Raji Gopalakrishnan vocal
Ranjani Ramakrishnan violin
Ganapathiraman Mridangam and
Rajaraman Ghatam
This was an outstanding concert. Raji Gopalakrishnan has a distinctive MLV-ness to her voice and this is one of her biggest strengths in my opinion.
The concert started with the popular Sri raga adi tala varnam.
2. The varnam was followed by the popular kriti Bhaja Manasa
3. Mariveregathi Anandhabhairavi was sung at a slow tempo with exceptional gamakam and created a meditative effect.
4. There was then a short piece in the ragam Sucharita (Pallavi line -Velumayil)
5. This was followed by an excellent and elaborate todi alapana. She sang the Thyagaraja kriti Enthuku Dayarada. Neraval was at "Thyagaraja....
6. A short scintillating MohanaKalyani (Ambujam Krishna composition I think).
7. There was then a very impressive RTP in Hemavati with swarams in Hemavathi, Hamsanadham and Chandrakauns. While the alapana and thanam were elaborate, the swarams and the thani were relatively short, possibly reflecting the constraints associated with a 2 hour concert.
8. There were a couple of ragamalika items. The one I recollect better is one by Ambujam Krishna; Kannan Enrale; in ragas Durga, Basant, Chandrakauns and Shudh Sarang.
9. There was a Purya Dhanasri composition of Swati Tirunal; Aaye Giridhar
10. The penultimate item was a Sivan composition in Yadukula Kambodhi.
11. Mangalam.
Raji handled the main (Todi) and RTP (Hemavathi) with admirable skill.
The team gelled well together.
I also liked the fact that Raji gave two of her students a chance to participate in the neraval and swarakalpana singing.
In all a great concert.
Please excuse the typos.
Kamalamba