Nedunuri Krishnamurthy at Academy

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 16 Dec 2007, 05:55

I was there upto Anandabhairavi.Great atmosphere.Caught up with Sathej , sbala, Vijay, Ramanthan and arunk.
Sbala came close to rubbing shoulders with two great men of achievement-Narayanamurthy and M Balamuralikrishna , when both of them paused in their tracks for a few seconds , with their shoulders closest to sbala's.
Academy wore a gleaming look , with smart volunteers everywhere, Valet parking and stuff like that.
Images of the Genial Giant in white( who ran the Academy for decades , moving around lonely -morning to evening- synchronising the clocks and everything else ) were slowly giving away to new images of the heir, who was seen scurrying about , at his sartorial best.
Eager perhaps to get back and take on the unfinished tasks at The Hindu.

Nednuri was in his elements from the word go.Though he had two able bodied Shishyas for support , he was seen merrily singing without needing much help from them.I left after 90 minutes and he had just concluded his third item for the evening - A scintillating Anandabhairavi ,replete with silken movements that make it unique to CM and force rasikas to explode "Can any HM singer sing an anandabhairavi ?"
The flourishes in the Semmangudi mode, at the tail end of the krithis, were spot on and as energetic as ever.
Sriram Parasuram was sweet and vibrant in Anandabhairavi , but I missed the old time values of playing just one notch less than the main artist.Had his alapana been just 60 seconds shorter , it would have conveyed the right kind of deference to the main artists line of thinking.(And I am not referening to the length per se , but a few sangathis that cropped in the last minute)
Since he did not do that , Nednuri had to sing his last few phrases again to himself , to exorcise himself of the diversions that may have cropped up in his own mind and proceed with the Krithi.
But nevertheless, I saw him smiling at the violinist and appreciating his effort.

Audience - There was a good sprinking of young Techies who resembled the Rich(pun intended) Soil that the Mighty Ganges (Narayamurthy) carries with it in its rapid dash down the mountain slopes and deposits in the hittherto unknown and unfamiliar plains.
three of them were by my side .
Constantly moving out and in .
Crunching everything that was crunchable.and Giggling.
Mobile Calls, Velcro straps that came off and went back repeatedly added to the music around.
I walked out , hobbling ,since my knees started hurting and at outside the gates , as I waited for my auto , I ran into those three again.

' Deuy , Ennada .
Idu Thanana thanana paattu Da.Yarume Shollave illaye.
(More giggles from the saree clad member).
Aanaaaa , Periya aazh nenikere.Hall fullll Patheya .Stillaa Ukandu Kekrar - Shyema Thrill daa.

Now we can wait for the authentic reviews from the Masters.

semmu86 · Post by **semmu86** » 16 Dec 2007, 06:46

i was there till the thani avarthanam fortunately...the mohanam ("nannu palimpa") was certainly the best if its kind dat one can hear from nedanuri garu (those who hav heard bhavanutha would certainly agree)... amazing support frm sankaran sir as well as vasan sir...the fillers with gumki were absolutely superb... the khanda gathi and tisra gathi which followed were an absolute display of percussive excellence....

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 16 Dec 2007, 07:02

It was nice to meet although only for a few minutes - a nice precursor for the next day.

coolji - IIRC, in that Sriram Parasuram's end to his anandabhairavi alapana - where he gave an impression like he was about to end, but then added an extra flourish to end at a higher swara was mirroring the finish neduniri garu did in his alapana.

Anandabhairavi, and of course the mohanam were indeed very very good. He then requested an extension of 10 minutes

, and sang a short RTP in nATakurinji followed by a couple of short ones.

Arun

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 16 Dec 2007, 07:12

arunk
Agreed.It is the just the way I am wired, perhaps.
Nothing to take away from Sriram Parasuram.It was a very very skilful display.There were so many little spots that were dazzling , all the way.
Sorry If I conveyed the wrong impression.
Disclaimer : I run the tread mill at the Gym,next to Sriram Parasuram daily, and run the risk of a whack on my head , with my comments.(though presently , am having a break ..thanks to my knee)

ramanathan · Post by **ramanathan** » 16 Dec 2007, 08:15

The concert was a personification of the vintage carnatic performance of our dreams... veteran vocalist, skilled violinist, experienced mridangam vidwan with a silken touch & golden naadam and a subtle unobtrusive, yet awesome ghatam vidwan...

