INJIKUDI SUBRAMANIAM FOR MUDHRA- 12/12

[CRama]

Accompanists- H.N.Bhaskar- Violin
Melakkaveri Balaji- Mridangam
Tripunithura Radhakrishnan- Ghatam

Definitely Thavil is the companion for Nagaswaram. But nowadays, for many reasons, Violin, Mridangam Ghatam join with Nagaswaram. Injikudi and his team ensured that our enjoyment is not hampered in this new combination.

List of songs.
Raghunayaka-Hamsadhwani-T (R,S)
Maramanan-Hindolam-PS (S)
Mariveredik evaro-Lathangi-PSI(R,S)
Rakshabettare-Bhairavi-T(R,S)
Thani
Nandanandana-Bhajan- Subhapanthuvarali

I was waiting for long to hear Injikudi. Hence when this ad came I was much delighted. After listening the concert, I was in cloud 9. This concert is one of the excellent concerts of Injikudi- especially for me because of the selection of songs- all traditional ragas and his excellent blowing. Three ragas –no four ragas- Hamsadhwani, Lathangi, Bhairavi and Subhapanthuvarali all very elaborate and awe inspiring. Normally Injikudi will elaborate one Hindustani ragam in all concerts. SPVarali was elaborated for 15 minutes- mostly Bismillah kHan pidis. The accompanists played exceedingly well. My enjoyment doubled because I was sitting with Ganeshkant. I saw Nageswaran and his family a much devoted rasika of Injikudi. In fact, Nageswaran sir introduced Injikudi to me.

Mudhra will webcast in paalam. Don’t miss it.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Thanks CRama for the brief review.
I couldn't attend due to some other commitments. Seems I have missed a grand recital.

Again it is a personal preference that I appreciate Nagaswaram with Tavil accompaniment because:
1. The Nagaswara vidwan can play the instrument with 'full force' to produce the required effect. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer hasd been repeatedly stressing the importance of playing the vadyam in muzhu moochu. "vaadyatthai chitthu chutthi vaasikkanum" I heard him say during a commemorative function of Thiruvengadu subramania pillai in Chennai years back. Only Tavil can withstand the impact.

2. The Tavil chollkattus are unique and can be amply enjoyed in nagaswara recitals only. Even the short phrases they play during raga aalaapanas and between the stanzas of kritis are highly 'Tavil friendly'! And only tavil can provide a much needed occasional 'breathing time' for the Vidwan.

May be the violin-mridanga accompaniment gives a different 'feel' but let it not become a routine combo for Nagaswara in Sabhas.

[arasi]

Agreed! And tavil without amplification...

[ganeshkant]

The joy of listening doubles when you have a nice company.It was a classically rich concert and at the end of the concert I went and told the group that it was more like a jugal bandhi of nAgaswaram and violin.the rapport between the 2 artists was excellent and hence the delivery was at its best and CR has already written the rest.