Ramakrishnan Murthy at SRLK Mandira

[sappri]

There's a 4 hour concert by Ramakrishnan Murthy at Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira, 9th Main, BSK on the 24th of June, Sunday.

[srikant1987]

It is with (sarvashrI) S Varadarajan on violin, Arjun Kumar on mridangam and Guruprasanna on ghatam.

That Sri Varadarajan is accompanying is an important feature of the concert for me.

[arvind.brahmakal]

What time does this start ?

[Rsachi]

Dear Rasikas,
I am sure someone else more competent will post the list of songs and further technical details. But I am reporting that the last 10 hours have been filled with recollections from the concert and the wonderful musical fare. Simply put, the 4:12 long concert was a musical treat every moment. It seems that Ramakrishnan Murthy has performed three times this year at Sri Rama Lalithakala Mandira, and this one was a special request for a four hour concert and it was sponsored by Vid. Neela Ramagopal. Proof enough of the impact this youngster is making.

The repertoire was brilliant...Begada Ata Tala Varnam, Jaya Jaya by Purandara Dasa, Kannulara- Dhanyasi, Ninu Vina- Purvikalyani, Sri Vishwanatham-14raga masterpiece of Dikshitar, Rama nivegani-Narayani, Upacharamu-Bhairavi, RTP Natakurinji, etc. Varadarajan, Arjun Kumar, Guruprasanna gave spirited accompaniment. The percussion was at times too loud for me, but responded in kind to the zestful tempo of the singer.

After a really immersive experience of beautiful Carnatic music from a highly talented youngster, I must say that Ramakrishnan Murthy will surely make a big mark in our world. A few minutes into the concert, I texted my rasikottama friend Shailesh that here was a young KVN. As someone who has been deeply touched by the music and persona of the maestro KVN, let me list my reasons why I call Ramakrishnan Murthy a young KVN:
1. A sweet, sruti-aligned, not too powerful, voice ideal for manodharma sangeeta.
2. A sense of proportion in all he does.
3. Excellent concert planning, a real tribute to the great composers (Ninu Vina, Sri Vishvanatham, Upacharamu...)
4. A strong bias for laya, that makes mridangam a significant part of the concert.
5. Impactful raga Alapana without excesses in length or conception, a hallmark of KVN... But still enough to challenge the violinist...
6. A reverent way of rendering every song.
7. A sense of mid-speed tempo, that engages the audience through-out.
8. A talent for neraval, and this seems to be the distinguishing aspect... His neraval in Purvi Kalyani and Bhairavi was simply brilliant. This is an aspect that eludes most vocalists of today. To be unaffected, creative, melodious, apt in choosing the lyrical spot, emphasizing the meaning in singing, no tiresome laya gymnastics (one better than KVN perhaps!?)
9. A tendency to swerve away from the mike to the right (Subbudu had written about this re. kVN)
10.A style that gives great impetus to mridangam by tempo and laya-stressed rendering, that also runs the risk of too loud an accompaniment!
11. An overall sruti-aligned sweetness hard to match for the violinist.
12. A stamina that lasts 4 hours without tiring the voice or the audience!

My best wishes to this 22-year old maestro in the making!

[gardabha_gana]

I had to (unfortunately) leave at the start of the chaturdasha ragamalika, and miss the RTP in my favorite natakuranji I enjoyed the music very much. PK was wonderful. I found that the music was coming on better downstairs than in the hall. I am a regular at the SRLKM - and applaud the organization for hosting serious music. I sincerely request if something is done about the acoustics to make the listening better. I don't think it is the sound system.

[rajeshnat]

Rsachi
Thank you the report . I recently witnessed this young vidwan in a 4 hr concert.Looks like the team for this concert must have really contributed to more excellence.

Perhaps if I can add a lucky 13th point too

13. His music is always immensely classical, like KVN he is "incapable" of singing any sangathi - bit lightly to lose any carnaticness

I am assuming there were ragamaliga swaras in RTP , can u recollect them? Also any slokham/viruththam and can you also recollect the tukkadas??

[Rsachi]

Quick reply as I am in a biz mtg:
Sriranjani, Todi, Behag in RTP malika..
Sindhu Bhairavi viruttam followed by Thiruppavai
Rangapuravihara
Purvi Tillana

[Rsachi]

also Khamach - idattu padam tookki..

[malavi]

Ever since i heard this artist s cocert for the first time in last june,i try not to miss his concerts.he reminds me a lot ,of Sri.K.V.N. esp.his niraval singing.last february heard his 4 hour concert in music academy mini hall.his Dharmavathi RTP was excellent.
on 23rd i had been to his concert in nadopasana and the "Tyagarajayoga vaibhavam" he sang was such a treat.
He has definitely got the stamina for such 4 hour concerts at this young age.

[mahavishnu]

Very nice review, RSachi. This young man's performance must have really touched you; especially knowing how much you like and admire Sri KVN's music.

[PUNARVASU]

I heard him long back in a 'house concert' in a Los Angeles suburb and last year at a marriage function. When I heaard him first, I was so impressed with him and said to myself 'this is one talented youngster who is sure to go places'. How happy I am to see that he has arrived. Yes, he reminds one of Shri KVN and I am a fan of Shri KVN. Best wishes to the youngster.

[kssr]

May I know why the constant reference to Sri.KVN? His sishya, by any chance? I am quite eager to listen to one who has the KVN touch. So far heard many who claim to be similar to him, but they have been faaaar from him. The silky touch, compactness, beauty of the raga- found no one equal to the master.

[Rsachi]

Dear Kssr, kindly find an opportunity to listen to Ramakrishnan Murthy. I would be happy to know your views after that.

[annamalai]

KVN - what a voice, sruthi suddham... The high quality music is the result of the training KVN had from Ariyakudi for so many years, Palghat Mani Iyer. KVN was also influenced by Musiri.

Ramakrishnan was learning from Chengelpet Ranganathan until recently- that is evident from his rendering of Kannulara (Dhanyasi). I hope he continues learning from other such greats Trichy J. Venkatraman and that sort of training will lead him to greater heights.

[mohan]

KSSR - you can watch a short concert of RM at the Arkay Centre (2010) at:
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKFy5yhaAy0
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C07L8brg ... ure=relmfu
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIpQzF85KLI

Accompanists are Arun Ramamurthy (Violin) & KV Gopalakrishnan (mrudangam).

Listening to him there with eyes closed I thought I was hearing someone aged 50+ not a 20-something lad!