The one that goes 'Sankarabharananai', made famous by Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, is sometimes attempted in the concert halls. But this is perhaps for the first time, a cocktail pallavi is presented on a magnetic tape.

One may consider buying the cassette for a good number of reasons, not the least of them being that it certainly makes for a very good listening. The performance seems to mature as it progresses and towards the end, when the singer toggles between the three ragas in smaller and smaller timeframes, the music is very good indeed.

However, to highlight a few more interesting aspects of the album, Seshagopalan's essay of Nattai during all the four nodes--alapana, tanam, neraval and swaras--is absolutely brilliant, thereby exploding the myth that a vivadi is less pliable. One does not often get to hear a Nattai in such an elaboration as in this album, which might be another reason to buy it.

Kurinji, a light piece, is sung without going above the daivatam. Seshagopalan has produced a very lilting kurinji, that sandwitches itself between the other two giant ragas, Nattai and Nattaikurinji.

However, it is only the Nattaikurinji, where the rasika might be excused if he is not fully satisfied. It maybe because the defining features of the raga come a little while after the raga is taken up--the whole essay is like looking at the raga through a cataract.

This, however, need not be a deterrent to buy the album, for on the whole, it is very possess-worthy.