Rithvik Raja - Vocal
R.K. Shriramkumar - Violin
N. Manoj Siva - Mridangam
B.S. Purushothaman - Ganjira
01 Shlokam - Om Namah Pranavarthaya
02 Ramabana - Saveri - Adi (RNS)
03 Mamava Raghuvira - Mahuri - Mishra Chapu
04 Pahisri Girirajasuthe - Anandabhairavi - Rupakam (R)
05 Ille Vaikunta - Varali - Kanda Chapu (NS)
06 Ragam Thanam Pallavi - Ragamalika (Shankarabharanam, Thodi, Kalyani, Durbar)
(Shankarabharananai Azhaithodi Vadi Kalyani Durbarukku)
08 Thillana - Poornachandrika - Adi
Observations:
One of the best concerts of the season so far. Every moment of the concert stood out soaked in melody and Bhava. Rithvik's voice was in top form and he sang beautifully. Such a scintillating concert. RKSK was a shadow throughout and the percussion team were non-obtrusive and sensitive. Such a well planned and musically rich concert. No extended noisy high decibel passages. Only Sowkhyam and Naadham. Flawless.
Highlights:
Ramabana, Anandabhairavi Ragam, Ille Vaikunta, and the whole RTP
Positives:
Such a heavy Keerthana in Saveri seemed like an unusual start but worked well. The Neraval and Kalpanaswarams were built intelligently and had a lovely little crescendo without any drama and struck a chord with the audience who showered applause. Will be interesting to see how other big songs work as beginning pieces.
Rithvik began the Anandabhairavi Ragam with Sa Pa Sa and I thought to myself Pahishri. The Ragam was lilting and built slowly with a variety of Gamaka Sangathis and was replete with emotion. The song was indeed what I hoped. RKSK added his own flavour and enhanced the mood.
Ille Vaikunta was like a little fire cracker that provided some pep. The Neraval was emotive on "Para Vasudevane Ranganayakanendu" with long pauses and glides followed by quick 1 Avarthanam Kalpanaswarams which were sharp and well executed.
The main item which was the Ragam Thanam Pallavi was such a revelation. The entire Ragam was built normally from beginning in a step by step manner and finished while alternating between Rithvik and RKSK. But the genius was that the entire Ragam was presented as a whole with these 4 Ragams being alternated and changed for each phrase one after the other. The continuity was mind-blowing and the audience were spellbound. Everything else that came after that was pure bliss. It was all weaved in magically. There was a huge applause after the last Kalpanaswaram and the entire RTP. A divine music treat to say the least.
Negatives:
My only negative would be the new renovated MFAC A/C Hall that has robbed it of its old world charm and aesthetics. The audience side was dark and stuffy. The acoustics however has improved by leaps and bounds.
Thoughts:
Rithvik is blossoming well into a fine musician with an original approach and I truly hope he keeps pursuing the path of musical bliss that emerges in his singing.
I like morning concerts better during the season as it has a sense of calm. There was a very healthy audience of over 100 who arrived on time and stayed till the end. Why people do not have this patience and etiquette for the evening programs is beyond me.
RKSK, Manoj Siva and Purushothaman were such perfect artists for this concert and heightened the music of Rithvik and inspired him to give one of the most memorable performances. Kudos to them. Many musicians were there in the audience including Ramakrishnan Murthy, Arunprakash, G Ravikiran and one of the sisters (Arathi Archana)
After listening to such a good concert I was wondering if other frontline performers have been as successful as TMK and Sanjay in producing so many top class students who are making it to the top? (TMK - Rithvik, Ravikiran, Vignesh and Sanjay - Sandeep, Prasanna, Swarna Rethas)
On a side note I got a message asking me to try and add composers as well. Does it make that big a difference? Just trying to understand better.
Rithvik seems to be on a roll and I look forward to his SPSS Concert on 28 Dec with HNB, JV and Guru Prasad
- SK72