Cleveland reviews

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 25 Mar 2008, 06:11

March 24, 2008.

Gayathri Venkataraghavan - Vocal
Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi - Violin
Vellore Ramabadhran - Mridangam
Kartik Venkatraman - Kanjira

1. Viriboni Varnam - Bhairavi - Pachimiriyam Adiyappa
2. Lambodaraya Namaste - Varali - Dikshitar ANS
3. Dayajooda - Jaganmohini - Shyama Sastry
4. Sogasuga Mridanga Talamu - Sriranjani - Tyagaraja AST
5. Jambupathey - Yamuna Kalyani - Dikshitar
6. Sashivadana - Chandrajyoti - Tyagaraja
7. Koniyadina - Kamboji - Veenai Kuppa Iyer ANST.
8. Re re manasa - Brindavani - Narayana Theertha
9. Slokam - Dasaramadigo - Nadanamakriya - Purandara Dasa
10. Iyal Isayil - Desh - Thiruppugazh Arunagirinadhar

Great concert from start to finish. Strong sruti alignment. The Khamboji was especially strong. Accompanists were terrific.
With stalwarts like RK Srikantan, Kalpakam mami, Manakkal Rangarajan, Suguna Varadachari, Guruvayoor Dorai and pretty much all the artistes that are in Cleveland this week in the audience, it must be like taking an exam. But Smt Gayathri did very well and earned the appreciation of both the artistes and the general rasikas.

I really liked the fact Sri Mannargudi Easwaran helped tune Sri Ramabadhran's mridangam and personally saw to the sound levels being balanced for the entire concert.

On the request of the organisers no pallavi was presented since the event started slightly later than scheduled due to an earlier event.

mri_fan · Post by **mri_fan** » 25 Mar 2008, 08:21

Sounds like a great concert

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 25 Mar 2008, 11:47

Thanks Mahavishnu...look forward to other reviews as well

Bhindi · Post by **Bhindi** » 25 Mar 2008, 17:41

Sustaining Sampradaya:

The event was a smashing success featuring 21 children/music students. The break up was as follows.
2 mridangams,
2 violins
3 flutes
14 vocal
The kids ranged in ages from 7 to 17. The lecture preceeding each kriti was succinct and to the point with a beautiful powerpoint presentation. Vidwans like RK Srikantan, Kalpakam Mami, Suguna Vardachari and others stayed through the complete event and supported the kids. The event was way to long even for the artistes and by the time the concert was done it was almost 11 PM.

Other forumites like Maha Vishnu hopefully will give a detailed discription of the songs rendereed.

rangahome · Post by **rangahome** » 25 Mar 2008, 18:06

This was the first time I heard Gayathri Venkatraghavan live. It was an excellent concert -- esp the Kamboji was moving. I wish she had the time to render a pallavi.

I also attended the kamalambha navavarnam rendition by the children. It was a wonderful experience listening to the kids -- the massive training and the hours they had invested was visible in the concert. The presentation on the navavarnams was done by Shri. Pappu Venugopala Rao. The presentation focussed on the significance of Shri chakra, the significance of each kriti, the key highlights of each of the avarnams -- this was very educative.

Mahavishnu -- Were you the one taking detailed notes along with your spouse? (in 2nd or 3rd row behind Ravikiran - sSshikiran) ? I'd like to say a hello to you sometime. (I was sitting a few rows behind you).

mri_fan · Post by **mri_fan** » 25 Mar 2008, 18:13

Bhindi,

There are some clips of the event on youtube, and it looks like there were 3 mridangams

One of the clips is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e5W-8tulgc

appu · Post by **appu** » 25 Mar 2008, 19:01

Mri_fan and other rasikas,

In my previous post the sustaining sampradaya I must clarify the following. The post referred to the new one on Kamalamba nava varnams. This was performed on Monday March 24th at 7:30 PM

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 25 Mar 2008, 19:39

Thanks. Have those reviews coming. It looks like GV has arrived. She hhad great accompaniment. Was it a 'bhava' music since she is a great believer in it?

