Do Away with Thematic Concerts!
By Sundararaman ,Alwarpet, Chennai
Once upon a time, music events were happening only in temples, wherein the artists used to sing several similar pieces (like Thevarams, Thiruppavai etc) without sticking to any concert format. At this point of time, Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar brought the Kutcheri Pathadhi (format), whose sole purpose was to provide variety of pieces in proper format to the audience. i.e concerts begining with a Varnam, followed by other pieces and ending with a Thillana or Javali.
But nowadyas many organizers are coming out with the concept of Thematic Concerts. This kills the fundamental principle of providing variety to the audience. It is borning to listen to a 2-3 hours concerts that contain only Devi Krithis or Arutpas or Abhangs. I am not undermining the value and quality of any of these individual pieces, but feel that a concert with only a perfect blend would entertain the genuine audience.
If I consider, Kutcheri Pathadhi of AR Iyengar is like a full-fledged thali meal, the so called thematic concerts look like a meal that contains Vendaikkai Sambhar, Vendaikkai Morkkozhambu, Vendaikkai Porial, Vendaikkai Pachhadi etc.
I wish seasoned artists agree with my point and do not fall into the prey of the Thematic Concerts.
Exotic varieties of eatables
While the ardent music lovers throng the various venues to enjoy their music, there are equal numbers hopping from one to the other simply to the exotic varieties of eatables.
The Gnanambika at Narada Gana Sabha is missing this time there and the reason for this is not forthcoming and Woodlands is catering there, but most of the gourmut pundits feels the absence very much.
But one man's loss is another's gain and the Sabha at Vani mahal grabbed Gnanambika - the fans can march towards Vani Mahal.
The popular Meenambika Caterers at MFAC for some time, is having a hayday with a lot of new varieties like Kuzhippaniyaram, sardar vadai, adai and morkkoottu or avial, kothamalli dosai and double decker idly. Their lunch at Rs.50 is a hit and they plan to have special lunch on Jan.1 as a farewell!
The Music Academy, the trend setter of canteen facilities,also is having a new caterers,V.R.Caterers. They have made a splendid debut with a lot of items and the lunch is served at Rs. 80/- a little bit costly.
At Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, ARS caterers from Ullagaram are meeting the needs of the rasikas in a simple but impressive manner.
Tail Piece:In this year Jaya TV progs.Vijay Siva,after his thematic "Kalyaname Vaibohame",arranged to offer "sundal'. From next day other artists took the clue and the fans, apart from free entry, were offered mixture, pori urundai and sakkarai pongal and puliyodharai, a feast to the ear and tongue!
Todi Hat-trick at Narada Gana Sabha
Reported by Rajeswari Srinivasan
There was a deluge of Todi on three consecutive days in the Narada Gana Sabha.
O.S. Thiagarajan in his concert on Dec. 15 chose the Todi Kriti 'Kaddhanu Variki' of Thyagaraja for detailed delianation, with a number of sancharis in the alapana.
The following day on Dec. 16 it was the turn of Sowmya to choose the same kriti 'Kaddhanu variki' for an elaborate ragam tanam pallavi.
On the third consecutive day that is on Dec.17 veteran musician T. N. Seshagopalan did a ragam tanam pallavi i the same Todi but fortunately with a different pallavi beginning 'Gana lola karunya'
Hindustani RTP by Trichur Brothers
Reported by Shyamala Ramaswamy, Mylapore
The evening concert by Trichur Brothers at Sivagami Pethachi auditorium for Brahma Gana Sabha on Dec. 21 was a refreshingly different experience.
The kutcheri commenced with a full-throated rendering of Ramanathapuram Srinivasa Iyengar's varnam 'Neranammithi' in Kaanada ragam in Ata thalam, followed by the Dikshitar kriti 'Sri Maha Ganapatim' in raga Gowlai. The swara pattern, trifurcating the pallavi proved to be an interesting innovation. Shyama Sastri's Kaamakshi in Yadukulakambhoji followed providing a soothing touch to mind and soul. The Bhoopalam raga alapana for Dikshitar's 'Sadachaleswaram' showed slight traces of Hindustani influence in the higher octaves . . .
The audience expecting some thukkadas were in for a surprise when the artistes announced an RTP in Hindustani raga 'Jog!.
The swara patterns of the pallavi 'Cheta Sriramam' was innovative with raga Dwijawanti, Sree, Kapi, Kaanada and Revathi following in rapid succession. A unique feature of the concert was rendering the ragas by both artistes in turn reminding one of the styles adopted by Rajan and Sajan Misra!
M. A. Krishnaswamy on the violin was at its best, especially in his rendition of Jog. Mohan on the mridangam and Udupi Sridhar on the ghatam gave excellent rhythmic support.
Security : different experience
Reported by Dr. Radha Bhaskar
I happened to read in your website about all the tight security measures in various sabhas. I had a very different experience at Bharat Kalachar where P. Chidambaram, Hon'ble Minister inaugurated the fest.
I anticipated heavy security at the venue and not wishing to take a chance removed all the odd things from my handbag before I left for the function. When I entered the hall, I was in for a surprise as there were no metal detectors or any such hassels for us. We just entered and took our seats.
When P. Chidambaram came in, we did not even realise it as his entry was so quiet, without any security people accompanying him. In fact, on seeing him come, many eager rasikassurrounded him and he answered each one of them politely and pleasantly.
First time on stage!
