Suryaprakash, Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall - 2/9/16

[CRama]

The concert of Suryaprakash accompanied by Balu Raghuraman on the Violin, B.Sivaraman on the Mridangam and Venkataramanan on the Ganjira was held in the 4.30 P.M slot as a part of the on going Sadguru Gnanananda Sangeet Sammelan. List of songs.

• Joothamu rare- Arabhi-T (S)
• Kani karambutho Kaavave Bhavani- Bhavani- (R,S) Kalyani Varadarajan
• Enna Punniyam seyteno- Reetigowla- OVK
• Tiruvadi saranam- Kambodi – GKB (R,N,S)
• Tani
• Virutham- Hamirkalyani, Sindubharavi
• Venkatachalanilayam- Sindubhairavi- PD
• Tillana- Sindubharavi- Sreemushnam Raja Rao

The unusual start in Arabhi with joothamu rare was a cracker, lovely swaras followed with percussion getting into zone of excellence right at the beginning was a wonderful pointer to the lovely concert that was to follow. Suryapraksh then chose to showcase the rare raga Bhavani which is a janya of Bhavapriya (panchama varjyam of Bhavapriya) by way of detailed alapana and swaraprastara for Kani karambutho Kaavave Bhavani- an unheard composition of Smt Kalyani Varadarajan- an accomplished composer in her own right. The sombre mood of the raga was conveyed very effectively by the vocalist and the violinist. The raga had a shadow of Subhapanthuvarali and it left me guessing for some time and then I could get the ragam correct. Enna Punniyam was rendered in a leisurely tempo most suitable for the composition.

Kambodi was taken as the main ragam for exploration. Suryaprakash handled it with aplomb traversing on the three octaves with consumable ease. There were many attractive and unusual sancharams in the mandra sthayi. Kambodi is very special to that school. Both his Guru and Paramaguru have captured the minds of rasikas with their power packed and elaborate exploration of this ragam and presented many gems of masterpieces exquisitely and they still linger in the minds of the connoisseurs. Following that lineage, SP presented Tiruvadi saranam with the same grandeur and the elaborate neraval at Aduthu vantha ennai tallalakadu and the following swaras revealed his abundant manodharmam with a sense of aesthetics.

Suryaprakash needs to be appreciated for his hard work. He is not simply resting within the comfort zone of his lineage. He is constantly pushing his boundaries by expanding his repertoire from various sources. Further, his appealing voice, his manodharmam, aesthetic sense and bhava in singing are his assets and he is utilising his assets skilfully to deliver soulful music.

Balu Raghuraman- I have not heard much. I think he is from Bangalore. His alapanas were on the lines of the vocalist and the swara returns revealed his imagination. The percussionists played with understanding. B.Sivaraman embellished the concert with his dexterity, clarity of strokes and timing.

An excellent concert for one and half hours.

[HarishankarK]

I think he has a penchant for Kambodhi and B.Saranga.
Most of his kutcheris feature one of the two.

[Nick H]

Balu Raghuraman- I have not heard much. I think he is from Bangalore. His alapanas were on the lines of the vocalist and the swara returns revealed his imagination.

He is from Bangalore. He has lived in UK for about 20 years, as full-time carnatic violin teacher at London BVB. He will be back here in December.

I always enjoy Suryaprakash's concerts. Twice in a few days, I have had the added bonus of seeing him perform with accompaniment of my friend Balu. This concert was my favourite of the two.

[shankarank]

Balu Raghuraman: He accompanied Sri Nedunuri at Cleveland - forget the year : 2000 - 2003 ? After his replies on Sani tOdi in harikambodhi , Nedunuri appreciated him as a promising artiste.