Sowmya - Brahma Gana Sabha, Dec 10

Review the latest concerts you have listened to.
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rain_of_nectar
Posts: 30
Joined: 23 Apr 2008, 09:33

Post by rain_of_nectar »

Sowmya with Embar Kannan & Poongulam Subramanyam
Brahma Gana Sabha, Dec 10, 6 - 9 pm

Karunimpa - Sahana (Varnam)
Sitamma mayamma - vasanta (s)
Parvata rajakumari - sriranjani (r, s)
Karunanidhiye - Bhauli
Makelara - ravichandrika (s)
Eramuni - Vakulabharanam (r)
En palli kondeer - Mohanam
Koluvayunnade - Bhairavi (r, n, s, t)
Tarumaru - nattakurinji (javali)
Iduthaano tillai - behag
villinayotha puruvam - kavadichindu
paravaikka (?) - tiruppugazh
mangalam

A full three hour performance with a nice list. Vakulabharanam was a lovely treat and Sowmya mentioned learning the kriti from Dr Ramanathan in the wee hrs during a visit to tiruvayyar in the early 80s. She sang the charanam having a reference to the kakasura episode, rather than the one having the Tyagaraja mudra. Havent heard this kriti other than in a recording of Chithur Subramania Pillai (should be there at rasikapriya, I guess). Other notable points of teh concert were the elaborate bhairavi, quickfire swarams n ravichandrika and a nice javali in nattakurinji. Especially liked Embar Kannan's accompaniment, following the vocalist like a shadow and never overpowering. Thani was lively. The auditorium is good, but I have never particularly liked the acoustics there, and the a/c was way too cold :(

vijay
Posts: 2522
Joined: 27 Feb 2006, 16:06

Post by vijay »

Thanks rain of nectar - actually this is one of my favourite venues...but I guess the experience can differ from day to day.

Vakulabharanam certainly deserves more air time. Sanjay has sung a splendid alaapana in the recent Charsur release and I am sure Sowmya's would have been an excellent one as well. It would be interesting to compare their interpretations. Sanjay's alaapana, for example, sounded almost nothing like Era Muni! A clip of the alaapana, strictly for educational purposes would be appreciated.

Madurai Somu's Vakulabharanam can be found in rasikapriya. Nithsyaree has sung E ramuni in a commercial release wit swaras. There's not much else available

arasi
Posts: 16873
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

And how about Sivan's excellent composition karuNA nidiyE tAyE in BauLi? I am sure Sowmya sang it impressively.as well.

Jigyaasa
Posts: 592
Joined: 16 May 2006, 14:04

Post by Jigyaasa »

vijay wrote:actually this is one of my favourite venues...
Ditto! Their selection of artists is the best in my opinion... N the hall somehow has a cozy n luxurious feel to it...
But as pointed out, it gets too cold sometimes...

shripathi_g
Posts: 359
Joined: 30 Mar 2005, 08:25

Post by shripathi_g »

A very meditative and thorough exploration of Vakulabharanam by Prince Rama Verma. I've been addicted to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPOqB3rpz7M

vijay
Posts: 2522
Joined: 27 Feb 2006, 16:06

Post by vijay »

yes of course - he is the one who tuned Sanjay's piece!

Jigyaasa
Posts: 592
Joined: 16 May 2006, 14:04

Post by Jigyaasa »

Inoticed a LOT of swaraksharas in this rendition...

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