Lalgudi School: Definition of Music

Huseini Varnam was a brilliant start to GJR Krishnan & Vijayalakshmi violin duet. A brief raaga of Kedaram ("Rama Neepai")was filled with bhava. Devagandhari had all the vibrant colors. It was very refreshing to hear Rudrapriya("Amba Paradevathe") after a long time. Surati ("Sri Venkatesa") was literally music to ears. Krishnan & Viji did a brief sketch of Suddha Desi & Bangala ("Manase theliyaka pothe") before arriving at Thodi ("Dachuko valena").

RTP in Vachaspathi. They set the bar high by setting the pallavi to Tisra Roopakam Misra Nadai. The whole exercise was a display of extraordinary manodharma sangeetham. The pallavi toured Brindavan Saranga, Chandrakauns, Yadhukula Kamboji, etc. They concluded the ocncert with few numbers in Kaapi , Jonpuri and a thillana in Madhyamavathi.

Its very gratifying to hear a high quality performance that's soothing to the soul.

Savitha Narasimhan : Vivid Imagination

Savitha started her concert with the Hamsadhwani Tana Varnam ("Jalajaksha") in two speeds. Durbar ("Yochana") of St.Thyagaraja was rendered off the textbook with hardly any imagination. Pantuvarali ("Appa Rama") flowed with relative ease because of Nirmal Narayan's sense of rhythm. It was when she got to Nata Kuranji ("E kalathilum") that she really warmed up. The Raaga per se was rendered well.

Jayanthasri ("Marugelara") was a prelude to Kalyani ("Nidhi Chala"). Savitha's approach to Kalyani as a second main item was a bit different. She delivered the raga followed up with the Krithi & Nereval. Her Nereval had a vivid imagination but she dumped all the effort by concluding the song without swara prastharam. I was amazed as to why a person would do that !!

Vasantha ("Ramachandram Bhavayami") was crisp & clear. Kiravani ("Kaligi unte") was pleasing and was the saviour of the concert. This time main item had the swara prastharam sans nerevel. I can’t understand this artist. Always seems to miss something.

She concluded her concert with lighter numbers in Maand, Saveri & Thiruppugazh.

Raagam: 5/10 Nereval: 5/10 Kalpanaswaram: 5/10 Sowkyam: 5/10 Pataantharam: 6/10 Gimmicks: 2/10 Seshtai: 0/10 Acting: 0/10 Commercial Approach: 4/10 Thani Avarthanam: Good. Voice Culture: 5/10 Overall: Miles to Go.