1.Gajavadhana mam paahi-Hamsadwani-M D Ramanathan [S]
2.Akhilandeswari-Dwijavanthi-Dikshitar
3.Raminchuvarevarura-Suposhini-Thyagaraja
4.Omkaarakarini-Lavangi-BMK[R,S,T]
5.A song in French and English about the homeless people of Paris, who live under the bridges in the night
6.A song in French about the feelings of lovers who move apart
7.A naughty song(as he announced) in French
8.Thillana-Kadhanakuthuhalam-BMK
As the audience were a mixture of Europeans and Indians, Prince Rama Varma gave brief explanation about each song he performed. He announced that he would be presenting French music for a short duration after he finished the Carnatic part of the concert. He also introduced each of the accompanying artiste to the audience. He then started with the Hamsadwani song which had amazing kalpana swaram patterns. It was a perfect start. After this, he spoke of Dikshitar. He explained how Dikshitar traveled from temple to temple through out India and how he merged the ragas of Hindusthani music in to Carnatic. He then presented a short outline of Dwijavanthi and then sang Akhilandeswari. This was a soothing rendition. The hindusthani shades of the raga were unleashed beautifully. He then sang Suposhini piece. After that he explained about BMK's discovery of 4 note ragas. He presented Lavangi alapana for a while and then sang the piece. The violin support was just so amazing! I really enjoyed it. This was followed by a scintillating thaniavarthanam
After this he announced that he would be presenting French compositions for a while. He said he was performing this for the first time. He was introduced to French music and poetry when he was in his twenties and most of the songs he fell in love with were the ones whose meanings were based on sorrow. He gave a detailed meaning of every song/poem and also informed us on the details of the composer/poet. He presented the first song in French and English. I could not grab the French lines of the lyrics. But when the English part came I could understand the picture the song was explaining. He presented a brief introduction to each of the compositions. I could not note all that in my notes. But I could grasp the lines here and there. The first composition was actually a sad song, which talks of the plight in which the homeless live in Paris. The bridges of Paris are full of color and life during the day, but in the night they are flocked by homeless people. Though the song had a sad meaning, the tune seemed very happy. I am not sure, but I felt this was based on Shankarabharanam scale.
The next song was composed by a Belgian. It was a sad song which talks of Lovers who break apart. He explained a lot about the Composer of this song and mentioned that his compositions always revolved around the emotions. He said, this song was about the man who is ditched by a woman. He tells her that he'd want to remain as her shadow, or at least as a shadow of her shadow, if not that, at least the shadow of her pet dog. Rama Varma explained it very well, however my report can not reach even 0.5% of what he explained. He created a complete wonderful picture of the poem in front of the audience. I totally enjoyed all that he sang and explained. A complete different experience it was! I felt the song was based on the scale of Keeravani. Next he moved to what he called a naughty song which was even banned by the French radio. He looked at the director and asked him not to be scared for he will not explain the meaning of the song anyway. The hall broke in to laughter. He just said, "The last lines of this poem say, Make this song the French Anthem" He also mentioned that this song is there on you tube. However I could not make a note of the lyrics of this song for it was French and I could not follow it. I felt this was kind of a ragamalika. The first part sounded like Shankarabharanam and the second like Keeravani. I am not sure if I am correct with my observations. One thing that amused me was, the accompanying artistes started playing in such a way that completely suited the French singing. I thought that the mridangam and ghatam would be silent when the French music was being sung. However I knew that the violin would be there, as it was basically a European instrument. But the mridangam and ghatam were also played for this song. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Prince Rama Varma smiled and apologized to the violinist. He said, "Sri Venu is a perfect classical musician, but I am forcing him to play this kind of music today." He then said, there was enough sad music for the day, lets conclude with a happy note. He then started a short outline of Kadhanakuthuhalam which indeed painted the scene completely with happiness. The thillana was sung very very well and everyone clearly enjoyed it.
This was the first time I heard Prince Rama Varma sing. I felt that the best thing about his music is that he enjoys a lot as he sings. There was not a little amount of discomfort or tension or anything in his face despite the fact that he was singing all this for the first time, however for a performer of his capacity, I guess there would never be any fear or tension. But he did announce that he was scared of how he'd be singing French music
He smiles and encourages the accompanying artistes a lot while the concert goes on. He also has a pleasant sense of humor with which he could connect with the audience readily. The entire team had a wonderful time for one and a half hours. They enthralled the audience with their music and also enthralled themselves. Their enjoyment made us enjoy the concert in a better fashion. I thoroughly loved the experience! It was really wonderful to listen to a different genre of music in the Carnatic concert. This concert remains very memorable to me! Finally he concluded saying, thanks to all for being in the concert despite the World Cup final 
!!!! This is a mindless song! Now here is something outrageous that Ravi Verma has introduced, and I wonder what the opinion is going to be on what can or cannot be sung in a Carnatic concert in the context of this absolutely daring chocie (though not really so daring given that it was in a foreign language for a foreign audience).. I could never ever have imagined this possible.
RV after all stuck to the pattern of some of the traditional concerts, adding the chansons--with the venue in mind.