Review of the concert by TNSKrishna at Srikrishnaganasabha on 12-11-2007
The concert of TNS Krishna today made the rasika feel that he is no longer a tender off-shoot of the mahaavrksha, the giant tree but he has developed his own branches promising to become a tree by himself.
Krishna started the concert with the atatalavarna in the raga kalyani which was followed by vallabhanayakasya in Begada. The svaraprasthara was aptly taken up at ‘valli vivahakaranasya, ‘ considering that it was skandhashashti festival concert. As such all songs were on Lord Skandha. Krishna is always delightful in his svaras ant this was no exception
Next was the subhapanthuvarali which, along with the thodi that succeeded, brought nostalgic memories to the rasikas of TNS, who has been out of the country for the past two months.
The subhapanthuvarali was exquisite and Krishna sprung a surprise to those who might have been debating about the song to follow in accordance with the occasion,, by singing the thiruppugaz ‘charanakamalaalayatthai,’ preceded by viruttham from kandar alankaram . The rendering of the raga as well as the thiruppugaz with neraval svaram were something to be heard to be believed.
There was a fast but skilful presentation of the composition of Mutthiah Bhagavathar in Pasupathipriya, saravanabhava. Between the subhapanthuvarali and the main piece ‘kaarthikeya gaangeya ,’ of Papanasam Sivan in thodi. The exposition of the raga and the rendering of the song was as expected from the heir-apparent of the emperor of Thodi.
Afer a virutthm in Brindavansaranga Krishna sang ‘kaliyuga varadan,’ and ended the concert with the thillana in Nuroshta by TNS and the viruttham he sang, azumbodhu aNaikkum annai ,’ which he sang with much devotional fervour especially the lines, en gurunathan vazi,’ made one wonder whether he was also having nostalgic memory of his father and guru, TNS!
Krishna was accompanied by
by SDSridhar on the violin and KRGanesh on Mridhangam and
N.Govindarajan on ghatam, all of them well known in their respective
fields. SDSridhar, being a senior artist, provided the smooth flow of
music, and the percussionists really drew acclaim by their performance.