Venu-Veena-Violin recital, Kalpakkam

[bharathi]

Kalpakkam Sangeetha Sabha Programme
Venu-Veena-Violin

J B Srutisagar: Flute
R.Raghul: Violin
Mudicondan Ramesh: Veena
N C Bharathwaj: Mrudangam
Nerkunam Shankar:Kanjira
Date: 20.10.2013 (Sunday)
Time: 6.30pm


Songlist
1. Viribhoni- Pacchimiriyam adiappayya -bhairavi- Ata tala
2. Vatapi Ganapatim-Muthuswami Dikshithar-Hamsadwani-Adi tala
3. Ganamurte-Tyagaraja-ganamuthi-Adi
4. Parathpara prameswara-Papanasam Sivan-Vachaspathi-Adi
5. Intha Sowkya-Tyagaraja-Kapi-Adi
Ragamalika swarams:Revathi:Bindumalini:Behag:Surutti:sindhubhairavi::suddha dhanyasi:all in return
6. Karpagame Kann Parai-Papanasam-Madyamavathi-Adi
7. Pavamana

Yesterday we were treated to an exuberant concert of Venu- Veena -Violin by J B Srutisagar, Modikondan Ramesh and R Raghul. The percussionists were N C Bharadwaj and NerKurnam Sankar.

The concert started with the Ata thala Varnam viribhoni in Bhairavi, played beautifully by the trio. There was Kalpana swara at the charanam. The tempo of the concert was set even in the first 5 minutes. This was followed by Vatapi Ganpathim in Hamsadwani. Another delightful rendering by the trio, embellished richly by the swara kalpanas. The third was Ganamurthe, with raga prelude by the veena artist. The raga essay was divine to say the least. This was followed by a breathtaking vachaspthi rendered by Srutisagar, a musical genius I am sure. The phrases were beautifully structured and was replete with ever flowing manodharma. The Krithi rendered was Parathpara paremeswara, with neraval at ari ayanum kana and was followed by a Swara kalpana. The next raga Kapi, was taken up initially by the violinist Raghul, then by Srutisagar and Mudikondan Ramesh on the Veena, who went off into a very beautiful thanam in the raga. The song was Intha Sowkya mani Ne. They then did a round of raga malika swarams, which was finished by rendering all ragas in the reverse order, beautifully by Raghul. The program ended with Madhymavathi, Karpagame kann parai.

There is certainly a great charm to music per se when we have only instruments, we tend to focus more on the music rather than the lyrics. The flights of imagination, from the three different types of instruments, as in the case in the concert at Kalpakkam, added another dimension to the whole musical experience. Srutisagar’s flute playing, was soft and floating at times or the soaring to heights at many others. He plays music as if he were in a trance, mesmerizing the audience. Veena on the other hand gave the bass that fills all space with reverberations. The gamaka laden presentation from the artist was a feast to the ears. The adept violinist was always ready to grab every nuisance and give it, his own interpretation. The percussionists did their best adding verve and vigour to the show. On the whole we the rasikas at the Kalpakkam Sangeetha Sabha had a delectable evening, our spirits uplifting by the minute.

I recall having experienced such performances about 15 to 20 years ago, what with Lalgudi/MSG/TNK, in their prime. It is indeed saddening to note that instrumental music is hardly favoured by any sabha these days, and even in a premier sabha like the Music academy we get to hear at best two instrumental concerts out of the 30 prime slots. How strange is it, that young upcoming instrumentalists are never featured in the slots prior to the evening slots in the Music academy, as if the audience does not have patience to listen to instrumental music, any longer. How wrong the organizers are, to insult the intelligence of the rasikas in this manner. I am sure the more we listen, we would love instrumental music too. In my opinion every fourth concert should be an instrumental concert. I hope the organizers of the coming season are listening.

[rajeshnat]

bharathi
Heard solo veena of mudikondan ramesh and also shruthisagar in flute. Not heard R Raghul playing violin as an instrument concert . Also not heard in general the 3 V's combination in a live concert. Is kalpakkam hosting this combination of 3V's for the first time , I am not sure if these 3 have played together. Fyi, in academy this year instruments are featured 5 times and in primeslots(not 2 times as you have mentioned). I agree with you instruments needs far more patronage and also more opportunities for upcoming artists.

Thanks for your review, looks kalpakkam is turning out to be a very good place for music. I wish it was bit closer.

[bharathi]

Rajeshnat
Yes, they are performing together for the first time. Although they had done the 3V's with another Vainika a couple of years ago, which was reviewed by Hindu, thats how I came to know of this venture.
Nice to hear that there more instrumentalists are featured in the academy, are you already aware of the program, already?
Kalpakkam is not far, from Adyar an hour or so.. apart from music you can get a lot of fresh air too

[Nick H]

Thanks for your review, looks kalpakkam is turning out to be a very good place for music. I wish it was bit closer.

I might, sometimes be easily persuaded to drive there: it's easier with company!

On this occasion, I was in Singapore, thinking more of shopping than music.