Amrutha Venkatesh for Parthasarathy Swamy Sabha 22-12-'16

[sureshvv]

Accompanists
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M. Rajeev
Vijay Natesan
Anirudh Athreya

Song List
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1. Varnam (Omkara pranava), Shanmugapriya, adi, MBMK
2. Viruttam, Thillayai kanda podhe
3. Natanamadinaar aiyan Natanamadinaar, Mayamalavagowla, Rupaka, GKB
s @ pani madi senjadayada
4. Chandrajyothi, Sasivadana
5. Paramapurusham, lalitha panchamam
6. Nattaikurinji, Jagadeesa sada mamava pavana, adi, ns @ khaga vahana shoka vibhanjana

Observations
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1. The "Howard Roarke" of Carnatic Music, Amrutha Venkatesh is blazing her own path and taking the interested rasika along for the ride.

[bharathi]

It was indeed a beautiful concert.
A fantastic rendering of the varnam.
A delightful and elaborate nattaikurinji, followed by my favourite song.
I think there was a tillana by TVG in the end.. done in her inimitable style.
Awesome Amrutha!!

[sureshvv]

Particularly liked the mayamalavagowla song which I had never heard before & the rocking 2nd speed neraval for the pani madhi senjadayaada

[Rsachi]

Wikipedia:
The Fountainhead's protagonist, Howard Roark, is an individualistic young architect who refuses to compromise his artistic and personal vision for worldly recognition and success. The book follows his battle to practice modern architecture, which he believes to be superior, despite an establishment centered on tradition-worship. How others in the novel relate to Roark demonstrates Rand's various archetypes of human character, all of which are variants between Roark, the author's ideal man of independence and integrity, and what she described as the "second-handers". Roark embodies what Rand believed to be the ideal man, and his struggle reflects Rand's personal belief that individualism trumps collectivism.

I feel Amrutha is special because:
1. She has "learnt" under several masters, my stress being on learning, for over 20 years, intensely.
2. She stands "tall" (pun intended ) among youngsters by her free-spirited exploration of music in terms of ragas, compositions, languages, moods, and level of "rakti", in a non-imitative way
3. She has drawn into her music the best elements of instrumental gamakas, voice modulation, clarity and composure in delivery, from a whole gamut of masters.
4. She exudes a cheerful demeanour shorn of populism.
5. Someone told me that among sabha organisers, her fan club has been changing over the past 10 years. But one thing is for sure. Rasikas will always be attracted to her music!

[jodha]

Anther wonder about AV is that her music presentation is rich and strong in spite of her (current)tutelage under Rama Varma.

[sureshvv]

I think what her Guru has given her is primarily the sense to appreciate the finer points of music in general.

The Howard Roark analogy seemed apt because she has chosen a path that has costed her quite a bit of support from friendly sabhas but it seems she is heeding to a larger call.

[sureshvv]

There was some mike problem in the beginning of the concert & after the varnam some front benchers were complaining about the percussion being too loud but the sound man was not to be found. Amrutha joked that she will sing a viruttam until the sound man could be found.

When they found him, she requested him to stick around for a few minutes to make sure settings are okay.

The team had great rapport & were appreciating each other all thru the concert.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Must have been a wonderful concert!
Am sad to have missed it!