Amrutha Venkatesh@ NGS mini 30/12/2015

[bharathi]

Amrutha Venkatesh : Vocal
M Rajeev: violin
Arjun Ganesh: Mrudangam
I happened to attend yet another soul-stirring, satisfying concert of Amrutha Venkatesh. This concert had very apt set of accompanists, they presented a wonderful concert. Here is the song list
1. Endo veduko –Saraswathi Manohari-Tyagaraga
2. Meenalochana Brova-Dhanyasi-Syama Sastri: Misra chapu
3. Parama purusham hridaya-Lalita Panchamam
4. Inta sowkya: Kapi :Tygararaja: Adi
5. Gajjambha nayakho: Chenjurutti: Dikshithar
6. Chelikalu sachinthune (not sure)
7. Sirisha Padma pahi: Kamas

In the first piece, swarams in cinta dIrcuTa kenta mODirA were extremely beautiful, I was reminded of renderings by MMI and MSG. Dhanyasi ragam was sung with a lot feeling and had an equally good return from the violinist M Rajeev. Kapi raga was sung in great detail.. with lovely chiselled sancharas by Amrutha. Rajeev returned with yet another type of endearing Kapi. He is great violinist, with not a harsh sound emanating from his bow ever. There were niravel swaram at “swara raga laya”. The Kapi song stole the show. The Chenjurutti Kriti was beautiful, I had earlier heard it from Bharat Sundar at SPSS, this season. I loved the last piece too, the Kamas was lilting.

The team performing is a dream one, more like the team of Sanjay, Varadu and Venkatesh.

Although a bit late I wanted to post this report, as Amrutha has delighted the Chennai audience with lovely mellifluous music this December season, and has been my favorite.

[Rasikapriya2013]

Nice review, Thank you Bharathi ji,
cheline Netlu sahinthune is a javali in Paras

[Meera]

An wonderful concert.I was awestruck by her manodharmam as well as delivery.her voice was very sweet.rajeev and AG gave great support.

[sureshvv]

Exemplary internalization of lyrics apparent by the way she can split the words for emphasis. Another dream team in the making!

[Rasikapriya2013]

Her voice, manodharmam, internalization of lyrics, aesthetic sense, has fetched her the outstanding female vocalist award from Music Academy this year! Congratulations Amrutha !

[vasanthakokilam]

Wow. that is indeed awesome. As I stated elsewhere, it is my regret that I could not rendevouz a concert date with her.

Congratulations Amrutha Venkatesh!! Well deserved indeed.

[bilahari]

The saraswatimanOhari and kApi pieces have been uploaded to YT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gH4E9zqCEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUISzpuWAq0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct_plpmOL_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd4M3NBMn2M

I especially loved the free flowing swaras in enta vEDukondu. Her diction is also excellent. My guru always used to talk about this nebulous concept of 'grip' in CM, and when I listen to the likes of Amrutha, I understand what it means to have it. I still can't forget the sublime gajavdana sammOdita she sang at Raga Sudha many years ago when I heard her for the first time.

A shoutout also to M. Rajeev who has an admirably sparse technique and on point responses.

[sureshvv]

1. Thank you so much. Just not sure how I am getting any work done today

2. Pity the Music Academy season ticket holders that they will not hear stuff like this. Song lists are so stultified at the academy.

3. Need to put this in the other HM vs CM sweetness thread

[kssr]

Thanks bilahari for the links. Very nice. It is rightly written about the ease of entha veduko swarams. Amazing.
Someone commented that this song is popular only among male singers and very rare from lady artists. Is it true?
I think Amrutha had a very good run during this season. Also well covered by this forum. One of the best young artists of the day. Let it continue in the years to come.

[bilahari]

Song lists are so stultified at the academy.

I've generally found that to be true as well. Not many MA concerts have been memorable for me. I also notice Amrutha has sung gajAmba nAyakO in this concert - a thoroughly beautiful and very rarely heard composition!

[sureshvv]

Amrutha opened her Academy concert with the TRS behag varnam. Felt as if someone had opened the windows

[kedharam]

“Amrutha opened her Academy concert with the TRS behag varnam. Felt as if someone had opened the windows”

Yep. Wanted to dance the moment she started the TRS behag with waltzing vitality - a perfect blend of straight notes and gamakas.
Much in her MA concert was extraordinary, from the lilting varnam to a towering account of the S.Kalyanaraman master piece, ‘mAmava karuNaya’

Here is the addictive varnam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCgCLG3ks_U