Venue : Asthika Samajam, Amarabharati Hall, Thiruvanmiyur
Vocal : Shri.Saketharaman
Violin : Shri. Nagai Sriram
Mrudangam : Shri. Trivandrum V. Balaji
Khanjira : Shri.K V Gopalakrishnan
Having heard a lot , from others, about this youngster, during the season, I wanted to hear him live and therefore ended up enjoying a fabulous concert, which took me a good twenty five years back into the period of Carnatic Music, when the stalwarts like SSI, DKJ, KVN, Lalgudi etc. were at their peaks...This youngster is sure to achieve the status of such doyens in the CM realm, if he continues like this....
The concert began with Navaraga varnam, and was soon followed by a grand Hamsadhwani aalapana and Vatapi Ganapathim. What followed was an exquisite Pantuvarali Aalapana, which last I heard of such quality was way back in 1987 when KVN sang in Navarathri Mandapom concert. The aalapana had some tweaks of Hindustani style in it, which I had heard only KVN doing previously. What a Manodharamam, Saket displayed! Nagai Sriram was no less in his version of the same. The kirtanam ofcourse was Abaramabhakti and which was then followed by a melodious Sahana aalapana.
The main piece was Kharahara priya with Chakkani Raja followed by a very explosive Tani by Shri Balaji / KVG duo. The percussionists have a wonderful understanding and chemistry between them, which made the Tani very interesting. The tani was followed by a soul-touching Baaro Krishnayya, and then Kaana vendamo. Saketh ended the concert with Khamas tillana.
Shri Narasimhan, the secretary of the Sabha gave a very passionate and a well deserving speech about the concert, showering praises on Saketh and the accompanying artistes, and specially highlighted the bhaava rasa (emotive appeal) and the shaareeram (the throat culture) of the main artiste, and above all his Medai Nirvagam (stage management during the concert).
Saketharaman, truly has all the amazing qualities of the yester-year doyens, and presents his concert in an inimitable style which brings nostalgic memories, and therefore holds tremendous hope for the truly classical music lovers.
Here is a rising star to take notice of!
Apasruthi