Thanjavur Sankara Iyer @ Raga Sudha Hall on 23rd Nov.2007

jagan · Post by **jagan** » 27 Nov 2007, 18:29

Thanjavur Sankara Iyer treated the rasikas to some very great music on 23 rd November 2007.at the Raga Sudha Hall under the auspices of Naada Inbam.

The musical fare consisted of
NInnu Kori Mohana Varnam
Nija Marmamulanu Umabharanam
Sankari Nee Ve Begada R
Ninnu vina Gathi Kana Kalyani R N S
Vananai Kiravani RNS
Thani
Endhuku Nirdhaya Hari Kambodhi
Tha Tha Dimi Tha R T P Thodi
Thani
Endrum unthan namame thunai Behag
Balasubrahmanyan Padhame Vishnupriya
Bhajana Parula Surutti
Andri Ulagam Sindhu Bhairavi
Dhum Tha Thana Kanada Thillana
Karuna Juda Sri

It would be presumptuous to say anything about the uplifting music of Sankara Iyer other than that in the space of slightly more than two hours, he gave the rasikas the satisfaction of having heard a full concertâ€¦. three raga elaborations,and RTP with thanam in the five Ghana ragas. It was an experience to be savoured .

The noteworthy point in the recital was that the two accompanying artistes Padma Shankar on the violin and J. Balaji on the mrudangam displayed their class by their extraordinarily sensitive accompaniment to such weighty classical music.

Padma Shankar was accompanying Sankara Iyer for the first time. Spurred by his encouragement, she displayed her versatility in the raga elaborations of Begada, Kalyani, Kiravani , and the R T P in Thodi.in the sparkling Lalgudi bhani. She was facilely at home with the music that was rooted in the veena tradition

Balaji who had played for him once or twice earlier , was at his scintillating best. He added to the enjoyment of the music with his most understanding support,with strokes ebullient or soft as the occasion demanded. Sankara Iyer chose to give him two tanis, one in MIsra and the other in Rupaka. Both were aesthetically conceived and executed with finesse.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 27 Nov 2007, 20:14

I have a vague feeling that I have encountered Padma Shankar before, and been most impressed --- my memory fails me. I was certainly impressed this time!

Although I feel like I have known Balaji for a long time, I have actually only seen him play once or twice --- and hope to see him many more times.

According to my wife's translations, TSI was quite hard on his accompanists at the start. However, notwithstanding the shared language, perhaps she is not familiar with concert banter!

Rengarajan · Post by **Rengarajan** » 27 Nov 2007, 21:04

There seems to be some misunderstanding of what Sankara Iyer had said . Actually they were words of appreciation.I have also verified with the recording of the concert

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 28 Nov 2007, 10:32

Nick
There was absolutely no misunderstanding on stage with both Violin and mridangam due to constant comments and speeches by TSI. It was in good spirit for the over all effect of the concert. Moreover the whole style of TSI is pretty new to Padma Sankar. She did an excellent job weaving great combination of swaras to produce a soothing accompaniment.

Actually TSI was encouraging both of us with Sabash and Bale .... throughout the concert. It was such a pleasant experience to play for him and each time i was on stage with him (more than once or twice .... hahahah jagan sir pls note) i always expect something different from him and he has always surprised me with his innumerable varieties.

JBalaji

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 28 Nov 2007, 11:49

jagan wrote:Andri Ulagam Sindhu Bhairavi

could this be "anRu ivvulagam " , an AndAl thirrupAvai in rAgam sindhu bhairavi

jagan wrote:Vananai Kiravani RNS

Can I assume this great keerAvani "vAnanai by appar" was first introduced by TSI?

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 30 Nov 2007, 22:46

Thank you for clearing up the misunderstanding....

Of course, if I was a half-decent student of language I'd be able to understand more and misunderstand less....