ABHISHEK RAGHURAM - NEEDS MORE TIME
To be fair, one should perhaps give him more time to settle, as he is currently experiencing the physical changes of an adolescent male. He struggled to align to the sruti throughout the concert.
His item selection was good. The rare but lovely varnam 'Intakopa' failed to register. However, his rendition of 'Vinatasuta' in Jayantasena (printed as Jayantasree in the souvenir of the Academy) was competent. The alapana of Latangi was good in patches. The kalpanaswaras in and at 'Marivere' was perhaps the highlight of the concert. His mathematical combinations and poruttams using swaraksharas at 'Mari' revealed his pontential and credentials as the grandson of the great mridangist Palghat Raghu. 'Natimata' seemed to be a replica of D K Jayaraman's version.
Anand's anticipation and command over the mridangam was striking for one so young. Obviously, a legacy from his grandfather. He filled up the musical gaps with flashy yet appropriate pharans. He however should try and maintain a balance between technical virtuosity and rhythmic melody. There is no doubt that in the years to come, he'll be force to reckon with.
Dorai Balasubramaniam, the violinist, seemed a misfit in the scheme of things. He couldn't justify himself in any aspect of music. His portrayal of Todi looked as though he had received an out-of-syllabus question paper. However his Latangi alapana was better.
