Ajay Nambudiri at Anna Nagar Bhakta Samajam 12-7-2008

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 14 Jul 2008, 11:52

Ajay Nambudiri Vocal
M.A.Krishnasawamy-Violin
Mannarkoil J Balaji-Mridangam
Ravikrishnan-Ghatam

As part of some series of concerts at the Ayyappa Bhakta Samajam, Anna Nagar Shri.Ajay Nambudiri, an illustrious disciple of Neyveli Santanagopalan gave an outstanding performance. I am playing for him after a gap of nearly 2 1/2 years and i found his musci matured and improved in many aspects.

The song list goes thus :

1) Karunimpa-Sahana Varnam
2) Bhajamanasa Vigneshwaramanisham-Adi-Bahudari-Tulasivanam
3) Sabhapathikku-Rupakam-Abhogi-GKBharathi
4) Saranam Ayyappa-M.Chapu-Mukhari-P.Sivan
5) Sobillu-Rupakam-Jganmohini-Tyagaraja
6) Nathajana Palini-Adi-Nalinakanthi-Tanjore Sankara Iyer
7) Samana Rahithe-Saranga Tharangini-Adi=-GNB
8) Sri Kanthimathim-Hemavathi-Adi-Dikshitar
9) Bhajan
10) Krishna Nee Begane Baro
11) Niraimathi-Hamsanandhi-Adi-Tiruppugazh
12) Mangalam

With a wide variety of composers and raga-tala mixture ajay sang a full 2 hour 20 minute concert with excellent support from Shri.MAK. Most of the places MAK sir complemented the style of Ajay by giving plain notes or chords or gamaka filled phrases to suit the occasion which gave enough cushion for Ajay to shine brighter.

Abhogi, Mukhari, Hemavathi stood out for raga elaborations. Nalinakanthi had a brief outing but had the essence of the raga in short and sweet form. Hemavathi came as a surprise after Saranga Tharangini (being janya of Kalyani) since both are Prathimadhyama ragas and near ragas which made a bit difficult to understand in the beginning but as Hemavathi began to unfold itself the flow became quite mellifluous and pleasant to hear. His post thani items were very pleasing and soft very right for the occasion.

He proved his mettle in each department of the concert be it Raga, Kriti Rendition, Neraval, Swara singing etc etc. Requires more exposure and bigger opportunities to be in the bigger league of artistes. He has the potential as also repertoire.

Shri MAK was outstanding with his deft and soft accompaniment. Recently i have observed a difference in all three violinists including the veteran M.S.Anantharaman sir, that their finger friction with the board of the violin has a silky touch and one wonders how softly the fingers traverse through the octaves in ease. It creates an atmosphere of calm and serenity on stage making the other artistes enjoy the bliss of the music thus produced.

Shri Ravikrishnan on the ghatam was good in accompanying his turn for swaras and he played an interesting thani along with me for the Hemavathi Kriti in Adi Tala 2 Kalai.

On the whole the concert was one sedate, sober and peaceful experience.

Mannarkoil J.Balaji

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 14 Jul 2008, 11:58

It is nice to see an artist review his fellow artists in his own concert.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 14 Jul 2008, 18:47

Sri Balaji has been writing such priceless reviews for a while now, and we have been enjoying them tremendously.

I did notice that as befitting a mridangist, he writes the tALam first, before he gives the rAgam for the most part!

s_hari · Post by **s_hari** » 14 Jul 2008, 19:22

shankar - nice observation..

Balaji Sir - Please write more on thani you played (For adi tala in Sri Kantimatim, i guess??)

-hari

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 14 Jul 2008, 19:42

We hear sogasugA mrudanga tALamu again--though not the sound, one of his 'ring side' reviews (rshankar's terminology). I noticed as well the list which bears the tALA names first!
I have yet to hear MAK on the violin in a concert. I have heard his father and brother many times. The way you describe his playing, I am reminded of his father's serenity.