Sanjay Subrahmanyan-JB Cultural Trust, Hyderabad-3 Nov 2012

[revanthv552]

Sanjay Subrahmanyan - Vocal
Nagai R Muralidharan - Violin
Mannargudi A Easwaran - Mrudangam
S Venkatramanan - Khanjira

1. Varnam-Kedaram
2. Enduku Nirdaya-Harikhamboji-Thyagaraja[S]
3. Neekeppudu Daya-Abhogi-Mysore Sadasiva Rao[R,S]
4. Kaana Kann Ayiram Vendum-Neelambari-Annai Ayya[O]
5. Nee bhajana-Nayaki-Thyagaraja
6. Bhajare re-Kalyani-Dikshitar[R,N,S,T]
7. Mamava Jagadishware-Saraswathi Manohari-Swati Tirunal
8. RTP-Anandabhairavi
9. Thillana-Durbari Kanada
10. Pagaivanukkarulvaai-Maand[or was it a Ragamalika?]-Subramanya bharathi (Had to leave at this point)

The month of November is a treat for the rasikas of Hyderabad. With around ten programs on the way, the excitement knows no bounds. The first concert of our November season here saw a great start with the concert of Hyderabad's favorite singer, "Sanjay Subramanyan". Sanjay is one of the performers who visits Hyderabad often. His concerts never disappoint the listeners and he always has something to surprise us. The concert was organized as a part of J B Cultural Trust's two day cultural festival. Nalli Kuppusami Chettiar inaugurated the festival by lighting the lamps. The event happened at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Basheerbagh. In my opinion, the acoustics of the hall were perfect. I never enjoyed the sound of this kind anywhere before in Hyderabad. That added to the enjoyment.

The concert began with a wonderful varnam in Kedaram followed by "Enduku Nirdaya" of Thyagaraja. The rendition was extremely sedate and unhurried. Every single word of the krithi was sung distinctly enabling the audience to understand and feel the bhaavam. There was a beautiful swarakalpana for the pallavi in two kaalams. The third number was a beautiful Alapana of Abhogi. The alapana was handled very efficiently and the violin support was just amazing. The krithi of Mysore Sadasiva Rao followed the alapana. The swarakalpana of Abhogi deserves a special mention. The patterns sung were extremely intriguing. The prayogams he did were something I heard never before. It was thoroughly enjoyable. The violin return was extra-ordinary. Every phrase of Sanjay was excellently matched with the violin. The swaras kept flowing in a positively unexpected manner filling excitement in all of us and this obviously won a thunderous applause. This is probably the best piece of the entire concert yesterday.

A beautiful outline of Neelambari followed the composition of Annai Ayya. The composition was rendered in an unhurried fashion and the beauty of the ragam unveiled slowly, gracefully and beautifully. After a detailed brisk swarakalpana in Abhogi, a sedate Neelambari proved to be a pleasing contrast. This was followed by the super-speed Nayaki of Thyagaraja. The arrangement of songs added success to the concert. The tempo of the songs was distinct and stood in contrast to the sequence. The brisk and beautiful Nayaki was very well-received owing to the popularity of the composition.

The main piece was Kalyani. The ragalapana was excellent. It was an elaborate treatment and every nuance was enjoyed. One more popular piece, "Bhaja re re chitha" was rendered as the main piece. The grandness of the composition proved to be a perfect selection for the main piece. A detailed neraval at the lines "Devi Shakthi.." followed by a long round of captivating kalpanaswarams was presented. The swarakalpana was simply superb or should I say perfectly Sanjay-ish. This was followed by the fantastic thaniavarthanam by Sri Mannargudi Easwaran and Sri Venkatramanan. The thaniavarthanam was extremely enjoyable as it was evident from the audience staying glued to the seats and swaying the heads in enjoyment.

