Gayathri Girish flanked by a powerhouse of percussion pugilists presented a high-energy fun-filled concert for Meenakshi Sundarrajan educational trust. In spite of the inclement weather the rather large hall was full and the audience reaction was forthcoming and enthusiastic.
The team:
B.U.Ganeshprasad: violin
Haridwaramangalam A.K.Palanivel: thavil
J. Vaidyanathan: mridangam.
Dr. Kartik: ghatam
The song list:
1. Swaminatha paripalayamam, Nattai
2. Virutham followed by Tiruppavai in Sankarabharanam
3. Muddu venuga, Darbar
4. Bahudari, Sadananda Thandavam [S]
5. Emani Pogadudhara, Veera vasantham
6. Pantuvarali, Ninne nera nammi [N at Veda Sastra, S]
7. Rathna Kanjuka Dharini, Kambodhi, Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar
8. RTP in Abheri in Khanda triputa (pallavi: Nee padamule gatiyani nammiti rama ramachandra)
9. Ragamalika swaras in Desh, Hameer, Sivaranjani
10. Thani
Casual Observations:
1. It is not easy to be able to sing with 3 enthusiastic giants of percussion vying for attention and still carry the melody through to the audience. Gayathri Girish was able to do this with phenomenal ease and played the veritable ring master all through the entire concert. The pace of the concert was controlled item by item so all aspects of the music were given due attention.
2. After a fairly brisk start, an elaborate sweet alapana in Bahudari brought the pace of the concert under control allowing to audience to sit back and enjoy the melodious strains of the raga.
3. Ninne nera nammi was presented followed by a whirlwind neraval at Veda sastra. The intensity that was brought to this neraval exceeded that of many male vocalists and proved that this was not an exclusive domain of any one gender.
4. Rathna kanjuka dharini, a personal favorite, was once again presented in languid fashion to let the rasikas catch their breath before the high-energy RTP that was to follow.
5. The RTP was elaborate and included trikalam and tisram. It was as if Gayathri Girish took Charlie Parker's advice to "Master your instrument, Master the music, and then forget all that bullshit and just sing".
6. B.U.Ganeshprasad provided exquisite support and proved his capability as a seasoned accompanist.
7. The thani started well into the night at almost 9 pm and during the initial energetic opening by AKP the cover was torn off of one side of the thavil. The team waited without interrupting the talam for almost 6 minutes for the thavil to be repaired. Had to leave at this point to be able to get back home to feed the kids.
Smt. Gayathri Girish at Meenakshi College, Dec 21 '09
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ravisk
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 21 Sep 2009, 15:58
I was there at this concert and was disappointed. it lacked the soothing effect. I do not know what purpose having both a tavil and mridangam serves other than a crowd drawing act! The bahudhari song was presented well, but later, both ninne nera and the rtp were lacking. while smt gayatri girish had trouble in the swaras of veda sastra, the rtp seemed too rehearsed. The ragamalika swaras were a pleasant reprieve though. the tani by the tavil maestro and others was great!
Last edited by ravisk on 28 Dec 2009, 11:37, edited 1 time in total.
