R. Suryaprakash @ Venkataramanaswamy Temple, Bridgewater, NJ

mahesh3 · Post by **mahesh3** » 24 May 2006, 18:35

R. Suryaprakash (Vocal)
Pakkala Ramadass (Violin), Melakaveri Balaji (Mridangam)

May 20 2006, Sri Venkataramanaswamy Temple,
Bridgewater, NJ

1. anudinamunu kAvumayya - Begada/Rupakam
(Raga Sketch, Neraval @ kanakaruci nIrUpamu..., swarams) - Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar - 12 Mins
2. Chinna Naadena ? (Manjari/Telugu) - 8 Mins
3. Siva Siva Enarada - Panthuvarali/Rupakam
(Alapanai, Neraval @ Agamamula nutiyinci bahu bAgulEni bhAsalu cAlinci, Swarams) - Thyagaraja - 40 Mins
4. Seri Evaramma? - Bhairavi/Adi
(Neraval @ shyamakrishna paripAlini devi) - Shyama Sastry - 23 Mins
5. Manayvalakim - Nalinakanthi/Adi (Swarams) - Thyagaraja - 8 mins
6. Kapali - Mohanam/Adi (Alapanai/Swarams) - Papanasam SIvan - 45 Mins
7. Thani Avardanam - 15 Mins
8. bAlakR^ishNam ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬" gopikAvasantaM ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬" Adi - 4 Mins
9. RTP - Saranga/Brindavana Saranga - 52 Mins
(saranganai ranganai ninai maname diname brindavana)
Ragamalika Swarams: Durbar & 2 Other Ragams.
Followed by 3 speed renedition of pallavi line.
10. Bhajan

I had never heard R. Suryaprakash's music prior to this, but I came out wishing for more.

Begada opening took some time to settle, but the krithi was completed with swarams, setting the tenor for a rail run. The next ragam sounded like Manjari to me. The languid Pantuvarali alapanai was extensive (with a fair bit of TA-DA-RI'S, SRasika), krithi renedition was good but again, Suryaprakash came into his own during the swarams renedition, picking up in pace. Bhairavi was rendered beautifully in a slow, devotional manner, reminding me of the most wonderful Chintamani "Devi Brova" renedition by TMK exactly a year ago. Manavyalakim was then rendered at a bristling pace, and swarams for this krithi were raining. Particularly, Pakkala Ramdass gave nice support to this krithi.

Mohanam was the piece-de-resistance, with a lilting long-drawn out alapanai, krithi renedition was fine, and again, the swarams were melodiously ramped up in trademark MMI style. RS has his own unique singing canvas, but his Mohanam was very, very similar to MMI's renedition all through, as heard on tape. Mridangist did a good job in playing for the swarams, doing well to predict the swara patterns. Thani avarthanam was satisfactory. GopikaVasantham was quickly completed, and surprisingly, given than 2 1/2 hrs had passed, RTP was taken up. This renedition was more in line with TVS style of RTP renedition, and it was done OK. Definitely a challenge to take up a 2 raga pallavi, but RS handled it adequately. I had to leave at the time of bhajan, since it was already 8:30, and concert had lasted for a good 3+ hrs.

R. Suryaprakash has a vibrant, melodic voice (to me, reminescent of Madurai Somu's singing style in parts), with the right amount of base and shrillness. On stage, he has a smiling, friendly presence, which makes for a nice listening experience. I liked that he had absolutely no fear of going to the upper octaves, given his open-throated singing style. Coupling this with his training under TVS, he definitely has a lot to offer. Not a few tricks pony. I am hoping he continues to include the variety he did for this concert, interspersed with trademark classics from his ever-loved bhani. He wasn't perfect, but he can only get better from here, and it will make for an exciting future, particularly for followers of the MMI/TVS lineage.

Long-drawn neravals & melodious swarams tended to increase the span of his reneditions (as shown by inclusion of the time durations for each krithi), perhaps this is something he will naturally be more selective about. Neravals were satisfying, yet, repeated atleast twice in total cycle length for all krithis he did neravals in. I wasn't complaining tho, since it was so pleasing to listen to his voice and also the enjoyment/involvement/perkiness with which he sang.

L-ji, could you please provide lyrics for the bhairavi krithi, thanks much.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 24 May 2006, 18:53

cinna nADE na is a Tyagaraja composition in the rAgA kalAnidhi. The bhairavi piece is sari evaramma by Shyama Shastri.

mahesh3 · Post by **mahesh3** » 25 May 2006, 03:13

There was also a quick lecture demo "SARVALAGHU" by Sri Vellore Ramabhadran, at the end of which he was honored by CMANA for his timeless achievements. R. Suryaprakash supported him, by performing vocal reneditions as needed.

During the lecture demo, VR demonstrated how to perform to both SSI/MMI swarams, and also how his knowledge of vocal music helped him accompany the great SSI. He even sings a couple bars of Maulau Ganga. R. Suryaprakash's reneditions in sarvalaghu swara patterns OF SSI/MMI was nice. I am including the link for the 10 minute clip here, enjoy!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/wr22p5

meena · Post by **meena** » 25 May 2006, 03:52

Deleted

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 25 May 2006, 13:47

Mahesh3
I like the idea of you putting even minutes for every song. On a general note , looks like all carnatic musicians are generally given more time to perform in US(3 hours plus). My last 15 concerts@chennai are between 1 hour and 45 minutes to two and half hours only. Looks like I have to get a VISA to US, to hear the best of concerts.

If you have time , can you post more details about Sarvalaghu lecdem.

gundakriya · Post by **gundakriya** » 25 May 2006, 14:37

You don't have to waste money on a US visa and flight tickets! Just hop on an overnight train and head to Bangalore or Kerala or Andhra... those parts of the world still feature 3 hr + concerts :cheesy:

mahesh3 · Post by **mahesh3** » 25 May 2006, 15:42

Rajeshnat,

I would gladly trade with u

! I so miss being in the thick of action @ chnnai, guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

The sarvalaghu demonstration was about 30 minutes in length, and VR played a quick thani (not mor than 10 minutes, as is his wont). After which, was the 10 minute stretch I included. I walked in just prior to the thani, so, not much else I can add on this topic.

gsabari · Post by **gsabari** » 07 Feb 2007, 08:23

mahesh3 wrote:There was also a quick lecture demo "SARVALAGHU" by Sri Vellore Ramabhadran, at the end of which he was honored by CMANA for his timeless achievements. R. Suryaprakash supported him, by performing vocal reneditions as needed.

During the lecture demo, VR demonstrated how to perform to both SSI/MMI swarams, and also how his knowledge of vocal music helped him accompany the great SSI. He even sings a couple bars of Maulau Ganga. R. Suryaprakash's reneditions in sarvalaghu swara patterns OF SSI/MMI was nice. I am including the link for the 10 minute clip here, enjoy!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/wr22p5

Mahesh,

Please re-upload the above lecture demo.

Have a wonderful day

thanks in adv
GanesanSabarivasan