Cleveland Aradhana 2016 (March 23, 2016 to April 3, 2016)

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 02:35

MANIMARAN started his concert with the
1.KanakAngi composition of T "sri gaNanAtham"
2. BadrAchala RamadAsar's DanyAsi composition : rAmA dayachooda
3. T's panthuvarALi krithi: ninnunEr namminArurA
4. PapanAsam Sivan's "arumuruGa adimayayi kaividuthaL" in sudda sAvEri
I have not heard his song before
5.sUrajAnandA's keeravANi piece: sAmagAnapriyakaram umAmahEswaram
6.Sindu Bhairavi virutham in tamil followed by gangAdeeswram sankaram, another composition by sUrajAnandA.
some rare compositions were presented.
A pleasant presentatation overall.

shanks · Post by **shanks** » 30 Mar 2016, 02:36

Sundara Rajan wrote:ten minutes neraval & swaras at thamboorakEliki ( I did not find these words in TKG's book ! )

The words were 'tamburA chEkoni"

I was at the concert; the highlight for me was 'mAyE'.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 02:41

Thanks for the correction. I will look again in the book.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 03:21

Manimaran's singing has charm and feeling. Hearing him singing Koteesvara Iyer's 'aruL seyya vENDumaiyya' in a concert some years ago was a delight. I try not to miss a concert of his in december after that.
I'm afraid my commitments today took me away for many hours from the music.That's how I missed listening to Viji Subramaniam

I walked in when Manimaran was singing kIravAni in his agreeable voice. The virutham was puzuvAip piRandAlum in sindhu bhairavi before gangAdISvaram. I was happy I could hear at least a bit of his singing.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 03:53

Scheduling concerts for a mega festival like this is quite challenging to start with. Add to it the difficulty of taking into account the schedules of the performers (as they do their other concerts coast to coast), and last minute shuffles due to unexpected reasons!

All this preamble to say, the ideal of pattern of mixing up different schools, young with old, male and female vocalists when sequencing the concerts may not be possible at all times.

That's how Manimaran and Dr.Balasubramanian's concert have followed each other. The latter has been a favorite with me since I started hearing him at Cleveland. I look forward to listening to his strong and appealing voice. The seriousness of his music. As clear sounding as the DK school, with a gambhIram in the bhAvam.

Delhi Sundara Rajan playing sweetly, Vaidyanathan and Papanasam Sethuraman adding to the grand progression of it.

kannaDa, amma rAvamma in kalyANi with rAga elaboration, neraval at tAmarasa dala nEtri--all very pleasing, ennEramum in dEva gAndhAri (good to hear his singing in tamizh), then a padam (palukuTachE phalamEmi), and now the main Sri rAjagOpAla with an emotive rAgAlApana) and neraval at dhIrAgra gaNya, and now, he's singing the svarAs...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 06:34

V.V.Subramaniam & V.V.S. Murari violin duet
1. Started with keeravANi ata tAla varnam
2. SrigaNapathini- SowrAshtram-T's
3. Nannukanta thalli-sindukannada(kEsari)- T's
4. Couldn't identify ?!
5. Elaborate Bilahari rAga alApana and kriti ( that also I couldn't identify)
6. parAthaparA- vAchaspathi-p.Sivan's
7. nEE dayarAdhA-vasantha bhairavi- T's
8. My favorite rAga Karaharapriya aLapana. couldn't wait to see what song follows! Perhaps an RTP

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 06:39

Alas! It is Chakkani Raja again ! Let us hope the treatment is better and different.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 06:50

The duo played the song exceedingly well, with their own imprint, although I would have preferred a different composition. I guess many choose this gem of Thyagaraja because of the scope for a lot of sangathies and improvisations.

Now Thani Avarthanam.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 07:23

Concluded with a song on MSS composed by VVS in a raga created (?!) by him, follow by
mAyE in tharangini.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 07:28

I was listening here and there. Wasn't there a bilahari somewhere? And a lalithA?

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 07:38

Thank you Arasi. I had misreported Bialahari as Mohanam ! After seeing your remark and going back to my notes, I have corrected it.
The other one I could not identify could have been Lalitha !

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 30 Mar 2016, 07:58

Oh ! What an interesting running commentary ? Is it T 20 or what ? Really thankful to you all .
With wishes,
Thanjavooran
30 03 2016

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 08:17

Aishwarya was summoned to the stage to sing it, she did a great job, didn't catch the rAgA name either, sounded like Rabindra Sangeeth. No gamakams, but sweet sounding...

