Concert Reviews

[R.Latha]

14 May 2010 04:17 pm

Focus on Tamil kritis
The Tamizhisai festival served as a platform for young aspirants to exhibit their talents.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/14/s...1450610300.htm

Mutually pleasant
Gayatri Asokan's casual approach and good improvisation of swaras made her recital quite enjoy.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/14/s...1450620300.htm

Dipping into an aural treasure
Shreyah Ramnath displayed acumen in grasping the lyrical and devotional facets of Annamacharya kirtanas.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/14/s...1451460200.htm

Musicians scout for talent
The aim of Sumanasa Foundation is to search for potential and showcase it.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/14/s...1451500200.htm

Of voice and violin
Narmadha beautifully highlighted some rare kritis, adding an admirable vocal touch to her violin recital.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/14/s...1451510200.htm

Presented with emotion
The Oduvars have sung Panniru Tirumurai soaked in bhakti.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/14/s...1451580300.htm

Young harpists show promise
Diverse repertoire and expressive power marked the harp concert presented by students of A.R. Rahman's KM Music Conservatory.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/14/s...1451630400.htm

[R.Latha]

COMMENT Madurai T.N. Seshagopalan's concert was in keeping with the spirit of the venue - the Parthasarathy Swami temple.

UNIQUE BEARER OF TRADITION: T. N. Seshagopalan

The Parthasarathy temple in Tiruvallikeni is said to be the oldest temple in Chennai city. Tiruvellikeni itself finds mention as a village even in the times of the ancient Pallava dynasty. And in this temple, with all its authenticity and grandeur, was the Brahmotsavam festival grand finale concert of Madurai T.N. Seshagopalan.

The crowds that had thronged the temple festivities organically reorganised themselves to transform the space into a spiritual theatre. And thus began the concert.

It was common knowledge that TNS had returned from a long American musical tour barely twelve hours before his concert, in one of the hottest days of the year. There was natural curiosity of how he would cope with the circumstances. But as the concert progressed, it became obvious that TNS would not disappoint, since he would capture the traditional connection between Carnatic music and its original proscenium, the temple.

Evocative Kaanada

Even as the concert began with and unfolded into the Dikshitar composition Shanka Chakra (Purnachandrika), the Chalamela varnam (Nattakurunji) concert had embedded itself in the universe of Parthasarathy. TNS enhanced the momentum with Ambujam Krishna's `Yenna Solli Azhaithai' that was preceded by a supremely evocative elaboration of raga Kaanada followed by a thematic virutham. `Keechu Keechendrengum' (Tiruppavai) in Bhairavi was an apt inclusion of Andal. The next composition was to connect inevitably with the spatial significance of the temple. The offering was a slokam `Sarva Dharmaan Parityajya,' the last of the Gitopadesam and is called Charamasloka, highlighting the surrender of the devotee to the higher force.

This was followed by the elaborate `Bhagayanayya' in Chandrajyoti. This wholesome offering meandered from the raga elaboration to the niraval and kalpana swaram.

The line of the niraval improvisation `Phalamu Neeku thanaku Laedhani Chakkaga Paalanamu Seya Laedha' refers to theGita sloka, (meaning, the action alone is your right and not the result). Even the anupallavi in the composition refers to the karmanyevaadhikaarsthe maa phaleshu kadhaachan Gitopadesa sloka (meaning, there is nothing to be done for me, or my own sake in all the three worlds). TNS could not have made a better offering to the philosophical symbolism of the presiding deity.

All the exquisite viruthams such as `Palliyil Othi Vanthadhor Siruvan' (Thirumangai Azhwar Pasuram) about Thiruvallikeni deity and `Shanka Chakra (Draupadi Maana Samrakshana slokam were thematic to the metaphors of the temple. TNS chose to even conclude the concert with a thematic mangalam `Vijaya Gopala' by Narayana Tirtha.

Vittal Ramamurthy on the violin and Ganapathy Raman on the mridangam harmonised faultlessly with the theme and texture of the concert.

The concert and its ambience transported even the average connoisseur (and perhaps even the non-believer!) to a world of yore when culture, spirituality and intellectual genius merged with organic ease. TNS demonstrated that he is a unique bearer of a musical tradition that can revitalise the transcended significance of a space called the temple.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/05/21/s...2161340300.htm

[R.Latha]

1. Accent on musical discipline
Seetha Rajan's recital for Swati Tirunal Day was compact and creditable.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0451220200.htm

2. Vintage fare from veteran
Kalpagam Swaminathan's album was released recently.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0451230200.htm

3. Maestro's magic

For those Hindustani music aficionados who have not had the opportunity to listen to the scintillating music of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, this CD will provide a glimpse into the masterly exposition of three ragas handled by the ...
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0451250200.htm

4. Music, pure and pristine
Athira's judicious choice of compositions made her concert lively.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0450680300.htm

