Aishu Venkataraman, Boston (Concert for Bhopal), May 7, 2011

[premnandhini]

Aishwarya Venkataraman a talented violinist performed a benefit concert for Bhopal Gas disaster victims and survivors. The concert comprised of both carnatic and jazz music. With full respect for the Rasikas’ interest in carnatic music discussion, this review is written only for the “carnatic music aspect” of the concert. For a comprehensive review of the whole benefit concert (that includes weblinks) please see a related post titled “A concert for Bhopal, Aishu Venkataraman, May 7, 2011” http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic. ... 50#p197650

Artist Name: Aishwarya Venkataraman (violin)
Accompanist Name: Prof. Vinod Venkataraman (mirudangam)
Venue: Fenway Center, Northeastern University, Boston
Date and Time: May 7, 2011; 6:00 p.m
Total duration of the concert: 3 hours

Varnam: Sarasijanabha Varnam R: Kambhoji | Thalam: Ata | composer: Maharajah Swathi Thirunal
K: Vathapi Ganapathim Bhajeham R: Hamsadwani | Thalam: Adi | composer: Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar
RTP: R: Bhairavi | Thalam: Adi | Pallavi: Un Darishanam Keedaikumo Nataraja

[Legend used: R - Ragam, K - Keerthanam, S - Swarakalpana, and RTP – Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi]

The misty evening of May 7, 2011 started with Alisha (Tufts undergraduate) welcoming a diverse crowd of over 200 attendees to the benefit concert. Aishwarya Venkataraman (Aishu) elegantly dressed in traditional South Indian attire, accompanied by Prof.Vinod Venkataraman on mirdangam started with Kambhoji ata thala varnam, played first half in two speeds and second half in one speed. This was followed by salutations to Pillaiyar with Vathapi Ganapathim Bhajeham in Hamsadhwani in Adi thalam. A brief and beautiful outline of the ragam was followed by the keerthanam and elaborate kalpanaswarams for about 12 minutes in two speeds.

R T P was set in Bhairavi, Pallavi
[R was for 12 minutes. T was about 18 minutes and the P with a very short tani avartanam was about 40 minutes]

The tanam traversed multiple ragas including Bhairavi, Shankarabaranam, Thodi, Kalyani, Mohanam, and Kapi. In Kapi Aishu surprised the audience by stringing ‘Sare Jaha se Aacha, Hindusitan hamara" and tapping into the patriotism of the “Desi” crowd and she went back to the original Bhairavi ragam. At this point Aishu paused to beautifully explain the intricate nuances of the pallavi, sang the pallavi and explained the aspects of Trikalam. She played Kalpana swaram in Bhairavi, Sahana, Varali, Kanada, Behag & Sindhu Bhairavi. She completed the kalpana swarams by coming back to the sahityam of the pallavi and played Bhairavi swarams in second speed, followed by a very short tani avartanam. Aishu & Prof. Venkataraman immersed the audience in the entire RTP for about 1 hour 10 minutes. The carnatic concert aptly came to a conclusion with the recital of Harikeshnallur Muttaiya Bhagavathar piece called "English Note".

The entire first half of the benefit concert was about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This was followed by a short description about the Bhopal cause, intermission and an electrifying jazz performance (but more of this in the other related post).

I personally enjoy music, but I am ignorant of the technical aspects for any music not just carnatic. So clearly, I got a lot of help from others to write this review. In my own words if I have to describe, I would say that Aishu used her (violin) bow to shoot the arrows of melody with such precision that it hit the soul directly, it was refreshing. However, I feel my words are inadequate and hence a short video link has been posted (in the other post, I wasn’t sure if I could do it here), please watch and enjoy! Please pardon any errors that I may have made in writing this review

At the end of the concert, the previously grim-faced stage manager of Fenway center, Ryan came up to me wide-eyed and smiling to say “I loved the first half of this concert, it was beautiful and I have never heard anything like that”. That should sum it up!

[Nick H]

Happy to know that the concert was a success, both for music and for the cause.

[cienu]

Congratulations to Aishwarya, not only for the lovely concert but also for using her musical gifts to contribute towards a social cause.

[appu]

Premnandhini,

Congratulations on successfully putting together a great show. It must have been hard what with venue changes etc. Any particular reason why you all changed the venue.

The tanam traversed multiple ragas including Bhairavi, Shankarabaranam, Thodi, Kalyani, Mohanam, and Kapi.

From Kalyani ragam, I distinctly hear a transition to Shanmukhapriya almost seamless before going to Mohanam. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Loved the development of the tanam especially the transition in Kapi to "Sare Jaha se Aacha".

[mahavishnu]

Glad to hear the concert and fundraising efforts were successful.
Congratulations to Aishwarya on graduating from one of the most prestigious music programs in the world!

Appu, yes. there is a brief shanmukhapriya after the bhairavi tanam.

[rshankar]

Thank you for the report! Great to hear that Aishu's concert went of very well, and was of benefit to the cause.

[bilahari]

Congrats to the organisers and the artistes for pulling off this event for a good cause!

The sArE jahA sE acchA interlude in kApi is almost a must in the TNK school, it seems! I enjoyed the tAnam a lot. A lot of stock TNK phrases especially in the mandra stAyi in bhairavi.

Thank you for the report and video clip, PremNandhini!

[premnandhini]

.. Any particular reason why you all changed the venue.

May 3rd was the last day of classes at Tufts and finals week start after May 9th, hence student groups were not encouraged to have an event between May 3rd-9th.