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 30 Mar 2016, 09:47

maduraimini wrote:. Nagai Muralidharan was on the violin, Neyveli Venkatesan on the Mridangam and Gopalakrishnan on the Kanjira.

I just searched mrudangam artist neyveli venkatesh in aradhana schedule . There is just one reference .This kind of combination of Nagai Murali -Neyveli Venkatesh - I have seen only with another artist who is now in india. Looks saketharaman is able to really bring in A+ quality accompanist in an afternoon concert . Personally adore the superb quality of neyveli venkatesh who i think as the mrudangam artist with the fastest fingers. Best wishes to Saketaraman - i wish i was there

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 30 Mar 2016, 09:58

Sundara Rajan wrote:V.V.Subramaniam & V.V.S. Murari violin duet
1. Started with keeravANi ata tAla varnam

I remember reading a review where VVS has composed a varnam in keeravani . This must be his own. Which is more rare VVS playing a concert or Keeravani varnam opener - tough question - I dont know the answer???

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 18:06

In answer to Arasi's question in 113 above, VVS mentioned the name of the rAga he had created was "swarna sri" and explained that swarana was for subbu and sri for lakshmi. I was not able to get the words of the song.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 18:33

Thanks, Sundara Rajan.

Rajesh,
Neyveli Venkatesh did not play. It was Trivandrum Balaji. I don't think Neyveli is in Cleveland at all.

We watch, write, after glancing through each other's posts, and so miss details

And you do know that for us 'youngsters' who share our musical experience, the rest of life's demands get shelved or are hurriedly taken care of

Still, it's all worth our while because folks like you and Thanjavooran spell out the enthusiasm while there are many other silent ones who look forward to experiencing the richness of the Cleveland phenomenon...

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 30 Mar 2016, 18:50

Arasi
For saketaraman as per aradhana.org schedule and maduraimini review post - Neyveli Venkatesh has played . Saketharaman sang on Tues 01:45 to 03:15

Whereas in the Tuesday evening 07:15 to 09:30pm concert - Trivandrim balaji played for VVS violin concert . Some one can confirm if Neyveli venkatesh did not accompany saketaraman in cleveland .

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 19:39

Rajesh,
No. Venkatesh wasn't in the vicinity at all. Tanjavur Murugabhupathy played. Nagai Sriram on the violin, Goplakrishnan on Khanjari.

Saketaraman started the concert with pavanAtmaja a la TVS. He has the smarts, the voice and speed in delivery.

NattaikkuRinji with mAyamma nannu brOva (an unfamiliar one for me) followed. A well-rendered one, but kuzhaivu in the rAgA took a back seat there.

I haven't heard him in a while (he looks different too), and he impressed me with his recital, a gushing machine of good music, but wished there was a bit more of reflection in his singing.

In Arabhi, tsAla (chAla) kallanA, executed vey well, Nagai Sriram took care of the bhAvA sector.

Then rAgA kalyANi, EtavunarA, svarAs (don't remember neraval) at Sri raghuvara.

KandA, kumara--jOnpuri ?

He wound up with haridAsulu veDale in yamunA kalyANi.

One of the forerunners, it seems...

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 30 Mar 2016, 20:00

Suchitra and Smitha have done good justice to the immortal Katrinile.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 21:00

They did a great job, the youngsters, and the tODi was a stand out. No wonder, they are Vedavalli's students I gathered, from Sundaram's remarks. Relocated themselves to Chennai from H'bad to learn from her...

Missed part of Nritya kathA concert,, Gowri Ramnarayan's presentation, because of streaming glitches. Well, there's 'Demand' streaming later, and we have to catch up with missed programs...

Ravikiran's concert (full bench) this evening! Look forward to that. And of his bros, with excellent support again. Nagai, MAE, Shree Sundar kumar!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 30 Mar 2016, 22:19

meenaakshi wrote:Here are a few glimpses:

https://picasaweb.google.com/Minavg/Cle ... stival2016

Very nice to see your photos, and I'm happy that you handed over the camera so you could appear in some of them.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 22:54

Nirmala Rajasekar: VeeNa. We could barely hear the veena , especially in the current panthuvarALi AlApana. Violin and drone are quite loud; where is the veeNa ?

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 30 Mar 2016, 22:58

Better now at the kirti play.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Mar 2016, 23:20

Yes, my thoughts too!
She's playing EdayyA gati now and I can hear her playing clearly, finally.

SankarAbharaNam now. Main? One of the mighty ones which we have been hearing often at
Cleveland. PanthuvarALi, KalyANi too. Several tODis. Any others?

