T M Krishna Tyagaraja Aradhana February 5-NGS

[Ranganator]

The concert was held in NGS as part of the Tyagaraja Aradhana event organised by NGS-Karthik Fine Arts.

TMK
Akkarai Subbalakshmi
B Sivaraman

1. Evarani-Devamrithavarshini-Adi-swaram
2. Smarane sukhamu- Janaranjani-Adi-alapana neraval swaram
3. Muripamu-Mukhari-Adi-alapana(only by akkarai subbalakshmi) neraval Swaram
4. Tanam:
Sankarabharanam-Mukhari-Varali-Nalinakanti-Sankarabharanam-Dhanyasi-Nattai-Arabhi
5. Sadinchane-Arabhi-Adi-Taniavarthanam
6. Varalanduko-Gurjari-Adi
7. Rama nannu brovura-Harikambhoji-Rupakam-Alapana kalpana swaram
8. Pavamana

Concert duration:6.30-8.30 pm
TMK as usual rendered all the songs in very slow kala pramanam. The tanam stood out for the variety and ingenuity. Akkarai Subbalakshmi impressed with quick transitions between ragas and introduced Varali and Nattai, from where TMK picked up.
TMK's sankarabharanam was the best in the kutcheri. Sivaraman played an interesting tani with spells in thisram, Kanta and Misra nadais. Korvai was a reduction korvai.

[CRama]

I attended this concert. It was a very good concert.Was surprised to see Akkarai seated in the side as in any other concert, instead of sitting near TMK facing the audience.
• The start with Evareni was refreshing. TMK forgot the sahithyam in the anupallavi, but soon corrected it with the help of his disciple.
• The alapana of Janaranjani was very good. Brought out the colour of the ragam vividly. He announced it though to clear doubts for some people. Elaborate neraval at Rama nama shravanamu valla nama roopame hridayamu and the succeeding swarams were engaging.
• Can there be a TMK concert without Mukhari. No. Here Mukhari alapana was done by Akkarai Subbulakshmi. The jeeva swaras were handled very sensitively to suit the style of TMK. Muripemu was presented well. Neraval at Veduchu bhoosurala agnihotrulai Veda ghoshamulache and swaras were enjoyable. There were many sancharams in mandra sthayi in neraval (for all the songs) which at times were over stretched.
• In the Ragamalika tanam, while singing tanam in Dhanyasi, by mistake he landed on Mukhari but soon came to the right track. The Dhanyasi tanam was very good.
• I was happy that he took up Sathinchane after the tanam, but constantly fearing that he may leave the song abruptly in the middle. After the charanam Sree Venkatesa saila suprakasa, he left for tani, fortunately the song continued after the tani and there was a happy ending.
• Varalendu- first time heard from TMK. Rendered well.
• Ramanannubrovara- The inevitable last song was rendered well. He sang some supersonic swarams at prema meera without leaving for violin.
• Akkarai Subbulakshmi- perfect accompanist for TMK. Her manodharmam, virtuosity, indulgence, sweet bowing all enhanced the concert experience.
• B.Sivaraman- Proved to be a highly competent accompaniment with the nadam, variety, clarity of strokes, anticipation and embellishment of kritis, filling of gaps. I feel he is much underrated for his calibre. In a recent programme in Mudhra, Ghatam vidwan S.Karthik very much appreciated Sivaraman and said that- normally one Mridangam vidwan will not wholly appreciate any other Mridangam vidwan. But Sivaraman is one vidwan who has got the appreciation of all the Mridangam vidwans.
• After the concert, I was waiting outside NGS for the auto. To my surprise, I saw TMK walking in front of me towards his house. Somebody asked him. He said , my house is nearby and I will walk. Really a different celebrity.

[ram1999]

non tradionalist that TMK is, I am surprised he has rendered all Thyagaraja kritis in this concert instead of some dabankuthu

[sureshvv]

Obviously he is not against tradition per se. Only those traditions that stink.

[Vocalist]

I don't think it is obvious at all from an aberration like this. Perhaps it would do him good if he understood the extent to which he departs from traditions is often more off-putting than anything. He showed that he had so much more potential in earlier years of his career, and I seemed to like his music much more while he was adhering to so many of those traditions. (Note: I say all of this with regard to him in his capacity as a performer, but I'd give him a glowing report card as to him in his capacity as a guru).

[prashant]

I seemed to like his music much more while he was adhering to so many of those traditions. (Note: I say all of this with regard to him in his capacity as a performer, but I'd give him a glowing report card as to him in his capacity as a guru).

Cut to TMK framing the "glowing report card" and hanging it up on his living room wall. Janma Saphalyam for him.

*facepalm*

[Vocalist]

I seemed to like his music much more while he was adhering to so many of those traditions. (Note: I say all of this with regard to him in his capacity as a performer, but I'd give him a glowing report card as to him in his capacity as a guru).

Cut to TMK framing the "glowing report card" and hanging it up on his living room wall. Janma Saphalyam for him.

*facepalm*

Aww, you blocked the view of your face with your own palm after that. So clever.

Putting it more plainly than what I said before, I'm simply relieved TMK seems to be adhering to more of the traditions as a guru.

[prashant]

Aww, you blocked the view of your face with your own palm after that. So clever.

Another "glowing report card"? Thanks