Chitravina Ravikiran @ NGS - 19.12.2012

[hamsaa]

1. Intha modi – Saranga – Adi (Varnam) – Tiruvotriyur Thyagaiyer
2. Lavanya rama – Poorna Shadjam – Roopakam - Thyagaraja
3. Vidhulaku – Mayamalavagowla – Adi - Thyagaraja
4. Narasimha agacha – Mohanam – Mishra Chapu – Muttuswamy Dikshitar
5. Gopa nandana – Bhooshavali – Adi – Swati Tirunal
6. Munnu ravana – Thodi – Mishra Jhampa - Thyagaraja
7. Nee matale – Poorvikalyani – Adi (Javali)
8. Muttu Krishna – Jhunjooti – Adi – Ootthukkadu Venkata Kavi

When legendary artistes team up for a concert, it undoubtedly becomes a special concert and an unforgettable experience. Such an experience was gained today at Chitravina Shri Ravikiran’s concert for Narada Gana Sabha. He was accompanied by Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi and Trichy Shri Sankaran. All the pieces were exquisite masterpieces starting from Lavanya Rama in Poorna Shadjam , all the way upto Munnu Ravana (Thodi).

From the start of the concert, Shri Ravikiran played such exquisite and tuneful music that I was overwhelmed by the listening experience. The swarams for Lavanya Rama, the neraval and swarams for Vidhulaku as well as for the main piece in Thodi were a great feast. Shri Ravikiran’s superb control over his instrument were displayed in the alternate plucking technique he used in the koraippu swarams for Vidhulaku, (where he played alternately on the lower octave string and main strings) and the continuously strung phrases he played without plucking during the Thodi alapana. Such exquisite music was accompanied with care by Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi who was very cautious and played non-intrusive music.

Trichy Shri Sankaran was at his best form too, right from the beginning of the concert. His intuitive accompaniment for the swaram sections and the sparkling tani avartanam in Mishra Jhampa talam were amazing. Above all, Trichy Sankaran Sir’s body language and student-like attitude during the concert were great lessons to be observed and emulated. His commitment and enthusiasm to provide the best accompaniment never faded throughout the concert.

Unfortunately, the concert lasted only for 2 hours and I really wonder why the artiste was given only a two-hour slot!

[rajeshnat]

Unfortunately, the concert lasted only for 2 hours and I really wonder why the artiste was given only a two-hour slot!

Hamsaa
Looking at the schedule ,The artist was given 04:30 slot and it was followed by K J YesudAs at 07:30. I was not there , concerts are usually 2 and 1/2 hours as NGS keeps roughly half an hour gap. I dont know why 30 mins time got cut , I hope it is not due to sound adjustments which at times takes more than the requrired time. Two hour slot is very very different from an actual prime slot where the artist played for only 2 hours.

[mahavishnu]

sounds like a phenomenal concert.

[sairaam]

How i wish i had been there.

TS sir's Thani in Mishra Jampa??? Wowowowowowow..

I attended 3 concerts in which he accompanied.. Everything were in Adhi

[varsha]

Absolutely top class concert
The one that preceded , was outstanding too . Bala Devi Chandrashekhar danced splendidly to some glorious music composed by Rajkumar Bharathi - Uddhav Gita - . Dont miss it for anything . One last show on jan 1st for karthik fine arts .my pick of this season . in fact pick of several seasons

[Nandi]

Nice concert, excellent accompaniment and good song selection. Wish these concerts lasted for longer duration

[semmu86]

Thanks very much for the review. I was hoping for one for this concert. Such a pity that such wonderful concerts come on weekdays. Was there any upapakkavAdhyam or was it just TS alone?

Thanks once again. Hope for a review of the OST-TS Academy concert tomorrow. If anyone happens to attend that, Pls do post a review.

[mahavishnu]

btw, did Ravikiran play in his G/G# shruti chitravina (5-5 1/2 kattai)?
It is always interesting (and so different) to hear TS's nadham in a high-shruti mridangam. His chapus are still just as crisp, sharp and ringing.

[hamsaa]

Yes. he played in G# shruti.

Semmu86 - There was no upapakkavadyam but I do not think I missed one !

[Jayalakshmi]

The swarams that he played for poornashadjam was great.. And his korvais were also very interesting.