Ranjani and Gayathri @ Bay area, 6th April 2014

[Gadolinium]

Vocal: Ranjani and Gayathri
Violin: H.N. Bhaskar
Mridangam: Manoj Siva
Kanjira: Ganesh Ramanarayanan


List:

1...
2...
3. Ambarame thannere - Kalyani (A, N, S) - Andal thiruppavai
4. Chetashri Balakrishnam - Dwijavanti (A) - Muthuswami Dikshitar
5. Ksheenamai - Mukhari (A, N(?), S, T) - Tyagaraja
6. Vara raga laya - Senju Khambodi - Tyagaraja
7. Ragam Tanam Pallavi - Saraswathi, Lalitha, Durga
pallavi line:
"Saraswati vina pustaka dhArini
Hari vakshasthalalaye lalite
mate kanaka durge mAm pahi"
8. Virutham + ramanai bhajithal - Mand - papanasam sivan
9. Abhang - Basant? - Ambujam Krishna
...

It was a wonderful concert by the sisters, and the whole team was in great form. I came in a bit late and might have missed a few songs. Feel free to fill up missing items and correct anything. My two highlights of the concert were #3 and #5.

I have never really paid attention to this song by Andal (Ambarame Thannere), but what lyrical and poetic beauty! Kalyani was just oozing through the whole rendition. And in the hands of RG, the effect was spectacular. I don't think I have enjoyed kalyani this much. My second highlight was the Mukhari. Gayathri gave us an inspired alapana, followed by an equally inspired return by Bhaskar. I was overjoyed when they took up Ksheenamai (first time live). A very emotive piece, this kriti goes through the ebbs and lows of Mukhari, interspersed with segments of pure ecstasy. With their perfect diction and bhava, they did full justice. They were a bit dramatic at times, which however gelled very well with this piece.

RTP was an interesting choice. This was the piece I took real notice of the violinist. I felt he outdid the sisters here, his switch between ragas and the lalitha alapana and tanam was beautiful. They showcased all speeds (1/2, 3/2, 2) with anulomam/prathilomam to speed things up. Gayathri also showcased some slick dance moves to indicate which raga she was in

I really enjoyed Manoj Siva's playing. His accompaniment to the Dwijavanti piece was wonderful, and so was his thani avarthanam with Ganesh.

The concert was oversold and people were standing around the perimeter in blatant disregard for fire safety rules This was quickly corrected though when extra chairs were added.

Mahavishnu - were you there? I tried looking around and thought I spotted you, but then he was putting the wrong thalam and I deduced it wasn't you.

[mahavishnu]

Mahavishnu - were you there? I tried looking around and thought I spotted you, but then he was putting the wrong thalam and I deduced it wasn't you.

Gadolinium: Thanks for your review and your vote of confidence in my talam putting abilities Sadly, I couldn't make it since I was traveling on work. I wish I could have been there, although I am not a fan of these very crowded events.

This was the piece I took real notice of the violinist. I felt he outdid the sisters here, his switch between ragas and the lalitha alapana and tanam was beautiful.

Yes, I think Bhaskar has a wonderful tanam style. Part MSG and lot his own actually.

Abhang - Basant? - Ambujam Krishna

Maybe you meant something else here?

[VK RAMAN]

"The concert was oversold and people were standing around the perimeter in blatant disregard for fire safety rules This was quickly corrected though when extra chairs were added"- Each hall has a certified capacity and that many chairs are put. Violation is if the organizers exceeded the capacity of the hall.

[vasanthakokilam]

Good review Gadolinium. Quite funny on tappu tAlam and not mahavishnu. Quite true.

I can imagine how good their Mukhari would have been. BTW, Did you also feel that Gayatri took upon more of the alapanas? I felt that in the chicago concert but I thought it may be due to the raga selections.

So, VKR, you are saying "Extra chair pOttAlum kutRam kutRamE' A lot of organizations used to violate that in the temple auditoriums. Last weekend, I saw temple appointed folks in full security uniform by the main check-in door. I was going to inquire about it but may be the reason is to crack down on such violations.

