Ramana Balachandran - VEENA @ Ragasudha

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Ragasudha, Mylapore, Chennai
10.06.2017

Ramana Balachandran: Veena
Akshay Anand : Mridangam
Sunil Kumar : Kanjira

Time: 6.15 - 8.35 p.m.
Pitch: 2 kattai (D)

1. Ennado Rakshinchite, Sourashtram, Aadi -Thyagaraja
2. Kamalamba Na Chinta, Kanada, Aadi-Garbhapuri Vaasar
3. Divakara Tanujam, Yadukula Kamboji, Aadi-Dikshithar
4. Amma Ravamma, Kalyani, Khanda Chapu-Thyagaraja
5. Evvare Ramayya, Gangeyabhooshani. Aadi-Thyagaraja
6. Palinchu Kamakshi, Madhyamavathi, Aadi-Shyama Shastri
7. Mannu Pugazh Kosalai, Ragamalika, Rupakam- Kulasekara Azhwar
8. Siva Peruman kripai vendum, Suruti, Aadi-Papanasam Sivan
9. Mangalam

Ramana Balachandran is a rising star in Carnatic music. The fact that he has decided to stick on to Veena from a very young age shows his commitment to the art and the divine Vadya. To play impressively in Veena is not easy given the nature of the fragile, fretted instrument and also the need to conform to the sahitya of kritis. And Ramana is totally absorbed into playing once the acoustics are in place and the recital starts. It is all the more difficult to sing along with the Veena and here too the young Vidwan scores admirably.

The Tyagaraja kriti in Sourashtram is rarely heard in concerts. Rendering of the word-packed charana passages and swarprastara for Pallavi eduppu in 'Kaal idam' were brilliant. ‘Kamalaamba Na’ is a kriti 'made for Veena' but Ramana did not play swaraprastaara for a much tempting eduppu at Mukkaal idam. That proved his restraint.

An elaborate Yadukula kambodhi and the ‘Vaarakriti’ for Sani graha perfectly suited the evening. Swaraprastaara at the Pallavi was rendered with grace. Kalyani alapana for 'Amma raavamma' was fine and swaraprastara in second speed at ‘Taamarasadala netri’ was energetic. Gangeya bhooshani which came next offered a nice contrast.

The Madhyamavati suite was rich and adorned with neraval and kalpanaswaras at ‘kAntamagu pEru ponditivi kAruNya mUrtivai jagamu’. The Tani by Akshay and Sunil was precise and demonstrative of the various Nadais. The left–handed Akshay was always right!

Mridangam Guru Sri K S Kalidas was there to encourage the artists.

'Siva Perumaan kripai' brought memories of the M K Tyagaraja bhagavatar hit of yore and that was a novel choice. A beautiful hymn ‘Arunachala Siva’ was part of the Mangalam.

Throughout the concert, It was notable that Ramana was able to make liberal use of the second (panchama) string for continuity of the phrases and without much tonal variation. This is something commendable that warrants astute grasp over the swarastaanaas in the instrument. The acoustics in the auditorium was good.

Ramana should be having a very busy schedule during Chennai music season 2017

A nice evening to listen to a team of teens.

[parivadini]

Concert can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSfTlQWZ3hA

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Thanks Parivadini for providing the link.