Gayathri Girish @ Swamy's Hall - Shanmukhapriya

Sathej · Post by **Sathej** » 09 Jun 2007, 23:17

Date : June 9, 2007
Time : 6:30 PM
Sabha : Shanmukhapriya
Venue : Swamy's Hall, Mandhaveli

Smt. Gayathri Girish - Vocal
Shri V Sanjeev - Violin
Shri Poongulam Subramaniam - Mrudangam
Shri S. Karthick - Ghatam
Shri Narayanan - Tambura

A great concert by Smt. Gayathri Girish who surely seems set to scale greater heights.
Admirable support by the accompanists. The Kutcheri at the newly air conditioned Swamy's Hall began late at 6:55 PM thanks to a traffic jam which inconvenienced the Mrudangam artiste and also due to an introduction of artistes(with some slips like Uthukadu for Oothukadu and messing up Shri Srimushanam Raja Rao's name). However, Smt Gayathri Girish went on upto 9:25 PM exactly sticking to the 2.5 hours as actually planned.

1) Gnanananda Mayam Devam - Reethigowlai
followed by Vanajaksha - Reethigowlai Ata Tala Varnam - Shri Veenai Kuppaiyer
Varnam nicely rendered in two speeds.

2) Arulavendum Thaye - Saramathi - Shri Dhandapani Desikar
Good rendition of the Krithi with some powerful Mrudangam accompaniment.

3) Mamava Sathatham - Jaganmohini - Shri Thyagarajar - AS
Nice outline of Jaganmohini which reminded me of Shri DKJ and a good round of Swarams.The violinist was happy to explore higher reaches of the Ragam.

4) Vaancha Thonu - Karnaranjani - Shri Muthiah Bhagavathar
One of my favourite Krithis. Very nice Chittai Swarams.

5) Paamara Jana Paalini - Simmendramadhyamam (Sumadhyuthi) - Shri Muthuswamy Dikshithar - ANS
Good Alapana conveying the element of pathos in the Ragam. Neraval was done at
Kaamithaarttha Phaladaayini Kaarunyaamruta Vaahini followed by good Swarams.

6) Brovavamma - Manji - Shri Shyama Sastry
A good, moving rendition of the Krithi.

7) Aadum Deivam Nee Arulvai - Kambhoji - Shri Papanasam Sivan - AST
A really nice Kambhoji with characteristic Bhrigas of Shri TNS. Shri V Sanjeev too played a nice Alapana in his turn. At this stage, people started moving. But, I must say a sizeable number of people stayed till the end. The Krithi was rendered well sans a Neraval, maybe due to lack of time. Swarams were good with some good Kanakku. I am not that great at noting down Korvais. The Tani was quite short with Shri Poongulam Subramaniam playing his heart out and Shri S Karthick was as usual brilliant.

8) Aayiram Aayiram Gopikarkalodum - Charukesi - Smt Neela Ramamurthi

9) Nanati Baduku - Revathi - Shri Annamacharya
Another favourite of mine. Good rendition with nice Bhavam

10) Gopi Gopalabala Rasamandalam - Bhajan - Surdas
Am not too sure of the words. It contained a phrase Dhruma Dhruma Dhruma Mrudanga.

11) Kandhanin Azhagil Bhakthan Mayakkam - Sindhubhairavi - Guru Surajananda - tuned by Shri Thanjavur Kalyanaraman
This was announced by Smt Gayathri Girish. It was quite nice.

12) Thillana - Chandrakauns - Shri Madurai TN Seshagopalan
Very much expecting it - the Chandrakauns Thillana!

Mangalam

On the whole, it was a great concert.

http://nadasudha.wordpress.com

Sathej

Rengarajan · Post by **Rengarajan** » 09 Jun 2007, 23:37

One small correction- Gopi Gopala... is a Surdas Bhajan in Ghamaghakriya. Can any one tell me who is the composer for Ayiram Ayiram popularised by MLV. My impression of the concert is as follows:
GG had demonstrated how meticulous planning and neat execution can sustain audience interest throughout the concert. There was no dull moment at any part of the concert which extended up to 9.30 pm., and the audience did not feel passage of time. There was no perceptible audience exit which usually happens around 8.30 pm in Chennai Sabhas. which stands testimony to the quality of the concert.
Raga elaborations for Jaganmohini, Sumadhyuthi (Simmendhramadhyamam) and Kambodhi were rendered in a measured way in tune with their positioning. The intricate swara patterns were given with such an ease for hearing and the labour behind such texture was well appreciated by the audience by their response at the end of the respective songs. I have not heard the she songs in Saramathi, Kambodhi and and Sindu Bhairavi before but the rendering did not give the odd feeling which any new song usually evokes when heard for the first time. The main song in Kambodhi did not give room for neraval but was adequately compensated in swara rendering. Her diction was excellent in all the songs she rendered
Sanjeev as usual gave the best support to enhance the value of the concert and so was the contribution by Subramanian and Karthik. Their â€œthaniâ€

Sathej · Post by **Sathej** » 09 Jun 2007, 23:42

Thank you for the correction!Phenomenal error!I noted it down as Surdas(from the lyrics) and ended up writing it as Sant Tukaram.
Sathej

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 10 Jun 2007, 00:28

gOpI gOpAla bAla rAsamanDala - OS Arun sings this sUr bhajan fabulously...

