Seshadripuram Ramanavami - 2023-04-03 - Gayathri Venkatraghavan

[Secretariat]

Gayathri Venkatraghavan - Vocal
Charulatha Ramanujam - Violin
BC Manjunath - Mridangam
Raghavendra Prakash - Ghatam

Gajavadana Beduve - Kedaram
Sakala Graha Baala Neene - Attana
Ksheera Sagara - Devagandhari
Ramachandra Bhavayami - Vasantha
Nijadhaasa Varadhaa - Kalyani
Thani avarthanam
RTP - Brindavana Saranga
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Superb concert. Gayathri Venkatraghavan was at her best yesterday, perhaps helped by the presence of Mr Venkatraghavan in the front row ! Two Purandara Dasa krithis at the start (understandably!). Ksheera Sagara, sung at a slower tempo was rendered with much feeling and emotion. The Kalyani main was simply outstanding. Her form rubbed on to the accompanying artistes. Charulatha's Kalyani alapanai return was equally well done. Excellent Thani.

If she had finished after the thani with a few thukkadas, it would have been memorable and you could not have left before the mangalam. But what does she do ? Start a RTP at 8.50 PM ! With a remark that it would be a "brief RTP"; an oxymoron, in the same category as " a brief speech". She did the same three years ago starting a RTP at 9.15 PM. And this is Bangalore, where to go from one road to the next takes half an hour !

A wonderful concert nevertheless. The best of the fledgling season so far, for me.