Abhishek Raghuram at Chembai Festival SKGS, 01-Sep

[Rajagopalan_V]

Was hoping to see a thread on this concert. Guess it's a bit early and so am posting the below.

However, this is not a comprehensive review of the concert. Just a short write-up on what I felt. Of course, expecting the more seasoned Rasikas to post detailed and well informed reviews herein....

Govindanadi, Mukundanadi, Abhishek Raghuramanadi.....

Short but very sweet concert by Abhishek yesterday at SKGS. As part of the Chembai festival organized by Dr. Jesudoss.

A packed hall and still swelling crowd in line with his ever increasing 'celebritydom' nowadays.

Enjoyable Vasantha alapana. Followed by the delectable declaration that Seethamma is our mother and Sriramudu our father!

Not sure what goes through the accompanists' minds if they chance to look into Abhishek's eyes when he sings those scintillating swaras. Intensity and passion oozing out every bit.

Apparently, seasoned batsmen would advise the budding ones not to look into Muralidharan's eyes when he comes in to bowl. Perhaps the accompanists experience the predicament that captains and bowlers had to endure when they set the field for a Viv Richards in marauding form!

An alapana befitting the stature of the King of ragas that Thodi is. Melsthaayi alapanas without a shred of 'pisiRu' and softly sung deep, baritone lower sthaayi finishes. The entire auditorium bursting into raptures as though their son/daughter got the all India 6th rank in JEE when he began "ThaayE YasOdhaa".

Couldn't control the frenzied maami behind me.
"GaanamabhishEk paadak kaNdirundha Maambalam Maamiyum
ThaanumavanpOl bhaaviththu than pollaath thOdiyai tharaviRakkka".

Anantha Krishnan on the Mrudangam and Srisundarkumar on Kanjira rounded up with an electrifying Thani. Mysore Srikanth it was on the Violin.

Yes, it is easy for some of us to slot him as a born 'prodigy' and elevate his musical prowess to a 'God endowed' gift. Doing so would be a gross injustice to the extraordinary uzhaippu, saadhagam and dedication that he puts in on top of his innate brilliance.

Easier said, of course, a lesson for other performers as well as each one of us in whatever profession/field of study?!

[sureshvv]

Nice write up! Liked the 6th rank part I guess 1st rank is unthinkable even for purposes of rasikas review.

Hope you stayed for Ramanai Bhajithal at the end. Was delivered with such clarity of lyric and bhavam that, for me it overshadowed all his other fantastic escapades from the evening.

[Rajagopalan_V]

Well, yes did stay on to savour that! And went a step further and felt as though I myself got the 5th rank in JEE exam

[sureshvv]

When Abhishek started on the lines "Sodhanai theeyil pudamiduvaan", there was a minor hiccup with the sound system and the lines were lost in the ether. When he sang the lines again, the sound system was restored and the audience gave him a rousing ovation for the added bhavam in his singing