Sathej · Post by **Sathej** » 10 Jun 2007, 00:40

Thanks again for the exact words,rshankar.
Sathej

ram · Post by **ram** » 10 Jun 2007, 00:49

Sathej,

Thanks for the nice, detailed post on the concert.

Sri Rengarajan,

Sattur Sisters once sang "Ayiram Ayiram" (chArukEsi) in their concert and said that it is a composition of Smt. Neela Ramamurthi, daughter of Sri Papanasam Sivan. Ref: Comments section of the post http://ramsabode.wordpress.com/2006/11/ ... l-chennai/

Sathej · Post by **Sathej** » 10 Jun 2007, 01:20

Thanks for the clarification, Ram.
Sathej

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 10 Jun 2007, 06:37

ram wrote:Sattur Sisters once sang "Ayiram Ayiram" (chArukEsi) in their concert and said that it is a composition of Smt. Neela Ramamurthi, daughter of Sri Papanasam Sivan.

i remember them mentioning this, at yet another occasion as well.

Incidentally, Nice list and well written by Sathej.

saranga · Post by **saranga** » 10 Jun 2007, 08:12

Rengarajan wrote "The newly done up hall with airconditioning fulfilled all that a discerning audience can ask for, but the amplification part has to be taken care of, esp. for balancing the voice and instruments, since it created an atmosphere of attending Somuâ€™s Concert in certain places "

I would say please do not decry Madurai Somu. He was a great artist. His concerts esp with accompanists like LGJ/MSG UKS/VR had a great atmosphere.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 10 Jun 2007, 08:26

I agree with saranga.That was a poor remark (ofcourse I am a huge Somu Fan)
But thats the way with the world.
It loves to stereotype and remain frozen with static images in a dynamic world.
I was once like that .Until a Samaritan changed it all for me by mailing to me - at his cost - ten priceless tapes .All the way from the US.
Just to change an opinion.And try and remove a prejudice.
Here is a sample from that ..
http://www.sendspace.com/file/a2b5dm

Sathej · Post by **Sathej** » 10 Jun 2007, 08:45

Great upload, Coolji. And yes, Shri Madurai Somu was of course a great musician. Each artiste has his/her own style and must be appreciated for that. Prejudice often clouds our mind.
Sathej

Rengarajan · Post by **Rengarajan** » 11 Jun 2007, 17:04

I am sorry that what was intended to convey by my observation in regard to balancing of voice and instruments had ended up its being mistaken to be an observation on Somu's music. Having been an ardent fan of Somu chasing him to places to listen to him for 30 years till fate snatched him ending a rich legacy, I would not dream of making snide remarks against his music; for that matter, I would not do that with any artist, as I cannot even properly say "sa Pa Sa" in correct sruti. However , any listener of Somu's concert especially full bench one, would vouch for the indecipherability of voice and instruments when swaras were rendered in intricate laya patterns passionately by the team. Of course those were the days, when sophisticated amplification equipments were not available. I have taken the the comments, 'my observation being poor and prejudiced' in my stride, as these observations reflect on the observers' keen love for the immortal music of Somu

Rengarajan · Post by **Rengarajan** » 11 Jun 2007, 17:16

I have wrongly mentioned the raga of Surdas Bhajan as Gamaghakriya instead of Gamanasramam. Error is regretted

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 11 Jun 2007, 19:54

Let us say cheers and close that subject with this impeccable recording of Somu.

:)
Great singing-Great violin-Great Mridangam-Great recording.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/71oicx

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 11 Jun 2007, 20:02

Rengarajan,
You don't have to say anything more. I bet you enjoyed the concert Cool posted as much as others did. What you say is so true. How the violin becomes voice here! Somu obviously inspired that in his accompanists.
Sometimes, since language is not as pliable as to accomodate our thoughts (especially when we speak about something which goes with another language--here, CM), there is room for misinterpretations. This has happened to me as well. If you want to keep it short, you haven't said it all. If you are longwinding, well, you haven't delivered it either!
Good to know there is another ardent Somu fan!

I see there is another bit of a treat. Thanks Cool!

grsastrigal · Post by **grsastrigal** » 11 Jun 2007, 21:20

Agreed with Arasi. Your review shows how much you were involved with that concert. This is "fight" within the family ending up with excellant dinner prepared by "Arusuvai Chakravarthy" Coolji.

Morning I heard Ranjani and evening ending with Dhanyasi of Somu both uploaded by AC. "Dhanyan Anen".

Sathej · Post by **Sathej** » 11 Jun 2007, 22:30

All is well that ends well!
Sathej