Sowmya - KVN Memorial concert at Hamsadhwani, Chennai - Mar

[rain_of_nectar]

S. Sowmya, Avaneeswaram Vinu, Mannargudi Easwaran, Anirudh Athreya
KVN Memorial Concert, Hamsadhwani, Chennai - Mar 7th 2009

Sarasuda (Varnam) - Saveri - Adi (s)
Gopalaka Pahimam - Bhupalam (s)
Balakrishnan Padamalar - Dhanyasi (r)
Karavaikal (Tiruppavai) - Kambhoji
Varanarada - Vijayashri (n, s)
Annapurne - Sama
Venkatasaila - Hamirkalyani (r)
Balagopala - Bhairavi (r, n, s, t)
Alarshara Paritapam (Padam) - Surutti
Varugalamo - Manji
Krishna Nee Begane - Yamunakalyani
Tiruvaippanindu - Mand
Mangalam

Sowmya was in commanding form last night. A fitting tribute to the late maestro, featuring several of his favorite concert items. One interesting variation was "Gopalaka Pahimam", wherein Sowmya sang it in the original Bhupalam (with G2) as opposed to KVN's renditions with G3 (Revagupti). The Kambhoji tiruppavai was a nice interlude, reminding us of KVN's lovely renditions of the 30 Margazhi pieces. However, what floored me totally was the neraval & lightning fast swaras in Vijayashri, where Sowmya exhibited such outstanding control of the kalapramanam and swara-sthana shuddham without letting the climax slide into a frenzied chaos. Hamirkalyani alapana was soulful and I got my usual goosebumps at the extended "vihaaaaaaaaaaaaaara" in the pallavi line

The main Bhiaravi suite touched all the right chords, culminating with a tani which was literally a "masterly" exposition. The senior Easwaran actively guiding young Anirudh and exhorting him to come up with quick responses to various sollus was a treat to watch. Vinu's violin support was a revelation; the Kerala youngster has a clean bowing technique and a good accompanying mind with a sense of proportion. The concert was capped by the lovely Swati padam in Surutti, KVN's trademark Manji and a slow, soulful Krishna Nee. Watching from above, the maestro would surely have been delighted with this tribute from one of today's finest artistes.

[malavi]

Sowmyas concert at Hamsadhwani was a remarkably good one, never a dull moment. Her vidvath was prominent in every item she presented that day.The bhavam and azhutham in the Dhanyasi and Bhairavi raga alapanai and the bruga oriented hamirkalyani alap were proof of her hard work and sincerity.

As mentioned in her speech earlier how Sri.K.V.N.was an expert in neraval ,she demonstrated in her bhairavi and vijayasree kritis. The superfast accurate neraval at prakatambuka in varanarada, and that in bhairavi at neelaneerata were great.Bhairavi is not my favourite raga but Sowmyas bhairavi was an exception. The accompaniments were very supportive. The thani esp.was superb.

On the whole it was a real homage to K.V.N. SIR.

[arasi]

Wish, how I wish I had heard this concert! A KVN omnibus, steered no doubt with a masterly touch by Sowmya--and 'bAlakrishnan pAda malar', a KVN specialty and a gem among Sivan's krutis.
If Sowmya is one of those 'chit-minding' musicians, I would surely ask for it when I go to hear her next time--or request it by E-mailing her ahead of time. Hope she obliges...