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 25 Mar 2008, 23:21

Rangahome, No I am by myself. I have an olive green fleece zip-up today.
Hope to see you today.

Tuesday March 25, 2008
Morning concert

M. S. Sheela - Vocal
Akkarai Subhalakshmi - Violin
Tirvarur Vaidyanathan - Mridangam
Cleveland Balu - Kanjira.

1. Vanajakshi Varnam - kalyani- Ata - Pallavi Gopala Iyer
2. Neebhakti Bhagyasudha - Jayamanohari - Tyagaraja (S)
3. Angaraka - Surutti- Dikshitar
4. Dhanyudevvado Dasharathe- Malayamarutham- Patnam Subramania Iyer (ANS)
5. Rama Ninne nami nanu - Huseni - Tyagaraja (NS)
6. Kamakshi Pahimam - Sivakamboji - Jayachamaraja Udayar
7. Anupamagunambudi - atana - Tyagaraja
8. Paripahimam - subhapantuvarali - mysore Vasudevachar
9. Rama Katha sudha - Madyamavati - Tyagaraja (ANST).
10. Rangabaro - Sindu bhairavi - Purandaradasa.

A very elegantly presented concert by an important descendant of the RK Srikantan school. RKS was in the audience today.

Smt Sheela's voice is strong yet flexible. Her sense of articulation and manodharma were quite brilliant. The Malayamarutham alapanai was very special and the repartee by Akkarai was equally appealing. The Sivakambodhi piece was quite unique, I guess it took someone from Karnataka to introduce this piece the audience. Vaidyanathan's accompaniment really embellished the concert.

Mannargudi Easwaran gave a vote of thanks, in which he mentioned that MS Sheela is also an accomplished dancer and mridangam player! In fact, he has given her some lessons himself....

ajit · Post by **ajit** » 25 Mar 2008, 23:50

Are you sure that the Malayamarutham krithi is by Thyagarajar?

ajit.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 25 Mar 2008, 23:53

thanks, Ajit. it is actually by Patnam.

vgvindan · Post by **vgvindan** » 25 Mar 2008, 23:53

There seems to be only one Thyagaraja Kriti in Malaya Marutham - 'manasA eTulOrtunE'

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Mar 2008, 00:12

Very refreshing song selection by Sheela. Nice to see a Wodeyar kriti and glad she did full justice.
Thought Rajna was going to accompany Sheela!

mri_fan · Post by **mri_fan** » 26 Mar 2008, 02:36

Perhaps Rajna's mother could let us know...would have been a great chance...

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Mar 2008, 02:47

She did! See
http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=4802&p=4 post #88

mri_fan · Post by **mri_fan** » 26 Mar 2008, 03:52

Cmlover,

Sorry if I'm mistaken, but I did read that already, and was hoping if she could post again to say why Rajna was removed from the list since her mother said that she was going to be playing.

lswaminathan · Post by **lswaminathan** » 26 Mar 2008, 05:48

Rajna is in Cleveland by herself this time. Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan and Sundaram told Rajna that she would accompany M. S. Sheela. I posted as soon as Rajna called us and gave the good news. We really don't know what happened to change the situation.

Now she has been told to play for the Guru Samarpanam program on Wednesday from 11:00 am to Noon. Let's see what happens . . . . .

