Bangalore R.A. Ramamani, 27 Sept 08, Sastri Hall, Chennai

[Nick H]

How frustrating it is to be sitting in a jam on the wrong side of Luz Church Road, at 7.00pm, when the concert started at Sastri Hall at 6.30!

However, at least fate gave me a parking space next to the door, and I was able to slip in take a seat just at the gap between a vocal alapana and the violin's reply. I sat down at about 7.20.

Here are the essential details of the performers, quoted from Ram's wonderful listings site:

Bangalore R.A. Ramamani (Vocal), R. Hemalatha (Violin), Tanjavur Kumar (Mrudangam), Pudukkottai Ramachandran (Ghatam) @ Sastri Hall, Luz Church Road, Luz, Mylapore (Balaganamrutham and The Karnataka College of Percussion Trust, Bangalore).

One thing that marks a good performer for me is the ability to give full strength and confidence to every note, wherever it is in the range. From hearing a small amount of her music recorded, I was expecting this of Ramamani, and I was not disappointed. She has a tremendous voice, with great power and control. Listening to her was an experience that almost instantly erased my traffic woes --- and all the rest. A refreshing and exhilarating concert.

Hemalatha contributed to this quite considerably. She looks very young, but, as she seems to have progressed through academic qualifications to a doctorate, must be at least a few years older than her looks. As to her command and stage presence and musicianship: that is a whole generation older than her looks! I have seen her play three times this year, and have been most impressed every time. Her accompaniment is sweet, supportive, unintrusive but also not bland or retiring. Her solo moments come sometimes with considerable power, but not in any way out of step with the performace.

Doesn't 'El' mean of god to our arab cousins? Gives a new angle to the English saying if I wish Hemalatha more power to her ElBow

The absence of a Thillana disapointed me, but I was told that the previous concert had ended late, so there had not been time for one. Well, at least I didn;t miss as much as I thought, but I am sad not to have heard Ramamani's varnam.

My own fault entirely, and time I must improve on my dismal time management.

I didn't see any familiar faces in the audience... Anyone there who can give a 'proper' review?

[rshankar]

Anyone there who can give a 'proper' review?

Nick,

Many would rightly argue that you have done just that!

[Nick H]

Thank you

A list of songs and ragas isn't a review, either --- it's a song list. But it would be nice if someone with the experience and knowledge were to make a more technical appraisal!

Anyway, I must keep a lookout for visits from this lady in the season, as I certainly want to see her sing again.

In fact, I'll be watching out for both ladies, although I think Hemalatha is pretty-much in demand; I do see her name in the listings quite often for all those concerts that I nearly go to.

I forgot to mention that the Thani was considerably truncated too.

[vijay]

I will second Ravi's opinion. Ultimately a review is an impression, with or without technical details ti support what is necessarily a subjective experience - and I am certainly impressed enough to attend Ramamani's next concert!

[cienu]

Nick,

That was an interesting review. Thank you

[kmrasika]

rAmAmaNi is a well-trained and groomed performer and reputed teacher but unfortunately has not been offered much opportunities to perform. Good to read a review of her performance in Chennai. Does anyone have a list of items she presented?

[SSK]

Smt. Rama Mani gave a wonderful concert in South India FIne Arts, in San Francisco, Bay area in 2005. Please see http://www.southindiafinearts.org/conce ... 7_2005.htm
for details.

She presented the following with Hemmige V. Srivatsan on Violin and Anoor Dattatreya Sharma on Mridangam:

Sarasuda (Varnam) – Saaveri
Vallabha naayaka – Begada
Maakelara vichaaramu – Ravichandhrika
Raama ninnay – Huseni
Parama paavana – Porvikalyaani
Raama raama – Yaagapriya
Yenindha paraamugam – Valaji
Raagam Thaanam Pallavi in Natakuranji
w varaali, Ranjani, Hindholam,
Mridangam Thani Avarthanam
9) Raaga needhaya – Subhapant6huvaraali
Raama lakshmana – Surati

[karfan]

The Hindu review of the concert here:

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/10/stor ... 170600.htm

[Nick H]

Thank you for that pointer. Interesting to read.

[MaheshS]

Anyone there who can give a 'proper' review?

Nick,

Many would rightly argue that you have done just that!

- Ramamani didnt sing a thillana
- Ramamani did sing a varnam
- Ramamani has a tremendrous voice

- Hemalatha looks young for her age
- Her accompaniment is great

And Nick got stuck in traffic.

That is all I could figure out. Did I miss something out of the first post?

Good review indeed

[rshankar]

MaheshS, I am sure you can agree that for your convenience, Nick did format his posting appropriately (see http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=6954)

Anyway, Nick, here is what the Hindu had to say:

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/10/stor ... 170600.htm

[Nick H]

I've enjoyed the Hindu'd review today, yes. It calls Hemalatha a 'seasoned campaigner'! As I put it, her music is at least a generation senior to her looks.

Mahesh, you missed out my tribute to the strength and range of Ramamani's voice. The Hindu commented on this, so I'm forced to suggest that may be right about the rest of the concert too!

I wouldn't agree with them that the thani was crisp and well planned (I think they said) --- it was much truncated due to lack of time. Sadly short!