Warren Road Ganesha Temple, Chennai.
08:15 to 10:30 PM
Dr. M Narmadha –violin
Sri. Sumesh Narayanan - Mridangam
Sri. Madippakam Murali - Ghatam
As part of the Vinayaka Chaturthi concert series at the Warren Road Ganesha Temple, Dr. M Narmadha presented a Violin solo concert on 24th August..
The concert started with the rendition of the Darbar Varnam in 2 speeds in Parur single string style, popularized by Shri MSG. This was followed with “Gana Nayakam’ in Poorna Shadjam.
Jagadandakaraka , the popular Pancharatna kriti, composed of 108 attributes of Lord Rama, was presented in all its majestic grandeur, and the Charanams were quite a treat.
A scintillating ’ Simmendramadhyamam’ raga elaboration, followed by ‘Asainthadum Mayilondru’ by Oothukadu Venkita Kavi was the master piece of the concert, which carried the Parur-MSG bani signature all over. The melodic presentation of the song was further enriched by power packed gamakas and fast phrases, which showcased Dr.Narmadha's mastery over the instrument, music and the abundant imagination.
Main song of the concert was the ever popular ‘Nagumo’ (Tyagaraja) in Abheri, presented with a short Taanam. This beautiful raga flowered progressively, seemingly simple, raga exploration had incorporated in it some unique gamakas .The crisp Tanam gave a glimpse of the beauty and left the rasikas longing for more. Song rendition had many unique ‘sangathi’s specially developed and practiced by Sri Parur Sundaram Iyer, the violin wizard, making it a unique experience for this popular kriti.
Sri. Sumesh and Sri. Madippakkam Murali played a well coordinated thani avarthanam.
‘Theliyaleru Rama’ , with its soft and subtle presentation that brought out the bhava in full ,would’ve made even an atheist experience ‘bhakti’,
A Sivaranjini bhajan prefaced with a short alapana, quickly made lasting impressions..
Maand, rendered in both ‘formal’ and folk formats, with ‘Baro Krishnayya’ and a folk Kaavadicindu in praise of Lord Muruga had a brief raga alapana. Dr. Narmadha pointed out that all music had its origin from folk music and that Maand is a popular folk based raga common to Karnataka, Hindustani and folk music.
Among other kritis were Raghuvamsasudha (Kadanakutuhalam) in racy tempo and Sindhubhairavi Taraana.
The concert timing (08:15 to 10:30 PM) was a welcome change, as it provided a quiet surrounding to the serene atmosphere of the divine temple. It was good to see that the sizeable good crowd sat through enjoying the entire concert .
The concert was as fresh and soothing as the rain that showered that night, with the lilting melodies still flowing...
Best regards
biju