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Mar 2008, 06:14

I am sorry to hear that but VVS may have a good reason for the change. I trust Rajna was not discouraged. She is a brilliant kid with talent and a strong commitment . She has a bright Future. Keep us posted.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 26 Mar 2008, 07:09

Rajna would shine, no matter whom she accompanies. I think she is a natural. I was really impressed by her playing and poise when I heard her during the season.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 26 Mar 2008, 09:17

March 24, 2008 Afternoon concert

Sikkil Gurucharan - Vocal
Nagai Sriram - Violin
Neyveli Skandasubramaniam - Mridangam

1. Vanajakshiro - Kalyani varnam - Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar
2. Intaparaka - Mayamalavagowla - Anai ayya (NS)
3. Ranidhi Radhu - Manirangu - Tyagaraja (ANS)
4. Hiranmayim Lakshmim - Lalita - Dikshitar
5. Orajupuju - KannadaGowla - Tyagaraja (S)
6. Entuku Peddala - Sankarabharanam - Tyagaraja (ANST)
7. RTP Shuddh Sarang - Khanda Triputa Talam
Pallavi line: Samagana nadha priye Veena Venu (sangeetha)..
8. Anadhu Selvathu- Kulasekara Alwar - Hamsanandi
followed Srinivasa thiruvengadam ... - Papanasam Sivan
9. Maithreem Bhajatha - Sri Chandrasekara Saraswathi

A top-quality concert in front of a packed auditorium. Gurucharan's voice uniquely enables him to reach both the requisite subtleties and power. The best part is his ability to seamlessly switch between the two at will. I was quite taken by his range and delivery today.

Intaparaka was very well crafted. Nagai Sriram's repartees during the neraval to the lines "Kanna Thalli thandri..." were just amazing. I think Nagai is a very talented violinist that we should all watch out for in the coming years. He looks so shy and modest, but once he starts playing music just flows through his instrument.
Lalita was delivered with a lot of bhavam. Gurucharan's sankarabharanam essay was very nice and equally matched by young Nagai. The composition was performed with terrific sangatis and no detail was spared. Skandasubramaniam's tani was very nice. His mridangam's nadham especially from the thoppi came through very well.

The RTP in shuddh sarang was a nice surprise. Sikkil's treatment of it had no hints of Hindustani influence and came across like a hansadanam alapanai.

They got a well deserved standing ovation at the end.

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 26 Mar 2008, 10:44

The HM bug continues to flit around the kutcheri medai!

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 26 Mar 2008, 17:27

intaparAkA is by Anai Ayya.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 26 Mar 2008, 19:03

Lakshman-ji. My mistake. It is edited now.

March 25, 2008

Sri N Ravikiran - chitraveena
Vishal Sapuram - support

Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi - Violin
Mannargudi Easwaran - Mridangam
Cleveland Balu - Kanjira

1. Karunimpa - Sahana Varnam - Tiruvottiyoor Tyagayya
2. Bhajanamrutha - Nattai - Oothukadu (Saptaratna)
3. Varasikhi Vahana - Supradipam - Tyagaraja (NS)
4. Nannu vidachi - reetigowla - Tyagaraja (S)
5. Ninnucheppa karanamemi - mandari - Patnam (S)
6. Hecarika ga ra.- Yadukula Kamboji - Tyagaraja (A)
7. Gajavadana - Todi - Kumara Ettendra (A, Tanam in Amrutavarshini, bhoopalam, devagandhari, Vijasri & Sri, N, S, T).
8. Tillana - Behag- Ravikiran
9. Mangalam - Sowrashtram - Tyagaraja

This is the first time I've heard Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi accompany Ravikiran. It was a great match both in terms of melodic sensitivity and rhythmic complexities. The oothukadu saptaratna piece was beautiful. Varasikhi vahana was a great bonus, having heard Kalpakam mami play it just two days ago. The Mandari piece, which is such a standard in the Lalgudi concert repertoire, gave a very nice opportunity for Ravikiran and Vijayalakshmi to reach a new synergy between their respective musical styles.

Hecharika was dripping with the beauty of Yadukula Kamboji. I must mention something about the way Ravikiran handled the instrument to produce gamaka-rich music. There were times when he did not even have to pluck the string for an entire minute and the yadukula kamboji just flowed.

