GAYATHRI GIRISH AT MEENAKSHI COLLEGE- 10/12/16

[CRama]

List of songs.
• Vande Vasudevam - Sree
• Sree Mathrubhootham- Kannada (R,S)
• Nabikettavar evarayya-Hindolam
• Meenalochani Amba –Thodi (R,N,S)
• Guruvayoorappane appan-Reetigowla
• Amma Ravamma-Kalyani (R,S)
• Niraamaye Niranjini-Kunthalvarali-HMB
• Nagumomu- Abheri (R,N,S)
• Tani
• Jo Achutananda-Kapi
• Pachhai ma malai pol meni-Pasuram
• Thillana-Chandrakauns
• Mangalam

Thanks sankark for the on the spot commentary given. Still I am giving this to present a concise review.

About the venue.
People are sceptical about the venue. Because Kodambakkam is famous for films, not for music. But you have to come and experience it. There will be student volunteers who will take you to the hall and see you seated. The hall will be full with a few students, teachers and music rasikas from Kodambakkam, Mahalingapuram, Rangarajapuram, Trustpuram, Ashok Nagar etc. The audience will be patiently listening and nobody will get up before 8.30. No exodus for tani avartanam.

About the concert
It was a superb concert by Gayathri Girish. The concert started at 6.00 P.M and there was no concert to follow. So, it was a three hour concert which is a luxury in the season. The voice of GG was in great form- just like a river of gold. The start with Vande Vasudevam in Sree Ragam was a pointer to a grand fare that was to follow. Without meandering on many small kritis, GG directly launched the first ragam of the day- Kannada for Sree Mathrubhootham. Since there was enough time for the concert, GG presented four alapanas in the concert- Kannada, Thodi, Kalyani and Abheri of which the last three were very elaborate. There were swaras for Sree Mathrubhootham. For Meenalochani Amba, elaborate neraval at Manikya veenadhari malayadhvaja Pandya kumari and cascade of swaras showcased her manodharmam and laya control. For Amma Ravamma, the volley of rapid swaras at Tamarasadala netru Tyagarajuni mitru received thunderous applause. For Nagumomu, neraval at Jagamele Paramatma and the elaborate two kala swaras were largely appreciated.

The accompanists need special appreciation. Raghavender Rao on the violin provided excellent support. His alapanas and swara returns were very lively and appropriate. The percussion team of R.Sankaranarayanan on the Mridangam and Sreesunderkumar on the Ganjira lifted the concert to a higher plane. They played with great anticipation, zeal, involvement and enthusiasm. Each of them very much enjoyed the other and together they took it to great heights. Very rarely you can see such comradeship among the artistes on stage.

Excellent concert for three hours.

[Jigyaasa]

The choice of nagumOmu for the main item was perhaps a tribute to Shri Balamuralikrishna who rendered this elaborately quite often?

[arasi]

I would think so.

Good to hear that she sang guruvAyUrappanE appan--It's the composer's centenary year (2017)...