Carnatica Brothers Concert at Minneapolis, Nadotsavam 2013

[shruthicarnatic]

Vocal – Carnatica Brothers, K.N.Shashikiran and P. Ganesh
Violin – Shri. Nagai Muralidharan
Mridangam – Shri Tanjavur Murugaboopathi
Ganjira – Shri. Nanda Masti
Ghatam - Shri. Balaji Chandran

1. Amma Anandadayini – Varnam in Gambira Nattai, composed by Dr. Balamurali Krishna.
2. Ranganayakam Bhaavayegam – Nayaki, Adi (2 kalai)
3. Narayanana – Purandaradasa kriti in Sudha Danyasi, Adi.
4. Sarasa Saamadana – Kaapi Naarayani, Deshaadi
5. RTP in Govindapriya, Khanda Triputa talam (2 kalai).
6. Garuda Gamana Garudadhwaja – Hindolam, Roopakam
7. entaTi kulukE – Kalyani, Rupakam
8. Tillana – Hamsanandham
9. Mangalam – Dasavathara managalam in Madhyamavathi

Fantastic concert by the brothers filled with soulful and soothing music. The support on the violin and percussion was excellent.

The brothers kicked off the concert with a varnam in Gambira Nattai, followed by Ranganayam in Nayaki ragam. The kriti was sung very soulfully with excellent support from the violinist. My personal favorite was Narayana in Sudha danyasi, which the brothers sang very well. Their voices blended very well and the progression of the song was very smooth and mellifluous. Their rendition of the line “Krishna Krishna endo” and Shashikiran/ Ganesh singing in lower and higher octaves simultaneously, created a wonderful effect. Sarasa Saamadana in Kaapi Naarayani was swift with a short round of kalpana swarams.

The highlight of the concert was the RTP. Shashikiran announced the ragam as Govindapriya (aka Rasikaranjani). Shashikiran rendered the alapana covering the entire range of swarams in the mantrastayi and matya stayi. Ganesh took over covering the tarastayi range. The resonance in Ganesh’s voice in the higher octaves was just amazing and Shashikiran could touch the Mantra stayi shadjam with ease. The accompanying artists also did an excellent job during the RTP. The artists sang kalpana swarams in Shivaranjani and Behag following by a wonder round of thani.

Overall, a wonderful and satisfying experience listening to the brothers.

[rshankar]

What was the pallavi for the RTP?

[shruthicarnatic]

Venkata Ramana Sankata Harana Govinda Govinda