The Todi deserves its own paragraph. I like appreciation, but I tend to stay away from hyperbole since I have not heard the great masters live. I could say that this was possibly one of the best todis I have heard in recent times. The use of the lower stayi, well below most vocalist's range, gave it a very unique dimension. I hope some of you get to see this todi (unedited) when it will be broadcast by Jaya TV (and inevitably finds its way to youtube). The Karaikudi Samabasiva Iyer school often employs ragamalika tanams. This is the first time in quite a while that I have heard someone do that. Kalpagam mami often plays a tanam before a kriti as well. The Todi tanam exchange between the chitravina and violin was equally delightful.

Mannargudi Easwaran was true class. Extreme precision in his strokes and a heightened awareness of the sahityam that he was accompanying, brought the concert to an entirely different level.

The audience was sparser than for Sikkil Gurucharan's concert, probably because it was quite late in the day. But everyone left in the auditorium by the end were true listeners, hanging on to every note as it were.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Mar 2008, 19:23

Nice Review. We all hope the concert will be eventually available for purchase. Gurucharan is quite versatile to attempt bold sorties in the HM region and perhaps he may persuade the HM artistes to see the beauty of the CM side of the RTPs. Ravi kiran always tries a novelty and perhaps he was defying the laws of physics with a one minute resonance on a single pluck

We do hope Jaya TV will broadcast the highlights.

sankirnam · Post by **sankirnam** » 26 Mar 2008, 19:41

Gurucharan sang the same RTP here in LA earlier this month, same suddha sarang, same pallavi.

rangahome · Post by **rangahome** » 26 Mar 2008, 19:42

March 25, 2008
Sri Salem Sriram - Vocal
Suhas Rao - Violin
Vasudevan Namboodri - Mridangam

1. Lokavana Chatura - Begada - Tyagaraja (R)
2. Ramabi Rama - Darbar - Tyagaraja
3. Apparama bhakti - Pantuvarali - Tyagaraja (R, N, S)
4. RTP - Charukesi (T)
5. Ramachandra ni daye - Suruti

Gifted with a majestic and matured voice, Sriram enthralled the audience at the Cleveland Aradhana with a short yet great concert. The pantuvarali kriti and charukesi RTP deserve special mention. His style, at several instances, reminded me of TNS. The young Suhas Rao from Boston gave good support on the violin. Suhas has been participating in the Cleveland aradhana competition and has bloosomed into a good artist. Vasudevan's mridangam support was impressive.

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 26 Mar 2008, 19:55

Mahavishnu

Nice review, nice meeting you briefly. Slight correction - the ragamalika taanams were gambhiranaattai and bauli, not amruthavarshini and bhoopalam.

It was indeed a masterful concert and Ravikiran's Todi alApana could easily be the stuff of legends. Even seasoned Ravikiran "fans" like the Carnatica brothers were impressed by his form.

Mention must be made of the chitravina prowess of young Vishaal Sapuram who is certainly following on the footsteps of the master.

It was nice to see octogenarians Shri R K Srikantan and Smt. Kalpakam sit in rapt attention, unmoved, for the entire 2.5 hours.

Mr VVS gave a very nice speech at the end, reflecting the sentiments of all who were present.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Mar 2008, 20:13

Thanks Uday!
I couldn't understand how a veteran like Ramesh could mistake gambhiranaaTTai for amritavarshini though notes but for the madhyamam are the same. it is like a veteran confusing Kalyani for shankarabharaNam

I can understnad the bowli bhUpaaLam mistake however...
Was ravikiran experimenting on Fusion

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 26 Mar 2008, 20:15

CML,
Yes, Ravikiran 'trying a novelty' works since his art is steeped in tradition.
An innovative move would fall flat and would not be worth it, if it is not backed by the richness of one's own art which had the good fortune to be nurtured by sound tradition.
Wish I had attended this concert. My favorite yadukula khAmbOji was a true miss. So was the tODi.
Another miss was Srikantan's concert (I am a great fan) with Ravikiran accompanying his singing. It would have been a refreshing experience.
And the accompaniments too. Mannargudi Easwaran has a gift for lifting any concert to heights which the main artiste aspires to attain.