A brisk composition of Swathi Tirunal in Saraswathi Manohari was a perfect filler. As Sanjay closed this composition he closed it in a manner that imitates the pallavi of "Entha Vedukondhu Raghava" hinting the audience about the raagam. As soon as he did this, a smile surfaced in the faces of the audience who guessed the ragam. The entire concert atmosphere was enjoyable yesterday. This was followed by a detailed Anandabhairavi. The raga is listed as the favorite by most of the rasikas and the way Sanjay handles it, you can just estimate how beautiful it must have sounded. A delectable thanam followed the pallavi. I am not sure about the thaalam of the pallavi. I guess it was Aadi thalam. The pallavi was "Murugayyane Panniru kayyane Valli Deivanai Manalane" There was a very long round of swarakalpana in Anandabhairavi and that was followed by ragamalika swarams in three ragams: Sahana, Kannada and Durbari Kaanada. The ragamalika swarams were simply outstanding. According to me, Kannada ragam is at its best when Sanjay handles it. He rendered the swarams extremely well and Durbari Kanada was out-of-the world. People's hands rose up into the air for the long-lasting applause as soon as he finished the kalpana Swarams in Durbari Kanada. After the violin finished the Durbari Kanada, Sanjay moved to Durbari Kanada Thillana immediately without a pause. I had to leave the concert when the Bharathiar songs started. I speculate it was a ragamalika from what I found out online.

Sanjay is Superman. His concerts are always a learning experience for the enthusiasts. Of course, the enjoyment we derive from his music need not be specially mentioned for it is clearly known to all of us. I have been attending almost all the concerts of his here, and there is never a low moment in his concerts. It always leaves an imprint on your heart. The success of his concerts happens from the extra-ordinary singing and a perfect choice of ragams and compositions. He manages the concert in an efficient manner, placing songs in the right place and choosing ragas that are distinct. Even the compositions that are chosen are a mixture of the popular ones and the not-so-popular ones which establishes a beautiful balance for the entire concert. The energy levels remain constant and so does the performance. The entire team did a wonderful job yesterday. Amazing pakka vadyams played the crucial role in adding to the success of the concert. Personally, I loved the concert thoroughly. This is the first concert from the many more to come in this month. Excitement all around and this was a bright start.

[rajeshnat]

Nice and great review , keep it coming revanth

[revanthv552]

Thanks rajeshnat

[rshankar]

Revanth - nice to see a review from you again after a gap! Seems like a great concert. As Rajesh says, keep 'em coming.

[arasi]

Mr (!) Revanth,
Ravi is not alone!
Your concert treats are not as frequent as it is in cities outside of Chennai. That's why we don't hear from you that often. Please write more when 'ungaL kATTilE (isai) mazhai pozhigiRadu' (when the going is good in your town!).

The one problem with Sanjay is, he sets his standards very high, and the rasikAs start expecting more from him

Please review all the season's concerts, if possible--other rasikAs join in too, in the two AbAds..

[revanthv552]

Hello rshankar, Thank you.
As arasi said, In our two abads, the concerts happen only during January,February and November. Hence my posts make seasonal appearances here

Hello Arasi.
Indeed arasi, the concerts happen rarely hear. But these days I am observing a positive change. More rasikas are attending the concert and the scene here is getting brighter than what it was earlier. A change to celebrate for us in Hyderabad. Definitely. I will report all the concerts I attend here. Thank you

[mahavishnu]

The one problem with Sanjay is, he sets his standards very high, and the rasikAs start expecting more from him

How true!

[mahavishnu]

oh and thanks, Revanth.
Your reviews reveal how much you enjoy each concert!

[sureshvv]

The one problem with Sanjay is, he sets his standards very high, and the rasikAs start expecting more from him

No need for sad face! Among the many things that make life worth living!

[arasi]

Suresh,
Tracking back to resort to my most used emoticon. Thanks.

Mahavishnu,
There!

[mahavishnu]

Fair enough, Arasi. We have consensus now