SHASHANK AT BHARAT KALACHAR- 17/1/16

[CRama]

Flute Maestro Shashank presented an outstanding concert for Bharat Kalachar at 4. P.M. slot accompanied by Akkarai Subbalakshmi on the Violin and Patri Satish Kumar on the Mridangam.

List of songs.
• Varnam- Hamsadhwani
• Sogasuga-Sreeranjini- T (R,S)
• Sree Kantha neeyeda- Bhavapriya- T (R,S)
• Idi samayamura inakulatilaka-Chayanata- T
• RTP-Mohanam – Adi 2 kalai
Pallavi- Devi Brova samayamide Athi vegame vachi
• Thani
• Tharunee jnaan enthu cheyvoo- Dwijavanthi- ST
• Bhogeendra sayinam – Kunthalavarali- ST
• Thillana- Dhanasree- ST
• Mangalam

The extended season in some of the sabhas is a boon for me. Shashank is one artist I will not miss in any year. And he has never disappointed me. He has only given goose bumps many a time. His original contribution is the technique of playing two octaves simultaneously which is quite enchanting. The level of his music is always quite high and quite often the peaks and spikes of creativity are incredible in terms of the technical virtuosity, the quality of the sound produced and the music in total.

The concert had a spright start with the varnam followed by a brief alapana of Sreeranjini for Sogasuga mridanga talamu . The two kala swaras that followed were a veritable treat. Swaras were played at three places - Soga suga, Mridanga and talamu. Amazing phrases with complex laya intricacies, korvais at all the three places. Simply superb. Next came Bhavapriya. A very rarely heard elaborate Bhavapriya with clear identity from the start itself. It took 10 minutes and the Thyagraja’s kriti was played with dexterity. Here also the swaras were electric with lot of kanakku oriented phrases. The entire song took 25 minutes.

After a brief filler, he took up Mohanam for a very detailed presentation lasting about 15 minutes. At the start, he told that after the alapana, you tell me whether you want a pallavi or a kriti. Thank God. He himself chose wisely the RTP, for his brilliance followed in the same vein as the alapana and he gave a spectacular RTP in Adi talam 2 kalai. The swara prastaras were elaborate with sumptuous rhythm based avartanams and attractive koraippu culminating in a towering korvai. In the RM segment, Kapi and another HM ragam which I could not identify were played with elan.

It was delightful to watch his judicious handling of flutes of varying length- from 2 feet to 3 feet plus. for various octaves to bring out the best of music- many times meditative, some times electric through the process of his unique dual octave blowing technique. The three feet bass flute playing was very meditative and blissful. I have never seen such a long flute. His alapanas had all necessary ingredients in right proportion, meditative phrases, brighas, jarus, Janta, flashy sangathis, long phrases and the result is high quality music soaked in melody and rich in content. No wonder he has a diverse appeal that encompasses beyond the prescribed tropics of mainstream CM. There were many westerners also in the audience who cheered at every deserving moment.

Akkarai Subbalakshmi is a perfect match for Shashank in terms of melody, virtuosity and manodharmam. Her alapanas and swara returns received continued applause. Patri Satish Kumar played with good anticipation and understanding and all the artistes on the stage complemented very well. Patri ‘s energetic playing embellished the concert significantly. Thani was short though because of time constraints.
A delightful concert from Shashank and his team for two hours plus.

[Rsachi]

[arasi]

CRama
A perfect review which reflects the quality of the concert. Shashank engages us in that meditative mood though his playing is also full of fireworks. An admirable artiste.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Perhaps Shashank is the only flautist to have explored the fullest potential of the instrument.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Another Raaga Shashank has literally glorified is Aabheri.