Sumithra Vasudev@MA 22-12-16

[dumaketu]

Vocal: Vidushi Sumithra Vasudev
Violin: Vidushi Ranjani Swaminathan
Mridangam: Vidwan B. Sivaraman
Khanjira: Vidwan K. Rangachari

I attended the concert, but don't have notes from it except on the pallavi. So here is an incomplete song list (incomplete since I don't remember if she sang a varnam in the beginning and not being very familiar with tamil)

1. Sarasiruhanana rama - Mukhari - swarakalpana@sarasiruha
2. Aparadhamulanniyu manninci - Lathangi - alapana, neraval and swarakalpana@vega nannu brovu mani
3. Ekkalathilum - Nattakurinji - alapana, kriti was exquisitely rendered in slow kalapramanam.
4. Chidambara natarajam - Kedaram
5. Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi in Saveri - elaborate alapana that beautifully captured Saveri, each swara being developed gently and with care, with a host of subtle anuswaras. Madhymakala tanam was excellent. The pallavi was in chatusra triputa (adi) talam. She mentioned that the pallavi was one that was taught to Mudikondan Venkataramana Iyer by one of his gurus, thavil maestro Ammachatram Kandasamy Pillai and that unlike other pallavis this was at the outset set to a "fast pace". The pallavi line was "Shree Rajarajeshwari Devi, Jagadamba Maam Pahi". She then went on to demonstrate the pallavi in 8-kalai and then did neraval and swarakalpana in 4-kalai and 2-kalai. I was completely mesmerized by the space given to the elaboration of the neraval, which I think she did for a little less than twenty five minutes, followed by swaras. I don't remember the ragamalika section too well, but I think she did some sruti bedam, didn't make notes on the ragas since I was fully absorbed. I seem to recall Hamsadhwani, Sahana maybe two or three other ragas also. The whole ragam, tanam, pallavi section lasted for over an hour and ten minutes including a short five minute tani. I heard a few pallavis this season, and given my limited knowledge and understanding of this form, this was probably the most elaborate and well-presented pallavi.
6. Ragamalika Shloka - didn't make notes on the ragas, but recollect Mohanam and Sindhubhairavi
7. a song in tamizh - not sure of the lyrics
8. Dasara Nindisa Beda - Thilang

On the whole a very satisfying concert, representing the best of the Mudikondan-Vedavalli school. I'm sorry that I'm not able to write in more detail on the violin artist but on the whole it felt satisfying as well. The percussion vidwans gave able support to the vocal and violin artists, especially during the pallavi.

[hema]

yes, I really enjoyed the concert.

She did sing a varnam
yadukulakamboji:kamalakshi, ata
Saveri: RTP was really good. hamsadvani, gowla, sama
viruttam: harikamboji, kaanada, dhanyasi, mohanam, ...
anru ulagalandha -- tiruppavai
dasa nin: purandara dasa
adaikalam (madyamavati) -- close

What a contrast to that of Abhishek's concert that came next. To plagiarise from a relative, "Abhshek was his usual self!:-)" My student who came only for Abhishek loved it.