Reported by V. vasantha
Vocalist Sowmya had an interesting anecdote to share at the concert for Brahma Gana Sabha on Dec. 10. She did the alapana of the raga Vakulabharanam and narrated the anecdote.
It was during 1981-82, when she was 11 years old, she accompanied her guru Dr. Ramanathan along with another girl of her age, to take part in Thyagaraja Aradhana at Thiruvaiyaru.
They were staying in Thanjavoor. When the two girls were fast asleep their guru woke them up at 2.30 am and asked them to bring the sruti box. He taught them this song that night but did not teach the mudra charanam.
The song was 'Ye Ramuni Nammithino' in the raga Vakulabharanam. this song has the scene of Kakasuravadham of Ramayana described in it.
That night both the students were overwhelmed by the guru's dedication to music. The yearning for good Carnatic music is alive in her because of her guru's strict tutelege.
She also said that she has never sung this song in any stage so far because the mudra charanam was not taught!
Warmth Missing at the Academy
Reported by A.S.Ramakrishnan by e-mail
I was there at the opening function of the Academy.I give here below what happened at the venue.
I knew, when the Vice President is called for the inauguration of Music Season of the Academy ,one can expect the security to be tight. But what one experienced there was totally uncalled for. Even at the main entrance from TTK road, the gate is closed with many policemen standing there giving a scar even to enter; and if you had gone there in a car ...you will be directed to so many rights and left you will park half a km away and walk to the venue. There will be three levels of security gate. With so many old people, it was a pity to go through all this.
The President N.Murali gave a brief history of the Music Academy and its present activities. The name of AKC was proposed by Smt. Vedavalli and seconded by Vellore Sri. Ramabadran. The speeches by both Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and Vice President Hamid Ansari lasted each just five minutes and nothing worth mentioning. The Speech of this year's President of the conference Sri.AKC Natarajan was simple and good tracing his initiation to music and up to the present award.
The whole proceeding was so mechanical and dull, one wonders what purpose it would serve. It was said again and again that Vice President came to this meeting exclusively from Delhi(the parliament is in session) and he is returning immly back. There was all around tension in the academy and there was a pin drop of silence almost throughout the function. And what is more important was there were more number of police and security men around than that of the members and rasikas.Academy can be proud of having called V (I) P , but usual gaiety and the ambience was definitely missing. Hope the organizer would call a person in the relevant field and the members and invitees are not put into any inconvenience. I am told lots of people were turned away for coming late or got fed up and went away.
Rare compositions at Prasanna Venkatraman's concert
Reported by Uma Shastry, Mandaveli
The concert of Prasanna Venkatraman at Brahma Gana Sabha was an enlightening experience.
The brilliant sketch of Arabhi followed by 'O Rajeevaksha' and the racey kalpanaswaras were a real treat. A rare piece like 'Kalai thookki' in Nilambari also found a place in his concert.
It is an encouraging time when artistes take up lesser known compositions to the core. The centre piece for the was kiravani followed by the popular kriti of Thyagaraja 'Kalikiyunte'. The raga was shown in all its grandeur and the sancharas were fresh and poise. Sanjeev on the violin added to the lusture of the gem found by Prasanna. Harinarayanan never went out of the way from the Umayalpuram school and the short tani was slightly disappointing.
In short it was a wonderful concert and Prasanna Venkatraman has a very bright future.
Pleasantly presented Tamil kritis
Reported by Rajeswari Srinivasan
On Dec. 6. while Sikkil Gurucharan had the 5 PM slot, Priya Sisters had the 7-15 PM slot at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
What was common to the concerts was adequate attention was given to Tamil Compositions, in both the concerts. Readers may remeber the question of bestowing attention to Tamil Krits was made to Sudha Raghunathan at a different forum recently.
When Gurucharan did an elaborate alapana of Kedara Goulai, taking it as the main piece, the audience least expected him to sing Arunachala Kavirayar's famous Kriti 'Andha Rama Soundaryam'! The audience was overjoyed to hear the delianation of this song done so well.
He followed this with 'Anjile Onru Petran' as prelude to the song 'Anumanai Anudhinam ninai maname', a proper sequel - from Sri Rama to his favourite Chels Anjaneya! After Garbapurivasar's Varnam, Gurucharan sang the Sahana Kriti, 'Sri Vatapi Ganapathiye Nin Thiruvadi saranam' of Papanasam Sivan as the second song of his Concert.
Priya Sisters instead of the 'humdrum' varnams which are usually dished out by artistes as the warmup exercise of their concerts, took up the Tamil Varnam 'Innamum Sodhaniaio Ezhai En meedhu' of their Guru Prof T.R. Subramaniam. This was indeed a very pleasant change!
When the sisters had a detailed alapana of Harikambhoji, the audience started mumbling 'Rama nannu brovara'. To the great enjoyment of all, the sisters sang Thanjavur Sankara Iyer's 'Muruga,Thirumalmaruga,Shunmuga' in great detail with 'neraval', 'swaram' et al!.
'Edhukkithanai Modi Than Endhan Meethu Iyah' was another Tamil song, sung well by the duo!
While the Kalyani Kriti of Dikshitar -'Kamalambam Bajare..' was the main song of the concert and definitely this was done very well, I felt that the rarely heard 'Jhankaradhwani' song 'Panipathi sayee mampahi' of Saint Tyagaraja was the snug little gem of the concert!
Rasikas' Reports
