Gayathri Girish@Music Academy on 18.12.2008

[Rengarajan]

Gayathri Girish -Vocal,B.U.Ganesh Prasad-Violin,Poongulam Subramanian-Mrudangam,Madipakkam Murali-Ghatam
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1. Varnam -Sahana
2. Sri Madhurapuri - Bilahari
3. Nee Chithamu - Dhanyasi
4. Antharanga Bhakthi - Shadvidhamargini
5. Pranatharthihara - Melaraga Malika - first 2 chakras
6. Sudhamayi - Amruthavarshini
7. Koniyaadina - Kambhoji
8. Thunai Purindharul - Varamu
9.RTP -Shanmukhapriya - Misra Triputa
Maadhavan maruga maamayil muruga saravanabhava shanmuga muruga guha kaa
10. Nath Hare - Ahirbhairav - Jayadevar
11. Irakkam Varamal - Behag
12. Thillana -Niroshta
13. Mangalam

Gayathri's concert at Academy was of a very high standard steepedin classicism, as can be judged from the following aspects:
1. Selection of kritis with a judicious mix of various composers in rakthi ragas
2. Right proportion of rendering of raga, neraval and swarams in the chosen kritis resulting in maintenance of tempo of the concert
3. Right mixture of gamakas and brigas -there is no over indulgence
4. unpredictable but interesting speed variations (conforming to grammar ) that sustained audience' interest throughout the concert
The rendering of kambodhi kriti revived the memories of the great artists of yester years and Gayathri should be given credit for the same in ample measure. Melagartha ragamalika and the short ragamalika swaras in audava ragas (1/4 avarthanam) in Pallavi and Ashtapathi in Ahir Bhairav were very pleasing
Gayathri has honoured the listeners by her efforts in planning and executing this concert , which was very wholesome.

The replies by Ganesh Prasad in raga and swara rendering and the support by percussionists enhanced the standard of the concert

[Sathej]

Was a fine concert. The Melakartha Ragamalika was a nice effort and the transitions from one Ragam to another was done very well. The Kambhoji song - a very heavy Krithi was sung leisurely. The innumerable Sangathis in the Pallavi were really good.
Sathej

[keerthi]

Koniyaadina is a superb krthi. It can be chosen to exemplify the idiom that is carnatic music. Everything about it is glorious - The notation, the words, the chitteswaram.. I could go on... Going off to the topic of another thread, koniyaadina is the song I want to hear as I die.. Kudos to kuppayyar's kreative genius!

It is wonderful that this gem is making a comeback in the concert circuit.

[kamalamba]

Sounds like this was a great concert.

Digressing a bit, I was at her concert at MFAC 15 December. This concert of GG's is the best I have seen so far in this years season.

Characterized with "Manodharma" in essentially everything she sang. The ata tala varnam in reeti gowla (rendered in two speeds) set up the concert very nicely. There was an elaborate todi (Sri Krishnam) still ringing in my ears.

I look forward to more of her concerts this year.

[Nagraj]

It was not an ordinary concert.

It was indeed a special concert of class, prepared to be performed at the Mecca of Carnatic Music. Imagine the amount of preparation in detail and homework that must have gone behind for making this happen. Definitely a mammoth effort indeed. Connoisseurs of CM who got assembled for the evening must have felt elated.

For instance, it was like walking on an razor’s edge, singing that ragamalika, which had so many twists and turns; ragas adding one after the other like driving down a hill having ennumber of hairpin bends, ups and downs. What a journey it was! A thrilling experience.

An impeccable performance that will remain as talk of the town for a long time.