Accompanists- B.U. Ganesh Prasad- Violin
Patri Satish Kumar- Mridangam
S. Karthik- Ghatam.
List of songs.
• Viriboni- Bhairavi- Ata tala Varnam
• Vathapi Ganapathim Bhaje- Hamsadhwani- MD (R,S)
• Agastheeswram Aradhayeham- Lalitha- MD (R)
• Lakshanamugala- Sudhasaveri- T
• Sadhujanavinutam Guruguham- Latangi- MD (R,S)
• Girirajasuta- Bangala- T
• Sree Rajagopala- Saveri- MD (R,S)
• Tani
• Bhaja Govindam- Maund
• Ariyaatateno- Revati- Dr.Baby Sreeram
• Kanda naal muthalai- Madhuvanti- N.S. Chidambaram
Link to the concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onb73Px ... rt_radio=1
Palghat Sreeram is a multi faceted genius who is not very frequently seen on the concert platforms. Many times his concert becomes a vocal-flute-keyboard combo. Fortunately this was a purely vocal concert. The concert started at 6.15. P.M
Sreeram commenced the concert with the classic Varnam in the ragam Bhairavi. In this ragam, commencing from the Anupallavi he introduced nadai variation within each line and that was a technical fete which was executed with precision. He took up Hamsadhwani for a brief alapana. His alapana was heavily brigha oriented with very little use of plain notes and I could notice a few slips while negotiating super fast sancharams in the alapana. The kriti was rendered well with due respect to the astounding sangathis and he sang a chittaswaram which looked like his own creation. But it lacked finesse. I remembered the chittaswaram which Balamurali has composed for the kriti which was high on aesthetics. The kalpana swarams were rendered in a tricky edam- Ganapathim bhajeham.
Next came the ragam Lalitha. Lalitha did not reveal herself initially. Had shades of Mayamalavagowla. After a few minutes the ragam revealed itself and the rare composition of Deekshitar Agastheeswaram was rendered with good exposure of the raga bhavam and sahithya bhavam. This kriti, I have heard in one of the Semmangudi concerts, but never remember hearing in the concert stage. This was followed by the Sudhasaveri kriti of Tyagaraja- Lakshanamugala- a favourite of TRS. This was the best piece in the concert with trade mark TRS sangathis. This is also rarely heard song in the concert circuit. This was followed by a superb alapana of ragam Latangi and another rare kriti of Deekshitar Sadhujana vinutam was rendered well and the kalpana swarams were icing on the cake.
After the brisk Girirajasuta, which also had chittaswarams composed by Sreeram, raga Saveri was taken for a detailed exploration. The alapana was elaborate showing the characteristic pidis of the ragam with appropriate voice modulation to bring out the mood of the ragam in an effective manner and the kriti was rendered well. There was no neraval. In fact, the entire concert had no neraval. The kalpana swarams rendered in the pallavi line had enough kanakku in that which was rendered with precision.
After the tani, the tail enders were rendered with enough bhavam and poise. Sreeram paid respects to his various Gurus including TRS, Dr.Ramani etc. It was a nice gesture to announce his spouse as his Guru. The Revati composition had good sahithya bhavam and sangeeta bhavam. More musicians should sing this song in the concert platform.
Sreeram got an excellent team to embellish the concert. The alapanas of BU Ganesh Prasad were a class in itself. During the alapana of Lalitha, each of his phrase revealed the true flavour of the ragam when the raga alapana of the vocalist was a hide and seek game. His other alapanas as well swara returns were most appropriate. The team of Patri Satish kumar and Karthik lifted the concert to a higher level with their imagination, deft strokes with the right volume. The thani for about 20 minutes was highly relishing. The artistes on the stage enjoyed each other immensely. A very good concert.