TMK @ Asthika samAjam,06/12/11

[ganeshkant]

(concert arranged by trust run by GuruvAyur Sri.Dorai)

Mri:Karaikudi Mani
Vio:H.V.Venkatram
Ghatam:Trichy Murali

List:
1.Tatva jIvatvam – keeravANi - S

2.Thillai chidambaram – (R)

3.VinathAsutha – JeyanthasEnA - (SS,S)

4.Endhuku nirdhaya – HarikambhOji – (R,N@dharalO neevai,S,T)

5.marubari – KhamAs

6.Thandhai thAyum nee – viruththam – DhanyAsi,mOhanam,behAg
6a.irakkam varAmal – behAg

7.eppO varuvArO – jOnpuri

8.mangalam

One more full blast TMK concert.

The svarams for the keeravANi kriti,the SS of JeyanthasEnA and the kriti rendition with svarams,the AlApanai,N&S of Hari kambhOji and the tail enders were all note worthy.

TMK is a vidwan par excellence was visible in the way he handled the HK.He handled it with the same facility with which he would have handled a mOhanam or tOdi or kalyAni.Bravo!

The concert’s success should be equally shared by KM & HKV who provided excellent support.The 2+ mins.of thundering applause followed by the tani showed the fan following KM commands in Chennai music circuit. There were many vidwans among the audience like SV,RKSRK,Neyveli Venkatesh,KVG,BS,Anirudh,etc.to listen to this great combination.

A concert that will sure find a place in my memory.

Just a thought that I want to share:

There was certain lamentation about talented unknown youngsters not being covered and so I took the initiative of writing reviews. But the patronization is disheartening. There is not even a single post after my review! What sort of encouragement will I have further to write such reviews? Should I stop?
( I am posting it here rather than at the MRS concert review so that many may read. Sorry for the digression)

[Nick H]

I wish that you would not stop!

It is always possible that posts are read, but without anything to say, there is no answer.

It is a kind of documentation for the future, anyway. Some googler may find your posts in the years ahead.

As to me... well, I know how you appreciate good music, so I should watch out for your reviews of artists I don't know and read them

[rajumds]

I understand your feelings but you can't expect replies by every one who reads the thread. The only way to elicit replies will be stirring up a controversy.

The thread you had mentioned had around 100+ views. So please do continue

[grsastrigal]

ganeshkant reviewed most of the parts, let me also give my review.

T.M.Krishna
Mridangam-Guru Karaikkudi Mani
Violin-H.Venkatram
Ghatam- Trichy Murali

Place- Asthka samajam- Guruvayoor Durai Trust.

TMK, being the first programme of this season gave a stellar performance. He along with GKM created an
electifying atmosphere. At times, you don't want to listen any other concert for few days after listening
to any live or recorded version. I felt this many times after listening MMI recordings. Yesterday, I had the
same feeling.

Tatva jIvatvam brahmani tatva kIvatvam - Sadasiva Brahmedral- Keeravani- swaram in "tatva jivatvam"

Alapana in Purvikalyani - "Tillai chidambaram enre"-Gopalakrishna Bharati

Mini alapana in jayanthasena followed by "vinatA sutavA" -Thyagarajar. Swaram in "mata bhAda manE"

Main-Harikambodhi- "enduku nirdaya evarunnArura" -Thyagarajar - neraval in "dharalO nIvai tyAgarAjupai" and
swaram.

Tani

marubAri tALalEnurA-KhamAs- PattAmirAmaiah.

Tandai tayUm nee, ennuirk kuyirum nee - verse form Thaymanavar on tirisiragiri (Tiruchirappalli)- dhanyAsi, mohanam and behAg
followed by "irakkam varAmal"- Gopla krishna bharati

Eppo varuvAro- Jonpuri- GKB

PavamAna-Mangalam.

First of all, this programme is on behalf of Guruvayoor Durai trust, Logo of Mridangam with GuruvAyurappan at the centre of
mridangam showed the mood of Astika samAjam

Second, the programme which was supposed to start at 6.30 started at 7 Pm and another 15 minutes for mike sytem. Till purvi
kalyAni kriti, TMK was complaining about the speaker/mic system. The result, the concert is for only 2 hours.

