Concert Reviews

[R.Latha]

Song on new wings
The Devanandan Ubhayker Yuva Sangeet Utsav brought together some promising young musicians of India
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350790200.htm

Tracing her own path
Gayatri Girishholds lessons from her guru sacrosanct; but her music is her own
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350850300.htm

Fluent and felicitous
Anil Murthy's concert was charged with emotion

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350820300.htm

[R.Latha]

Holding the audience in thrall

The 13th annual L.V. Memorial Concerts conducted by the Rasika Ranjana Sabha,Tiruchi, was a boon for the music lovers of the city.

Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam.

Vocalists captivate: (From left) K. Jyotsna; Ganesan; Mohan Santhanam; Gayathri Venkataraghavan and Ashok Ramani.

It was delectable music by mostly young masters at the 13th Annual L.V. Memorial Concerts, conducted by the Rasika Ranjana Sabha recently. The programme, held at the Sabha's FGN Hall, Tiruchi, was spread over 11 days and was a boon for music lovers.

The festival had a rousing start with Padma Sugavanam (vocal), who was accompanied by Venkatasubramanian on the violin and Ananthakrishnan on the mridangam.

Audience enthralled

The mellifluous voice of K. Jyotsna enthralled the audience as she sang ‘Karunai Sheivan' (Sri), ‘Ninnu Vina' (Varali) and ‘Nee Iranga' (Atana). She was accompanied by G.Venkatasubramanian on the violin and S. J. Arjun Ganesh on the mridangam.

The U.S. based engineer, Ramakrishna Murthy, delighted the rasikas by tackling Mukhari (‘Sivakamasundari'), ‘Subramanya' (Hindolam) and ‘Ankaranamaka' (Kapi) in his inimitable style on the third day. He was accompanied by Nagai Sriram on the violin and Ganapathiraman on the mridangam.

The doyen, ‘Tiruchi' Ganesan with ‘Ambalapuzha' Pradeep on the violin, ‘Palladam' Ravi on the mridangam and Rajaganesh on the kanjira gave a recital in his established style. Special mention must be made about the thani performed by the percussion trio.

The young executive from New Delhi, Mohan Santhanam, who took up popular ragas, gave an astounding performance. He was ably supported by N. C. Madhav on the violin, Salem Srinivasan on the mridangam and Murali on the ghatam. His ‘Mahaganapathim' (Thodi), ‘Kanagasabapathikku' (Atana) and ‘Marukelara' (Jayanthsri) will be remembered for a long time by the audience. Madhav in typical Dhwaram style gave good support. The rollicking thani of Salem Srinivasan on the mridangam and Murali on the ghatam was splendid.

Delightful recital

‘Papanasam' Ashok Ramani, accompanied by M.A.Sundareswaran on the violin and Ganapathiraman on the mridangam, gave a delightful performance befitting the music mela of the Sabha.

The vocal recital by Gayathri Venkataraghavan spoke of her scholarship in the craft and she traversed the octaves with ease. Elaborating in Mohanam (‘Ra Ra Rajeevalochana') with apt swaras, she delved deep into Varali (‘Gopalanatha'). Her Poorvikalyani (‘Intha Paramugam Enaiya') and Sama (‘Annapurne') spoke volumes of her mastery and it seemed that she relived MS that day. N. C. Madhav on the violin, Sivakumar on the mridangam and Renganathan on the ghatam gave her able support.

Two comedies were also staged. ‘VRS O VRS,' presented by Chennai Kala Nilayam, was directed by K. S. Nagarajan. ‘Enakkul Iruvar,' presented by Rail Priya, was directed by Ananthu- who was also responsible for the dialogue and story.

The bharatnatyam performances by Vijaya Mukundan's troupe of Salangai Academy of Indian Classical Arts and by Smitha Madhav, on the final day, also regaled the audience.

The festival was inaugurated by S. R. Jayasithalakshmi, former professor of music. She conferred the ‘Sageetha Sri' title on V. Venkata Nagarajan and also presented the L.V. Memorial awards and purses to vocalist S. Adithyanarayanan and mridangam vidwan Venkataraman.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350610200.htm

[R.Latha]

1.Confluence of creativity
Harmony marked the musical conversation between flautist Shashank and sitar player Purbayan Chatterjee.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0351200200.htm
Optimum impact

2. Blessed with powerful voices, Ruchira Kale and Kumar Mardur proved their mettle.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0351260300.htm
Brothers unite for a cause

3. Jugalbandhi The Gundecha and Malladi Brothers have come together to raise funds for a worthy purpose.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350600200.htm
Holding the audience in thrall

4. The 13th annual L.V. Memorial Concerts conducted by the Rasika Ranjana Sabha,Tiruchi, was a boon for the music lovers of the city.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350610200.htm

5. Interpreted with ease
Duo Carnatica Brothers' rendition of the Saramathi raga was elegant.


http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350670300.htm

[R.Latha]

