Rudrapatanam Bros @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja -20th July 2008

[eppramod]

Veeneya Bedagu-2008- Annual Veena Seshanna Memorial Music Festival @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja

Two music festivals are falling back to back weeks in Bangalore Gayana Samaja.The first one is the Veeneya Bedagu-2008(Annual Veena Seshanna Memorial Music Festival conducted by Swara Murthy VN Rao Foundation)and the second one,this year being SSI’s birth centenary year,a Music festival to mark the centenary celebrations. Famous Musicians across generations are performing in these festivals and lots of Awards/Endowments are also being given.Last Sunday (20/07/2008) Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan was conferred with the Annual Veena Seshanna Award and Rudrapatanam Bros was conferred with Swara Murthy VN Rao Memorial Award.
Later that Evening, Rudrapatanam Bros gave an enjoyable Concert.Here are the details

Sri R.N.Thyagarajan and Dr.R.N.Tharanathan (RUDRAPATNAM BROS.)
Smt. AKKARAI SUBBALAKSHMI - Violin
Sri GURUVAYUR DORAI - Mridangam
Sri B.N. CHANDRAMOULI - Khanjira


1,Vanjaksha Ninne -Mandari-Mysore Vasudevacharia
2,Maha Ganapathim-Amruthavahini-His Highness Mysore Jayachamaraja Wodeyar - (S)
3,Ninuvina gathi- Balahamsa-Mysore Sadashiva Rao -(S)
4,Intha shodhana muraku -Rishabapriya-Veena Seshanna-(A "N@sannadha" S)
5,Ekambresa Nayike - Karnataka Sudha Saveri - MD -Adi
6,Evarikai Avatharamae -Devamanohari-T (AS)-Misra Chapu
7,Koluvae Maragadha -Thodi-T (A "N@Chekoni gunamula" ST)-Adi
8,Nadhirthom-Begada-Veena Seshanna
9,Jaya Mangalam -Anandabhairavi-PD

For me the main highlights of the Concert were the Krithis and Akkarai Subbalakshmi.
Rudrapatanam Bro's music is always "simple" and sticking to the basics and roots.As the organizer mentioned their ability to render Mysore Krithis should be commended.All the Krithis/Raga and Composer was announced prior to rendering each piece(so didn't have to struggle to identify few of them).They started of with a Mandari Varnam from Mysore Vasudevacharya, it was rendered nicely.Then there was 3 back to back Mysore Krithis in Amritavahini,Balahamsa and Rishabapriya.Swara singing for first two were nice and Rishabpriya Alapana was good.The Rishabapriya piece was composed by Veena Seshanna.Karnataka Sudha Saveri krithi was rendered in a brisk pace.

Then came the rendering which i liked the most the evening, Devamanohari .The Alapana from Dr Tharanathan and Subbalakshmi's replies were very good, there was no Neraval, swaras were also rendered nicely.

The main item fro the day was Thodi, the popular krithi Koluvae Maragadha... Thodi alapana lasted for about 11 minutes,Subbalakshmi's reply almost matched in terms of time ,but the rendition was much better in her case.
Thani-avarthanam from Guruvayur Dorai and Chandramauli was just ok (though I am no expert to comment here) where Sri Guruvayur Dorai stole the show.Sri Chandramauli was just average i thought.

Around 15 mins were taken for the felicitation, and finally Bros wrapped up the concert with a beautiful Begada thillana(again Veena Seshanna Composition) and a Mangalam in Anandabhairavi from Purandara Dasa.

Yesterday we had Malladi Bros performing.I will update it soon.

[PUNARVASU]

The 'Akkarai' sisters are a rising (or -already 'risen) duo in the CM world. I understand they have taken to vocal music also. Such talented youngstes.

[kmrasika]

WOW - quite a number of rare compositions; is there a recording available?

[eppramod]

Punarvasu,
I have heard Akkarai Subbalakshmi during last "YAMINI" Concert in IIMB,she was accompanying N.Ravikiran that time.
I suppose she is learning under him.

kmrasika,
yes indeed there were a few rare krithis rendered..
I heard the organizers mentioning that they plan to release some CD after this festival including the concerts.
I saw few people recording it and I myself have some recording with me.Let us see if they plan to release a CD if not I can help you out.