Shashank Subramanyam at Ragamalika Abu Dhabi

[nsridhar22]

Pradosham, Abu Dhabi and its cultural wing Ragamalika organised its annual music festival Swara Raga Sudha 2018 on 3rd and 4th May 2018 at Abu Dhabi.

Shashank Subramanyam performed the first major concert on Thursday, 3rd May evening. Concert details are

Flute - Shashank Subramanyam
Violin - HN Bhaskar
Mridangam - Jayachandra Rao
Tabla - Adiya Ojas Yogesh

Krithis rendered were-

1. Chalamela - Natttaikurinji Varnam
2. Manavyala - Nalinakanthi - Thyagaraja
3. Maravairi Ramani - Nasikabhushani - Thyagaraja
4. Theliyeleru Rama - Dhenuka - Thyagaraja
5. RTP - Mohanam
6. Alaipayuthey Kanna - Kaanada - Oothakadu Venkatasubbaiyer
7. Baarao Krishnayya - Ragamalika - Kanakadasa
8. Krishna Nee Begane Baro - Yamunakalyani - Vyasaraya


Shashank started with a brisk rendition of the Nattaikurinji varnam. Based on the choice by the audience, he rendered Nasikabhushani soulfully. This was followed by an elaborate rendition of Thyagarajas's Dhenuka krithi Theliyeleru Rama. Then came the main piece of the concert in Mohanam, a raga which seems to have be made for the flute. Shashank gave an elaborate rendition of the Ragam and followed it with the Thanam and Pallavi. It was in the Kalpana Swaras that Shashank transported people into a different universe with his brisk rendition of swaras. HN Bhaskar, followed with an equal response on the violin and this piece was concluded with a vigorous Thani Avarthanam of Mridangam and Tabla. I was hearing the combination of flute with Tabla for the first time and Ojas who was also a child prodigy like Shashank enhanced the concert with support from Jayachandra Rao on Mridangam. The concert concluded with popular pieces - Alaipayuthey, Baaro Krishnayya and Krishna Nee Begane Baaro.

The audience in Abu Dhabi were treated to best instrumental recital in the recent years by Shashank.

[nsridhar22]

Shashank flew in specially from USA to perform this concert and the Abu Dhabi audience surely appreciated this gesture and responded well to his concert.