Click on the image above to be led to a half-hour of ecstasy.
This video is from a recent concert of T M Krishna with Akkarai, Praveen Kumar and Atreya in Shivaji Park, Bombay.
This is part of a triumvirate, as I see it. The first part:
The RK Shreeramkumar lec-dem at SRLKM on Guruguha Vibhakti kritis, where he expounded on Dikshitar's first composition and Mangum Opus in Mayamalavagoula, paying tribute to
a. Guruguha, his deity, muse and preceptor, all in one, encompassing Sri Vidya, Guru Tatva and Advaita
b. Mayamalavagowla, 15th Mela, the core raga for teaching Carnatic musix fundamentals
c. Compositional structure highlighting the ascending steps of Carnatic lessons from Sarale Varase-Janti Varase-Alankara etc.
d. The esoteric path of Sri Vidya
The second part of the triumvirate is the 3 part Manodharma lec-dem of TMK at the same venue (as the linked video here) which unravels for us:
a. How raga alapana leverages the raga structure as one of three - either the heavy ragas built on the edifice of all-time great compositions, with the kampita gamaka being the trademark of Carnatic idiom, or scalar constructs like charukeshi, or zig zag quirk ragas like Malavi. Each affords a different aesthetic, and a different approach.
b. How niraval fills the syllables of a suitable line with musical enrichment in the eloquent gaps between syllables rather than just adding clever endings, with the laya, word splitting, upper speed etc.affording scope within this same game plan, all enhancing the musical metaphor.
c. Kalpana swaras, in patterns of 3,5 etc., embellishing the musical connects rather than exercising mere arithmetical combinations...
And the third part of the triumvirate is of course this power play of a rendition linked here with the majesty and melody that TMK brings to this rendition. A great song, in the hands of a master, becomes a boundless ecstasy. Akkarai, the prima donna of the violin, and the very sonorous percussion team, all make it a joy beyond words.
What does all this do for me? Take me to another level. The Hamsa-Ksheera nyaya is the way to go to that level with the modern master TMK. Heed not his opinions, for they are of mangroves and beaches. Rather, soar with his music, on wings of pure, classical, rich, music that is for all of us to dream of, savour, and ride on, to the clouds of ecstasy.
Are you with me?
