Priya sisters in Miami

[maduraimini]

Priya Sisters Concert on April 14, 2013 in Miami

The Tamil New Year, Vijaya Varuzham brought a nice gift to the music starved South Florida citizens in the form of Priya sisters concert at the Shiva Vishnu Temple of South Florida. Shanmukha Priya and Hari Priya , accompanied by Parur M.A. Krishnaswamy on the violin and Gnanaskandan on the mridangam gave an outstanding performance.

Here is the song list.
1. Sami Ninne- Shankarabharana varnam. They sang with gusto and was a good beginning. They sang the charanam in the second speed.
2. Sri Maha Ganapathe- Abhogi – with swarams in ‘tamarasa dala’.
3. Manasuloni marmamunu- Hindolam Or Varamu) . It was in fast tempo.
4. The next was a raga alapana in Bhairavi by Hari Priya. The alapana was stunning with all the twists and turns and gamakams and brigas. (Shows GNB school- I heard they were students of old time Vidushis Radha-Jayalakshmi).
Bhairavi is a favorite ragam of mine and they did justice to the ragam. They sang ‘Enati Nomu palamu’, a Thyagaraja kriti. The kriti was sung very beautifully. Both sisters took turns doing Niraval, followed by swara prastharam. The swaras were intricate and well done.

5. Thillai Ambalathanai Govindarajanai- Suruti-Gopala Krishna Bharathy
I remember hearing my mother sing this, when I was a little girl. In this song, the composer speaks about the the devotees who come to Chidambaram temple to pray to either Nataraja or Govindarajan and the reasons. I always wanted to listen to this song, and this was a pleasant surprise for me. I think Sanjay sings this in Sahana.
6. A melodious Lalitha by Hari Priya was out of this world. Shanmukha Priya also did the alapana. Dikshitar’s ‘Hiranmayeem ‘ with swarams were done well.
7. Sarasa sama dana- kapi narayani- Madurai Mani Iyer’s favorite piece was a fast number.
8. Shanmukhapriya RTP. The alapana was sung very nicely by Hari Priya ( not the namesake Shanmukhapriya).A rhythmic Tanam was followed by pallavi ‘ Kannanai Mani vannanai, karu mukhil vannanai, anu dinam ninaippom. Adi panivom’. From Shanmukhapriya, Kamas, Revathi and Kapi flowed and went back to kapi,revathi,kamas ending with Shanmukhapriya. The swarams were fast and furious, like tennis ball in a court- being hurled back and forth by the sisters. Parur’s solo was very good. The young mridangam artist displayed his prowess with ability. It was very good and I enjoyed it.
9. Chalada Hari nama- Hamsadhwani- Annammacharya. Very melodious song.
10. Sri Renganathanin – Arabhi- They tried their Best to sing this Tamil song and did a good job. Some words were too hard for them, but they really tried.
11. Jai Ma Sai Ma- Sai bhajan in Darbari Kanada (?)
12. Emi Sethura linga- This song enthralled the audience. The lilting melody in their sweet voice was so soothing. I see the composer as Mahadeva Shambo. People gave them a very big hand after this beautiful song. My friend requested this song and was so happy to hear them sing this. This was their masterpiece.
13. Rama Manthra bajiso- Purandara Dasa. I have heard this in Jonpuri, but I thought they sang in Bhoopalam or another raga- I am not sure.
14. Dola Roopa Sai- Sai Bhajan in Yamuna Kalyani
15. Mangalam


The concert was really pleasing. The sisters did their Best to please the audience. Fans sent them notes to sing their favorite song, and they tried to please them. I heard my Revathi in the RTP and my friend heard her song. Everyone enjoyed the concert.
I wish the artists announce the name of the song, raga,tala and composer of the song they are going to sing. This will help senior citizens who cannot remember the raga or tala and others who like music, but don’t know much.
A nice concert with very good accompanists. Very enjoyable.

[mahavishnu]

Maduraimini: thanks for your review.
- Tillai ambalattAnai is by Gopalakrishna Bharati.
- In the GNB school, they sing manasulOni in hindOlam only, not varamu.
- The mridangist is Neyveli Skandasubramanian (not Gnanaskandan)

[arasi]

Maduraimini,
Thanks for the detailed review of a concert which seems to have been a very good one. It's always good to read any number of reviews, that too from seniors. Even happier that several recent reviews have been by women!
Golden girl from Florida, thanks again

[rajeshnat]

13. Rama Manthra bajiso- Purandara Dasa. I have heard this in Jonpuri, but I thought they sang in Bhoopalam or another raga- I am not sure.

Apart from jonpuri, there are versions of rAma manthra japisO in brindavani, sindhubhairavi ,janasammodhini that are sung by different artists. I am still not sure what Priya Sisters sang.
Tx maduraimini for your review.

[maduraimini]

Thanks Mahavishnu, Arasi and Rajeshnat for your posts. Mahavishnu, You are right- The artist was Neyveli Skandasubramanian.- not Gnanaskandan. I wrote the wrong name and I apologize to the artist for messing his name. Old age does works wonders, in the reverse way! Names and faces are mixed up. But he did play very well. Rajeshnat, I hope I somehow remember the raga the sisters sang the Purandaradasa kriti.
Thank again for the correction, Mahavishnu.

[Kamakoti_dasan]

The Puranadaradasa krithi was in Kalavathi. Thanks for your review maduraimini.

[maduraimini]

Kamakoti_dasan,
Thank you for clearing the raga for me.

[rshankar]

The Puranadaradasa krithi was in Kalavathi.

The carnatic kalAvati, or the HM equivalent of valaci?

[arasi]

Ravi,
My guess is that rAma mantrava bhajisO would have been in CM kalAvathi. Maduraimini knows her valaji, I think.

[Kamakoti_dasan]

Yes it is the CM Kalavathi.

[Lakshman]

Emi sEturA linga is by Potuluri Veerabrahmam. See here:
http://lazydabbler.wordpress.com/tag/emi-sethura-linga/