Taruni (Varnam) - Kambhoji - Adi (R sketch)
Ganapate Mahamate - Kalyani - MD (S)
Himachala Tanaya - Anandabhairavi - SS (R, N, S)
Viraja Turaga - Balahamsa - T
Nannu Palimpa - Mohanam - T (R, N, S, T)
Challare - Ahiri - T
RTP - Nattakuranji - Tisra Triputa
Nee Matale Mayanura - Javali - Purvikalyani
Annamayya Padam - Abheri
Patiki Harati - Surati
Shriyat Kantaya + Mangalam Kosalendraya - Madhyamavati

garudadhwani · Post by **garudadhwani** » 16 Dec 2007, 08:39

Coolkarni ji,

I agree. It was a great atmosphere and the live feel of listening to such great artistes is a different experience altogether. An embodiment of energy on stage, Nedanuri Sir's alapanas of Anandabhairavi and Mohanam were top-notch. All the accompanists played their respective roles with finesse and never went overboard. On the whole, it was a great beginning to Academy's annual series.

srikanthnarayan · Post by **srikanthnarayan** » 16 Dec 2007, 08:47

It was lovely to see the veteran vocalist sitting on the dais with his usual majesty and grace. Age notwithstanding, his singing hasn't lost its elegant charm. I particularly enjoyed the entire Mohanam piece. His fairly long alapana of Anandabhairavi gave new insights into the ragam (I feel most artistes don't elaborate this ragam much). The Malladi bros provided the much-needed youthful support but I wish they had accompanied their guru during the kaarvais, esp. in the higher octaves. It would have enriched those portions.

Trichy Sankaran was all attention the whole time and was clearly enjoying Nedunuri's alapanas as much as everyone else. His appropriate playing enhanced the concert effect to no mean degree. T V Vasan, I have always noticed, is a rasika first and a ghatam player only thereafter! He was unobtrusive for the most part but showed his calibre during the tani.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 16 Dec 2007, 08:51

A pure classical CM! Of course it has to be all Telugu as TRS sir would claim!
(Sanskrit does not count and the silly chit-chats in Tamil from the folks

mri_fan · Post by **mri_fan** » 16 Dec 2007, 09:22

semmu86 wrote:i was there till the thani avarthanam fortunately...the mohanam ("nannu palimpa") was certainly the best if its kind dat one can hear from nedanuri garu (those who hav heard bhavanutha would certainly agree)... amazing support frm sankaran sir as well as vasan sir...the fillers with gumki were absolutely superb... the khanda gathi and tisra gathi which followed were an absolute display of percussive excellence....

We're still waiting for your previously promised Trichy sankaran thani in misra chapu

Thanks!

semmu86 · Post by **semmu86** » 16 Dec 2007, 10:15

sure mri_fan....i request you 2 pls wait for a week or so....my office work is so tight its eatin me out actually...or if u can also email me v can probably meet smewer and i wil gv my mp3 playr 2 u...and by the way 2day sankarn sir is playin for sri.ashok ramani at parthasarathy swami sabha....if u can cme v can meet up...

mri_fan · Post by **mri_fan** » 16 Dec 2007, 10:26

if only i had the ability to get out of the US for a month to be in India....hopefully one day I'll be able to hold you to a meeting

But don't feel rushed to upload, take your time and I'll (we?) will wait patiently!

semmu86 · Post by **semmu86** » 16 Dec 2007, 10:29

oh ok...ya sure i wil....thanks

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Dec 2007, 14:54

The atmosphere was electric. The inaugural day aura enhanced the evening. Nedunuri looked more handsome than ever, ripe-old age adding to his stature. And the music! An unforgettable experience.
As I sat there in that packed house of an enthusiastic crowd, I could spot one forumite very easily--just by his unbounded enthusiasm. I wish to see another poetic post on Nedunuri from him to follow his review on Vedavalli's concert.
Yes, it was Prashant!

