Sri Thyagaraja Vidwath Samajam celebrated Syama Sastri Day on 20th April 2008 when Smt Prema Rangarajan presented music based exclusively Syama Satri Krithis.
The Krithis of Syama Sastri are known for their resplendent Raga Bhava, intricate tala patterns interwoven into the sahithya and overpowering Bhakti Bhava.
She presented the following Krithis.
Neeve Gathi (varnam) Kalyani Tisra Matyam
Pahimam Sri Rajarajeswari Nata Rupakam
Rave Himagiri Kumari Todi (Swarajathi) Adi
Enneramum un PurviKalyani T. Triputa
Palayasumam Arabhi T. Thriputa
Devi Brova Chintamani Adi
Devi Nee Pada sara Kambodhi Adi
Kanakasaila Viharini Punnagavarali Adi .
Kamakshi Lokasakshi Madyamavathi Tisra Thriputa
(Mangalam)
The presentation was scholarly and dignified throughout aimed more at presenting the beauty of the sahitya and the underlying bhava without ever trying to project oneself
.
Particular mention must be made of the sensitive neraval and swaras at SyamaKrishna in the Todi Swarajati, the succint elaboration of the Arabhi Raga and the neraval and single avarta swaram at Kamakoti Peeta Suvasini.
The presentation was at its best in the consciously restrained elaboration of Kambodhi ( one felt that she could have lingered more ithe lower registers) and the presentation of an enchanting version of the Krithi Devi Ni Pada Sara..Neraval and Swaras were at Srivelayu Madura.
Trivandrum Vaidyanathan on the mridangam offered unobtrusive but highly sensitive support to the music. Smt. Meera Sivaramakrishnan on the fiddle was at her usual self.