Recent concerts Review

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 19 Dec 2006, 10:36

1) Neela Ramgopal-Akkarai Subbulakshmi-Mannarkoil J.Balaji-Natarajan (Ghatam) at SAFE-Sastri Hall-15-12-2006

A veteran Carnatic musician from Bangalore Neela Ramgopal has a mellifluous voice and right from the word go the concert was soaked in classical flavour.
the list:
1) Kedaragowla Varnam
2) Mahaganapathe Amrutavaahini-Adi-Jayachamaraja Wadiyar
3) Ennalu Thirukkudunu-Mandari ?-Rupakam
4) Sarasa Dala nayane-Khamas-Adi
5) Velum Mayilume-Sucharitra-Rupakam-Koteeswaraiyer
6) Chetulaara-Bhairavi-Adi-Thyagaraja
7) Enthadiguluge-Jaavali
8) thiruppugazh and mangalam

It was over all an excellent concert with special mention of Khamas and Bhairavi. Mami, as is her wont, takes up some rare ragas in her concert and this concert had two. One is Amrutavaahini and another is Sucharitra. The latter hd a brief Raga Alapana marked with Vivadi precision and flavour. Generally the Chetulara kriti is reserved only for Bahulapanchami Day and other times this kriti is ignored. But mami took up this kriti and rendered beautifully. Akkarai subbulakshmi was very sweet in her tone and following.
I played tani in Chetulara.
Concert No: 2
Suguna Purushothaman-Charlatha Ramanujam-Mannarkoil J Balaji at MFAC on 16th December 2006 at 9.00 AM

List:
1) Saaveri Varnam
2) Maargazhi Thingal-Naata
3) Paridaana Michithe-Bilahari
4) Raama Nee Vaadhu-Kalyani
5) Sri Kumara-Ataana
6) Vadasiyasi-Mukhari
7) Thunai Purindarul-Varamu
8) Saraguna Paalimpa-Kedaragowla
9) RTP in Darbari Kaanada Thisra Jampa Misra Nadai eduppu 1 aksharakala after samam
10) Tukkadas

Always we can expect something new from Suguna Purushothaman. In all my recent concerts i have found something new. This concert too had such novelty.In Kedaragowla Saraguna Palimpa she did niraval at 2 1/2 aksharakala after arudi the words starting with "Srinivasa" and gave me Thani in that which was quite challenging. Moreover she rendered the RTP also without prior intimation to us. The words Govinda Naamam Solvai Nee (Arudi Kaarvai 4 Aksharas) Paapam Theerave Hari -->
Go (3)vin (3) da(2) Naa (3) mam(2) sol (3) vaay (3) Nee(on arudi samam with 4 akshara kaarvai) Paa(3) pam (3) thee(2) ra(2) ve(2) ha(1) ri (2) was the Basis for the pallai with excellent execution of trikaala. I played a short thani in that also on the spot. with mohara pattern of 13+8+13+8 combination and a korvai for 42 counts. Chaarulatha played an excellent version of Kedaragowla.

3) Nirmala Rajasekar (Originally from Chennai now living in Minneapolis, USA)-Mannarkoil Balaji - Nungambakkam Cult Academy 18-12-2006

List :
1) Kedaragowla Varnam
2) Panchamaathanga-Malahari
3) Ongi Ulagalanda-Arabhi-thiruppavai
4) Paramathmudu-Vagadeeshwari
5) Varanaarada-Vijayasri
6) Lalithe Sri Pravruthe-Bhairavi
7) Jayathi Jayathi-Khamas
8) Govinda Ninna-Janasammodhini ?
9) Madiyaal vittaganaagi-Tiruppugazh-Surati

A talented artiste and a good friend of mine for nearly 20 years now played neat concert for 90 minutes with utmost vishraanthi befitting a veena concert and also befitting her tradition (foremost disciple of Smt.Kalpagam SWaminathan). it was an excellent Vagadeeswari and stupendous Bhairavi. The kalapramana was very challenging in Bhairavi for Tani Avartanam and i think i managed well.

An artiste of high calibre.

That is all for now. Meet you later.
Mannarkoil J Balaji

meena · Post by **meena** » 19 Dec 2006, 10:57

Ennallu tirugudunu is sree HMB's.

prashant · Post by **prashant** » 19 Dec 2006, 11:52

All sound like nice concerts. Smt. Suguna Purushottaman's pallavis are always brilliantly conceived and executed with an ease bordering on nonchalance.

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 19 Dec 2006, 12:23

Meena ji this site says that Ennalu tirugu it says it is in Mandari Raga only as i have perceived it. though it says Adi tala actually that was sung in Khanda Chaapu Tala not in Rupakam as i mentioned earlier. (sorry for the error)

http://www.carnaticcorner.com/articles/compositions.txt kindly refer to this site. Correct me if i am wrong.

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 19 Dec 2006, 12:24

Prashant it is not Amrutavarshini but Amrutavaahini kindly re-read.

prashant · Post by **prashant** » 19 Dec 2006, 12:59

Ah, I am sorry Sri Balaji!!! I need to change my glasses, and this is just the catalyst. My apologies.

manoranjitham · Post by **manoranjitham** » 20 Dec 2006, 06:18

Hey Mridangam
I am amazed that u should write so well.
Only suggestion . Be very very careful. U urself are a very good artiste . I would not wish ur frank views to hinder ur professional career.
One good thing is that it tries to educate the readers on the laya aspect which is generally not dwelt upon by any of the critis/reviewers/ writers. Thanks for that.

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 20 Dec 2006, 10:54

thnks manoranjitham ... i will be very careful not to sledge any artiste .. and also be very careful in reporting only and not reviewing (hope both are different .. hahahahah). I will make it as educational as possible. will try to highlight the good in a concert masking those slips. Of course you must understand that i used to write reviews for NEWS TODAY magazine and also write articles for YACM's Dhwani Magazine. I stopped writing for newspapers for the precise reason that you have cited. So in order to enlighten the rasikas@ org i am trying to give only report of the concerts and also try to educate on intricate laya aspects, if any, that may arise during the concert. Any way thanks for your deep concern.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 20 Dec 2006, 11:33

http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=18014#p18014

mridhangam
your attention is drawn to the above mentioned thread , too.

please do review, rather than reporting.Of all people you must be knowing how to do that tight rope walk..You should be able to pull it off.

anandabhairavi · Post by **anandabhairavi** » 20 Dec 2006, 13:09

Balaji sir I too feltt the same.Refrain from commenting about other artiste even if they are awful.You write so well and would love to read more not to forget your vaasippu is paramaanandam

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 20 Dec 2006, 13:47

balaji,
Is he the ghatam artist Mr Sai Natarajan.?