mahesh_narayan · Post by **mahesh_narayan** » 16 Dec 2007, 21:46

I made it from Bangalore to Chennai just for this concert, and reached Bangalore back with total tranquility and lots of increased admiration for the man and his music. What amazes me is his enthusiasm even at this age. As arasi said, he was looking more handsome than he looked a couple of years ago. That itself speaks of the harmony he has achieved within himself by way of his nada yoga.The mohanam alapana was a rich weaving of raga kalpana in his mellifluous voice, and I am always amazed by the richness of his patantaram, replete with scholarly sangatis. Sankaran Sir's thani was outstanding, and the korappu with Vasan Sir was filled with interesting patterns. Sriram Parasuram is liked by Nedunuri Garu a lot, and he reciprocated the affection by playing some endearing pidis in anandabhairavi and mohanam.The most satisfying part for me was getting to chat with Garu before and after the concert. Talking to him is always a thrilling experience for me. It was pleasurable as usual talking to his worthy shishyas as well. Nedunuri Sir's contentment and happiness were contagious and I am sure all those on stage and in the audience partook of it in good measure.

I wanted to meet Raghu Sir and get his blessings after Narayana Murthy's speech, but couldn't find him anywhere. Did he leave or did he stay for the concert?

Nedunuri Garu told me he is performing on Jan 1st at Hamsadhwani. Any info on accompanying artistes?. Lastly, please do post a review of Malladi Brothers with Raghu Sir on 20th at MA. Can't make it to Chennai because it is on a weekday.

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 17 Dec 2007, 07:57

I agree that the sangatis of nannu pAlimpa were so attractive. I was thinking exactly the same as you did as I was listening to it.

Also, (unless I am mistaken), in the Anandabhairavi alapana, the phrases where he spun antara gAndara and kAkali nishada phrases drew the most aahs, tchs and sabashes

(i would say every time), as he spun them masterly with subtlety and sophistication.

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 17 Dec 2007, 07:58

ramanathan wrote:Annamayya Padam - Abheri

This is paluku tEnelatalli

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 17 Dec 2007, 13:12

and another bad miss

music2407 · Post by **music2407** » 18 Dec 2007, 11:30

the last sangati in ganapathe was something else....it gave me goosepimples...!!man at tht age to sing like that...dont have words to say....he sang ananda bairavi & natakurinji like he was singing thodi or sankarabharanam..gr8..awesome stuff!!!i dont think i am fit to even appreciate the concert...

balsree · Post by **balsree** » 18 Dec 2007, 14:44

music2407 wrote:he sang ananda bairavi & natakurinji like he was singing thodi or sankarabharanam..gr8

Can you explain this?

Vocalist · Post by **Vocalist** » 20 Dec 2007, 07:33

ramanathan wrote:Taruni (Varnam) - Kambhoji - Adi (R sketch)
Ganapate Mahamate - Kalyani - MD (S)
Himachala Tanaya - Anandabhairavi - SS (R, N, S)
Viraja Turaga - Balahamsa - T
Nannu Palimpa - Mohanam - T (R, N, S, T)
Challare - Ahiri - T
RTP - Nattakuranji - Tisra Triputa
Nee Matale Mayanura - Javali - Purvikalyani
Annamayya Padam - Abheri
Patiki Harati - Surati
Shriyat Kantaya + Mangalam Kosalendraya - Madhyamavati

ganapate is by ambi dikshithar - not muthuswami dikshitar!

music2407 · Post by **music2407** » 20 Dec 2007, 20:52

balsree wrote:
music2407 wrote:he sang ananda bairavi & natakurinji like he was singing thodi or sankarabharanam..gr8
Can you explain this?

i just meant that generally performing artists sing a lot of thodi ,sankarabaranam and the like in their concerts and get a firm hold of such ragas such tht they r able to bring the beauty of these ragas very easily.whereas the same ease u cant expect wen they sing not oft sing such ragas.... but tht ws not the cas with nedanuri sir...

sindhu · Post by **sindhu** » 21 Dec 2007, 13:15

While Thodi is frequently handled, Sankarabharanam is not so frequent.