G. Ravikiran - BRR Sabha, Mumbai, 27 Nov 2010

[narayan]

Partial report on concert of G. Ravikiran, Palghat R Swaminathan, Mannarkoil J Balaji, BRR Sabha, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 27 Nov 2010

I attended only the second half or a little more, of this concert.

Came in during Krishnananda mukunda murare (Dikshitar's Gaulipantu) and I wish I had come in at least the beginning of this song. Nice to know that someone is singing this (hearing it for the first time).

A fast but precise Chinnanade (Kalanidhi).

Sankarabharanam raga - quite good. Main drawback was that the tara sadjam was not treated with 'due' attention, but rushed through. It was rectified in the anupallavi of Enduku Peddala, MJB toned down the normal anupallavi mridngam volume in order to allow the singer to have his say and this set the mood. The neraval at Vedasastra was very good and anything but routine. Tani was concise and striking and MJB raised the level of the entire concert with his anticipation and involvement.

GR immediately embarked on a powerful Varali ragam, which was excellent, with a continuous flow that this raga often demands. The alapana was detailed and satisfying. The pallavi was an intriguing one, and once we got used to it, quite worthy of elaboration. Siva sankara karunakara shambho mampahi parama - at one after the samam in catusra nadai tisra triputa. My guess is - set to music/tala by Arun Prakash and sung by TMK (GR has learnt from him, as per profile). Half pace line and quarter pace rendering of the offbeat pallavi line done competently.

High octane ragamalika swarams in Reetigoulai-Goulai-Kedaragoulai-Goulai-Reetigoulai, followed by Ranjani-Sriranjani-Megharanjani-Sriranjan-Ranjani and executed nicely by PRS as well (PRS was good throughout).

Post pallavi was Sapasyat kousalya (jounpuri), Muddugare (Kurinji), Jagdeesa (Nadanamakriya), Purandaradasa song in Sindhubhairavi (new one for me), Kamas tillana and regular mangalam. What I listed took more than 2 hours, and I believe he sang sriranjani in the early part.

Good concert by "Colours of a Raga" Ravikiran! He's in this for the long haul.

[mridhangam]

Before Gowlipantu Sri Ravikiran sang the following :
01-Varnam-Bhairavi

02- Introduction of the artistes by Mr.Shankaranarayanan of BARC

03- Deva deva kalayamithe- mayamalavagowla

04-Diwakaratanujam

05-Marubalka-Sriranjani

It was really an enjoyable concert with a very nice and challenging pallavi.

J.Balaji

[narayan]

Thanks for the rest of the list. Good to see you in person, incidentally!

Also got to know that the pallavi was set up by G Ravi Kiran himself, which is nice to know. Congrats to the team, who executed it very well indeed.

[kssr]

Wonder why an introduction of artists after Varnam. May be the introducer arrived late!? It may neither be considered a welcome speech or traditional vote of thanks.

Heartening to see that this Bangalore boy has impressed Mumbai rasikas. Best wishes.