Uday, at least a wee bit of a sample please? Of course, not if it is going to be released as a CD--in which case, would wait until it comes out...

jananee · Post by **jananee** » 26 Mar 2008, 21:09

Looks like that was a wonderful concert from ravikiran..Pity we could not get to hear that todi or yadukulakambhoji! Hoping ot see it on Jaya Tv soon....

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 26 Mar 2008, 21:26

Cleveland Aradhana concert CDs are always available for sale. You can contact them through their website: aradhana.org

rajeeram · Post by **rajeeram** » 26 Mar 2008, 22:58

I start with a disclaimer, Sidarth is my dear friend's son, so I am definitely biased. But I thought you will all enjoy this clip of Harikatha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXzglf1TQj4

He got a prize for Harikatha in the Cleveland competition.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 26 Mar 2008, 23:44

couldn't understand how a veteran like Ramesh could mistake gambhiranaaTTai for amritavarshini though notes but for the madhyamam are the same

My bad. Lesson from all this... 1) Never trust your memory 2) Never try to write three reviews in one day.
That said, I will try to send songlists/reviews of the Toronto Iyer brothers, VK Manimaran and NSG today. I hope they don't sing bowli, bhoopalam or revagupti for that matter

Yours truly was just interviewed by JayaTV (impromptu comment on yesterday's concert and the Todi). If it does not get edited, you just might see me on, well, youtube.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Mar 2008, 23:45

Thanks rajeeram!
The kid is indeed talented. Just some constructive suggestions. Let him develop his own personality than try to imitate anybody. Again his voice is not ready for CM yet to try to sing complicated kritis. He has a good sense of humour and let himdevelop it naturally. Nothing wrong in his way of telling the story like a kid than try to imitate 'famous' adults especially women

I hope this will be taken in the right spirit. How old is he now?

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 27 Mar 2008, 00:05

I watched the video. I felt that the speech and songs/body language are coming from 100 times rehearsed memory. Good performance. I suggest that let the child develop his own style.

rajeeram · Post by **rajeeram** » 27 Mar 2008, 00:26

Thanks cmlover and VK Raman.

I understand what you both are saying.

I do know that the kid enjoys the music and story-telling and has a lot of fun doing it. He is 7 years old.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2008, 03:54

Nice to see the Intro page image. The ArAdhanA has now moved from TiruvaiyAru to Cleveland. Thanks srkris.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2008, 04:00

mahavishnu,
Keep your reviews coming. Only, don't mention those moments when the performers meander into other rAgAs inadvertently!
yAnaikkum aDi Sarukkum. What about mere rasikAs, I would ask

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 27 Mar 2008, 09:39

Just realized that rangahome is someone I went to school with.... how bizarre! I had met him earlier during the aradhana and we exchanged some old stories. But all along he thought "mahavishnu" was some elderly gentleman sitting next to me

I was going to post reviews of the Iyer brothers and VK Manimaran. I will get to them eventually. They were ok, but I don't have hugely positive things to say about them.

But then, I just came back from NSG's amazing concert that is still ringing in my ears. I thought I would write a few words about that. It was "transformative" music. So, here goes.

March 26, 2008: Evening concert

Neyveli Santhanagopalan - Vocal
Sri VV Ravi - Violin
Guruvayoor Dorai - Mridangam
Babu (disciple of Sri Dorai) - mridangam

