Parasala Ponnama's scintillating Cleveland concert, April 13

appu · Post by **appu** » 16 Apr 2009, 09:07

Accompanied by Bhama Krishnan (Vocal Support)
Jayshankar Balan (Violin)
Madrimangam Swaminathan (Mridangam)
Kartik Venkataraman (Kanjira)

Song List

1. Suruti Varnam
2. Vatapi Ganapathim Hamsadwani ragam (K, S) Adi Talam
3. Marivere Ananda Bhairavi ragam (R,K,S) Misra Chapu
4. Gyana Mu Sakarada Porvikalyani ragam (R,K,N,S) Rupaka Talam
5. Narsimha Ma Arabhi Ragam with Swarams Ghanda Chapu
6. Koluva Mara Gada Thodi Ragam (R,K,N,S)
7. Varavai Ya Varavai Ya Ragamalika in Kamas, denuka, behag
(I have not heard this song before and could not recognize one ragam)
8. Kalakanti Radha Nilambari ragam, misra chapu talam
9. Mangalam

Parasala Ponnama was personification of tradition, and bhavam. She had a little difficulty with her voice during the early part of the concert. Once her voice settled the swarams just flowed. Every single piece was rendered gracefully and the life of every note was energized and tickled.

Mridangam accompanient was at its very best. The thopi of this senior artist was to die for in terms of the base. Accompaniment was succinct and to the point embellishing every bhava laden swaram with anticipation and the correct amount of timber. Not once did the duo overshadow the main artist.

I walked out of the auditorium with immense satisfaction and happiness.

Tuesday, my last day I attended two concerts. One by V Subramanyam and Palai Ramachandran duo and the second by a young Aishwarya Venkataraman. The duo by far was the best concert thus far. Please look for my review soon

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Apr 2009, 09:40

Thank you, Appu.
'varuvAi, varuvAi enRun vazhi pArttu' is by Ambujam Krishna. The rAgamAliA has kamAs behAg and paras, if I am not mistaken.
Your 'each piece was rendered gracefully' and 'I walked out of the auditorium with immense satisfaction and happiness' about sums up the way her music affects one...

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 16 Apr 2009, 10:13

appu, could you provide the date and location of the concert? This will help future searches.

appu · Post by **appu** » 16 Apr 2009, 11:07

gn.sn42 wrote:appu, could you provide the date and location of the concert? This will help future searches.

The concert was on Monday April 13th, 2009 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Main Classroom Auditorium on the Cleveland State University campus.

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 16 Apr 2009, 20:52

Thanks, appu for the precise information.

This way the thread will show up if someone searches for "Ponnama 2009" or "Parasala Cleveland".

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Apr 2009, 22:12

It would be nice if it shows on the title too.

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 17 Apr 2009, 01:31

Thanks for the report, appu. Without you there would be almost no news from Cleveland, which is a pity!

DhwaniB · Post by **DhwaniB** » 17 Apr 2009, 10:32

Ooops..i did not see this post on Parassala Ponnammal earlier and had asked for some reviews of Cleveland in the other thread. Parassala Ponnammal's Deigo concert has been reviewed so well by bilahari.Very very fair indeed. Thanks bilahari. Moderator, I think gems such as these reviews on very deserving musicians should be compiled and handed over to them. Am sure they will welcome it and take it as qualitative feedback too.