Maharajapuram Makes It Memorable!

[jagagardens]

Song List of Maharajapuram Srinivasan’s Concert at Sri Sadhguru Gaana Nilayam on 20-1-2007


Accompaniments
Maharajapuram S. Ganesh Viswanathan- Vocal Support
Pudukottai Ambikaprasad –Violin
Tanjore Ramadoss-Mridangam

1.Raghunayaka-Hamsadwani-Adi- Saint Thyagaraja
2.Brochevaravare-Sriranjani-Adi- Saint Thyagaraja
3.Paralokha Bhayamu-Mandari-Adi- Saint Thyagaraja
4.Nadaloludai-Kalyanavasantham-Rupakam- Saint Thyagaraja
5.Nannu Vidachi-Reethigowla-Misrachapu- Saint Thyagaraja
6.Sarasamadana-Kapinarayani-Adi- Saint Thyagaraja
7.Nidhi Chala Sukama-Kalyani-Misrachapu- Saint Thyagaraja
8.Orajupujoo-Kannadagowlai-Adi- Saint Thyagaraja
9.Vinayakuni-Madhyamavathi-Adi- Saint Thyagaraja

MAHARAJAPURAM MAKES IT MEMORABLE!

Maharajapuram Sri Srinivasan presented his vocal concert at the Saint Thyagaraja Aaraadhana Festival organised by Sri Sadhguru Gaana Nilayam at S. M. R. Matriculation school, Chennai 600 033 on 20th January. The concert, as always, was brisk and lively from the start to finish. This is unique in all his recitals.

The concert, wherein the Saint’s kritis only were presented, opened up with Hamsadhwani raag krithi RAGHUNAAYAKA set to Aadhi thalam. Its Kalpanaswarams were brilliant and vibrant. (This rasiga has attempted to mention here, in a nutshell, meaning of the sahithyam). `You are incarnation in the Raghu Dynasty! I shall not leave your lotus feet. You are the one who can resurrect me from all my sins and protect me . Unable to come out of the family-bondage, I am sunk in miseries. I have therefore surrendered to be nearer to you. Consort of Sita! Protector of those surrendered and Bestower of Bliss.’

The vocalist then took up BROCHEVAREVARAE in Sriranjani ragam set to Adhi thalam. Presentation of this composition also had its artistic kalpanaswarams. `Raghupathae! Other than you, who else is my Protector? Omnipotent! It is you who attained deserving praise after mercifully gifting away to Vibheeshana, the SriLanka. Who killed the wicked Maarison and who slew Vaali in order to crown Sugreeva, the Son of Sun God! Who else can protect this Thyagarajar from the clutches of sufferings and help him achieve liberation.’

This was followed by PARALOHA BHAYAMU, a composition in Mandhaari set to Dhaesadhi thalam. ‘Least afraid of the Paraloha (after death?) the humans get into family bondages; feeling proud and getting egoistic that they only acquired for themselves, elephants, horses, gardens and farms with rarest flowers, pallakku etc. These humans get drawn into family attachment; these are the very lustful humans who possess for a price vicious vamps and venomous villains, gorgeous and outrageous outfits and then proclaim that this is the Heaven.’ The vocalists’ neraval in the line DHINNAGANI DHAIVALOGAMANI was moving. Their kalpanaswarams were also very vibrant.

The vocalist then moved to a brief alapana of Kalyanavasantham, which was, at times, very melodiously brought out for the krithi NAADHALOLUDAI set to Rupaka Thalam. `O mind, assimilate the music into it, derive supreme bliss; sweet outcome from it are Sapthaswaras which are transformed into raga galaxies. Supreme Immortals like Vishnu, Shiva, Brahmma, Indira, Subramaniar and Ganesh have all medidated on this Naadham!

Next number was in Ritigowlai ragam. The vocalist presented a brief alapana on this ragam also and went to take up in Chhapu thalam, NANNUVIDACHI KADHALAKURA, whose sahithyam reads ‘ O Raamaa! Leave me not a while! Raamaiah, abandon me not; forsake me not! I shall not depart from you even a fraction of a second. It was like enjoying cool shade under the Karpa Vriksha, at the time of unbearable scorching sun. Lakshmikaanthanae, it was like discovering the most precious pearl, after diving deep into the bottom of the sea and breadthcontrolling. My recognising you and meeting you today was like acquiring a treasure while digging the earth. It was also like experiencing downpour at a time when the sun heat was rising. Please accept me graciously, for the mortal body of this Thiagarajar is yours!

In Kapi Narayani, the vocalist presented SARASA SAAMA DHAANA BEDHA DHANDA CHUTHURA set to Dhaesaadhi thalam. The rasigas felt that they were taken to the good-old-days of Madurai Mani Iyer.