1. Sami Ninne Kori - Sri - Karur Devudu Iyer (S)
2. Kanjadalayadakshi - Kamalamanohari - Dikshitar (S)
3. Budhamashrayami - Nattaikurinji - Dikshitar
4. Ninnu vinaga - Purvikalyani - Shyama Shastri (ANS)
5. Manasa Guruha - Ananda bhairavi - Dikshitar (ANS)
6. Ikane Tala Jala - Guharanjani - Muthiah bhagavathar
7. Vaananai - Keeravani - Appar (ANST)
8. RTP - Kannada - Chatusra Jati Jhampa 2 kalai (6 off i.e. thaLLi)
Pallavi line: Arunachala Siva Sambho Karunakara Swayambho
ragamalika swarams in Sahana, Ahiri, Kedaragowla
9. Slokam - Mohanam, Ananda Bhairavi followed by Arabhimaanam - Ragamalika - composer?
10. Saramaina - Behag Javali - Swati Tirunal
11. Madhiyaal vitthaganagi - Surutti - Thiruppugazh Arunagirinadhar
12. Mangalam - Sowrashtram - Tyagaraja

It was an absolutely intense concert, both emotionally and analytically. The performance totally drew me in. NSG's voice settled in the middle of his Purvikalyani alapanai. He was still getting in form till that point. Once he hit the panchamam there was no stopping him. Despite his voice turning hoarse on a rare occasion in the upper octave, he delivered unadulterated, pure, gamaka-rich Carnatic music. Akaram flowed with his every breath in his alapanais. One creative phrase made way for another. He became the music.

Describing the rest of the concert experience is not going to be possible in words. Just wait for the release/broadcast and see it for yourself.

I do have to say this. Guruvayoor Dorai was exceptional on the mridangam. The nadham he got from his instrument resonated through the auditorium. His 20 second long gumkis would make a tabla player jealous. I sat very close to where he was, so I got to observe his hands very carefully. He seldom removes his fingers from the valankai head when playing sarvalaghu. And then like a panther he pounces on the head of the mridangam for his unique explosive style. I have some experience playing the mridangam. This is a style I just cannot imitate. Of course, the kanakkus and the complex laya structures that he brings out carry the weight of the Pazhani school. His accompaniment was superb and his tani (in misra chapu) was brilliant. What a treat!

V.V. Ravi played supportively and unobtrusively, which was great for NSG's flow. In fact, I think NSG found it inspirational.

I'll let this sit for a while.

Also, Kalpagam mami will give another concert tomorrow afternoon; Lalgudi Srimathi Brahmanandam cancelled. I am told that this special concert will feature some very interesting items.....

Sadly, I have to leave Cleveland tomorrow to go back to work

I hope someone can continue to review the rest of the events. Especially TNS's concert. Sankirnam?

As promised, I will post something soon about the other concerts from today.

sankirnam · Post by **sankirnam** » 27 Mar 2008, 09:45

haha sorry to get your hopes up... like i said, im only there for one day (Friday), I'm hoping to at least meet all the artists, incl. TNS sir that day.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 27 Mar 2008, 09:49

Thank you very much mahavishnu for making us participate and enjoy the Aradhana remote. We appreciate your dedication and comments which has creeated the passion and appetite to get to listen to some of the reported concerts through CDs or courtesy of Jaya TV. GOOD LUCK!
We hope someone willl take over on your behalf...

prashant · Post by **prashant** » 27 Mar 2008, 09:56

Wow - an RTP in kannaDA! Amazing. Hope to get to hear this concert sometime...

vinayo · Post by **vinayo** » 27 Mar 2008, 18:42

Looking forward to a review of Kalpagam Swaminathan's veena concert

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 27 Mar 2008, 19:32

March 26 2008 Afternoon concert

Ashwin & Rohin Iyer - vocal
Keshav Raghavan - Violin
Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan - mridangam

1. ? Chalamu - Kamavardhini varnam - composer? .
2. Gurulekha - Gowrimanohari - Tyagaraja [AS]
3. Budhamashrayami - Nattaikurinji - Dikshitar
4. Nadabrahma Anuragame - Nadabrahma ragam - Meesu Krishna Iyer
5. Mohana Rama - Mohanam - Tyagaraja [ANST]
6. Asai mugam - Jonpuri - Subramanya Bharathi

The concert was reasonable, but I think the brothers have more talent that what they displayed here yesterday. I hope the Iyer brothers take my comments constructively; I realize that they are fellow forumites.

