Saketharaman opened the concert with a short and impressive sketch of Sri Ranjani. Like the Gopis watching little Krishna climb on top of Kalinga and control the multi-headed snake with a beat and gait, the mesmerised audience watched the little genious ascend and descend the notes of Sri Ranjani, while aptly stressing the "Ni dha" notes in Sri Ranjani reminding us of the Sharanagathi tatwa. He presented Neethan Mecchi Kollavendum, pausing and stressing the right words to bring the rich bhavam in the lyrics. But unlike what was said in lyrics "nimisham povathu yugamaai aaguthu" the beautiful song sadly ended in a few minutes.
What can be a better mood-enhancer for the evening than Hamsanadham? Like the sound that emanates from the Panchajanyam driving away evil, fear and boredom, Hamsanadham brought cheer, excitement and enthralled the audience. Oothukadu's next gem, Kalayanarama, narrating the wedding scene of Lord Rama and Sita. We live in an age where celebrity weddings are telecasted and narrated, but Oothukadu's sahityam narrated a wedding that happened in a different yuga. This kriti is a treat to all sensory organs. Those were the days of no "breaking news" and OVS (Oothukadu Venkatasubbaiyer) starts with the smell of the perfume and goes all the way describing the important sages and rishi's who've come to bless the couple. ASI, Supreme court and Allahabad High Court can argue the janmasthan and history of Rama, but this one song is a testimony to "Janakaja manohara raghurama's" existence. No further arguments or appeals! FYI: OVS composed this song in praise of Vaduvoor Ramar.
It is art and a science to pick up a ragam like Neelambari, manuver through the crests, troughs and sing to the right amplitude without letting the audience head completely fall to the left or right. Mani Noopuradhari was meticulously and melodiously describing the beauty of Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalan. For those of you who've seen him person, you will recollect his visual appeal and charm, but for the rest the lyrics will do so. Description of gems that adorn him, intricate work on his makutam, the color of his ravishing skin, the fragrance of sandalwood, perfumes, herbs and flowers, surrounded by cows and finally being a treasure of compassion. Saketharaman made sure that he didn't wake up the sleeping Santhanakrishna near the Rajagopalan. Enrapture is the verdict on this kriti!
Can Krishna charithiram ever be sung without a Thodi? That is like Gokulashtami without butter! Muthuswamy Dikshithar, a Devi Upasaka sang Sri Krishnam Bhaja in Thodi in praise of Sri Guruvayoorappan. Todi is a sampoorana ragam and so is Krishna! It was Venugana ramana that kept the audience under a mystical spell and completely put the mosquitoes to sleep. Nereval at Karunya komala shyamala nayana was delectable. Saketharaman proved that Venugaanam can be done without a flute. 500 judges shook their heads in soulful satisfaction and gave an arousing verdict without accepting a single pie! Isn't this amazing India of another kind?
I couldn't sit through the concert due to some personal commitment, but Saketharaman's soulful, open-throated, gimmick-less singing is a treat to hear and watch. Saketharaman made full justice to the composer and his guru. If you have not heard him hear him this December season, he is a promising star in the Carnatic world. Most of the musicians are either big in their ego/sariram or both, but this little boy at the center sits like a utsava murthy and gives immense visibility and room for the accompanist to contribute.Let us attend and encourage such young and talented musicians to live like the Trinities and not use Carnatic Music like ATM machines.
Chandra- your review is worth a newspaper, it is classy in its own way. Not that I am a great expert on music, but I do feel that like a performance, a review should bring joy to the reader. This one does a precise job of that.
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