[crntctt]

Nice review. I enjoyed the Kalyani rendition too. I like the way the sisters handle Kalyani, always. I had a chance to listen to this RTP in the december season last year and I felt they made small changes in speeds and it was indeed interesting. Very emotive aalapanas. Gayatri comes up with a new level of elevation every time!

The concert was oversold and people were standing around the perimeter in blatant disregard for fire safety rules

Its bay area! It's got to be oversold

Yes, I think Bhaskar has a wonderful tanam style. Part MSG and lot his own actually.

We loved HN Bhaskar's taanam. His taanam starts getting all attention and applause everytime he plays. He has cultivated this new style taanam of his own I guess; I have seen some youngsters follow that now

And Sri Manoj Siva - great following. I guess the musical-family makes a lot of difference in grooming a mridangist. They develop good following techniques since they know songs well.

All in all - very good concert.

[arasi]

gadolinium,
Thanks for the review. Keep them coming.

Mahavishnu and tappu tALam? Not even in my dreams! apachAram, apachAram

[Gadolinium]

Maybe you meant something else here?

They mentioned that they have performed their popular abhang too many times. I think they probably said bhajan by Ambujam krishna in Basant, going by a google search probably "Nachke Aaye".

VK - Yes, I noticed that too, till the RTP. Ranjani did alapana's for both Saraswathi and Durga. It was not too obvious overall, but when you take notice, yes you are right.

crntctt - What did I miss before the Kalyani? Feel free to complete the list, thanks.

Thanks, Arasi!

[mahavishnu]

They mentioned that they have performed their popular abhang too many times. I think they probably said bhajan by Ambujam krishna in Basant, going by a google search probably "Nachke Aaye".

Gadolinium: Thanks. Perhaps it is this one? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10 ... =2&theater (hopefully the link works).

BTW, are you going to Sudha tomorrow? I am planning to escape the maddening crowds and listen to Vikram Raghavan in Berkeley (http://sangaticenter.org/)

I did not know that Ambujam Krishna composed in Hindi! Well, we learn something new every day.
Arasi, I see that this multilingual proficiency runs in the family

[Gadolinium]

I am not sure if this song was the one. I had to leave soon after they started.

Wow, never heard of Vikram Raghavan. Please post a review. Unfortunately, Berkeley is too much of a drive for me. I am on the fence regarding Sudha, will make a last minute decision.

[arasi]

Mahavishnu,


Here is a list of Ambujam Krishna's bhajans in Hindi. I am sure there are omissions. Lakshman is sure to bring the rest to us..

kahO rAm nAm bhAgESri

nain sE nain BehAg

murali bhajAvO sindhu bhairavi

From her second volume of Geetha Mala (tuned by SS or Musiri since they both tuned the songs in the book).

AjA giridhar sindhu bhairavi from volume 3 of Geetha Mala (tuned by TNS. S.Ramanathan also tuned half the songs found in this volume, but it is clearly specified as to who tuned which).

milkE jA bhAgESri
hAth kI murali Shuddha sArang from volume 4 (tuned by Kedaranathan).

[hari2810]

1. Kedaragowla Varnam
2. Parvati Nayaka , Bowli, ST
3. A Rithigowla piece by Purandaradasa (I can't remember the song sahityam now).
4. Kalyani... and so on.

Virutham was in KHPriya (Gayathri), Poorvikalyani (Ranjani), Maand (Gayathri). I don't understand Tamizh and so I have no idea what the lyrics was about.
Abhang - by Ambujam Krishna. In Bairagi (Revathi equivalent). They chanted the lyrics first and explained the meaning before singing it. The lyrics sounded Marathi and not Hindi.

[mmani]

Mahavishnu,


Here is a list of Ambujam Krishna's bhajans in Hindi. I am sure there are omissions. Lakshman is sure to bring the rest to us..

...

For those with an interest in the list of Ambujam Krishna compositions here is a website to refer (it refers to the song being set in Tilang): http://music.karthiksankar.com/referenc ... m-krishna/

Not sure if this is complete in itself.

