Mridangam: Mannargudi Easwaran
Violin: Embar S Kannan
Ghatam: S. Karthick
Morsing: R Raman
Tambura: Narayanan
Sudha Ragunathan was conferred with the first Indira Sivasailam Endowment Award by the Indira Sivasailam Foundation in association with Music Academy. After rounds of speeches, the artist of the day presented a really wonderful concert. May be it was the occasion that also contributed to her performance. Here is the song list
Viruboni - Bhairavi-Ata Thalam-Adiappa Iyer
Charanu Siddhivinayaka - Sowrashtram - Misra Chapu - Purandaradasa (S)
Nambi Kettavar - Hindolam - Adi - Papanasam Sivam (S)
Karthikeya Gangeya - Thodi - Adi - Papanasam Sivam (N)
Akilandeshwari - Dwijavanthi - Adi - Dikshitar
Mangalavaradayaki - Kathanakuthukulam - Adi - GNB
Nijadasavarada - Kalyani - Adi - Patnam Subramaniya Iyer (R, N,S)
Ninthadi Chandana - Durbari Kanada - Adi - Ashtapadi -- Jayadevar
Brahmamokate - Bowli - Adi - Annamacharya
Mahadeva Shambo - Revathi - Adi - ??
She started with the famous Ata Thala varnams and rendered it very well.. The next piece popularised by her Guru MLV amma was taken up as a tribute to Smt Indira Sivasailam who learnt it from MLV amma. It was a surprise package from Smt Sudha when she rendered Nambi Kettavar. I haven't heard her sing this before and she rendered it beautifully. The krithi was preluded with a viruttam. To be honest, she sang it exactly like DKJ. Again the thodi piece was a request and neraval was done 'Vel Maruvum amala kara kamala'. Her varja prayogas again stood out. This is the second time in a week that I am listening to thodi and somehow I am never bored of this ragam
. Dwijavanthi was sung very slowly paving the way for a grand kalyani. Again a surprise. I was expecting Etavunara or the nava varnam considering it was Durga Ashtami. Not so often sung Nija Dasa varada was taken, though she had to hurry during the kalpana swaram, considering it was already 9. Tani was really short. Must say this team is my favourite and I was expecting some fire crackers. After the concert, the entire team told that they didn't have time. Wish the speeches could have been shorter, so that rasikas could have heard some more good music.Post thani included a soothing krithi in durbari kanada a composed by Jayadeva. The next piece was an audience request. Given that she was getting an award, I am sure she didn't want to disappoint them. The last piece, according to me was an icing on the cake. The way she rendered the virutham followed by the krithi was unanimously appreciated by all. It is still ringing in my ears. I would say this would be one of the few concerts of Sudha where she attempted new krithis and did full justice to them. A welcome change and hope this continues during the season.
Kannan as always performed the role of an accompanist, his kalyani had some good sancharas. Easwaran mama, well I believe is one mridangist, who beautifully gels with the main artist. Karthick and Raman complimented the main artist very well. Overall a really enjoyable concert. Well according to me, Sudha truly deserves this award and hope she continues her enthrall the rasikas of music.
excellent write up............thanks for all the info folks...............