Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi Solo concert

[abheri]

Last weekend, I attended a solo recital by Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi (LV) at Kasturi Srinivasan Hall, to commemorate the birth centenary of Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. It was a superb concert, the kind that the audience expects from the Lalgudi family. What made this unique was her brief commentary at the beginning of each song, giving anecdotes from Semmangudi mama's life and concerts. LV's choice of songs and ragas was impeccable, especially if you are familiar with Sri Semmangudi's concerts.
LV started with Deva Deva, in Mayamalavagowla, which happens to be my favorite of Semmangudi mama's performances. LV did not disappoint with her rendition. Other pieces she performed, were in Reetigowla, Anandabhairavi, Hamirkalyani and the raga alaapana in Shankarabharanam.
Her rendition and commentary on Hamirkalyani was much appreciated by the audience. She pointed to Semmangudi mama's prowess in singing Hamirkalyani in such a way that we would be convinced that the raga emanated out of carnatic music and moved to hindustani music. To me the rendition was so beautiful that it did not matter where it came from, LV delivered a masterpiece.
Her raga alaapana in Shankarabharanam was impeccable and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it.
She concluded the concert with a thillana in Mohanakalyani, composed by her father.
It was a rare morning treat to listen to the solo concert and I came out convinced that the purity of carnatic music is in the safe hands of the Lalgudi clan.

For more info, read the Hindu review today
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/08/01/stor ... 240200.htm

Abheri

[sureshvv]

Other pieces she performed, were in Reetigowla, Anandabhairavi, Hamirkalyani and the raga alaapana in Shankarabharanam.

Marivere was played in Anandabhairavi. Reethigowlai was not featured in this concert although she mentioned that Semmangudi mama's concert usually featured one of these two ragas and his rendition of certain kritis in these ragas are memorable,