AMRITA MURALI IN VMA SRINIDHI HALL, WEST MAMBALAM-24/9/16

[CRama]

Sankara Music Academy celebrated M.S Subbalakshmi Centenary year with a day long akhandam of M.S songs by various vidwans/vidushis concluding with the concert of Amrita Murali at 6.00 P.M. The great soul behind these celebrations is Sri.Vedant Ramanujam who had done earlier Parampara Series in respect of reputed Gurus and their Sishya parampara. The accompanists for the concert were Kumbakonam M.R.Gopinath on the Violin, R.Sankaranarayanan on the Mridangam and Krishna on the Ghatam. List of songs.

• Namo Namo Raghukulanayaka-Nata- Annamacharya
• Kanchadalayadakshi-(Kamala)Manohari-MD (N,S)
• Janani Ninnuvina-Reetigowla-Subbaraya Sastri (R,S)
• Mayamma-Ahiri-SS
• Manavyalakinchara-Nalinakanti-T (S)
• O Rangasayi-Kambodi-T(R,N,S)
• Tani
• Manjunigar-Kavadichindu-Annamalai Reddiyar
• Slokam- Sundaratha dhyana-Abhang-Tukaram
• Hey nu tan- Bengali- Tagore
• Maithreem bhajatha- Kanchi Maha Swamigal
• Mangalam

This is the first live concert of Amrita Murali that I was hearing. I heard her as a part of the Pallavi Jam and I was very much impressed by her singing that day. And I am very happy that I attended this concert. Amrita is a very mature artist trained under T.Rukmini and V.Subramaniam, with a melodious and sonorous voice and shows much sincerity in her presentation. It was a neat, well packaged, flawless concert. There was overall 'Sowkyam' in her concert. The tempo was well balanced. Be it raga, kriti, neraval or swaram, bhavam reigned supreme. Being the concert in connection with MS Centenary, with a huge MS picture at the back drop, it gave her an added responsibility to present the M.S favourite songs and win over the M.S fans who had thronged in good numbers. And she largely succeeded in her endeavour.

Amrita started the concert with a slokam followed by the Annamacharya kriti Namo Namo Raghukulanayaka. Next came the MD popular kriti Kanchadalayathakshi. Elaborate and intense neraval at Rakaaa sasivadane suradane Rakshitamadhane Rathnasadane brought the required verve and gusto to the concert in the initial stage itself. Sufficient avartanams of kalpana swarams added weight to the entire presentation. Two raga alapanas -Ritigowla and Kambodi – each consuming ten minutes-were presented with minute details, traversing the three octaves with gay abandon with the judicious mix of fast passages, long akara passages, brighas and gamakams.. The kritis were presented in the most appropriate kalapramanam with full sensitivity to the mood of the composition. For the Kriti, Janani Ninnuvina, kalpana swarams in two kalams were rendered in a tricky place- Suvasini Tamasamu Seyagane Brovumu which was ample proof of her soaring manodharmam. The kriti O Rangasayi was welcomed with loud cheer. The kriti presentation was perfect and the short neraval and long avartanams of kalpana swarams had nice permutations and combinations. Earlier while Mayamama was rendered with adequate leisure and replete with bhavam, Manvyala pepped up the concert.

All the post tani songs are those popularised by M.S. The Kavadi chindu is my favourite and Amrita did full justice to all the songs and the M.S patantharam of those songs. The accompanists- M.R.Gopinath impressed everybody with his raga alapanas and returns. The percussion duo embellished the concert with deft strokes, understanding and anticipation. The tani was much appreciated by the discerning audience.

It was an excellent fulfilling concert for two and half hours. Amrita Murali delivered a perfect concert with her melody, laya finesse, manodharmam, aesthetic sense, poise and sincerity of approach. Those who were present had been touched by an ineffable spirit of joy
After the concert, tiffin comprising Rice Uppuma, Sambar Rice and Curd Rice was provided to all. Long live the hosts.

[Rsachi]

CRama
I have read some of those words of praise before, and I share your enthusiasm for this vidushi.

I heard she is a student of Mr. and Mrs. Kedaranathan, Mrs. Rama Ravi, Mrs. T. Rukmini, and currently Sri PSN. I can sense that Sri RKSK has also influenced her in some pallavi and other kriti aspects.

By the way, she is one of a few women who get into niraval with verve and lung power. Something very enjoyable for me!

[Nick H]

Amritha, to me, is one of the senior artists of today. Senior having nothing to do with age.

Apart from her music, vocal and violin, I praise, yet again, the fact that she is very regularly to be seen at the concerts of other artists. There is no shortage of students in carnatic music, and if others, especially the even-youngsters, would follow her example, the average age of a carnatic audience would fall healthily!

I love both her music and her enthusiasm for music.

[hnbhagavan]

I agree with Rasikas views.She is indeed a mature artist performing with great sincerity.Her concerts are always worth attending.I have seen her accompany Vijaya siva on the violin giving brilliant support.Having command over the Instrument does give her great advantage.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

...... she is very regularly to be seen at the concerts of other artists. There is no shortage of students in carnatic music, and if others, especially the even-youngsters, would follow her example, the average age of a carnatic audience would fall healthily!

Yes, I agree fully.