Brinda Manickavasagam at Arcay Center, 9-8-'16

[sureshvv]

Among the blessings of living in the mecca of Carnatic Music, nothing is more
gratifying than the opportunity to watch young artistes. Over a period of time you
are witness to their evolution, honing their god given talents steadily and conscientiously
until they mature into seasoned vidwans and vidushis.

On rare occasions, you are actually present during this metamorphosis and it is wonderfully exhilarating to see young artistes finally spread their wings and take flight, laying claim to the vast expanse of Sangeetham extending over the horizons of time and space.

That happened to me this week.

Brinda gave a memorable concert as part of the tribute series concerts to her Guru,
Smt. Suguna Varadachary. The details first:

Accompanists
------------------
B. Anantha krishnan
Tanjore Praveen Kumar
Anirudh Athreya (k)

Song list
------------

1. Anname (varnam), Arabhi, Adi, Tiger
2. Paruvam parkka nyayama, danyasi, rupakam, anai aiya [O]
3. Kannada, Sri mathrubhutham, m.chapu, MD, [S]
4. Kalyani, Lambodara Sodhara, Sankeerna Chapu, HKMB, [N]
5. Vandhaalum Varattum, Hindolam, GKB
6. Manasu Vishaya, Nattaikurinji, T, [NS]
7. Nainainthodi vanden, Saptha ragatalamalika, Ponnaiah pillai
8. Kapi Tillana in Lakshmeesam tala, Poochi Iyengar
9. Bhujaga sayino, Mangalam

Observations
------------------

1. A rich satin like voice, scholarly repertoire and an agile manodharma are what make every program of Brinda's stand out. This was no exception.

2. A lilting Arabhi provided a great start and the concert gathered steam after each item and kept the audience engrossed until the mangalam.

3. Nice alapanas preceded Kannada, Kalyani and Nattaikurinji.

4. The artistes on stage gelled as a perfect team eager to lift each other and the overall level of the
concert up.

5. B.Ananthakrishnan has the unique ability to get into the mind and mechanics of the main artiste.
No flourish went without a reply or embellishment.

6. Neraval in Sankeerna Chapu showed off the artiste's manodharmam. As if executing the chitta swaras were not difficult enough, Brinda launched into a commanding neraval.

7. Vandhaalum varattum was presented in Hindolam. I think this same kriti is sung in Balahamsa in some other schools.

8. It is immensely satisfying when you learn some of the facts of life yourself by first hand experience rather than from books or lectures. Today's lesson was the carefully wrapped panchamam in Nattaikurinj.

9. The thani was Praveen Kumar and Anirudh Athreya was energetic and engrossing without being loud or exhibitionist. Witnessed some rare high speed techniques used by Praveen Kumar which stood out from the ordinary.

10. Post thani items lifted the concert up by a couple of notches. A 7 ragatalamalika was presented. Each raga (Todi, Poorvikalyani, Bhairavi, Kalyani, Kambodhi, Mukhari, Varali) was crystal clear. Can't say that about the talas The kriti concluded with the swara section in reverse. It was very well done.

11. A rare kapi tillana in the lakshmeesha tala followed with 7 kriyas (Drtam, Anudrtam, Drtam, 3 Laghus and 1 Guru) and 25 aksharas. Watching both her and her Guru (seated in the 1st side row in the audience) simultaneously keep tala in jet speed was a feast for the soul

If you missed watching this live, you can still watch it at https://youtu.be/moEgLMXLcDo

[Nick H]

It is not that long since I started watching Brinda's concerts. I used to see her supporting her guru, and I watched her expressions --- of being completely lost in the music for long minutes, then exploding in a great smile.

In fact it was sureshvv who I asked about her: does she give concerts? Have you seen her? Is she good? He replied in the affirmative, and the positive. Shortly after, I got a phone call to the effect that she was singing at very minute in a temple not that far away. But I didn't have a car... Or something... Suresh wouldn't hear any such excuses: never mind, just jump in an auto, I have a seat saved for you. I did. And I have been delighted by her singing ever since.

In the time since then, I too have seen her change, as I told her Sunday, from being a gifted magical youngster, to being a senior ---even though she is still very young). She has developed more authority and depth. Importantly, though, in doing so, she has lost none of the magic.

