Bharathi Ramasubban:13 Aug 2016 for 'Parampara'

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Concert for ‘Paramapara’, at Sastri Hall, Chennai :13 Aug. 2016

Bharathi Ramasubban : Vocal
R K Sreeram Kumar: Violin
K Arun Prakash: Mridangam
B S Purushothaman: Kanjira

1. Deva deva kalayaami-MM. Goula- ST
2. Marubalga-Sriranjani-T
3. Moyyaarthadam-Purvikalyani (Thiruvempavai)
4. SreeRaamam-NarayanaGoula-MD
5. Trilokamaatha-Paras-SS
6. Karunajoodavamma-Todi-T
(The list is incomplete - I had to leave after this kriti)

Bharathi Ramasubban is a promising vocalist among the younger generation. Several years ago, during the 25th anniversary celebrations of Sruti magazine, I listened to an exquisite presentation of some weighty uruppadis of carnatic music sung by her as member of a group led by R K Sriram kumar. ('Saraswathi manohari' of Dikshitar was a kriti rendered that day, if I remember correct). It was quite evident that the team was already into ‘serious music’. Somehow I have not been able to listen to any of her solo recitals and I made it a point to attend this concert. And it was good.

The first 2 songs and the 4th one were virtually ‘Semmangudi songs’ as you may describe-with the time tested sangatis in place. Narayana goula requires lot of saadhakam and the singer fared well in rendering 'Sreeramam' flawlessly. Due care was bestowed at ‘Kusalava thaatham’ as the notation for Ku-sa-la-va (R-M-P-N) must be free from any Kedaragoula trace. (Semmangudi with T N Krishnan revelled in this segment)

The rendering of 'Moyyaarthadam' matched the contemplative mood of the composition. 'Trilokamaatha nanu' in Paras was a good selection as it is not commonly heard in concerts. Here again the singer rendered the scale without any aura of Lalitha.

Todi aalaapana was compact and the kriti 'Karunajoodavamma' on Goddess Dharmasamvardhani was well presented. I had to leave after this. Rasikas are welcome to complete the list.

RKS on violin was his usual self. This was a rare occasion where I could listen to Arun Prakash with bold strokes on the mridangam. “What happened”? -quipped a rasika! Purushothaman took special care to maintain the base 'sruti’ of Kanjira at shadjam throughout.

The concert which was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. started only by 6.15 thanks to the time taken to fix the beautiful backdrop banner of the Sabha . It was nice to see a few leading young vidwans/vidushis among the audience.

[MaheshS]

Concert for ‘Paramapara’, at Sastri Hall, Chennai :13 Aug. 2016

3. Moyyaarthadam-Purvikalyani (Thiruvempavai)

The first 2 songs and the 4th one were virtually ‘Semmangudi songs’ as you may describe-with the time tested sangatis in place.

So is Moyyarthadam, I have only heard MSS sing this other than Semmangudi out of the "yester" year artists. Maybe MSS learnt this from Semmangudi?

[sureshvv]

Good concert. Have not had a chance to hear her much of late & pleased to note that she is singing in the same full throated style & maintaining top form.

Hoping to hear a more wholesome concert with a more varied list of items. Here she may have been a bit hamstrung due to the banner.

[Nick H]

Have heard her a number of times, including the one when I took a spectacular Ragasudha Fall, rolling into the road and removing some skin from an elbow. Later, I was able to joke to her that it must have been the intoxicating effect of her music

My very best experience of her was a mic-less concert in the Oli series. Many voices are better when not interfered with by amplifiers and speakers!