As for the song-list in this concert:

1. SaamiDayaJuda(Varnam)-KedaraGowla-Adi-Tiruvotriyur Tyagayya
2. ParvatiNayaka-Bowli-Adi-MaharajaSwatiTirunaal
3. DayamadoRanga-RitiGowla-Adi-Purandaradasa
4. AmbarameThanneere-Kalyani-Adi-Aandal(Thiruppavai-17)
5. ChetasriBalakrishnam-Dwijavanthi-Rupakam-MuthuswamyDikshitar
6. Ksheenamai-Mukhari-Adi-Tyagaraja
7. VaraRagaLaya-ChenchuKambhoji-Adi-Tyagaraja
8. RTP-(Saraswathi, Lalitha, Durga)--“ Saraswati vina pustaka dhArini Hari vakshasthalalaye lalite mate kanaka durge mAm pahi”
9. RamanaiBhajithaal (Viruttam)-KHP, Poorvikalyani, Maand-Adi-PapanasamSivan
10. NachKeAaye-Basant--AmbujamKrishna
11. JeKaRanjaleGanjale–Bairagi(Revathy)—SantThukaram
12. Pavamana (Mangalam)-Sowrashtram-Adi-Tyagaraja

[manisubramaniyan]

The concert was oversold and people were standing around the perimeter in blatant disregard for fire safety rules This was quickly corrected though when extra chairs were added.

Due to a glitch in Sulekha.com's software, we ended up selling just a few seats more - not a lot. But we got additional chairs for those, because there were empty reserved places for wheelchair audience at the back. There was no breaking of fire code. The only bad thing was that the volunteers (including me) had to stand outside the theater since there were no seats for us and so we ended up missing most of the concerts
Unfortunately we also had to send back quite a few rasikas - at the venue as well as online. In view of the interest level, we extended the tour by a day and added a second, thematic concert in bay area on May 4th Sunday. (another opportunity for Mahavishnu )

As a future measure, we have planned to close out Sulekha.com selling a bit earlier so that even this small issue won't happen in future.

One gripe I have is that the rasikas always buy in the last minute even if we list it 3 months in advance. If they only buy at least a day or half a day in advance...

Regards
Mani Subramaniyan

[arasi]

Good to hear from you--which brings a balance to the way things are perceived, both by the rasikAs and the organizers.

Great to hear that there is demand for CM with encore performances! Happy to hear that Ra-gA are giving yet another concert in the Bay area (on their way back home?). Will listen to them at the Cleveland festival (via streaming), of course.

Mahavishnu,
Looks as though you will be seated without breaking the fire code! Hope you are in town for the concert...

Volunteers, label your names on a few chairs so that you don't have to be standing (besides all the running!).

[mahavishnu]

. In view of the interest level, we extended the tour by a day and added a second, thematic concert in bay area on May 4th Sunday. (another opportunity for Mahavishnu )

Mani Subramaniyan: This is most excellent! :ymapplause:What is the theme?

Arasi: Thanks. I look forward to being there on May 4th and getting my tickets well ahead of time. It has been a crazy few weeks with work related travel, but I am really glad for this opportunity. I am delighted that Sankritilaya could organize the extra concert! :ymparty:

[rajeshnat]

Mani
Does that mean that usually you sell all your tickets only thru the website. Is there no provision for people to pay cash and dash into the concert on that day?. Sad that you had to stand - may be Durga was there to help you volunteers , lakshmi was very much there - ofcourse in an area filled with saraswati katAksham.

[manisubramaniyan]

Yes, most of our selling is online, but people do come in and buy tickets and we do reserve some for that. For this concert only some of them got in, and we had to send quite a few away, particularly some who came in late..

[manisubramaniyan]

Mahavishnu,
The theme for the second concert is 'Mother' ( as the mothers day is coming up next week). Since Sankara jayanthi is also coming up, that is the secondary theme.
(Sorry for the late reply; I'm also traveling and fighting travel related illness )

[mahavishnu]

Thank you, Manisubramaniyan. Hope you get better soon. See you at the event on May 4.

[Sindhuja]

Missed them the first time (and sadly they didn't come to San Diego, where I was then) - excited for May 4th!