[ram1999]

Many thanks to Sri Vedanth Ramanujam and Sri Arkay Ramakrishnan who record these concerts and make available for everyone to enjoy.

What a fine artist Brinda Manikavasagam is. I have heard quite a few concerts of her. Each one unique and special.

This particular concert was JUST SUPERB - Kalyani, Natakurinji, Arabhi Varnam etc etc. Perfect sruti, beautiful and sweet voice and each kriti selection was a perfect rendition.

Accompanists did a great job too.

Overall a very very enjoyable concert.

[rajeshnat]

6. Manasu Vishaya, Nattaikurinji, T, [NS]

Suresh
6. Manasu Vishaya, Nattaikurinji, T, [ RNST]

7. Nainainthodi vanden, Saptha ragatalamalika, Ponnaiah pillai
......
Post thani items lifted the concert up by a couple of notches. A 7 ragatalamalika was presented. Each raga (Todi, Poorvikalyani, Bhairavi, Kalyani, Kambodhi, Mukhari, Varali) was crystal clear. Can't say that about the talas The kriti concluded with the swara section in reverse. It was very well done.

Years ago i wrote a review of suguna varadachari and mannarkoil balaji has given his comments on the tala maliga . It is suladi ragatala maliga . If the talas were crystal clear it means she has goofed up . Check this review http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3136

Vedanth ramanujam and Arkay ramakrishnan are conducting this sishya parampara series and doing a great service. THey did on PSN last time and if my memory is right suguna varadachari is the second in series in the last one or two years. Thank you suresh for your lovely review

[hnbhagavan]

I read some where that apart from December season concerts are rare in Chennai-mecca of music.This is amusing read as one can see Madhuradwani,Parampara at Arkay Convention hall is almost round the year happening.Add to this Parivadini series - Bharat sangeet utsav .
The encouragement for young and upcoming artists is plenty in Chennai compared to Bangalore.Alhough Karnataka Fine Arts Council,bangalore Gayana samaja,SRLK,Nadasurabhi do have slots for upcoming artists,the scale is no where near what is done at Chennai.
Kudos to Arkay ramakrishnan for organising young as well as established musicians concerts.The recent Arangetrams of students of Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi and Mridangam Balaji students were held at the hall.

[rajeshnat]

I read some where that apart from December season concerts are rare in Chennai-mecca of music.This is amusing read as one can see Madhuradwani,Parampara at Arkay Convention hall is almost round the year happening.Add to this Parivadini series - Bharat sangeet utsav .
The encouragement for young and upcoming artists is plenty in Chennai compared to Bangalore.Alhough Karnataka Fine Arts Council,bangalore Gayana samaja,SRLK,Nadasurabhi do have slots for upcoming artists,the scale is no where near what is done at Chennai.
.

HNBhagavan,
I am the main guy who has historically written about this fact .Discounting the dec season, chennai has less than bangalore . Presently the two major wireless carnatic signal hotspots are arkay convention hall and ragasudha hall. Thanks to Arkay Ramakrishnan (the virat kohil ) and jayalakshmi balakrishnan(the mahendra singh dhoni). But as such all sabhas throng only these two halls . We have to count halls and not sabhas. SKGS has just started with gokulastami now which is always there and the artery has some thematic concerts.

We need it to go the days of 2004 to 2010 where there is NGS Mini and /or PS High School and/or skgs and/or sastri hall was also having concerts on the same days as ragasudha. That has not happened. Presently in parallel sureshvv, crama and rajesh are writing at the same time it gives an edge that chennai is leading . IN bangalore always kpjayan writes, but he puts it only his blog and new recent avatara purushan Badari is also brilliantly contributing with you, Vvc, Kssr and Sachi also contributing.

[Nick H]

I read some where that apart from December season concerts are rare in Chennai-mecca of music.

If we reclassify "December" as June to April...

Kudos to Arkay ramakrishnan for organising young as well as established musicians concerts.The recent Arangetrams of students of Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi and Mridangam Balaji students were held at the hall.

There was even a concert by a young veena player from London yesterday. Sadly, hardly any locals, apart from guru and friends, attended.

[Nick H]

Within three days, Brinda astounds again! (KGS, 12/08/16)

And it was not more of the same, but demonstrating the breadth and depth of her music.

Rajeshnat and sureshvv were there. Hope they post the details.