OST - Bharathi Kala Manram, Toronto March 30

[mahavishnu]

Sri OS Thyagarajan - vocal
Sri Mullaivasal G Chandramouli - violin
Sri Trichy Sankaran - mridangam

1. sAdincEnE - Arabhi
2. karuNa yElAgaNtE - varALi (S)
3. paritApamu gani ADina" - manOhari
4. kamalApta kula - brindAvana sAranga
5. lEkanA ninnu juTTukonnAnu in asAvEri.
6. cEra ravadEmira - reeTi gowLa (RS)
7. aTukarAdhani - manOranjani
8. O rangasAyee - kAmbhoji (RNST)
9. callarE rAmacandru nIpai pUla - Ahiri
10. uyyAla loogavayya -neelAmbari
11. nAdupai palikEru narulu - madhyamAvati
12. nI nama rupamulaku - SowrAshtram

The list is from memory. Lakshman-ji correct me if I have missed anything. [List edited, thanks L-ji]

It was an excellent concert by Sri OST to start off the Tyagaraja aradhana festival in Toronto. Very appropriate that all the songs were by Sri Tyagaraja. OST has an excellent repertoire of the deceptively simple desAdi kritis like paritapamu, atukaradhani etc. He brings out the very best in such compositions. The concert had a very Ariyakkudi style madhyamakala speed to it. The vocalist proceeded from one song to the other with such professionalism and cheerful promptness.

OST's raga essays are very Lalgudi like. They were methodical, brigha-laden and explored the ragams almost linearly. The only neraval in the concert (on the lines "bhooloka vaikuntam) was beautifully developed.

Sri Chandramouli appeared to enjoy himself in the accompanying role; his stage presence and mannerisms were reminiscent of his guru VVS. He followed the vocals faithfully and competently.

Of course, Trichy Sankaran was extraordinary. His accompaniment for the kritis was spectacular; anticipating sangatis and involved perfectly placed tirmAnams that embellished every piece. The tani was superb, although he did not explore too many nadai variations. His soft play for the post-tani pieces with just the perfect use of thoppi was remarkable.

Overall, it was an excellent concert. I wish they had more time for a pallavi, but the concert was cut short since OST was to fly out to San Diego early the next morning.

[rajeshnat]

Mahavishnu
OST is a very matured singer and he generally has gone on record where he prefers not to sing any pallavis and he also has said that sadguru Thyagaraja is his favourite composer. But one thing I always notice is he ends his tukkada with either uyyaloogavai or nadupai or both.Just like how few rasikas dont seek much excitement post main in tukkadas , he always gives that impression the kutchery is kind of over till main. I generally like his power packed build up till submain. One review that I put him where he sang a narada gana lola with swaras in atAnA was superb.

It should have been spectacular to hear sankaran sir in his home ground .You are one lucky rasika to always have a chance to hear sankaran sir with a very sincere sampradaya musician like OST. Tx for the review

[Lakshman]

Between kamalAptakula and cEra rAvadEmirA he sang lEkanA ninnu juTTukonnAnu in asAvEri.

[kunthalavarali]

Yes. listening to Sankaran that day was like listening to the great PSP himself.

[mahavishnu]

But one thing I always notice is he ends his tukkada with either uyyaloogavai or nadupai or both.

Rajesh, your words have turned prophetic. It appears that he sang the same at San Diego (thanks to Sindhuja's review).
OST is an "andha kalathu" musician at heart. Unlike today's savvy musicians, he does not have floating set lists that don't repeat, even though he has a repertoire of several hundred Thyagaraja kritis.

Lji- Yes, I had forgotten about the asAveri kriti. I have updated the list.

[padavarnam]

Mahavishnu, there is a genuine warmth and respect in your reviews, without sounding fake or patronizing. Keep 'em coming!