Smt Ranjani Gayathri (Vocal) Smt. Ranjani Gayathri - violin

[rajumds]

Not very often you leave home, with no idea of attending a concert but end up listening to one, a good one and a very rare one too.

I had reached home early and decided to make a quick visit to the Anjaneyar temple, since I had not gone there for a long time. After darshan, decided to just listen to a few minutes of the concert in the hall next to the temple. As I entered, the concert was about to start and the stage looked a bit unusual. Then it struck me that there was no violinist on stage. The pre concert announcement which followed made me to sit through the concert. Mysore Srikanth, who was supposed to be the violinist had to pull out at the last moment and Smt.Ranjani & Gayathri had decided to sing and also double as violinists. Smt Gayathri announced that many had been asking them to perform like this but they had not done it so far. She added may be it was Anjeneya's wish that they should do so here.

I had not noted down the song details, so posting from memory.

1. A short kriti in Tamil on Vinayaga.
2. Jaya Jaya - Nattai - Brief swaras - no violin accompaniment.
3. Anna Poorne - Sama - A brief vocal alapana by Ranjani and in violin by .Gayathri. Swaras - only vocal by both
4. Bhajana Seya rada - Dharmavati - Vocal alapana by Ranjani , violin by Gayathri and neraval/swaras. The neraval and swaras were mostly sung by the sisters and short violin replies by Gayathri in between.
5. A huseni composition by Arunachala Kavi rayar
6. There was one more song but I can't recollect
7. Evari mata - Kambhodi - vocal alapana by Gayathri, violin by Ranjani, nerval/swaras mostly vocal by both with brief replies in violin by Ranjani.

I left at this stage. A fabulous concert and with brillinat alapanas in Dharmavati and Kambhodi. The nerval and swaras were outstanding. It was an intersting selection of songs with a slow melodiuos kritis coming between faster numbers.

The sisters should have been practicing regularly on the violin, otherwise, it is not possible to play so well as they did in this concert.

Sri. Arun Prakash was on mrudangam and he is one (or probabaly only one) of the younger lot who doesn't belong to the "grand slam" club. Played with atmost sowkyam and matched the mood of the concert. Sri.Gopalakrishnan (not sure of the artist) on the Kanjira played very well and matched Arun Prakash's style of playing. I had to leave before the tani.

Venue: Ramamandiram Hall - Sri Anjeneyar Temple - Nanganallur
Date: 06.01.2011 - Thursday

[arasi]

Rajumds,
Good that you chanced upon this rare concert! Wish I had been there too. Listening to them in the season at a sabha (after lining up for the tickets) wouldn't have been the same.
HusEni song is eppaDi manam tuNindadO svAmi. Yes, from rAma NAtakam.

I was happy to see you at the Rasika's meet even though it was for a fleeting moment.

[cienu]

Great to hear about this concert wherein the sisters alternated between vocal and violin. Still have not heard them play the instrument in which they are both supposed to be top notch.

[rajumds]

Thanks Arasi for the lyric. Infact they explained the meaning of the song before singing.

It was a pleasure meeting you. I was held up and arrived late and you had to leave early. I just couldn't attend concerts this season due to work pressure and missed meeting you and other rasikas in concerts.

[mahavishnu]

thanks for the review, Rajumds. Sounds like a rare treat.

I have heard both sisters as accompanists, they are brilliant. If they had continued mainly as violinists, they would be top-ranking accompanists today!

[rshankar]

What a fabulous conert it must have been. Unfortunately they do not look kindly on posting their concerts.

[mahavishnu]

On another note, vidwan Mysore Srikanth had to miss a couple of other concerts where he was scheduled to play due to health reasons. I hope he is doing well and it is just the season bug and not something serious. In any case, here's wishing him a seamless and speedy recovery!

[Sundara Rajan]

How I wish I was there to enjoy this rare program ! In fact, I had suggested to them to do so after one of their concerts that I attended in Chennai years ago. With advancing age and declining investment income , I can't afford to visit Chennai every year, as I used to do many years ago. I like their presentations most of the time and don't miss any opportunity when they are here in the U.S. in the neighborhood .

[kssr]

Quote "to sing and also double as violinists"

A bit confusing how it is done. Do they sing an alapanai as usual and pick up their violins and play as if it is a violin duet? I have seen the noted Mysore vidushi Neelamma Kadambi (who died under very sad circumstances ) to sing and play veena together in her concerts. But that would not be possible, I guess, in case of violin. A simpler solution would have been for one to turn a solo singer and the other a solo accompanying violinist. They of course know better

[cienu]

A simpler solution would have been for one to turn a solo singer and the other a solo accompanying violinist.

kssr. From what I understand that is what they did ( but in turns).