SOWMYA AT KRISHNA GANA SABHA 0N 10 JULY 2011

[CRama]

The second in the series of Sahithyanubhava concerts was presented by Smt. Sowmya. She was accompanied by Dr. Narmada on the violin, Shri Poongulam Subramaniam on the Mridangam and Shri.K.V.Gopalakrishnan on the Kanjira. The concert started at 6.15 PM. The concert consisted of exclusively Thyagaraja Kritis. After each song, Sowmya explained the significance of the song, message contained in the song etc very briefly. I am sharing with the rasikas the comments as told by her to the extent of my capability for the benefit of the rasikas who could not attend the concert. The concert started without any introduction or explanation.

1. Varalendu- Gurjari, Aadi. This rare song was popularized by her Guru Dr.S.Ramanathan. She sang the song with lot of feelings especially modulating her voice in the line vanchana seya nyayama. In the song, Thyagaraja pleads to Rama, You have promised me to give many boons, but you are cheating me. Is it right for you? That helpless plea of Thyagaraja was rightly shown by Sowmya through the various sangathis. She remembered the way in which her Guru used to render this song in a most touching manner. I do remember hearing this from him in the eightees and I still remember the way in which he used to sing the line vanchana seya nyayama.

2. Alagalallalaadagagani- Madhymavathi- Roopakam.
Very good raga alapana for 4 minutes- violin return for 3 minutes. Neraval at Samayamuna thyagaraja, no swarams.
Sowmya said- Various vaggeyakaras have enjoyed Rama’s beauty in various ways- green colour, broad shoulders, tall figure, smiling face etc. But Thyagaraja enjoys minutest things of Rama. He is the only poet who has described the hairlocks of Rama. Thyagraja says that Viswamithra enjoyed the dancing of the hair locks of Rama while breaking the Sivadhanusu. The phrase Aadagagani is to be sung like the swinging of hairlocks. Here also she reminded of her Guru who sang this phrase in various styles resembling the dance of hairlocks. Thyagarja enjoys a unique place among vaggeyakaras because of this blend of sahithya and ragabhava which we can see abundantly in all his compositions. He has mentioned about this alagu in Sogasujoodatharama also.

3. Nannu vidachi- Reethigowla- Misrachapu.
She sang two charanams for this song. Normally we hear only one charanam Baahuka nannelukora. This song is from Prahladabhakthivijayam. Prahlada sings this song when Vishnu disappears after killing Hiranyakasipu. He says that I cannot live half a nimisham without seeing you. Prahlada as he was choked with devotion after seeing the lord sings this in a leisurely pace with lot of kaarvais.

4. Balamu kulamu- Saveri- Aadi thalam (tisra nadai)
Beautiful raga alapana for 4 minutes, violin return for 3 minutes. In this song, Thyagaraja asks what are the characteristics of good bhaktha. Even crow takes bath in Ganga. Is it a great bhaktha. He gives many such examples. He further says that external appearance do not constitute bhakthi. Since he explains things in a very simple manner for any layman to understand Thyagraja Kritis are compared to drakshapakam- as you get the taste immediately when you put draksha in your mouth.

5. Kaluguna padaneerajaseva- Poornalalitha-Aadi. This is a vivadi ragam. In the song Thyagaraja asks Rama whether he will get the bhagyam of Anjayaneya. It was my bhagyam to hear this song- I am hearing this song as well as the saveri song for the first time.

6. Inthasowkhyamanine-Kapi- Aadi Thalam- alapana for 4 minutes, excellent violin return for 3 minutes. No explanation.

7. Dorakuna ituvanti seva- Bilahari- Elaborate alapana for 8 minutes, Excellent violin for 5 minutes. Elaborate swaras in two kalams at pallavi- no explanation

8. Thani for 10 minutes.
9. Sompaina- Ahiri- Aadi- M.Chapu
10. Vadanadyuthi- Panthuvarali (madhyamasruthi)-Aadi
11. Pavamana- Mangalam


About the programme, Sowmya’s voice was a bit tired. It lacked her usual energy. But her singing was flawless. Her alapanais were good. Her explanations were minimal. I can not help comparing with the last programme done by Vedavalli Mami. When Vedavalli Mami explained the anubhavam of Thyagraja we could see Mami is also having the same anubhavam. Such a feeling was lacking in this concert.

Dr. Narmada’s violin was excellent. Her raga alapanas, returns all were very good. The rhythm department also played their role commendably. The thani was quite absorbing not allowing anybody to get up from their seats. The concert ended at 8.30 PM.

[mahavishnu]

Thanks, CRama for an excellent report. I think Sowmya is carving a niche for herself as the intellectual scholar/musician of these times. I always learn something new after her concerts. I have not heard the Poornalalitha piece and the (rare) Saveri composition. The combination with Dr Narmadha also brings out something unique every time.

And yes, Sri S Ramanathan's version of Varalandu in Gurjari is wonderful. Dorakuna in bilahari is also another Ramanathan school specialty.

Poongulam is an excellent mridangam vidwan. Nice to hear good things about his performance.

[arasi]

Thanks, CRama.

Mahavishnu,
I like the jauntiness of varAlandu kommani! Haven't heard pUrNa lalithA either, but then again, there are many rAgAs which I haven't heard!

[kssr]

I think Sowmya is carving a niche for herself as the intellectual scholar/musician of these times.

Soumya herself mentioned in one of the TV interviews that her speciality is her "Knowledge". She maintains it and demonstrates the same in her concerts. I believe she is one of the few musicologists who are also performing musicians.

[jnanasoonyam]

SVK's review:
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article2226655.ece

[arasi]

Thanks, jnanasoonyam (who has a lot of gnAnam, I think!).
A very good review by SVK. Wish I had heard this one. Narmadha's accompaniment makes it even more inviting!
Having heard her guru sing dorakuna, I can imagine how Sowmya would have sung it.