The Gowrimanohari alapani was very "kacchidam", all the right phrases and sequences put together in a creative way, followed by the execution of one of the saint's greatest compositions (in my opinion). The budhamashrayami was well done and appropriately chosen (it was wednesday after all). The Meesu Krishna Iyer piece was lively and set a nice mood for the piece de resistance. Unfortunately, things turned south during the Mohanam for both young men. It was ok, but they could have done so much better. Once you lose your footing it is very hard to return to equilibrium; there is always a random walk around the set point. A shaky alapani makes way for a less than perfect kriti.

But I see nothing but great things in their future. They have great voices, good open-throated singing styles and the kind of scholarship that one would only get with a guru like Sri SRJ. I hope the brothers excel themselves and leave no room for doubt the next time I see them.

Young Keshav Raghavan from California on the violin provided good support. Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan's presence on stage was both inspirational and intimidating at the same time for the young artistes. The mridangam accompaniment was of high quality. I think it helped the vocalists bring out their best in Gurulekha, for example.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 27 Mar 2008, 20:00

The varNa is probably calamu jEsete by the Tanjavur Quartette.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 27 Mar 2008, 20:02

Mahavishnu,
Great job! You shared your musical treats with us by putting in extra hours on the reviews. Too bad sankirnam won't be there to take over. Hope others will.
What you say about NSG is exactly what I feel about his music. Only, You say it so well:
akAram flowed with his every breath in his AlApanais. One creative phrase made way for another. He became the music.
Guruvayur can create a spellbound atmosphere with his playing at times. Even layA impaired persons can get drawn into his performance. His student Babu is impressive, following in his guru's footsteps.
Yes, V. V. Ravi's playing suits NSG. Playing for him, he is neither overwhelming nor passive.

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 27 Mar 2008, 20:10

I think this is the same RTP that I was lucky to catch at KGS last season

Shri. NSG was in great form at that concert, which was among the best, actually maybe the best, that I attended last season. Such sowkhyam!

Arun

rangahome · Post by **rangahome** » 27 Mar 2008, 20:48

Here are some clips from Gurucharan's concert at Cleveland (thanks to USrasika):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b6qh7JDxfY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiDGFgkr ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGTVZoiz ... re=related

rangahome · Post by **rangahome** » 27 Mar 2008, 21:13

I echo Mahavishnu's sentiments on the NSG's concert. It was a divine experience!! The kiravani and RTP were outstanding.

V.K.Manimaran took up the theme of "thillai" - focusing his concert on the chidambaram deity and the kshetra.

1. Siva Chidambarame - Nagaswaravali - Mutthuthandavar
2. Sivaloganathanai kandu - Mayamalavagowlai (R,S)
3. Varuvaro Varam Tharuvaro - Sama - Gopalakrishna Bharathi
4. Varuvaar azhaithu vadi - Begada - Vallalar (R,S)
5. Sabapathiku - Abogi - Gopalakrishna Bharathi
6. Satre villagi irum - Purvikalyani - Gopalakrishna Bharathi (R,N,S,T)
7. Innum vara kaanom - Senchuruti - Gopalakrishna Bharathi
8. Thillai thillai endraal - Brindavana Saranga

There was an interesting discussion between Cleveland Sundaram and Vidushi Suguna Varadachari where they pointed out that the kriti "satre vilagi irum" was originally set to hamsadhwani to match the mood of the song.

Given the theme that was taken, I was waiting for some "aha" moments but felt the concert was just about ok. If my memory serves me right, Manimaram took up purvikalayani as his main piece at the cleveland aradhana last year as well.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 27 Mar 2008, 21:26

innum vara kANEnE is also by Gopalakrishna Bharati.