5. Unrelenting tempo
It was significant that Madhavan never resorted to contrivance of voice to feign reposefulness and sensitivity.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0451300400.htm

[R.Latha]

1. Vibrant vocals
Kasturi Kamala Deepthi gave a skilful vocal performance for Sankara Jayanti celebrations.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0450070200.htm

2. Delightful beat of the dolu
Miduthuru Tarigoppula Narayana performed 35 talas in less than 13 minutes.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0450160300.htm

3. One for the record
A marathon rendition of Annamayya keertanas finds place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0450120200.htm

4. The little master
Abhishek Raghuram showed maturity beyond his age.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0450150300.htm

5. Magic of qawwali
An informal setting can transform the qawwali experience. And so it was when Warsi brothers Nazeer and Naseer Ahmed Khan performed at the LaMakan in Banjaral Hills. The Warsi brothers were their melodic best with chosen old-time hits like ...
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/06/04/s...0450180300.htm

[R.Latha]

A musical treat

Maestro Ilayaraja's album “Nothing But Wind” to be performed live on June 5



MAGICAL TUNES Ilaiyaraja.

I layaraja's fans have a huge reason to celebrate this weekend. “Nothing But Wind”, his album of international acclaim, is to be performed live on June 5, 7 p.m., at The Music Academy. The show will be inaugurated by the maestro himself and presided over by director Bharathiraja, music composer Uttam Singh and lyricist Vaali. Ace flautist Navin Iyer will take centre stage along with a 50-piece orchestra. The show is being organised by Bhavatharini, Ilayaraja's daughter, in connection with the virtuoso's birthday (June 2).

“Nothing But Wind” is Ilayaraja's second non-film album released in 1988. The album was performed by veteran flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and a 50-piece orchestra and takes the conceptual approach suggested in the title — that music is a natural phenomenon akin to various air currents (e.g., the wind, the breeze, the tempest, etc.).

Now, for the first time, after two decades of its release, the album is to be performed live by city-based musicians Navin Iyer on the flute, Navneeth Sundar on the keyboard, Aalaap Raju on the bass guitar, Donnan Murray on the guitar, Leon on the keyboard, Geo Raj on the drums along with a 32-piece string section. It will be conducted by Prabhakaran.

“Nothing But Wind” comprises the tracks ‘Singing Self', ‘Mozart I Love You', ‘Song of Soul', ‘Composer's Breath' and ‘Nothing But Wind'. Tickets for the show, priced at Rs. 250, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000, are available at Landmark. For more information, call 99949 02173 or 98417 79699.

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/06/03/s...0350840100.htm

[R.Latha]

Music for a cause

Listen to sacred music featuring the Lutheran Men's Voice

A sacred music concertwill be held on June 5 at 6.30 p.m., at Arulnathar Lutheran Church, Harleys Road, Kilpauk, in aid of the ALC Piano Fund. The concert will feature the Lutheran Men's Voice, a group led by Prabhu G.J Dorairaj, which has been singing for the past 35 years. The evening will feature hymns, keerthanais, spirituals and gospel songs. The evening will also feature pianist Rajeevan David. Donor passes are priced at Rs. 100. For details, call 98842-94648.

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/06/03/s...0351030500.htm

[R.Latha]

1. Talent spreads its wings
Consistency and tonal balance marked K. Gayathri's concert.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2051210200.htm

2. Words of wisdom
Prof. Veezhinathan highlighted the Advaita philosophy in Dikshitar kritis.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2051250600.htm

3. Raga essays made the difference
Creative touches made Subbulakshmi Swaminathan's concert worth the while.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2051360400.htm

4. Symmetry in singing
Maharajapuram Ganesh Viswanath ably juxtaposed karvais and rapid prayogas.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2051380400.htm

5. Polished to sparkle
The neat delineation of kritis by Mambalam Sisters was proof of their diligent practice.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050660300.htm

[R.Latha]

1. Tranquil notes
Suma Sudhindra and Pravin Godkhindi's jugalbandi bore testimony to technical virtuosity and aesthetic sensibility

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050940500.htm
Love holds devotion

2. Adil Husseini's five-hour performance had devotional and philosophical numbers

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050950500.htm

3. Fluent notes
Anantharam and Amith Nadig's concert evoked mixed responses, while Shrilakshmi's veena recital was imaginative

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050960500.htm

4. Eclectic rendition
Ranjani and Gayatri caught the pulse of the audience and made a fine presentation

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050970500.htm

[Irene Hastings]

Do you have review of T.M.Krishna's concert @ Times of India programme ?

[R.Latha]

1. Room for two
A look at the duet music concerts in the Sampratikam fest.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050100200.htm

2. Torrential talent
Concerts by young Carnatic musicians who received Sangeet Natak Akademi's Yuva Puraskar.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050120200.htm

3. Keeping tune with the times
Noted folk singers from Assam, Khogen and Archana Mahanta, on their long association with Bihu songs and the changing times.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/20/s...2050140300.htm