Even if I were Harimau, even with a few what he calls 'tup tups' (which were not there), I can't in the world imagine what he finds wanting in a concert of Sanjay. Knowing his stringent standards in good CM, it escapes me. As we read the above reviews, it only reassures me that a thalaivar we have, in vidvat, imagination, diligence and hard work. A practicing professional in the fullest sense.
The Swati varNam simply rocked (again, how many have taken up something which most of us weren't even aware of, a mega piece). Prince Ramavarma was there, relishing it as much as we did. It was a kalyANi sung with all the respect it commanded.
Just varNam, and already it was a filling fare.
KannaDa charmed, as always. tODi, I have no words to describe its quality (please, spare me the expression 'nAdasvaram piDIs'). It was like listening to a nAdasvaram (not in its imitative sounds) but in its grandeur and depth. Yes, depth is the word and the very thing we sometimes take for granted with Sanjay who shines in it.
Ragams simply cascaded out of Sanjay, and neraval and svarams.
That vanaspathi was butter unto bAla krishnA! The first few strains made me think of gAnamUrthi too, but pariyAchakamA? came to mind. And the svarams! muzhangai vazhivAra? (tiruppAvai, ghee dripping down one's elbow with sakkare pongalu
kEdaragowLa was an essay in all its appealing aspects. No getting carried away with gimmicks or far out flights. Its beauty was contained, and yet was as fresh as you could imagine.
To sum up, the concert had every ingredient you expect and hope for in a concert. Content, concentration, creative mode which didn't flag, a judicious combination of rAgAs and compositions.
My only regret: not even one vitutham
Thalaivar (leader)'s tAnam and viruthams are most looked forward to by many.
Nagaraj's expertise cannot be questioned, and I had not heard him in a while as a violinist in a vocal concert (the brothers are busy playing duets and fusion these days). He was his sparkling self, but I have to admit, I went back a decade or more ago, when his violin had honey sounds, making a concert that much more special. The bhAvam part of it naturally is a bit less now, because of all the speedy playing which his present day concerts demand. Still, a masterly player.
I liked the mridangam sound, like Rajashekar's morsing, but really missed a khanjari or ghatam in the concert. Yes, I did. Rajashekhar would have been a welcome addition, but the morsing alone didn't wing it for me. How much more the concert would have appealed to us, I thought with either. On the other hand, just Venkatesh's mridangam would have been sufficient for me, my not missing a khanjari or ghatam.
Thanks to Sanjay for making my (farewell?) concert a treat, before I head back home...
Badari, missed you again, and Chellappa and your wife too