Kiranavali at SAFE - Shastri Hall 12/12

Always_Evolving · Post by **Always_Evolving** » 18 Dec 2007, 23:00

Kiranavali Vidyasankar performed for SAFE on Dec 12th, accompanied by
Srilakshmi Venkataramani - violin, T K Ramakrishnan - mrdangam & Adambakkam Shankar -ghatam

The song iist:

1. Sarasiruhasanapriye - Nattai - Adi - Puliyur Doreswamy Iyer
2. Sarasasamadana - Kapinarayani - Adi - Tyagaraja (Swarams)
3. Durmarga - Ranjani - Rupakam - Tyagaraja (Ragam & Swarams)
4. Ambaneelayatakshi - Neelambari - Adi - Dikshitar
5. Malemanivanna (Tiruppavai) - Kuntalavarali - Adi - Andal
6. Etulabrotuvo - Chakravakam - Misra Chapu - Tyagaraja (RNST)
7. Saramaina - Behag - Rupaka - Swati Tirunal

I've been meaning to post a note on the concert here but illness, a hard-disk crash and having guests staying over all contributed to the late entry.

Kiranavali sang very well, and it was a nicely balanced concert in terms of variation in pace, time management and creative aspects. Sarasiruha and Sarasaamadana provided a brisk and bright start, and the vocalist sang some good swarams at Hitavumaatalento. It would have been an ideal point to dive into creating further swara patterns but one sensed some restraint, as well as a very subdued response from the violinist who played in mandara sthayi the whole time!

The Ranjani piece was followed by the beautiful Ambaneelayatakshi which was rendered evocatively and with depth. Maale-manivanna provided a brisk change of pace before the main item. Chakaravakam raga was nicely elaborated in detail, and the kritii presented with excellent neraval and swarams at the charanam Patti goddu. Slow swaras were given a more extensive treatment. One wishes she would be less restrained and dive into the faster kalpana swarams with greater abandon! The concert was finished up with the sweet Saramaina javali.

The percussionists were adequate and the violinist played decently but didn't respond adequately to swaras and neravals.

In my view Kiranavali's music is at once weighty, searching and sober. Her potential as a concert artist would be greatly aided by more perceptive supporting artists who are not themselves too restrained!

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 18 Dec 2007, 23:17

"One wishes she would be less restrained"

maybe she was playing it safe... just like some artistes sing Andolika at Raga sudha or Manavyala at Nalinakanti

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 29 Dec 2007, 08:49

I had heard Kiranavali a couple of years ago and when I went to Swamy's Hall to attend Sankara Iyer's concert, she was winding up her concert. I was surprised by the depth and azhuttam with which she sang. She is evolving and I would think would blossom into a more mature singer. Yes, accompanists count too...