Gayathri Venkataraghavan @ Asthika Samajam, Tiruvanmiyur,5/8

[jagan]

The Kritis of Syama Satri, are the musical outpourings of a preferred upasaka on his Ishta Devata Kamakshi. Though interwoven with raga subtleties and tala complexities, the accent is essentially on Bhava .

Vidwan Shri A. Sundaresan had a lifelong love for the Krithis of Syama Sastri. And strived to imbue this love in his disciples.

That he had more than succeded in his efforts and ensured that his passion would endure beyond his mortal life, was amply evident when one listened to his disciple Smt. Gayathri Venkataraghavan singing these splendid creations at Asthika Samajam , Tiruvanmiyur. on the occasion of Syama Sastri Day on 5th August. 2007.

Well known for her bhava oriented music,Gayathri excelled herself on this occasion. Recalling often, her Guru’s inspiring musings on the different krithis, she was visibly emotionally charged. And this actually spurred her on to offer music of great intensity. Whether it was in the presentation of raga, (their guru had always stressed that his disciples should contemplate on the raga devathas and not merely be content with the swara groupings) neravals bringing out the lyrical beauty and the artha bhava, or the swaraprasthas , Gayathri never lost sight of the true purpose of classical music –to bring into focus the quest for the Divine.

Her musical offering was presented through the following Krithis.
.
Na Manavinini (Sourashtram) with Anubhandam
Pahi Mam Sri Rajarajeswari (Nattai)
Sami Ninne (Begada)
Daya Juda Samaya (JaganMohini)
Karuna Judu (Varali) followed by Thani
Pahi Sri Giri Raja Sudhe (Ananda Bhairavi)
Kamakshi -Swarajathi in Yadukula Kambhoji
Mayamma (Natta Kurinji)
Devi Brova (Chinthamani)-- public request
Sankari Nee - Mangalam in Kalyani.

While the presentation was of a consistently high quality in the pre-tani segment, she excelled herself in the later half. . The musical luminosity and emotional intensity which she brought to bear on the Y.Kambhoji Swarajati and the Nattakurinji Mayamma, was so overwhelming that many in the audience felt the presence of Goddess Kamakshi in the hall and with eyes moist,were in a state of transcendental bliss. (At the end of the performance, many actually told her so).

Sundaresan’s spirit would surely have lingered there and left contended.

She could not possibly have had better fellow travellers in her quest. Charumathi Raghuraman , a disciple of T.N. Krishnan, wove melodies in Varali and Nattakurinji that were a sheer delight. Astounding talent at this tender age. A blessed child indeed.


Trivandrum Balaji on the mrudangam drew admiration for his aesthetically pleasing,and supportive accompaniment all through , reminiscent of his Guru Palghat Raghu.

A musical offering that will linger in the memory of those present .

[hindolam]

Thanks for the detailed review. Knowing the way Gayathri sings, I am sure it would have been a concert to cherish.

[S.Balasubramanian.]

In the Charanam of Pahimam Sri Rajarajeshwari -Nattai,Shyama Sastri Says,"Swarajathi Kalpitha Sangeetha Rasikey!"Guru AS was under the firm conviction that Shyama sastri should have composed the immortal Swarajathis only later after he had composed this Kriti.After rendering the kriti on Muthukumara-Vaitheeswaran Koil- Gayatri recalled the Guru had it notated and taught her in March-2007.Here is one such disciple who could translate his dreams into reality.

[S.Balasubramanian.]

Sarasapathayukale..amba..swarajathi kalpitha sangeetharasike
is the full line.

[nyayam]

Can anyone upload the concert or at least the y.k. swarajathi and Mayamma?
i hope the artistes would not have any objection.

[arasi]

I can imagine the high quality of the concert. For someone who sings with feeling and is very good with unhurried rendering, SS's kritis would have been an apt vehicle. Add to it her guru vandanA and what have you.
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