Dr Karthick - Ghatam
Kuzhalmannam Ramakrishnan - Mridhangam
Raghavendra Rao - Violin
I am just too excited after the concert. What a beautiful concert - a treat for all those attended. The momentum started building by 4:45 for 6pm start. The venue being small, rasikas rushed in early to avoid being left out. I feel that even if one had to wait for 2-3 hrs in line to enter, it was well worth it. Expectations ran high as I was talking to people around and i think expectations are quite high for her concert. The concert began a little earlier and it was off to a smooth start. I could not hear the ghatam for quite some time. Our tryst with sound persons continue! Dr Karthick himself told the person many a time. Still no improvement. The most exciting thing was the main piece. She started with "Dinamani Vamsa Thilaka Lavanya". After doing a wonderful round, she handed it over to the people who speak with the hands. Karthick weaved his magical spells with the ghatam which was received with a thunderous applause . And the Guinness record holder ramakrishnan joined the party(He has the record for playing continuously for 72 hours). Beautiful exchanges and individual brilliance enthralled the audience. It was a treat. When the thani got over, she took off with her voice. But i tell you, I could not hear her at all. The round of applause went on for about 2-3 minutes. We were just clapping our hands, not knowing other means of expressing our happiness and saluting the performance. She was also very impressed with it and even remarked that after listening to such a wonderful thani, i dont know what to sing. It was an electrifying performance. After a small announcement gap, the electrifying atmosphere continued with beautiful renderings. In RTP, she sparkled magic by weaving lyrics from different songs(Alaipayuthe, Kuzhal oodhi manam ella ,...). It caught all of us by surprise , much to our ecstasy. Just when i thought, it is all done she began Oothakadu's "Vishimakara Kannan." It had us laughing over all the song. I actually felt the naughtiness of krishna listening to her. Amazing Sudha!! And equally wonderful team.. Then the rasikas request reflected with Kurai Ondrum Illai , baro krishnayya,.. and one new song. It was overall a beautiful one. I almost missed out mentioning her "Ganamoorthe", which she rendered well in the beginning.
Post concert, the stage was not at all visible. Lot of us climbed on to catch a glimpse of the artistes and to express our contentment and joy! She could not move an inch with scores of rasikas cornering her and team and showering the praises. I am just waiting to listen to her once more! Special mention once again goes to "Vishimakara Kannaan". It was marvellous. She appreciated for having a wonderful audience and she told she is really happy to have a very good audience!! And she speaks very good kannada as well
She also did an alapanai in Mandari followed by Harikesanallur's Atishaya vara prasadini
I just wished the concert went on for an hour or more!
Love
Balsree