Recording or review of Vidushi Neela Ramgopal's Sunday conce

sappri · Post by **sappri** » 19 May 2008, 12:13

Would someone oblige to detail Vidushi Neela Ramgopal's concert at Ananya on the 18th of May, accompanied by Smt Charulatha Ramanujam on the violin and Sri Arjun Kumar on the Mridangam?
We unfortunately missed it, due to ill-health.

Would be great if someone could share the recording.

Thank you.

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 19 May 2008, 16:15

Sappri, I attended (most of) the concert. A really nice, intimate venue (Ananya SAbhagraha) tucked away in a bylane of Malleswaram. The 5 PM start was also a great idea. Several rare pieces and I did not make a list so here goes:

Manamu Kavalanu - Sahana - Rupakam - HMB (RS)
A piece in a Vivadhi raga - most likely Jyothiswarupini
Intha Sowkhya - Kapi - Thyagaraja Adi - RNST
A piece in Vasanthabhairavi (on Narasimhar?)
RTP in Kalyana Vasantham (Adi khanda nadai)

The Neraval on Swaragalaya in the Kapi piece was the high point of an excellent concert. Many brillitant insights into ragas like Sahana and Kaapi kept one constantly engaged despite the rather thin voice, which really should have been noted by the soundman while balancing his system. As a result, Arjun Kumar's mrudangam tended to dominate the vocalist - however it must be mentioned that his rhtyhms were a delightful distration. The tani featured khandam and tisram which were competently reproduced by the kanjira artiste (whose name once again slips my mind thanks to my relatively unfamiliarity with Bangalore artistes). The sweetness of Charulatha's violin completed the quartet of excellence.

All in all, a happy introduction to the Vidushi's music.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 19 May 2008, 17:25

Vijay,
I am glad the multi-metropolis man got to hear a fellow-member of merit, at last.
Yes, Ananya has a nice ambiance.Pity, with Bangalore's traffic problems, it has become a 'far away venue' for me.

Anusha · Post by **Anusha** » 19 May 2008, 18:13

I also had the privilege of attending this concert. Here is the list with gaps-

1. Mana Mohana - Mohanam - varanam - Adi
2. Mahaganapathim bhajeham - Amritavahini-Rupaka (S)
3. Lambodara sodara - Kalyani-Muttaiah Bhagavathar
4. Maanamu kaavalenu talli - Sahana - chittaswaram-(A,S)
5. Raama bharata paalita - ? - Khanda chapu -(A)
6. Inta sowkhyama ninne - Kapi-Tyagaraja-(A,N,S,T)
7. Narasimha mantrava ondiralu saaku- Vasanthabhairavi - Khanda chapu
8. RTP - Kalyana Vasantham -Adi, Khanda nadai-eduppu, I didn't note
Vasantham bhagavantham hanumantham bhajare, seetha raama kalyaana
with ragamalika swarams in vasantha, reethigowla
9. Dhimita janu janu tha dhim - Tillana - Sindhu bhairavi- Adi
10. ?, Tamil song on Muruga I think - Poorvikalyani

The concert was very good. I donot have much knowledge to write in detail.Her alapanas, swarams were very creative, educative. The Kaapi alapanai was done very well by both the vocalist and the violinst.

Vijay,
Thanks for the tani details, I didn't follow that part. I did see you in between, thought of saying a Hi to you at the end. But, I guess you left early.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 19 May 2008, 18:19

Thanks, Anusha. I had a feeling you would have been there. Distance would not have been a problem.

prashant · Post by **prashant** » 19 May 2008, 19:59

Vijay - you're an elusive guy! I was looking for you at the Malladi Brothers concert at SFAS last week, and now I see you are in Bangalore!!

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 19 May 2008, 23:45

Hey Anusha, thanks for the list - strange that I missed you! Pity...yeah I left after the speech started...
Arasi - I cam all the way from Thalaghattapura which is something like 25 KMs away!
Prashant these days I wake up at night not quite knowing which city I am in! Anyway after a brief (and well deserved) break in B;lore it will be Mumbai for good from next week...so look forward to many happy moments in FAS, Shanmukha etc.!

maithree · Post by **maithree** » 20 May 2008, 10:36

It was a truly fulfilling concert in every sense. What adherence to sruthi and Neela mami, as she is fondly called was bubbling with enthusiasm - the 70+ young lady !

The variety in composers,talas,ragams - amazing. I'll add a little more to Anusha's list:

1. Mana Mohana - Mohanam - varanam - Ata tala

2. Mahaganapathim bhajeham - Amritavahini-Rupaka (S) - Mysore Maharaja

3. Lambodara sodara - Kalyani-Muttaiah Bhagavathar - Sankeerna chaapu

5. Raama bharata paalita - Jyotiswaroopini - Khanda chapu -(A) - MD

10. Tiruppugazh, Tamil song on Muruga I think - Poorvikalyani - Tisra jaathi roopaka talam, khanda nadai.

The way Smt. Neela Ramgopal and the team gelled was amazing. She was encouraging the artistes throughout the concert like a mother appreciating her children for every spark of brilliance they show.

Charulatha was amazing on the violin following mami like a shadow everywhere and proving her mettle in her alapanas. Arjun Kumar and ASN Swamy provided brilliant percussion support. Arjun Kumar was extremely good in predicting the kind of landings that the main singer would expect and provided them to everyone's delight. Truly, great teamwork !

Smt. Neela Ramgopal was ably supported by her student Suma Venkatesh.

Anusha · Post by **Anusha** » 20 May 2008, 13:34

Dear Arasi-ji, That's not so any longer! We have shifted to Yelahanka. The fascination for concerts is still there, it often brings me to Malleswaram in the weekends. Wished you were there too for this.

Vijay - Hope to meet you in some other concert, maybe at Ananya!

Thanks Maithree. Was wondering what talam it was for the Kalyani kriti.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 20 May 2008, 18:56

Item 5 is ramE bharata pAlita.

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 20 May 2008, 23:19

Sure Anusha and please do update the Bangalore schedule for the week if you know of any concerts...

sowmya · Post by **sowmya** » 21 May 2008, 09:05

Sigh! Looks like I missed a great concert...

sappri · Post by **sappri** » 28 May 2008, 10:48

Thanks so much Vijay and Anusha : sorry about the late acknowledgement...