Thereafter the main raga for the day was taken up. The vocalist displayed elaborate alapana of Kalyani bringing out all its charm. Given chance, young Ganesh, the vocal supporter presented some vibrant touches. NIDHI CHHAALAA SUGAMAA; ‘Whether wealth will fetch us supreme bliss or rendering service at the sanctum of Sri Ramaiah? O Mind, reveal the truth; whether curd, butter and milk will provide us flavour or performance of bhajans, meditating on the Son of Dhasaratha? whether bathing in the Ganges (meaning humility, politeness and humbleness) or bathing in the well filled with mud of momentary pleasure; which is supreme bliss, whether singing in praise of egoistic human or goodhearted God, Who is worhipped by this Thiagarajar?
DHAYARAANI in Mohanam set to Adhi thalam. ‘Your Mercy is pleaded for; your compassion, Dhasaratha Raamaa! Raghuveeranae! Is my bliss explicable? My heart is overjoyed at the very thought of you. My eyes are filled with ecstatic tears upon seeing you. When I have my devotion deep unto you, this whole world becomes worthless. When I embrace your graceful feet, I wholly forget myself. When you are nearer to me, all my sorrows disappear. I feel it is only my fate when I am in the company of those who are ignorant about you. Did you take the Raamaa incarnation for my sake? Are you on your mission just to protect devotees like me? You are the Supreme Being for the Teenmurthis. You are the most intimate companion of this Thiagarajar.’

This was followed by ORAJHOOBHUJHOO in Kannada Gowlai set to Adhi Thalam. `Is it fair when you are avoiding direct look at me? Is it justifiable for someone of your supreme status. Lotus eyed! Speak out (for my sake) what understanding was there between you and your devotees. What is reason for your showing least compassion towards me? Protector of humble souls! Ardent lover of music!’

The concert was concluded with Madhyamavathi raga VINAAYA KUNIVA a krithi on Kancheepuram Kamaskhi. ‘Protect me! Treating me like Vinayaka. Who is an alternative God for me, other than You the Protector of the abandoned and forsaken. Sri Kaamakshi, Eradicator of the sins of the Good; Benefactor! Mother!
‘Devas (Celestial beings) and other communities, who show utmost love and devotion towards you, may not undergo any sufferings, since you give boons to even the downtrodden and backward communities. Therefore, won’t you show compassion towards me. Supreme Goddess at Kancheepuram! You are the remover of all sins of the praying souls. Dweller of lotus heart of this Thiagarajar! Parasakthi (Omnipotent) Supreme Sakthi, the absolute in its dynamic, creative energy!’

Success of a concert is attributed mainly to presentation of ragas, judicious selection of songs, rendition with perfect diction thereof, alignment of sruti, voice modulation for proper expression of various moods in which the compositions were conceived and delivered, pre-judgment of the pulse of the audience and so on. Such a well attempted test is bound to reach the rasigas, provided also the accompaniments are there with able co-ordination.

Here in this concert, ragams taken up are the most favourites of the Maharajapurams; krithis chosen are so poular and beautified by the Maharajapurams. They always have chaste diction. Maharajapuram Srinivasan always sings in his full-throated (at the same time, without breaking its harmony but with good voice modulation) voice with which the sahithyam’s charm is brougt out in perfect sruti alignment. This formulae worked out ‘wonders’ when the vocalist presented the Saint’s krithis, all gems, on the Aaraadhanaa Festival.

Maharajapuram Ganesh Viswanathan, son of Maharajapuram Srinivasan and who gave his vocal support was full of confidence. This young Ganesh has good voice and he extended competent support to his father. Much to the delight of the devotees and other rasigas assembled there, Ganesh proved to be in top form with his support in raga alapana and in singing the sahithyams, neravals, kalpanaswarams etc.

Pudukottai Ambika Prasad was on violin. He gave excellent support and enthralled every one present. Senior mridangist and Kancheepuram Aasthaana Vidhwan Thanjavur Ramdass provided praiseworthy support. His Thani Aavarthanam was remarkable and was well received by the entire devotee rasigas.

The organisers of this Aaraadhanaa Festival and the devotee rasigas felt blessed for this wonderful carnatic concert presented by the Maharajapurams.

by nagraj – 98415 99940

[mohan]

Thanks for the information Nagaraj. Do you attend any other concerts apart from those of Sri Maharajapuram Srinivasan? If so, please review those ones as well.

Would you know why Maharajapuram Ramachandran is not mentioned in the website www.maharajapuram.in ?

I think Ramachandran and Srinivasan are brothers. Do they give any concerts together?

[jagagardens]

Dear Sri Mohan

Please visit my blog -:(URL Mentioned below the message) wherein i have reviewed many artistes apart from Maharajapuram Srinivasan. This link I am sure would kindly bring to your notice that I am regularly writing about other artistes also.

http://carnatic-reviews.sulekha.com

I would like to tell you that one should never come to a hasty conclusion without
knowing the full details. I do not think that the aim of this Rasikas forum is to present information about the concert but to understand and appreciate the concerts of many musicians.

Yes,Ramachandran and Srinivasan are brothers, but they do not give concerts together but perform individually.

[mohan]

Thanks - please share your reviews of other artistes on this forum too.

[mahavishnu]

Mohan,

Interesting point about Ramachandran not being mentioned in the Maharajapuram website.
Word on the street is that the brothers have parted ways musically. They are both active on the concert circuit, both planning separate tours of US/Canada soon.

[mahesh3]

Wasn't sRI M Ramachandran just on a 2 month tour here in November of 2006, accompanied by Sri Mannargudi Iswaran and Sri Nagai Muralidharan? and Maharajapuram Srinivasan was here in late 2005.