TM Krishna @ Margazhi Maha Utsav 2013 Dec 03

[Rajagopalan_V]

Hello all, the below is just a short summary of yesterday's concert. Hoping fellow Rasikas will post the complete song list and write a comprehensive review.

Got to the venue only around one hour into the performance. TMK had just started the Sankarabharanam alapana.

RK Sriramakumar followed him and played the Thodi alapana next, which in turn, TMK had followed.

It became apparent that it must be the immortal "Sankarabharananai Azhaiththodi Vaadi Kalyani, Darbaarukku" -- popularized by the legendary Ariyakkudi Ramanujam Iyengar. (Not sure how feminists have taken kindly to the above lyrics all these years!)

An unhurried Sankarabharanam alapana in viLamba kaalam, unlike Ariyakkudi's popular recording. Robust Thodi and Kalyani. Darbar at a faster tempo.

Enjoyable musical 'savaal-jawaab' conversation it was between TMK and RKS. Followed by Pallavi singing and neraval-swarams. No Tanam in between -- a ragamalika RP it was.

TMK then announced to the audience that Arun Prakash (Mrudangam) and Chandrasekara Sharma (Ghatam) would choose a thalam of their own for the Thani. After a minute or two of bantering amongst them, he then said it would be in "Misra Jaathi Triputa Thaalam 2 Kalai". And so it was

'BaarO Krishnayyaa' was next with TMK inviting Krishnayaa in a slightly strident tone. Krishnayya must have rushed in to the venue in response!

A lovely ragamalika slokam "VandE Maataram Ambikaam Bhagavtim" in Hamirkalyani, Nattai, Karaharapriya and Kapi was an aural treat.

"Dhaava vibhO" in Yamuna Kalyani was next -- after TMK checking with the audience if he could continue to sing

"What music does to me is what I sing. I am not singing a 'concert'. Neither am I singing to please myself nor anyone else. I am not 'innovating' something either - it's one of the most abused words in contemporary times.

Neither am I creating a new structure -- rather I am questioning the 'existing structure' and what's damaged inside. What has not been looked into closely and critically examined all these years."

Is how he summarized his recent 'musical efforts' (well, how else would you call them?) in the customary Q&A section.

Those wanting to delve deep into TMK's musical journey, the wait is not too long -- HarperCollins is releasing his new book on the 'aesthetics of music' on 16-Dec at Kalakshetra. You are welcome to attend the function, buy the book and hop onto his exciting musical journey as his co-pilot

[vs_manjunath]

TMK has the mastery over his music and whatever format he displays, the audience accepts and enjoys his music!

[Rsachi]

I have just solved the puzzle. Why is everybody invoking the SHANKARABHARANAM+TODI+DARBAR+KALYANI Pallavi!?
It stands for India's supremacy in all forms of cricket:
Test Matches = Todi
ODI's = Shankarabharanam
T20's = Darbar
IPL = Kalyani.

And Chatura also means being adept.

In fact I have reason to think Thiru Srinivasan has asked BCCI to use the the 4 raga tune as the signature for the next IPL.

[rshankar]

I have just solved the puzzle. Why is everybody invoking the SHANKARABHARANAM+TODI+DARBAR+KALYANI Pallavi!?
Test Matches = Todi
ODI's = Shankarabharanam
T20's = Darbar
IPL = Kalyani.

Or perhaps Romulus Whitaker has gotten to everyone with his deft (clever?) handling of the reptiles that adorn Sankara?

[kssr]

Finally was the pallavi actually the expected " sankarabharananai.... " or a ragamalika in some other four ragas? Not clear from the review.

[Rajagopalan_V]

Dear kssr,
Yes, the pallavi was the chatur raga "SankaraabharaNanai azhaiththOdi vaadee KalYaaNi, Darbaarukku". Only that TMK had skipped the Tanam part and made it an RP instead of the usual RTP.
Thanks!

[pattamaa]

<quote> What music does to me is what I sing. I am not singing a 'concert'. </quote>

Probably, the reviews of this artist should be go some other thread, since this is not a concert May be, general discussion or music and festivals?

heard that his vani mahal concert yesterday was stopped half way... does anyone have more details?

[rajeshnat]

heard that his vani mahal concert yesterday was stopped half way... does anyone have more details?

One of my friend who attends lots of concerts whom I met at CCA said TMK sang for just 90 mins. My friend is a guy like me who generally is willing to pay even for concerts to attend more concerts . Considering that Vanimahal is a big sabha and also with so many artists having the potential and not having the opportunity TMK wrapping in 90 mins was a big let down. In the papers it was advertised as a free concert that starts at 06:30 pm. May be the next concert he will sing for 3 and half hours .

[sridhar_ranga]

Here is what TMK presented yesterday at Vaani Mahal: (accompanists: Akkarai Subhalakshmi, Manoj Siva, Anirudh Athreya)

1. entaTi Kuluke (J) - Kalyani - had a great swara round
2. RTV in kAnaDA - you read that right, Ragam, Taanam followed by aTa taaLa varnam, Nera Nammitinayya of Poochi Ayyangar.....awesome returns by Subhalakshmi and a sublime tani by the percussion duo in keeping with TMK's meditative mood
3. Dwijaavanti + Chetah Sri BalakrRshnam - in very slow tempo
4. Profuse apology to the audience (I don't think I can sing anymore today, although I have been given time until 9:15...i have great respect for each one of you in the audience, but if I sing anymore today it won't be 'music' or something to that effect.....it was probably 8 PM ) + a hurried Mangalam (Pavamaana + Mangalam Kosalendraya)

It was a great concert while it lasted. Yes, I do look fwd to catching TMK at his next event, really hoping for a grand 4-1/2 hour concert!

[rajeshnat]

4. Profuse apology to the audience (I don't think I can sing anymore today, although I have been given time until 9:15...i have great respect for each one of you in the audience, but if I sing anymore today it won't be 'music' or something to that effect.....it was probably 8 PM ) + a hurried Mangalam (Pavamaana + Mangalam Kosalendraya)

Sridhar,
TMK stated that explicitly. Atleast I am happy he did that. If there was some pressing personal reason which he cannot state in public , it is fine . But if the reason is purely in his own judgement - for sure it is a let down.

[Rajagopalan_V]

Just now on another thread (Vijay Siva @MMU) had mentioned this -- in this MMU "what-music-does-to-him" outing (remember he is not singing a concert ) last week, he was seeking approval from the audience to sing till 09:30 pm and sang to his satisfaction.