Anahita & Apoorva @ Indira Ranganathan Trust (Charsur), Alwarpet on 8th Jan 2019

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krishnan meenakshi
Posts: 10
Joined: 11 Dec 2018, 13:50

Anahita & Apoorva @ Indira Ranganathan Trust (Charsur), Alwarpet on 8th Jan 2019

Post by krishnan meenakshi »

Carnatic Kucheri Review- Rating (7.0/10)


Pakkavadyam:

Vocal: Anahita & Apoorva
Violin: R Rahul
Mrudangam: Mannarkoil Balaji
Khanjira: Sunil Kumar

Audience: No. > 50. Very appreciative audience.

Audio: Bose L1 Array speaker system with Bose Tone matcher- best suited for the small venues, Indira Ranganathan Trust deserves compliments for investing in this.


Sampled Ragas:

1. Dhenuka, Theliyaledu Rama, Thyagaraja- A, K, S
2. Chintamani, Devi Brova, Shyama Shastry- A, K
3. Shankarabharanam, Akshaya Linga, Dikshadar- A, K, N, S


Observation:


* Dhenuka: Just entered when Raga alapana ended (Hope the alapana was sung by Apoorva as she had very little contribution to the concert thereafter). Kriti was rendered in madhyama kalam with regular sangathies. ‘Ga’ of Dhenuka was rendered at instances just like Thodi’s oscillating ‘Ga’, which gave fresh look to the raga. Kalpnaswarams at pallavi laced with catchy poruththams ended with a well-crafted korvai (39+27).

* Chintamani: Though a difficult ragam to explore, the alapana by Anahita came as a surprise and was attempted well. Kriti had few unusual sangathies (eg: SRNS-PDMP). Few more bits of manodharmam and little Bhavam would have taken the composition to its glory, lack of which could be felt. Kriti sounded soft and suiting the environment. Again, Apoorva’s contribution was minimal.

* Shankarabharanam (Main): Anahita’s Alapana was detailed, well-structured and she explored all the swaras (including ‘Ni’- MPDN, MNDN prayogams lent some freshness) with medium paced sancharams. Grahabedam at ‘Ga’ was attempted, but Graha-ragam (I guessed it to be Revati, but it could have been any raga with Thodi Janyam) lakshanam was obscure. Voilinist played an excellent ragam with fast paced sancharams but did not attempt graha bhedam. Kriti ‘Akshayalinga’ was sung on expected lines with Niraval and swaram at ‘Badari Vanamula Naayika Sahita’. Swaram included Kurraippu (Nyaasam at 6 mathrai anagatham with 3 mathrai muthaippu in ‘1+2’ pattern matching ‘Badari’) and a customized korvai (3 kaalam korvai ending with 6-6-6) matching the motif ‘Badari’.


Comments:

Anahita: Performer has been gifted with a good voice spanning two and half octaves, well suited for Carnatic vocal. She could traverse well within the octaves without much difficulty except that she struggled a bit at Thaara sthayi. She may develop her Brigga/gamakka abilities which would help improve her manodharmam and versatility. Singing kanakku in Kutcheri is much welcome, she may sing more of it in future. The concert seemed well rehearsed, some extemporariness would have an enrich listening experience. She handled the singing single handed despite her ill throat.

Apoorva: Unfortunately, couldn’t get an opportunity to listen to her except in swaras. Even her mike seemed adjusted to sound low for unknown reasons. Being one of the main performer, it’s a legitimate expectation that the audience get to hear her voice too. She sang less than what D. Seshachary sings in an usual Hyderabad Brothers concert.

Rahul: He did a good job, supporting the singers and matching their ability, at times surpassing theirs. His bowing was gentle and melodious.

Mannarkoil Balaji: Has good laya sense and played melodious Survalagu patterns. He was playing in-sync with thalam than the song itself. Provided good support to the upcoming performers.

Sunil Kumar: He played well as accompanist. Struggled in Kuraippu and a couple of thani korvais landed off beat. He needs more exposure.

Note: Since, this is a clinical analysis (unlike general reviews seen in newspapers written by Rasikas) of the Kutcheri, the review tends to be mostly critical. Generally speaking, the Kutcheri was worth listening for 2 hours.

sureshvv
Posts: 5523
Joined: 05 Jul 2007, 18:17

Re: Anahita & Apoorva @ Indira Ranganathan Trust (Charsur), Alwarpet on 8th Jan 2019

Post by sureshvv »

krishnan meenakshi wrote: 10 Jan 2019, 13:21 Apoorva: Unfortunately, couldn’t get an opportunity to listen to her except in swaras.
Dhenuka alapana was indeed done by Apoorva and it was exquisite (per viewtopic.php?f=13&t=24530&start=300#p347045). Alas you arrived late. Kriti singing was done by both in one voice. Neraval was handled by both taking turns along with the violinist initially and without towards the end. May be you were busy counting aksharas :D

Sunaadalahari
Posts: 15
Joined: 10 Aug 2015, 19:00

Re: Anahita & Apoorva @ Indira Ranganathan Trust (Charsur), Alwarpet on 8th Jan 2019

Post by Sunaadalahari »

Audio: Bose L1 Array speaker system with Bose Tone matcher- best suited for the small venues, Indira Ranganathan Trust deserves compliments for investing in this.
Thank you. Glad to receive positive feedback on audio systems. We used to outsource the audio system during our initial days. Based on Rasikas feedback, We have invested and upgraded the audio system with Bose L1 speakers to enhance the listening experience.

Thanks!
Sunaadalahari, Musical Wing of Indira Ranganathan Trust
C P Ramasamy Road, Alwarpet.

sureshvv
Posts: 5523
Joined: 05 Jul 2007, 18:17

Re: Anahita & Apoorva @ Indira Ranganathan Trust (Charsur), Alwarpet on 8th Jan 2019

Post by sureshvv »

In addition, they sang

1. Kedaragowla varnam
4. Ranganatha panchakam, ragamalika tuned by Chitravina Ravikiran
6. Anru ivvulagam, Sindhubhairavi, Tiruppavai
7. Paayum oli nee enakku, Ragamalika
8. Mangalam

I also thought Sunil Kumar played the thani really well.

krishnan meenakshi
Posts: 10
Joined: 11 Dec 2018, 13:50

Re: Anahita & Apoorva @ Indira Ranganathan Trust (Charsur), Alwarpet on 8th Jan 2019

Post by krishnan meenakshi »

Dear Suresh, I have mentioned in the review that I entered the venue post Dhenuka alapana. My comments on Apoorva are strictly restricted to the time post dhenuka alapana , which happens to be almost 75% of the total concert duration, where her contribution was minimal. About Sunil Kumar, he committed some errors in the Thani, esp with korvai. Thank you for the feed back. Keep reading and posting.

krishnan meenakshi
Posts: 10
Joined: 11 Dec 2018, 13:50

Re: Anahita & Apoorva @ Indira Ranganathan Trust (Charsur), Alwarpet on 8th Jan 2019

Post by krishnan meenakshi »

Dear Sunaadalahari

Thank you for providing excellent sound acoustics at your venue. I hope this is emulated by other sabhas too.
Thank you for your comments.

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