It was programmed as a Birthday Remembrance Concert of D K Jayaraman. However, Fate played a hand and converted it into a Sangeethanjali to both Pattammal and Jayaraman.
Smt Jaya of Naada Inbam said as much in her foreword and added that she had asked the musician to sing as many of the krithis handled by them, as possible.
After a two minute silence, Dr. Varalakshmi , before commencing her concert, said that it was her great good fortune to learn music from this glorious tradition and that she really felt humbled to sing on this occasion. That effectively set the mood.
The songs chosen were Thamasinchuta (Asaveri Varnam), Ganapathe Mahamathe, Chinna Natena, Minalochana Brova, Sujana Jeevana, the soul stirring Soundararajam, Kapaali, and Natachi Natachi. And after the Thani, Paarukkulle Nalla Nadu, a Virutham followed by Maname Kanamum Maravathe and Shanthi Nilavavendum.
Three ragas were explored succintly:- Dhanyasi, Mohanam and Karaharapriya. Neraval was offered only for Mina Lochana and compact swaras for Ganapathe and Natachi Natachi.
There was a total submergence of the self. The natural flair associated with the spirited singing of DKJ was downplayed . The result was music of restraint and discernment bordering on excellence, the husky voice effectively bringing out the sublimity of this hoary tradition.
The two accompanists, Padma Shankar and Ganapathiraman were on the same wavelength and heightened the musical mood.
To suit the husky voice (actually 5 1/2 kattai), Padma Shankar deliberately chose to play in the lower registers and this greatly contributed to the listening pleasure. No wonder, Thanjavur Sankara Iyer compared her to "Rajamanickkam Pillai".
Ganapathiraman was sensitive and sweet throughout, supporting the artiste. But , when it came to Kapaali, it was his inspired play on the mrudangam that stole the show.
A glorious musical offering to a great tradition.