Akshaya linga vibhO...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 00:54

After my inevitable nap after lunch, I resume to listen to
CARNATICA BROTHERS:

1.EnthaprEma varNam of swaThi in Suruti
2.chErarAvadE of T in reethigowLa
3.GKB's poorvikalyANi composition saRE vilahidum piLLAi

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:02

4. amba paradEvathE in rudapriya of Kriahnasawmy Ayya.
a rarely heard composition, quite well done, true to the rAga

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:12

5. kAmbOdhi raga being delineated elaborately by the brothers, more by Ganesh

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:24

Following excellent violin response by MuraLidaran, they now present
mari mari ninnE of T, another Alathur Brothers' popupar presentation I listened to first in NanRudayAn pillAyAr kOvil, Trichy in late forties !

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:32

Neraval & swara at karimoravini sarguNa alternately by the brothers, reminiscent of Alathur Brothers !

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:42

6. aduvum solluvAl; padam in sowrAshtram of V Subbarama Iyer

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:44

Yes, the kAmbOji jelled so well. The kriti sung in union, the pathos intact. Neraval at kari moraliDa.

Sashi announced that Nagai Murali taught them this song popularized by Alathur Bros.

A quick aduvum solluvAL followed.

An appealing AlApanA of sAramati now.A quick RTP, it appears...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:46

7. sAramathi rAga: What else can it be but mOkashmu kalada ? Let us see.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:47

NO. It is an RTP !

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:48

Our posts crossed!

Nagai Sr playing so beautifully...what we missed in the Nagai duo concert in the second half beacuse of all the kaNakku vazhakku route the RTP took...the sweet strains we hear now were not granted to us then...

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:50

Now that I see the younger one is on line, I will take my coffee break and let Arasi continue the coverage.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 31 Mar 2016, 01:59

I missed mine, Sundara Rajan

A quick succession of rAgAs, pallavi in sAramati now: mari mari ninnE moraliDa rAdA SrirAmachandrA from T's kriti line.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 02:13

Too bad ! I just came back from mine. Please go ahead with yours and be back for Ravi Kiran's performance.
Pallavi line from a previous song is sung as RTP: mari mari ninne moralida rAdhA sri rAmachandrA.!

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 02:16

It should be a short 'Thani", I guess, in view of the time.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 02:25

8. Conclusion with a jAvaLi in bEgada: Era nA sAmi followed by a bajan in Sindu bhaiarvi: visveswara darsan of SwAthi ThirunAL, also popularised by the Alathur Brothers

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 31 Mar 2016, 02:59

Ravikiran has started playing. A pristine vAtApi gaNapthim unfolds...
Now, young Sruthi replying so well with a succession of svarAs...

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 31 Mar 2016, 03:06

The ragam, Tanam had Saramathy, Chakravaham and Chalanata (the last one, Chalanata, I heard them say. I thought the concert was really good. I also note the Mridangam and ghatam can be very beautiful without making big, loud noises.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 03:15

Ravi Kiran started hid Chitra veeNa concert with
1. vAthApi gaNapathim in Hamsadwani. Usual fire works in kalpana swaras.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 31 Mar 2016, 03:22

padavini in sAlaka Bhairavi now, with a short AlApana. After the kriti, svaRAs now, and again Sruthi's reply very good.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 03:51

I guess there was a resolution at the beginning of the ArAdhana that every artist MUST do one PantuvarALI or pUrvikalyANI in their program !!
There are a number of other ragas popularized by MS. Should every one pick the same ! I am saturated to the extent that I don't want to hear the ragas for another year! I do agree "tastes differ".

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 04:23

After that PanthuvarAli piece, Ravi Kiran played a very beautiful, enjoyable, emotive
Ahiri rAga composition of T: Adhaya Sree. This is the first time I hear this composition and was a good antidote for the previous rAga for ME.

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 31 Mar 2016, 05:16

Sikkil Gurucharan has started his concert with Todi varnam 'Era Napai'.

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 31 Mar 2016, 05:20

Now he is singing 'Kanden karunai kadalai' in ragam kalyani, composed by Gopalakrishna Bharathy.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 05:39

After the kalyANi composition, Gurucharan is doing alApana in Suruti.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 31 Mar 2016, 05:46

After the AlApana in suruti, Balasubramanyam of Dikshitar follows.
Neraval at vEdantasamoda chathuram vElAyudatharam sundaram
swaram to follow, I suppose. No swarams though.