Being an ignoramus on this subject, I learnt a lot from this session. First of all, they established with proof of several ancient works that it is NaGaswaram (not NaDaswaram).
- Nagaswaram was limited to temples
- Word Kattai (for pitch) came into parlance after introduction of harmonium in 1700s
- Clarinet was altered by AKC (70 years of music in him!)
- Nagaswaram has 2 reeds while Clarinet has 1
- Clarinet was used by Mozhart etc in his symphonies and is a foreign instrument like violin
- Clarinet was a mandatory instrument for Sadr (Natyam)
I had to rush out to head to the Harikatha by Smt. Visakha Hari in Krishna Gana Sabha.
Sri Ranga Mahatmyam - Visakha Hari - KGS
Excellent music, full of bhavam and clean diction and enunciation.
Weaves several carnatic and devotional songs into the story and precedes the song with the context and meaning. It heightens the experience for the listeners. She moved me to tears with her passionate exposition of how Sri Ranganathan came about to what is now called Sri Rangam.
Fortunately, I did not get the tickets. So, I could sit under the shade of a tree on the far side away from road noises and listen to their kind audio/video feed.
Few notes:
- There are 32 things not to do (Aparadham) in a temple environment (no gossip, shop talk etc.)
- Several sayanams (sleeping posture) e.g Yoga Sayanam, Jala Sayanam, Bhoga Sayanam etc.
- Greatness of the creator is expressed through the greatness of creation. When you get fascinated by the ocean, for example, think about the creator of such a wonderful and essential water body.
- Raghu is the ancestor of Rama (Manu-Raghu-Aja-Dasaratha-Rama)
- In Srirangapura Vihara (Dikshitar, Brindavana Saranga), the phrase "Pankajapta kula jalanidhi soma" = "Kamalapta kula Kalasabdhi Chandra" (Tyagaraja, same raga) word to word.
- In Jagadananda Karaka, charam starting with "Padavijitha mouni" depicts bala kandam.
- In Rama Nannu Brovara, there is a reference to how every one including ants queue up to go to Vaikuntam along with Rama when Rama makes an offer to take his subjects
- She ended the program (part 2 - missed part 1 due to misunderstanding) with O Rangasayee in Kambodhi
This is totally a teen concert. Mridangam player looked like a 6th grader. Ghatam player was very spirited and gifted. The main artist rendered all compositions except one (Amba Para devate in Indrapriya) with maturity. Good, robust voice.
1. Mamava - Varali
2. Paarvai onre podume - Surati
3. Amba para devate - Indrapriya
4. Birana Varalichi - Kalyani
5. Marulanna mata - javali - Kapi
Very pleasant, satisfying concert overall.
Saraswati Prabhu (related to some one in the sabha)
The less said the better..Perhaps, she was nervous. Lot of top voice singing, unstable swara sthanas. She should keep practising...
1. Senthil - Varnam -Neelambari
2. Anandamritakarshini - Amrithavarshini
3. Anuragamule - Saraswati
4. Ganamurthe - Ganamurthi
5. Pakkala - Kharaharapriya
6. Enna Tavam -Kapi
7. Viruttam-Behag
8. Tillana - Bhageswari
Ranjani & Gayathri - KGS
They are obviously quite popular these days. Very clear, pure, soft music with melody (not harsh dramatics) as the motif. They got off to a great start with Kalyani varnam and Gowla kriti. Good concert planners.
- I wish they put a bit more gravity (Azhutham) in their music. It is too frilly and gossamer like..does not last long before it diffuses and becomes one with the atmosphere! (that's a lot of poetry for one night!)
- I wish they don't sing 'Sowka' for 'Chowka' in their 'Korina Varamosagu' kriti
- I wish they realize that 'sowkhyam' (pleasant ease) comes through assimilation and mindset, practice ..not by lowering the volume to the ground. ('putting one's ears to the ground' has a new meaning now!)
- Both of them are equally talented and balanced unlike what happens in typical duo concerts
- Their mandram (bass) is very thin and not highly developed yet
- Every note and phrase was suffused with raga bhavam. Hats off!
- Vanajakshi (Kalyani)
- Sri Maha Ganapathi (Gowla)
- Maa Ramanan (Hindolam)
- Korina Varamosagu (Raamapriya)
- Amba Nilambari (Nilambari)
- Lalithe (Bhairavi)
- Kalala nerchina (Deepakam)
- RTP (Sahana) Ini Oru Kanam(sic) Unnai Marave Ina Kula Thilaka (Khanda jati Adi with different nadai in each half
Neyveli Santanagopalan - Narada Gana Sabha
One of the best concerts I have attended besides TMK, Jayasri. His music speaks..no frills and dramatics needed if you have good music to bank on. Violin by VV Ravi was out of this world. Why don't we hear him more?
Neyveli Sir was in pretty good form. He enjoys his music...we can easily tell.
- Viriboni - Bhairavi
- Vatapi - Hamsadhwani
- Nija Marmamulanu (Umabharanam)
- Kaaranam Kettu Vaadi (Purvi Kalyani)
- Marivere (Anandabhairavi)
- Pullu Silambi (Sankarabharanam) have not heard this before..wish he selected weightier kriti
- Teliyaleru (Dhenuka)
- Virutham (Bhageswari)
- Naadi Thedi (Bhageswari)
- Maasil Veenayum (Behag)
- Aadum Chidambaramo (Behag)
- Tiruppugazh - Madhyamavathi
- Tiruppugazh - Hamsanandi
- Krishnaprasad
2 comments:
Anahita ravindran's concert was very very good !!!!!!!
It was one of the best ive ever seen in my life !!!!!!!
She is very talented and is on the verge on becoming one of the greatest singers the industry has ever produced !!!!!!
that is a lofty comment. She is good, and I am sure if she keeps practising , she can reach higher. But I feel that her voice is too soft, without much of gambheeram that is the hallmark of carnatic music. I wish her good luck.
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