TM Krishna - Ashwin Anand - Arun Prakash - Saturday April 9th - Hamsadhwani -

[gardabha_gana]

Vid. TM Krishna
Vid. Ashwin Anand (Veena)
Vid. Arun Prakash (Mridangam)

Date: 9th April. Saturday
Time: 6:15 PM
Venue: Youth Hostel, 2nd Avenue, Indiranagar, Chennai - 20

[Rsachi]

When I heard about this, I was very happy for all the artistes. I hope they work well together to create some memorable music.

I had some time back suggested a similar combo to perform in Bangalore and hope it happens soon

[Nick H]

Oh! I didn't read the announcement properly. I had not realised that Ashwin Anand was playing. I may have to change my plans for the evening.

(and fill the purse: Hamadhwani is getting a bit too expensive, I suspect that most of the people I see at concerts there are probably life members).

There was an Aswin-Anand/V-Sumithra combo arranged for last December. It was cancelled due to the weather, but I was told that the organisers hoped to hold it in April, which it now is. I do hope that happens

[gmohan]

Surprise surprise!! Starts with varnam!

[rshankar]

Sri TMK with Sri Ashwin on the vINa should sound wonderful- may even be like the times we've heard from people in generations past, when Smt. MSS was accompanied by her mother...

Really looking forward to the reviews of this concert.

[Nick H]

I can only give you my subjective reaction.

At first, I was a little uncomfortable with the sound levels. TMK was right, the mridangam was too loud and the veena was too quiet. This, along with the different nature of the veena accompaniment, with the obvious lack of long continuous notes, gave a disjointed feeling. I reflected that people always blame the mridangist, and how unfair this would be on Arunprakash, who never plays too loud!

Either my ears did the necessary internal EQ, or the soundman began to get it right, and things settled down to what I found to be an involving and magical experience. I'm sure someone will post a song list. I'm sure there were songs... but the TMK experience was one of a continuum, even though I seem to recall short breaks during which we applauded. Ashwin and Arunprakash added to this effect. The thani was so continuumous (!) that it took me a while to realise that it was the thani.

Excellent concert. Magic experience.

[Rsachi]

I request Semmu86 or someone who attended to review the concert. I have great respect for TMK the musician, and know Ashwin Anand and Arun Prakash to be consummate artistes. So the effect, as Nick aays, ouvht ti be magical. Details please.....

[Nick H]

I didn't recognise any members there, but it was a large crowd, and I don't even know all the Chennai rasikas.prg members, so maybe.

I too hope to read a review from someone knowledgeable!

[gardabha_gana]

1. Viriboni - Varnam - Bhairavi (R, N, S)
2. Shringaram - Viruttam - Kalyani (Sketch)
3. Birana Brova - Kalyani (N, S)
4. Tanam - Thodi,Begada, Saveri, Bilari, Nattai, Gaula, Arabhi, Varali, Shri
5. Vadanine - Kapi (Sketch, S)
6. Sri Dakshinamurthe - Shankarabharanam (R, N, S, T)
7. Mokshamu - Saramati (R)
8. Nenjukku - Sindubhairavi (R)
9. Bhujagashayino - YadukulaKambodhi

[Rsachi]

GG,
1. Any recording esp video?
2. Any solo sections for the veena?

[Sivaramakrishnan]

What was the Sruti (pitch) chosen?
If less than 2 kattai, veena may not be bright.

[prashant]

Sruti chosen was 1.5 kaTTai.

[Rsachi]

Happy to convey the sentiments of someone who heard the music:
Full marks to TM Krishna for having pulled off a great experiment. The format was unorthodox TMK since it began with a varnam and ended with mangalam with all the manodharma bang in the middle or core segments of a concert.
TMK has a majestic tempo and a massive musical edifice in mind always. These came out well. His go-to man Arun Prakash embellished the concert with solid musicality with gumki, modulation and delectable stroke-play like Vishwanath's wrist work, touch timing and masterly cover drive. Kudos to him.
Ashwin came up trumps every moment. Unflustered by a low low MDR like shruti, a tempo that stretches the imagination, and a truly unrehearsed presentation, Ashwin rose to the occasion and came up with salubrious sequences of melody that stole my mind and heart for its true veena-gaana-priyatara "saMgItaM".
Bhairavi, Kalyani, Sankarabharana, Kapi- pure gems.
TMK forte=Tanam, Dakshinamurte, Sringaram...

Hope this combo performs a lot. Maybe with better volume and mix management to bring out every nuance, stroke, and pluck. After all this winsome threesome deserve it eminently. What a feast it was!

[Nick H]

Happy to convey the sentiments of someone who heard the music:
... ... ...

My complements to the author whose words you have passed on. Splendidly put and absolutely correct. I wish I could have written like that!