1. Note of friendship
Chennai-based bigwigs sang to raise funds for a cause, while Delhi youngsters too presented their talents.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350380200.htm

2. It is raining music
Delhi witnessed a number of delightful recitals in celebration of the monsoon.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350360200.htm

[R.Latha]

The sitar reigns supreme
Madhu Murthy paid tribute to four stalwarts of the sitar.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/03/s...0350190300.htm

[R.Latha]

1. Unusual selection of songs
Kotapalli Vandana, Vrinda Acharya and K.J. Nandini lent freshness to their recitals.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/24/s...2451160200.htm

2. Catchy mix of old and new
‘Raag Roop Aur Rang' showcased film songs based on classical ragas.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/24/s...2451150200.htm

3. Graceful blend of styles
Lakshmi Sreeram and Gayathri Girish showcased the two classical forms with deep commitment to grammar and composition.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/24/s...2451090200.htm

4. In his inimitable way
Solo Gurucharan's swaras and niraval spoke of his scholarship in handling tough components of music with ease.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/24/s...2450550300.htm

5. With effortless ease
By eminent musicians marked the finale of the September Season of Music and dance held in Coimbatore.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/24/s...2450580300.htm

6. Display of virtuosity

The Parur style of bowing and fingering is reflected to great degree in the violin playing of the talented brothers from Mysore, Nagaraj and Manjunath. They have been in the concert arena for quite a few decades and enjoy popularity amongst ...

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/09/24/s...2451240400.htm

[raagadevan]

Musical revelry - (Soorya Dance and Music festival 2010)

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/10/22/s...2251340300.htm

[R.Latha]

Firm foundation
Kolkata Vijayaraghavan has potential, but he should steer clear of mere vocal display.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/10/29/s...2950820200.htm
Jazzy lilt to raags

Hindustani vocalist Shantanu Bhattacharyya and the Canadian group Monsoon wove magic.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/10/29/s...2950950400.htm

Spirit of adventure
With the accompanists playing perfect, Sanjay offered a sumptuous fare.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/10/29/s...2951060500.htm

[R.Latha]

Evocative appeal

Vasudha Keshav's Carnatic vocal recital was well structured



Vasudha Keshav Complex structure and weighty classicism

Vasudha Keshav, accompanied by S. Yashasvi (violin), A. Radhesh (mridanga) and R. Ramesh (ghata), presented a vocal concert recently as part of the Sri Sargur Narasimha Murthy Endowment Programme of the MES Kalavedi, Bangalore.

The performance began with an emphatic rendering of Veena Venkatagiriappa's varna “Vanajaksha”, set to Gambheeranatta raga and adi tala, to which were appended a few avarthanas of kalpana swaras. A brief sketch of Saranga was then followed by “Gananathane”, a composition of Periyasami Thooran, also in adi tala. Kalyanavasantham was taken up for a short alapana that highlighted its evocative appeal, notable for the occasional stress on the dhaivatha during the ascent to the thara sthayi, and for the imaginative phrases that ran the entire gamut of the scale. The Deekshithar krithi “Sree Venkatesham Bhajami Sathatham” in rupaka tala, sung in a mellow tempo eminently suited to its lilting yet dignified charm, and suffixed with brisk kalpana swaras at the madhyamakala sahithya beginning “Shankha Chakra Dharam” completed a well constructed and executed item.

The succeeding expansion of Nattakurinji was suffused with raga bhava, replete with key phrases that combined improvisational acumen with strict adherence to the complex structure and weighty classicism of the raga. A full-throated akara at certain junctures would, however, have infused the exercise with greater vitality and revealed more effectively the true range and quality of the voice. Veena Kuppayyar's krithi beginning “Needu Moorthy” in adi thala was ornamented with a fairly detailed neraval at “Indiraramana Gunabharana”, made especially striking by the thara sthayi positioning of the sahithya. The ensuing kalpana swaras in the second speed were enlivened by a number of single avarthana segments leading to a final focus of diminishing tala cycles ending at the dhaivatha, and including a modicum of rhythmic patterns.

A bracing “Bhogeendrashayinam” in Kunthalavarali raga prefaced the main raga of the evening, Mohanam. The alapana was both meticulous and elaborate, and infused with the traditional flavour of the Carnatic idiom. Thyagaraja's “Nannu Palimpa” in adi tala was presented with a neraval and kalpana swaras at “Vanaja Nayana” and followed by a tani avarthana. A number of compositions by a variety of composers included in the well-planned recital were indicative of the lead artiste's wide repertoire and dedication. The concert, which was augmented by competent accompaniment by the violinist and exemplary support and understanding from the percussionists concluded with Purandaradasa's “Venkatachala Nilayam” in Sindhubhairavi raga and adi thala.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/10/29/s...2950730300.htm

[raagadevan]

"Blessed with a velvety voice"

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/02/18/s...1851220200.htm