Palghat Brothers @ Sri Ramanjaneya Trust: 03 April 2017

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Palghat Brothers for Sri Ramanjaneya Trust, 03 April 2017
(for Sri Rama Navami Festival)
Ramanjaneyar Temple, Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai
03.04.2017, 07.25– 09.30 p.m.

Artists:
Palghat Brothers
A S Murali & C R Vaidyanathan-vocal
V V Ravi-Violin
Cherthalai R Ananthakrishnan-Mridangam
A S Krishnan-Morsing

Sruti (pitch): C (1 kattai) in e-box

The event was also part of the Sri Ramanavami concert series happening at the venue. ‘Palghat brothers’ A S Murali and C R Vaidyanathan are among the senior-most disciples of Sri P S Narayanaswami having started giving duo-concerts only recently. A S Murali is the brother of A S Krishnan (Morsing).

At the very outset, let me say that the concert reminded me of the grand old days of Carnatic music marked by good balance of aesthetics and entertainment.

Kritis:

1. Saveri - Paripaahi Ganaadhipa Bhaasuramoorthey- Aadi-Swati Tirunal (S)
2. Huseni - Rama nine namminanu- Aadi-Tyagaraja
3. Cheta:Sri Balakrishnam -Dwijavanti-Rupaka-Dikshitar (R)
4. Varaali- Karunayela-Aadi-Tyagaraja(R,N,S)
5. Nandabaalam- Bhujangini-Misra chapu-Bhadrachala Ramadas
6. Darbar - Aparadhamuna-Khanda chapu-Tyagaraja
7. Sankarabharanam- Emineramu-Aadi-T (R,S), Tani
8. Saapasyat Kousalya-Jaunpuri-Aadi-Tirupazhanam Panchapakesa Bhagavatar
9. Mangalam (followed by the Slokam Mangalam Kosalendraaya)

Paripaahi Ganaadhipa is not frequently heard in concerts. The song is part of the Todayamangalam sung in the Navaratri mandapam by the Mullamoodu bhagavatars; it is said that the kriti could be in praise of the Vinayaka sannidhi in Padmanabhaswamy temple. The brothers rendered the kriti with a few round of smart swaraprastara for the Pallavi.

Rama nine in Huseni evoked instant ‘aha’ from the listeners and had all the sangatis in tact. A brief alapana of Dwijavanti followed and Cheta:SriBalakrishnam was rendered with absolute fidelity to sahitya marked by Dwitiyaakshara praasa. The composition more than matched the special 'Kaaliyanarthana alankaara' at the temple for the day.

Varaali (the ‘sub-main’) had an excellent aalapana shared by the brothers. Karunayela kante was rendered energetically. Whether Kalyanasundararama or Tyagaraja comes to our mind, Semmangudi does, for he literally 'owned' the kriti for an exuberant aalapana and kalpanaswara! Murali and Vaidyanathan rendered neraval @ ‘Paramatmudu jeevatmuduyokatai’ followed by rounds of brilliant swaras. V V Ravi pitched in jubilantly with clear and tuneful bowing.

Nandabalam which came next- in rare Bhujangini, Janya of Chakravaakam (the mela scale without Panchama) offered immense contrast. Aparadhamula in Darbar was soaked in old world charm and I was hearing it in a concert after several years. The brothers were however seen referring to notes often.

Sankarabharanam- the evening’s ‘main’- was delineated well to cover sancharas in all sthaayis; here again Murali and Vaidyanathan took turns to present the aalapana in all its grandeur. Emineramu nannubrova brought in memories of yesteryear masters. Sumptuous swraprastara was rendered for the Pallavi. Cherthalai Ananthakrishnan and A S Krishnan played a spirited Tani with all essential ingredients. Both ensured that sruti alignment was perfect.

One of the Trustees gave a brief felicitation speech covering the highlights of the concert.

Saa pasyat Kausalya famed by the Semmangudi school was well received by the audience. Pavamaanasuthudu was followed by the sloka 'Mangalam Kosalendraaya'.

The brothers are sure to consolidate their position in the concert circuit.

[CRama]

Thanks for your lovely review. I liked the song list. Karunayelakante- very rarely head in the concert circuit eventhough Varali is heard most commonly either in kritis or RTP. Emi neramu also a good choice. Nandabalam was tuned by TMT and was taught in the TVM AIR by Kamala Kailasanthan. Hope you will remember that.

This appears to be a recent combination. I have heard A.S.Krishnan over the radio a few times and he sings well- an old world bani. Today also in FM Gold, his concert was there. But I presume the duo will make a better impression among the listeners and will become more popular in the short run.

[rajeshnat]

This appears to be a recent combination. I have heard A.S.Krishnan over the radio a few times and he sings well- an old world bani. Today also in FM Gold, his concert was there. But I presume the duo will make a better impression among the listeners and will become more popular in the short run.

Crama
I think you should have meant AS Murali as the singer.
A.S. Krishnan (morsing), A.S. Ranganathan (mridangam), A.S. Sankar (ghatam) and A.S. Murali (vocal and ghatam) are all four brothers and the nephew of the four is BS Sundar kumar (kanjira). Great family contributing to CM.