A Satisfying Isai Mela

T Shyamsundar - Vocal
Nagai Sriram - Violin
Nellai Balaji - Mridangam

The concert of T Shyamsundar under the auspices of Srutilaya Kendra & Natarajalaya was held at Astika Samajam, on December 14, 2002. The Natakuranji Varnam Chalamela, Saranu siddhivinayaka (Sowrashtram) and Suddhadhanyasi kriti Subramanyena came in quick succession. His handling of ragas Suddhadhanyasi and Bilahari revealed a promising future. He should avoid referring to written notes constantly while performing in order to develop self-confidence. The usage of RGPMGR in Bilahari, instead of RGMGRS was appreciated by the knowledgeable rasikas. Narasimhanannu brovave (Misra Chapu), Balakrishna padamalar (Dhanyasi), Devibrova samayamide (Chintamani), Idi nyayama (Malavi) and Muruganin maru peyar (Behag) were performed with good taste.

The young violinist highly impressed the audience with his time and tonal quality. Suddhadhanyasi and Bilahari earned him rounds of applause. The Tani avartanam by Nellai Balaji was commendable. It was a pity that there were empty chairs in the hall.

Melodious Music

Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam - Vocal
V V S Murari - Violin
Skandasubramaniam - Mridangam
Swaminathan - Ghatam

Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam's concert at Mylapore Fine Arts on December 15 was thinly attended, and regrettably so. Beginning with Intamodi in Saranga and Pavanatmaja in Nata, she sang with absolute confidence, with good control over speed and sruti alignment. Lavanya Rama (Poornashadjam) was sung with clarity and poise, while Seetapate (Kamas) was skillfully handled. Her rendition of Sivakamasundari (Mukhari) was traditional. Poorvikalyani was very appealing and the swaraprastharas at Pannaga Bhushana in Ninnuvina (Viloma Chapu) were soul-stirring. The highlight of the program was the RTP in Sankarabharanam. Vijayalakshmi's voice didn't exhibit much strain in the higher octave and her tanam rendition was fluent. The Pallavi (Samanama sabhapati sadasiva, sakala daivamum unakku sari) in Khanda jati Triputa tala was simple and exuberantly sung with a flawless trikalam. The young violinist Murari responded equally well and excelled in the rendition of Kamas, Poorvikalyani and Sankarabharanam, depicting his versatile and fluent bowing movements. The percussionists provided good support during the Pallavi, but could play very little in the Tani due to time constraints. The concert ended on a sweet note with Kandena Govindana, a Purandaradasa Devarnama and a Meera bhajan.

Violinist's Day

18.12.02
Hamsadhwani

Gayatri Satyanarayana - Vocal
V Anand - Violin
E Krishnan Prasad - Mridangam

Singing for Hamsadhwani on December 18, Gayatri Satyanarayana started with the Hamsadhwani varnam, Jalajaksha, and followed with Tatvamairya tarama (Reetigowla) before rendering Neekela dayaradu (Sarasangi). The familiar songs Mamava Pattabhirama (Manirangu), Sogasujuda (Kannadagowla), Meenakshi me mudam (Poorvikalyani), Durusuga (Saveri) and Vinayakuni (Madhyamavati) failed to impress. The singer could have avoided plain renditions in favour of gamaka oriented phrases, She would also do well to improve her diction and to pay attention to sruti alignment. In contrast, the violinist, V Anand, gave a commendable performance in his handling of Sarasangi, Saveri and Poorvikalyani, exhibiting a good grasp on ragas and swaraprastaras. The Tani by mridangist Krishnan Prasad was enjoyable.