripai-Sahana-T (R,T,S)
8. Tani
9. Govardhanagiridhari-Durbari kanada-NT
10. Thillana-Hamsanandi-HMB
11. Mangalam

The Navaragamalika varnam gave a bright start to the heavy classical fare that was to follow for the next two and half hours. The alapanas of Nata, Nalinakanthi and Sahana were done by Jayaraj and Devagandhari and Varali were handled by Jayasree. The alapanas of Nata, Devagandhari and Nalinkanthi took 5 minutes each, yet comprehensive and replete with the raga bhavam and phrases that revealed their immense manodharmam. The alapanas of Varali and Sahana were simply out of the world each more than 12 minutes. The alapana encompassed three octaves and there were some unusual and haunting sancharams in mandra sthayi in the alapana of Varali. There used to be some remarks that neraval for instrumental concert is superfluous. However, maestros like Lalgudi Jayaraman and S.Balachander have proved that to be misplaced. Today’s concert also vouched that. For the song in Varali, there was elaborate neraval at Suka syamale Siva sankari. Neraval by both the players showing myriad colours of the ragam in various sthayis and both kalams were simply outstanding. The cascade of swaras in misra chapu was very captivating. The entire kriti took 40 minutes.

The kriti in Devagandhari is a new to me. It is on the Nellayappar of Tirunelveli. It had samashti charanam and also chittaswaram. I should get an opportunity to hear the vocal version of the song to understand its sahithya bhavam. Annapoorne Visalakshi was played as per somebody’s request. To my surprise, I observed that their patantharam of the charanam is different from what we usually hear from KVN, Nedunuri etc. The Veena couple belong to the sishya parampara of Deekshitar. Then how the charanam has a different patantharam. That raises the question- which is the authentic patantharam.

For the kriti Giripai, there was elaborate ragamalika tanam as per the Veena tradition. Tanam in ragams Chitrambari and Bagesree by Jayaraj and Dhanyasi and Brindavansaranga by Jayasree added multitude of colours to the whole song. Neraval was not there, but elaborate swaras in intricate patterns were icing on the cake. Again, their taking up Sahana for the main piece and handling it with the required gouravam deserves appreciation. They showed lot of rhythmic variations in the thillana in Hamsanandi made famous by TNS.

I have seen them in some concerts with electronic veena. I am happy that today they used traditional Saraswathi Veena which gave a divine nadam and elevated the concert to the highest level. I should also mention the contribution of the percussion team. Thrissur Narendran is always the best player for Veena concerts. He played with full understanding, with the right amplification, never interfering with the veena music and embellishing the concert significantly. AS Murali in Ghatam also provided appropriate support. Their tani which lasted for 15 minutes was very intriguing and received the audience appreciation. It is sad that the audience do not turn out in good numbers to savour such divine experiences.

[Nick H]

I am sad that I had to miss, and only because it might have been a once-only-ever chance to hear Warren Senders' concert did I do so.

Indeed their concerts are always wonderful. All veenas are electronic these days, but they were making great strides with the digital instruments which were giving a lovely tone. They were playing the "acoustic" (not really) instrument again the last time I saw them.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Thanks for the review CRama.
Their presentations are always authentic, educative and entertaining.
Perhaps I may be able to attend their next full time concert at Chennai.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Regarding the paathaantara of the charana of Annapurne visalakshi pointed out by CRama, I would request the Jeyaraj couple to offer their remarks for the benefit of forumites.

[gardabha_gana]

Was this recorded or telecast by parivadini?

[CRama]

This programme was not webcast by Parivadini. I did not record the concert. Perhaps Nada inbam or Raga sudha hall would have recorded the audio. There was no video. The artistes are forumites only. If they come forward to clarify, it will benefit all music lovers.

[Nick H]

parivadini... hiatus?

I've only been to ragasudha hall a few times of late, but have not seen them there.

[CRama]

Yes. Parivadini is not that active nowadays.

[gardabha_gana]

Today heard a beautiful Rama bana by JJ uploaded onto sangeethapriya