SURYAPRAKASH AT VANI MAHAL (MINI) ON 21/9/16

[CRama]

The concert of Suryaprakash accompanied by S.Varadarajan n the Violin and Neyveli Venkatesh on the Mridangam was held under the auspices of Tyagaraja Seva Samiti in connection with the Bahula Panchami on 21 Sep. Obviously, all the songs were of Tyagaraja. The song list was distributed in advance. The concert started at 6.00 P.M sharp. [*]List of songs.
• Tanam-Ghanaraga panchakam
• Endaro Mahanubhavulu
• Entha bhagyamu-Saranga- (R,S)
• Raju vedala-Todi (N)
• Innalu daya ra kuntha-Narayanagowla (R)
• Samayamu E marake-Kalgada
• Sarasa sama dana-Kapinarayani (N,S)
• Intha sowkhya-Kapi- (R,S)
• Slokam-Vaidehi sahitam- Ahiri,Behag, Brindavanasaranga
• Kamalaptakula-Brindavanasaranga
• Ennaga manasukurani-Neelambari
• Mangalam

The concert had a vibrant start with the tanam in five ghana ragas as a prelude to Endaro Mahanubhavulu. The alapanas of Saranga, Narayanagowla and Kapi revealed the rich manodharmam of Suryaprakash. Special bale bale for the alapana of Narayanagowla- a very tricky ragam- karanam thappinal maranam type. He gave a clear picture of the ragam without permitting trespassing by Kedaragowla or Dwijavanti. This kriti I heard only from SP on an earlier occasion. It was new for many of the rasikas gathered there. Earlier, Raju vedala was rendered without alapana , but the intense and elaborate neraval at Kaveri teeramu nanu Pavanamagu Rangapuree made good for the absence of raga alapana. The song in Kalgada is new for me. We all have heard only the SS kriti in this rare ragam. Thanks to SP for introducing this new kriti to the rasikas. It is heartening to note that SP is pushing his boundaries by expanding his repertoire. Sarasasama dana is a welcome repetition as I have observed that it infuses energy and happiness among the rasikas in all the concerts of MMI, TVS and SP. The nereval at Hitavumatalentho and the torrential swaras were greeted with loud cheer by the audience.

I have observed that TVS in the earlier days and SP now fully justify the status of main ragam for Kapi. It was an absolute Kumbakonam Decree Coffee- unadulterated. The raga was developed in a step by step method unfolding the various counters of the ragam very skilfully aesthetics reigning supreme. The alapana took 15 minutes without a moment of sag. The kriti and the cascade of swarms in two kalams with interesting koraippu culminating in a complex korvai was greatly applauded by the discerning audience. The entire song excluding tani took 40 minutes.

Post tani , the slokam and the following two songs were very soulfully rendered- Ahiri ragam melting the minds. The accompanying artistes- very seasoned Varadarajan and Neyveli Venkatesh embellished the concert significantly. The violin alapanas and returns were very much appropriate. Neyveli Venkatesh filling up of gaps was commendable. He had good nadam, nidanam and anticipation. An excellent concert for nearly two and half hours.

[Nick H]

Super concert. So's creativity in full flow.

For me, as lesser-informed rasika, also a showcase of the variety of Thyagaraja.

9/10 to the sound man (which is high praise from me). There was a slight blur on the violin, probably feedback from the nearby stage monitor, but voice was kept clear and natural and the volume was right.

[sureshvv]

Great concert. Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the music. Narayanagowla alap was top rate. SP is one of the rare vidwans who is willing and able to explore with an alapana many ragas for which only kritis are presented. Kudos to him for that! Both neravals were phenomenal. For the neraval at "Kaveri theeramu" he remarked jokingly, "paadalaam nenaikkiren".

Call me a creature of habit, but personally I would have traded the Tanam in the beginning for Haridasu vedala which was on the list but got left out. There is a certain comfort when a bahula panchami concert at Vani mahal starts with a pancharatnam.

[Sundara Rajan]

It is very heartening to note that Surya Prakash, one of my favorite artists, is provided more opportunities to display his virtuosity in recent times. Thank you CRama for the complete coverage and review of the concert. ThAnam in ganarAga panchakam in a vocal concert is rare enough and starting the concert with this thAnam should have been a welcome surprise.

[rajeshnat]

Suryaprakash accompanied by S.Varadarajan n the Violin and Neyveli Venkatesh on the Mridangam .....

Personally heard 5 or 6 occasions with Varadu , and heard once with Neyveli Venkatesh in Venkatesh Home ground Pozhichalur. Nice to see two lovely accompanists together for this concert

• Samayamu E marake-Kalgada

Personally did not even know about this kalgada song . I will hunt in the web to hear this song ? WIsh I was there to atleast hear this one song.

[rajeshnat]

Super concert. So's creativity in full flow.
....
9/10 to the sound man (which is high praise from me).

Vani Mahal sound engineer is really doing a wonderful job, Just like raga sudha he goes around and gets the feedback at the end of the first song.

[arasi]

It's heartening to know that it was a wonderful concert.

As popular as he is, I've often wondered why Bengaluru missed out in including Suryaprakash's concerts in their year-round programs. Seems as though that's going change. A few of the local organizers are going to be at the concert Nageswaran has arranged there this weekend. I suspect, some of them perhaps haven't heard him at all in concert!

One reason I can think of for this Karnataka omission is, that Suryaprakash, an agreeable soul, isn't overly ambitious in promoting himself. He's also an artiste who is appreciative of his brethren and is quick to respond with warmth when they fare well.

In all this, we shouldn't forget how good his music is!