A. Kanyakumari- Embar Kannan - Srimushnam Raja Rao - Chicago

[suma]

A. Kanyakumari, Embar Kannan - Violin
Srimushnam Raja Rao - Mridangam

Oct 2 - Chicago

Outstanding concert. Others can fill in the review and songs.

[suma]

Sorry, did not get time earlier to write the songs and the day's proceedings:

Oct 2, Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam had its annual competitions. The artists were flown in the morning and both Embar Kannan and Srimushnam Raja Rao were at the auditorium from 1pm judging the competitions. Out of 89 participants, 34 were selected as finalists. The finalists were selected by Neyveli Santhanagopalan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vrONo9zjQk

This was followed by the concert: List follows:
Srimushnam Raja Rao did an outstanding tani. This was the kind of tani that starts at a normal pace and ends in high speed. He did those patterns 3 times before continuing with the last one with mohra etc and ending it as the artists picked up at the ending.

He said " I would like to thank you all for NOT getting up and going to the bathroom during my Thani". When the audience burst into laughter, he said, yes, just like they appaulded my thani, I should also appauld their rasika bhavam. In India, people go to bathroom or go out and chit chat etc during thani. You all did not do all that and patiently listened to my thani and so you deserve an applause.

[suma]

The concert started with: (the songs are not in the order, but based on memory)

Both Kanyakumari Mami and Embar Kannan were outstanding. I still cant forget Embar Kannan's accompaniment to Malladi Brothers at the same venue 2 years back. That was equally outstanding!

Abhogi Varnam
A Vinayaka Song in Hamsadwani - (Mami said something, I forgot) (Not vande nishamaham, but something by vasudeva chari)
Raga Sudha Rasa
Bhavayami Raghuramam ( Alapana in all ragams of the ragamalika and reverse alapana as well)
Subha Pantuvarali - Ennaga
Kapi -
Suddha Simathini -
Dudukugala - Gowlai Pancha Ratnam

Some more - I forgot, but will add as and when I remember (sorry did not write it down)

Now looking forward for Oct 24 when - RANJANI AND GAYATRI PERFORM YEAH ))))))))))

[suma]

That day being Gandhi Jayanti, She played Raghupati raghava

She also said she tuned a prayer that is frequently sung in Tirupathi and in Vaishnava Temples
Govinda Hari Govinda
in multiple ragams and played that.

[suma]

Main was Dinamani Vamsa - Harikambhoji

Submain was something in Poorna Shadjam (a ragam that she announced later)