The most irritating part is there is no timelimit in praising each other. The rasikas are not present to see the award
function but purely to enjoy music. Even a moderate CM fan knows about Guruvayur Durai, Karaikkudi Mani or PSN. What is the
fuss in taking time and prasing each other.

After the function was over, there was a half a dozen youngsters bring a big bench for the artists to sit. After TMK said
"NO", they removed it and put a carpet for the artists to sit. So much of confusion. For a minute, I thought whether Tom
Cruise had come to Asthika samAjam.

Additing to the woes, Even after the programme started, suddenly TMK got up and went go Durai and the latter put a shawl
and garland. After this, Karikkudi mani got up and awarded Durai. Man, what is happening ?

Interestingly, TMK brough 4 of disciples to accompany him with twin TamburAs. Seeing the crowd at the podium, I remembered
"Tiruvayaru crowd for pancha ratna kritis"

Once TMK is set, eveybody was in sheer joy of music. The breathtaking swaras in keeravani clearly started the mood of
the artists and rasikas. It was a full crowd and TMK never lost is tempo a bit. His high speed jayanthasena followed by a
slow and steady Harikambodhi was truly a memorable one, that to bringing SSI's famous "enduku"..

Tani by Karaikkudi mani- one line review- "the clappings lasted at least 2 minutes" which was not even for TMK in the
concert. As Durai summed up - "to praise Karaikudi mani, this "janmam" is not enough. You have to take another one"

Trichy murali definitely gasping for "return" and could not do any justification. The intricate "kanakkus" in mridangam
is always unique for KM. Otherwise Trichy Murali was Ok.

Honestly, Iam listening violin by HVV, the first time. He definitely did justification in his return. Good show.

[srikant1987]

Is this the Thiruvanmiyur Asthika samAjam or the Venus Colony Asthika Samajam?

Btw it is H K Venkatram. A nice violinist, very well-known in Bangalore.

[rajeshnat]

Is this the Thiruvanmiyur Asthika samAjam or the Venus Colony Asthika Samajam?

Held in alwarpet,Venus Colony. I have heard that SadAsiva brahmendra - keeravani start of TMK with long swaras in SKGS few months back, it is indeed excellent.

Karaikudi Mani , such a wonderful artist has played twice for TMK this year, he has also played on Sat at NGS . WHat beats me is his frequency of play , just two or three concerts per year. I remember last year there was one NSG concert in the same Venus colony that was advertised as KM playing for NSG. He played once for Balasai (flute) and once for hyderabad brothers a year or two back. I wish he plays more.

[ganeshkant]

Nicks,Thanks.I will continue.

Srikant.U R correct about the violinist and the venue is Venus colony,Alwarpet.

[arasi]

Ganeshkant,
Nick is right.
I wish too that Guru Karaikkudi Mani plays more. Haven't heard him in a few years.
By the way, am I mistaken--or is there a new trend among our reviewers to place the mrudangist before the violinists?

Yes, HKVenkatram is a very good violinist who is well known in Karnataka. Good to see his accompanying Top ranking vocalists.Isn't he a Rasikas.org member too?

[CRama]

ganeshkant- your emotions regarding no response for MRSubramaniam's review is well understood. Same feeling I also had when there was no response for some of my reviews. But it does not matter. People read your reviews. Through your review I came to know about the vidwan MRSubramaniam. Now whenever I hear this name I will relate to your review and I will attend his concert. So continue your reviews. Hope to meet you at the Rasikas Meet.

[arasi]

I read the reviews regularly. Many do. In my case, though I like to respond to most of them, I desist because I already post enough responses, being the most voluble member--look at the number of my posts For example, the most valuable members like Uday and Arun post minimally

[ganeshkant]

rajumds,arasi,c.rama - noted your responses with thanks.Yes I shall continue.It was sort of an emotional outburst.Yes I am also eager towards rasikas meet to meet you all.

[lovecarnatic]

I thought he was going to take an off during this season too.

[anonymityatlast]

lovecarnatic,

Why the sad face?

[lovecarnatic]

I am sure u r smart enough to understand.

[raghavt]

I thought he was going to take an off during this season too.

[Nick H]

Cheeky ]

Actually, Ganeshkant's review makes me think that I really ought to take more notice of TMK as a musician, rather than as a self-publicist.