Mrdangam Arangetram by Balaji Giridharan

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vedapriya
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Joined: 04 Sep 2008, 21:09

Post by vedapriya »

I was fortunate and delighted to attend the mrdangam arangetram of Sri Balaji Giridharan, disciple of the well-respected Bay Area based mrdangist, Ramesh Srinivasan, this past Sunday, as Balaji ably accompanied the Carnatica Brothers, Sri.K.N.Shashikiran and Sri Chitravina Ganesh, and Hemmige V. Srivatsan on the violin.

This arangetram also marked the first debut performance of the Sarvalaghu Percussion Art Center, a mrdangam school founded by Sri Ramesh Srinivasan, who is the leading disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri. Vellore G. Ramabhadran.

Having enjoyed Sri Ramesh Srinivasan's style of playing in various concerts in the US in the past for its sowkyam and his ability to bring out the beauty of every krithi without overshadowing the vocal artists, I was amazed at how well young Balaji has imbibed his guru's Baanee of providing "pakka" vadhyam and blending the mrdangam with the music. Whether it was the favorite Viribhoni Varnam in Bhairavi in Khanda Ata, or Parvati Ninnune in Tisra Nadai Adi Talam, Balaji also showed his ability to effortlessly handle different thalams and nadais with ease.

The Carnatica Brothers' soulful rendition of each krithi with strict adherence to sruthi and layam made the concert truly memorable. Sri Hemmige V. Srivatsan's melodious accompaniment on the violin enhanced the concert even further. It was so delightful to see how well both the Carnatica brothers as well as Sri Srivatsan encouraged the budding mrdangist, showing their appreciation of his playing repeatedly. This encouragement and support to young, upcoming artists by such established and well-respected artists such as the Carnatica Brothers and Sri Srivatsan is truly noteworthy and laudable.

As the esteemed chief guest of the event, Professor T. N. Krishnan stated in his speech at the end of the pallavi, the way in which Balaji played and brought pride to his guru and parents, made the concert sound and feel like a regular concert, rather than a mrdangam arangetram. With the blessings of his guru and parents, I hope that this young talented mrdangist achieves greater accolades as he matures as an artist.

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