Sowmya - Ayodhya mandapam, Chennai

rain_of_nectar · Post by **rain_of_nectar** » 23 Apr 2008, 23:46

Rama Navami series at Sri Ram Samaj, Ayodhya Mandapam, W Mambalam

Sowmya, M Narmada, Neyveli Narayanan, S. Karthick
Apr 21st 7 pm

Sarasuda - Saveri Varnam - Kottavasal
Brochevarevare - Sriranjani - Adi -Tyagaraja (s)
Durmargachara - Ranjani - Rupakam - Tyagaraja (r, n at 'paluku botini', s)
Kanden Kanden - Vasantha - Arunachala Kavi
Kshirasagara - Devagandhari - Tyagaraja ( r - excellent! )
Banturiti - Hamsanadam - Adi - Tyagaraja (Outstanding n at 'rama nama', lightning fast swaras)
Nadachi Nadachi - Kharaharapriya - Adi (r, s, excellent tani)
Innudayabarade - Kalyanavasantam - Purandara?
Nandanandana - Desh - Lalitadasar
Pavanaja stuti (Sita kalyana) - Kurinji - Tyagaraja
Kshirasagara Vihara - Anandabhairavi
Mangalam

Great concert overall before a packed house in the very noisy ambience of Ayodhya Mandapam which is right beside a very busy traffic-choked road! My first attempt at reporting a concert, pls pardon any mistakes.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 24 Apr 2008, 01:13

thank you for posting this, rain_of_nectar (amruthavarshini?)
Sounds like a great songlist by a very established combo.

This makes me feel very nostalgic. I grew up just a few blocks from the hallowed Ayodhya mandapam. The atmosphere around Rama Navami is very special. I remember listening to Mandolin Srinivas when he was about 10-11 and Maharajapuram Santhanam in his peak, singing to overflowing crowds. The Arya gowdar street that the ram samaj is on, would be full of people that had to keep moving away periodically to make way for the old PTC buses....Every wall, fence, rooftop in the neighbourhood in old mambalam was occupied with eager listeners.

sankirnam · Post by **sankirnam** » 24 Apr 2008, 04:52

i know this is probably futile, but details about obtaining the recording would be appreciated...

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 24 Apr 2008, 05:40

Sankirnam, are you a student of NN? Incidentally, he is from that neighbourhood as well....

sankirnam · Post by **sankirnam** » 24 Apr 2008, 06:36

yes, i am, and as such, i am also extremely familiar with the neighborhood of west mambalam, i stay there with my grandparents whenever i am in chennai, since it is walking distance from narayanan sir's house

rain_of_nectar · Post by **rain_of_nectar** » 24 Apr 2008, 12:05

mahavishnu wrote:...rain_of_nectar (amruthavarshini?)...

Spot on!!

Yes, the Ayodhya Mandapam experience was a bit of a nostalgia trip for me too... I was there last about 15 yrs back and things were pretty much the same! Glad that some things remain as they are... the noise and chaos I guess are part and parcel of the venue. I'm trying to lap up as many concerts in the few months I'm here. Heard four of Sowmya already as she was the first name in the list of must-listens that my guru recommended... and I've been amazed so far the sheer variety in the songlists she has offered. Will post the other songlists if someone is interested. Missed the first day of the 5-day TNS harikatha last night... I want to hear the rest, but I'm very ill-qualified to report on the proceedings. Hopefully someone else will fill in with the details on this forum...

jnaanasoonyam · Post by **jnaanasoonyam** » 25 Apr 2008, 14:43

Hmmm, interesting... today's Hindu carries a positive glowing review of Sowmya (http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/04/25/stor ... 160300.htm) by SVK! Very rarely does that man write unambiguous reviews. I attended this particular concert (songlist below) and for once, I find myself in agreement with SVK on all counts.

I recall his searing criticism of one of Sowmya's concerts last year. Wonder what changed; perhaps the fact that he stayed almost till the end of the concert, another rarity!!

Sowmya, Amrita Murali, Delhi Sairam
TTD Centre, T Nagar, Chennai, Apr 19th

Chalamela - Darbar varnam
Mayatita - Mayamalavagaula - N, S
Bhavanuta - Mohanam - R, S
Shriramam - Narayanagaula
Marivere Dikkeverayya - Shanmukhapriya - R, N, S
Shripate - Nagaswaravali
Dorakuna - Bilahari - R, S, T
Vanamali (Slokam) followed by Shri Madhava - Behag
Muddugare Yashoda - Kurinji
Patiki Harati - Surutti
Kshirasagara Vihara - Anandabhairavi
Laliyugave - Nilambari
Mangalam

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 25 Apr 2008, 18:16

Jnaanasoonyam,

Did you agree with him on his take on Ms. Amrutha Murali?

jnaanasoonyam · Post by **jnaanasoonyam** » 25 Apr 2008, 19:37

Unfortunately, yes... in this particular concert. Maybe just an off-day for her.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Apr 2008, 20:01

Possibly.
I heard Amruta play many times this season and later on too, and every time she played, I found her to be a pleasing accompanist.

sankirnam · Post by **sankirnam** » 25 Apr 2008, 20:01

Good to see that Sairam is getting opportunities to play for Sowmya, he is one of my favorites out of the younger mrudangists. I believe he is also coming with Ranjani + Gayathri to the US later this year.

Ragjay · Post by **Ragjay** » 26 Apr 2008, 20:27

There is nothing wrong in praising a good concert even if the reviewer is SVK. He is a very seasoned critic and writes for a reputed paper like the Hindu for which he was also a sub editor. It is not to be expected that all reviews ought to be reported as outstanding.. The singer has a duty to give his best on the stage for the audience and the reviewer has to give a proper review though not what we think the review ought to be.Some time back a violinist had contacted him and asked him what he knew about music. His reply was that he should contact the paper which engaged him .It is a different matter that the concerned artist played well below his par and ruined the concert that day. I heard the concert and this is my personal view. Bye Ragjay