Sikkil Mala's concert tour of USA
Reported by R. Sharada

Flautist Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar, now on a concert tour in USA under YCMA, performed at the Bridge Water Temple in New Jersey for CMANA on 27th September.
She was accompanied on the violin by Mullaivasal G. Chandramouli and on the mridangam by Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathy.
The highlight of the whole concert was the main piece - the "Ragam Thanam Pallavi" in three different ragas - Kalyani, Vasantha and Bhairavi - all in one cycle of Adi Thalam.

Very simple yet interesting. The transition from one raga to the other was done with much ease and in a subtle manner followed by ragamalikas incorporating Kalyani+Vasantha=Kalyanavasantham,Vasantha+Bhairavi=Vasanthabhairavi and back to kalyani.

The swara kuraippu also was done in all the three ragas alternating one another. The exchange between the flute and violin was a treat not only to the ears but to the eyes too.

Even the grand finale - korvai or Muthaippu was done in those 3 ragas.
The other songs rendered included were Dikshadar's Sri Subramanyayanamasthe in Kamboji (which included detailed raga elaboration followed by kalpana swarams.), Sanathana Paramapavana (Palamanjari) - Neelayadakshi,Vanchathonuna and in the post thani were Malai pozhudinile,Muruganin maru peyar azhagu, Kaatrinile, Kuraionrumillai, Mohanakalyani thillana, to name a few.

It was indeed a memorable concert.