SHERTALLAI K.N.RANGANATHA SARMA IN ARKAY-28/4/17

[CRama]

ACCOMPANISTS- B.U.Ganesh Prasad- Violin
Pari Satish Kumar-Mridangam
B.S.Purushothaman-Ganjira
List of songs.
• Lambodaraya Namaste- Varali-Khanda Chapu-MD (S)
• Santhanagopalakrishnam-Khamas-Roopakam-MD (S)
• Neekepudu daya vachuno-Abhogi- Adi- Mysore Sadasiva Rao (R,N,S)
• Mariveregathi evaramma-Anandabhairavi-Misra Chapu-SS
• Saranam Vijayasaraswathy-Vijayasaraswathy-Adi-HMB
• RTP- Rajanimala - Ranjani, Manoranjani,Janarajani,Sreeranjani- Khanda Matyam
• Pallavi- Ranjani Niranjani Bhakthamanoranjani
• Rasikajanaranjani Varamarulvay Sreeranjani
• Tani
• Naam mere man basiyo-Kalyanavasantham-Tulasidas
• Harigun gavat nachoongi-Deepali-Meera bhajan
• Tillana-Pahadi-Lalgudi Jayaraman

The concert started at 6.15 P.M. It was a pristine classical concert that is the hallmark of Ranganatha Sarma. The opening number Lambodaraya Namaste is not very frequent on the concert stage. It was rendered very beautifully and the volley of kalpana swaras was a veritable treat. Next song also a MD kriti was presented true to its patantharam and the elaborate kalpana swaras at Narthana Muraleedharam had very unique patterns which was very enjoyable. Abhogi, the first ragam of the day was delineated along the contours of the ragam with no ambiguity as to Sreeranjani or Jayamanohari. The kriti of Mysore Sadasiva Rao, a favourite of TRS is not frequently heard in the concerts. The song was presented well with due felicity to the bhavam contained in the song. Neraval was done at Samayamu joochi delpuvarevaro and the elaborate swaras were icing on the cake. After the two filler songs, the RTP was taken for a very detailed presentation. I don’t know whether this is the very same Kalyanaraman pallavi or there is any change in the structure. I have heard this pallavi from this vidwan two years ago. Ample justice done to all the elements of the pallavi. Raga alapana in two stages and tanam in all the four ragams took 30 minutes and the entire pallavi excluding tani took 50 minutes. There was a scholarly approach in all the phases. The glide from one ragam to another was so smooth and organic.

Voleti flavour is amply evident in the style of Rangantha Sarma. It got all the more pronounced in the post tani pieces. The acompanists played their part excellently and embellished the concert in an appreciable manner. Volume of Mridangam was ideal and no banging. I could meet forumite Yashprabhu and exchange ideas. Sat with him and enjoyed the concert. An excellent concert for two and half hours.

[melam72]

I don’t know whether this is the very same Kalyanaraman pallavi

The entire pallavi seems to be exactly the same - at least the words. I believe Kalyanaraman's pallavi was in Khanda Thriputa or something like that

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Thanks for the prompt review, CRama.

I haven't heard the above Varali & Abhogi kritis in concerts.

Yes, Sharma seems to be a Voleti in the making.

[CRama]

I heard that Renganatha Sarma has decided to take VRS and settle in Chennai very soon. Then we can hear him more often in Chennai. Welcome Sharma to Chennai.

After the concert, when we were talking, I casually mentioned that I will be writing review of the concert in rasikas forum. BUGanesh Prasad, who was standing near me retorted.Many people write all nonsense in the social forum like blogs, face book, tweeters without knowing the things properly. He also told that this is the general feeling of artistes. I told him that I will not write anything that I dont know. Subsequently I could get that Sivaramakrishnan had made some comments about his playing in another thread- Gayathri Girish concert. That has probably irritated him.

[shankarank]

I heard his earlier youtube rec. @ ARkay - featuring rItigaula - janani - he seems to be one of those with another full toner. Should be treat to Chennai vasis!

[pperumal]

No Thyagaraja Kriti in the entire list?

- PP

[CRama]

No Thyagaraja Kriti in the entire list?

Yes. I also felt that. Not even Pavamana. After the Pahadi tillana he sang the Mangalam slokam in the same ragam and concluded.

[shankarank]

There was this tyAgaraja lineage kriti SaraNam Vijaya sarasvati .. so it is not really missing

[pperumal]

IMHO, no concert feels "complete" without at least one thyagaraja kriti.
That is just my opinion though.

- PP.