B Raghavendra Rao: Violin
Palladam Ravi: Mridangam
Omkar: Ghatam
Innam en Manam - Charukesi - Adi - Lalgudi Jayaraman
Vinayaka Vignanashaka - Vegavahini - Rupakam - MD
Viruttam followed by Samaja Vara Gamana - Hindolam - Adi - Tyagaraja (N, S)
Mani Nuparadhari - Neelambari - Adi - Oothukadu
Dayarani - Mohanam - Kanta Chapu - Tyagaraja - R, S
Om Namo Narayana - Karna Ranjani - Kanta Chapu - Ambujam Krishna
Balagopala - Bhairavi - Adi - MD (R, N, S)
Thaye Yashoda - Ragamalika - Adi - Oothukadu
Hari Tumharo - Durbari Kanada - Adi - Meera
Brahmaokate - Bowli - Adi - Annamacharya
Ugaboga followed by Ragi Thandiro - Ahir Bhairavi - Adi - Purandaradasa
Nanda Nandana - Desh - Adi - Meera
Kurai Onrum illai - Ragamalika - Adi - C Rajagopalachari
Bare Panduranga - Behag - Adi - Meera
Well, what can one say about this concert. When, I got up this morning and the Bhairavi is still in my mind...
The entire concert might not have had an RTP but the concert that lasted for nearly 3.5 hours was a wholesome treat for music lovers. I haven't heard Sudha Ragunathan sing new songs in a long time. In fact I came out with a feeling that she is back to those days where she isn't really to scared to try anything new..The brilliant varnam composed by the genius Lalgudi sir had all what it required. By the time she started the vegavahini concert, I knew she was in full form.. Though the acoustics did trouble her right from the begining, during the hindolam the feedback was too loud.. She couldn't even sing.. The organisers immediately jumped in and solved the problem.. But such issues didn't deter her from singing some nice sancharas in Hindolam. Mohanam is a trademark of MLV amma school and though the alapana lasted for just 7-8 mins had everything that was required. Dayarani, a madhyamakala krithi by Tyagaraja was sung very well.. The kalpanaswaram was put for the pallavi and must say Raghavendra Rao responded very well.. I have heard Bombay Sisters and Aruna Sayeeram sing the Neelambari krithi. One wonders why didn't SR sing this song earlier.. The neelambari was rendered beautifully and the audience in fact swayed to the tune of this wonderful krithi on Rajagopala Swami.
By this time I knew she wouldn't have time for RTP but still had some hope
. However no qualms after I listened to her 20 min bhairavi alapana. Couple of sancharas in the lower octave were dealt at ease and perfection. This bhairavi will remain in my mind for years to come. The grand Balagopala was sung at a slow pace and the neraval was done at the usual place (Charanam). Her teermanam for the Korrapu swaram was set so well.. Following the main piece the tukkadas fit perfectly in its place. One must appreciate the audience at Unnati. None of got up during the thani or in between the concert. Though it was almost 9.45 by the time concert ended, almost everyone stayed back. Mind you it was raining heavily outside. But who cares when inside it was raining music
. Palladam Ravi and Omkar gave superb support and showed their brilliance during the thani. The 18 min long thani enthralled everyone and it was indeed a nice gesture to see SR appreciating them after they completed it. I haven't heard Palladam Ravi much but I like his non-intruding nature of accompaniment.
Before singing Kurai Onrum Illai and Brahmaokate she said, "I must have sung it more than 1000 times. I am singing it again here because every chit that is here has requested. Personally I might have got bored but looks like the rasikas aren't and hence I am singing."
At the end of the concert I had a strong feeling that SR had kind of reinvented herself. In the last couple of years, there were lot of rasikas complaining about her diluting the concert. Yesterday's performance was a perfect example of her bouncing back to the good olden days. Just hope as a rasika of music that she continues this form
. Kudos to the entire team. 
Any reviews of Sanjay or TMK?
