G.RAVIKIRAN AT MA MINI HALL- 11/6

[CRama]

G. Ravikiran is a disciple of R.K.Srikantan and T.M.Krishna based in Bangalore. He is getting popular in concert circuit and his reviews have appeared in this forum also. He inherits a great lineage and it reflects in his music also. He has great passion about the compositions of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar. He has also started a trust Guruguhaamrta dedicated to the propagation of Dikshitar kritis of which some programmes I have seen in you tube. Now Chennai is dry in weather as well as in Music except a few concerts in Ragasudha Hall and a few sporadically here and there. Having deprived of good music concerts for quite some time, I decided to attend this concert and my decision was good. It was Mysore Vasudevachar Memorial concert and the concert was exclusively his compositions. The accompanying artistes - a young violinist –Vijay on the Violin and Sai Giridhar on the Mridangam. The song list.

Behag Varnam
Sree Chamundeswari paalayamam- Bilahari (O)
Devi Ramae Maamavaabdi tanaye- Vasantha- Adi (R, N, S)
Naachey vidavagura Naameeda dayayumsura – Natakurinji- Misrachapu (R)
Palukavademira- DEvamanohari-
Abhimaanamuto Nannu brovaraada-Shanmugapriya (R, N, S)
Thani
Ne pilachite Raavademira O Praananadha- Javali-Khamas-
Gokulanilaya- Abheri
Ravikiran’s voice has a good range and his akara suddham is commendable. He presented many rarely heard compositions of Vasudevachar - not the oft repeated Brocheva or Raa Raa Rajiva lochana. Special appreciation to him for this selection. This Behag varnam is a new one- not the one popularised by TRS. The gold standard for Sree Chamundeswari in Bilhari is that by KVN and RK followed the same. The song was devoid of swarams though. The alapanas of Vasantha, Natakurinji and Shanmugapriya were excellent- bringing out the raga swaroopam very clearly- showing the thick and thin shades vividly with the right blend of kampita and jaru prayogams. I have heard Devi Ramaey and Nachey earlier, but the songs in Shanmugapriya and the javali in Khamas were new to me. The neraval at Raagaadheesa for Devi Ramaey was inspiring and the swaras had some interesting combinations. The song followed the pattern of MD in that it had Madhyamakala sahithyam in the charanam. The alapana of Natakurinji was on the time tested sancharas and the song was presented in the most appropriate kalapramanam with the right quotient of visranthi. The song in Shanmugapriya perfectly fitted the bill for the main song . The elaborate neraval in Karimoralida neevu karunatho brovaleda was handled with great sensitivity. The javali in Khamas had a very attractive varnamettu and I have always loved TMK’s rendition of Gokulanilaya and it was a pleasure listening to the same by his disciple. The concert maintained good proportion in the space allocated for ragam, neraval and swarams.

The violin returns largely complemented the vocal rendition . Vijaya’s alapanas, swara and neraval returns were pleasing and revealed his manodharmam. I have always enjoyed Sai Giridhar ‘s percussion and he was a good support in this concert as well. He played with good level of anticipation. His follow up for neraval and filling of gaps were very attractive. There was good sync between the artists on the stage.
It was working day evening. The MA Mini Hall was 75% full. An excellent concert for two hours.

[ganeshkant]

Ravikiran sang well.I heard him a few months ago in a prog.called shrutilayam in amirta TV that appears 7 a.m on mon-fri.a nice prog.they bring in artists from all southern states.He sang very well in that prog.

Ravikiran's lakshaNa part of music is good and I like his attitude.if he works and improves his lakshiyA part his music will shine better.nAttakurinji succeeding vasantA is not such a welcome choice IMO.
But overall the presentation was satisfactory.

[HarishankarK]

He is coming to Sydney this last week for a concert.
So i listened to his Ananya concert on Dikshitar's pancalinga kritis. I was very satisfied with his presentation. Kalapramanam for every song was excellent. He is a good musician and am looking fwd to listen to him live. Happily no gimmicks in his style

[arasi]

Yes, I have heard him, though not recently, and he is good. His work must be keeping him busy too (isn't he a techie?). With so many young singers who perform these days, and with work, I don't know how many concerts he sings. Of course, we see him play the tambura for TMK at times, especially when his guru sings in Bengaluru.

There is a very nice video on Youtube where on the housewarming day at his new residence, his guru and him sing together!

[pperumal]

Looks like I missed a couple of forum mates at this concert.
I was there at this concert of Sri G Ravi Kiran's - a neat job where he presented so many pieces that I had not heard in any concert (I could be wrong).
I do know that he has moved to Chennai couple of years ago and is active on the concert circuits. (he shared his visiting card with me)
My extended family in Kerala gets to hear him pretty regularly.
Did get to speak with him after this concert and he said he is travelling to Australia (and on the way to Singapore as well) come July.

I personally like this artist because of his sincere and no-fuss approach to music - no gimmicks, no fan fare and no contrived "attitudes" that I unfortunately am not too fond of personally.

Wish him the very best.

- PP.