Concert by GJR Krishnan and Book Release- Santa Clara, Oct 4

[Sindhuja]

This comes late, but here's a short report nevertheless. It's been a while, so corrections welcome if I've got any details wrong.

On Oct 4 Shri GJR Krishnan presented a short but memorable concert on the occasion of the release of "An Incurable Romantic" here. He was accompanied by Shri Srikanth Chary on the veena. The book release happened after the first half of the concert after which the concert resumed. Mr N. Parthasarathy, Consul General of India was the chief guest.

Concert list:

1. Varnam: Hameer Kalyani - Adi; LGJ
2. eti yochanalu - Kiranavali, Deshadi; Thyagaraja. Shri GJR demonstrated the celebrated Lalgudi school "porutha swarams".
3. deva shri: Lalgudi Pancharatnam - M. Chapu; Thyagaraja
4. samanamevaru - Kharaharapriya, Rupakam; Thyagaraja. The veena solo alapanai was very enjoyable; and in finishing the swarams Shri GJR played the famous Lalgudi korvai.
5. kamalamba: Navavranam - Kalyani, Adi; Dikshitar
6. baro krishnaiyya - ragamalika, Adi; Kanakadasa. This was preceded by a beautiful sketch of Maand. Just as I was thinking he might play the Lalgudi thillana, I was convinced otherwise by his clear sancharas in the old, traditional Maand which is how the song goes (as opposed to Mishra Maand in which the thillana is set).
7. theeradha vilayattu pillai - ragamalika, K. Chapu; Bharathiyar. This was also preceded by a very lovely Sindhubhairavi sketch, and once again I was expecting the thillana here.
8. And finally: Thillana - Mishra shivaranjani, Adi; LGJ
9. Mangalam

[mahavishnu]

Sindhuja: Thanks for your lovely review.
I really want to go to this one, but couldn't since I was traveling in France at that time.

and in finishing the swarams Shri GJR played the famous Lalgudi korvai.

Could you provide some details on what the famous Lalgudi kOrvai is? I am trying to figure out if I have heard it. The only time I have heard him play this as a non-accompanist was in the veena-venu-violin LP from the 70s with UKS and THV.

[rajeshnat]

sindhuja
Was there no percussion support for this concert?

[gardabha_gana]

Thanks much Sindhuja for the report. I think Mridangam support was by Vid. Shriram Brahmanandam. The Hamir Kalyani varnam is lovely.

[Sindhuja]

@Mahavishnu: It was indeed that one. I think GJR also announced that he would be playing that "version". (http://gaana.com/#!/songs/rama-nee-samanamevaru-ins)

Apologies for not mentioning Mridangam. Yes, I think it was Shri Sriram Brahmanandam, Lalgudi's nephew. It was an excellent support with a very majestic thani.