Vid. Ramakrishnan Murthy. 18/4/2016, Coimbatore Binni Subba Rao Ramanavami series

[sowmyamohan2005]

Vid. Ramakrishnan Murthy- vocal
Shri. Sandeep Ramachandran - violin
Shri. J Vaidyanathan mridangam
Shri. BS Purushottam kanjira

Occasion: Rama navami series

1. amba kamakshi- Bhairavi swarajati
2. hari kamboji Chani todi tave, Raga outline, swara
3. balakrishnan paada malar- Dhanyasi
4. sri manini manohara- Poorna Shadjam (?)
5. parama pavana rama- Poorvi kalyani- Main Raaga
6. enneramum unthan sannithi- devagandhari
7. Virutham: vaidehi sahotham- varali, madhyepushpaka- sahana, agre vachayathi-darbari kanada and
kamas, traversing to brochevarevarura
8. ramanai tharuvai- sindhubhairavi
9. a bhadrachala ramdas kriti
10. Ragamalika by purandara vittala
11. Ramachandra managalam

An overflowing ocean of Sowkhyam and bliss pervaded the concert. Right from the Kamakshi swarajathi, through dhanyasi, and the virutham, I was admiring Shri Ramakrishnan Murthy's total dedication, knowledge and sheer brilliance in execution. Be it in his choice of selection of kritis, the rendering of the virutham that was completely sowkhyam-laden, he just swept the audience. His voice has a kind of 'kara kara' or sometimes the 'throat clearing' effect that actually adds to his voice quality. I remember he had said in an interview that many have told him that there is a strain in his voice, but he did not feel so. The same was felt throughout the concert as well. All in all, it left me definitely wanting for more after a wonderful 2 1/2 hours concert.

PS: This is my first review in rasikas.org, though I have been a silent reader over the years. Kindly excuse if there are any flaws/mistakes in the review.

[rajeshnat]

sowmyamohan2005
Great start with your first review. I am assuming you are residing in coimbatore , do write every concert that you attend.Also remove honorifics in title (like vid)when you search it will be difficult. Keep them coming sowmyamohan

[HarishankarK]

Thanks for the review sowmyamohan2005. Concise write-up.
For the Purandaradasa ragamalika composition my guess would be Ninyako Ranga and Rama Jogi (Kamas) for Ramadas krithi.
I have noted this Kara Kara aspect but to me it's a bit irritating when that happens while he is singing. And I don't think it was there in his concerts a few years back when I heard him first. Hope he is limiting concerts and taking care of his voice too. He is blessed with a weighty classical and melodious voice is singing is marvellous and full of sowkhyam, no doubt.

[sowmyamohan2005]

@rajeshnat
I stay in Bangalore but came here for 10 days and was lucky to listen to him yesterday. Missing Bangalore's Rama navami series though! The concert pandal was a lovely atmosphere however the audience were a handful. Yesterday was Trichur brothers and was jam packed I was told. However, that did not stop him from delivering a superb concert.

@harishankar
Yes the throat issue is what I am scared of too. All said, I believe he knows best about his voice so just wishing the sowkhyam continues....

[arvenky]

Thanks for the review. I just missed being in Bangalore for this week

[sraja]

I too attended this concert which was very good. As others have said his voice definitely shows strain especially in the beginning stages of the concert. Seems to settle better as the concert progresses.. As an ardent admirer of Ramakrishnan Murthy's very traditional and classical music I sincerely hope he addresses it.

For me however JV was the star of the evening. His nadam, anticipation, crisp tani with BSP, were simply amazing.

[sowmyamohan2005]

@sraja sir, we were sitting right behind you I guess