Sunil Gargyan for 'PSN Parampara 2017' 17 Mar 2017

[Sivaramakrishnan]

SUNIL GARGYAN IN ‘PSN PARAMPARA 2017’ CONCERT SERIES
RAGASUDHA HALL, Chennai
17.03.2017 :4.30 – 6.30 p.m.

Sunil Gargyan-Vocal
L Ramakrishnan- Violin
Kallidaikurichi Sivakumar-Mridangam
N Guruprasad- Ghatam

(Traditional Tambura vaadyam for Sruti)

1. Behaag- Varnam- Aadi- Veenai Kuppier
2. Suddhadhanyasi- Saamodam Chintayaami- Misrachapu- Swati Tirunal (R,N,S)
3. Maalavi-Idhunyaayama-Aadi-Patnam Subramania Iyer
4. Hemavathi-Arulvilakkey-Ramalinga Adigalaar :Varnamettu by Guru PSN (R,S)
5. Kaanada-Sukhiyavvaro-Aadi- Tyagaraja (R,N,S)
6. Yamankalyani-Pibare Raamarasam-Sadaasiva Brahmendra

The concert, part of the ongoing ‘PSN Parampara 2017’ series was compact with a good selection of compositions. The varnam however brought memories of TRS who put his stamp on such compositions. Suddhadhanyasi aalapana was neat and fitting the mood of the day. Saamodam chintayami is much preferred by musicians for the raaga and much suits the earlier part of any concert. Swaraprastaara at the Pallavi with swaraakshara at SA(modam) with eduppu at samam was well rendered.

Idhunyaayama the not commonly heard uruppadi with its bright chittaswara was a good choice for pace. Next came a rare composition of Ramalinga Adigalaar's Tiruvarutpa in Hemavathi - Arul Vilakkey for which Sunil gave a detailed Aalaapana. Swaraprastara was given for the pallavi. It was informed that the Varnamettu was by Sri P S Narayanaswami. The Guru with a Midas Touch, was in the first row in the audience.

The main piece was the time tested Sukhiyevvaro in Kaanada. The aalaapana had all the niceties required for this sukha raaga. Attempting taarasthaayi sancharas could be a youngster’s delight but it needs to be perfected. Neraval was rendered at ‘Nityamaina suswara’ with swaras placed for Nityamaina and suswara for a few rounds and for the final korvai. Pibare Raamarasam the famed Bhajan of yore was the concluding piece.

The pakkamelam team supported the singer well. Violinist L Ramakrishnan ably returned the vocals and his Hemavathi rendering was well appreciated. Sivakumar and Guruprasad maintained the right decibel discipline adding to the listening pleasure. The Tani had the final korvai in progressive mode to match the eduppu at Mukkaal edam.

I strongly recommend to vocalists of Chennai, if not Tamilnadu, to have the text of Sanskrit compositions written down in Devanagari script to ensure correct pronunciation of words.

The ambience and the acoustics at Ragasudha hall were just the right. The backdrop on the stage with the pictures of Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Semmangudi and PSN was indicative of the spirit of the event.

[CRama]

Had the pleasure of sitting with Sivaramakrishnan and enjoying this concert. Good singing. In mel sthayi sancharams, he had some voice problems. Hope that will be set right soon.

[pperumal]

I have one basic question for many of the current crop of male disciples of the revered guru PSN.
Why do they all attempt to sing like Abhishek Raghuram???
In all humility, I would request them to emulate their Guru or their Guru's Guru - rather than Abhishek Raghuram.
I have nothing against Abhishek Raghuram - but his is a style that can be his alone and not 'repeatable'.

Any one else feels the same?
Felt this in Sunil's concert too.

- PP.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

perumal,
I have often felt that many young vocalists of today (irrespective of their Guru / tutelage) are keen to follow the TNS style.

[sureshvv]

I don't think Abhishek is that easy to imitate. Very few can even come close.

I don't think Sunil Gargyan was even attempting to imitate anyone. I see that his style has evolved since the last time I heard him (At Swamy's hall about 2 years ago). Seems to have slowed down a bit, which I feel is a right trajectory.

I agree that TNS is a big inspiration for most present day male musicians.

BTW, Classy review from Sivaramakrishnan - extolling the good aspects of the concert and gently hinting at areas that need improvement.

[CRama]

There were many pidis of TNS in the Hemavati alapana. But I couldnt find any glimpse of SSI/PSN style in his rendering.

[sureshvv]

I thought the Behag varnam (vanajaksha) was a TRS composition. Was it the same that was sung?

[CRama]

The Behag varnam is Veena kuppaier's composition. TRS popularised it. I think he made some resetting of the Ettugada swarams.