S.SOWMYA AT KGS-31/08/13

[CRama]

As a part of the Chembai Music Festival, S.Sowmya presented her concert in the 5 PM slot. She was ably accompanied on the violin by Embar Kannan and on the Mridangam by Neyveli Narayanan and K.V.Gopalakrishnan on the Ganjira. The list of songs.

1. Vathapi.
2. Singaravelavan vandan-Anandabhairavi
3. Adikkondaar-Mayamalavagowla
4. Dorakuna ituvantiseva –thani.
( I had to go out after this to attend some official calls)

It was most appropriate that she started with Vathapi- as Chembai is synonymous with Vathapi. She rendered second kala swaras at a very tricky edam- Hamsadhwani bhooshitha herambam. The alapanas of Anandabhairavi and Bilahari were very elaborate and had some unusual sangathis. But I would have been happy if she had chosen a MD or SS kriti in Anandabhairavi as the weighty alapana she rendered demanded such a majestic kriti. Dorakuna was rendered well. Neraval at Ramabrahmathanayudou and elaborate swaras in two kalams brought memories of her Guru.

Embar Kannan played excellently. His alapanas and returns were very sweet and apt. The Mridangam and Kanjira also gelled well with the rest of the team. A short, but sweet concert.

[keerthi]

She rendered second kala swaras at a very tricky edam- Hamsadhwani bhooshitha herambam.

Why tricky edam? It is at the samam of the drutam, and is not particularly uncommon. SKA S.Rajam once sang at gaNapatim bhajEhaM. Now that, is both uncommon and not-so-easy..

[CRama]

Swaras at Hamsadhwani bhooshitha- only once I have heard from somebody I do not remember now. Swaras at Ganapathim bhajeham- TNS used to sing.

[Rsachi]

Keerthi,
You bring up an interesting point that was going on in my mind.

In Dikshitar kritis, one can render two sets of Kalpana swaras I think to great effect .. The first one in the standard position and speed (even here one can select uncommon and beautiful spots) and then in second speed at the second speed charana point. Do you know anyone who has done it well? Especially vocal?

[Mechakalyani]

Sudha Ragunathan sings swaram at 'haMsadhwani bhūSita hērambam'. I also enjoy MDR's swaram at ''karāmbuja-pāśa-bījā-pūram', singing this line in two different speeds.

[CRama]

Rsachi. MLV has done like what you have told. For the kriti Chinthayamakanda moolakandam in Bhairavi, she has done elaborate neraval and elaborate swaras- first and second kala at the first line of the charanam- Mangalakara mandahasa vadanam and again she has done some rapid fire brand second kala swaras at Uthunga kamaneeya vrishathurangam (madhyamakalam). A cracker concert.

[Rsachi]

Great, will check it out. Thanks!

[Rsachi]

CRama
Any chance of a public link, please?

[CRama]

I will upload that song shortly.

[CRama]

Here is the link to the Chinthayama kandamoolakandam sung by MLV. Note her rendering of swaras at two places. Enjoy.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/21qeqr