VEENAVAADHINI CHAMBER CONCERT

Veenavaadhini recently showcased two chamber concerts. First was a vocal concert by Vivek Sadashivam and second was a Veenai concert by Revathi Sadashivam, of Bangalore.

Vivek began with an Adi Tala Varnam in Saveri, Sarasuda. This was followed by a melodious rendition of a Thyagarajar composition, Rama neepai Thanaku, in Kedaram, in Adi Talam, with a few brisk swarams. Next he sang a raga alapanai in the ragam Varamu and followed it with Papanasam Sivan’s well-known Tunai Purindarul, with intricate swaram patterns. Next, Muthuswami Dikshitar’s fast paced Ramachandram Bhavayami, in the ragam Vasantha, with swarams, livened up the mood. The highlight of the concert was Shyama Sastri’s Birana Varalichi in the ragam Kalyani, set to Tisra Nada Adi Talam. Through his extensive raga alapanai, Vivek wonderfully brought out the beauty of the
ragam. He sang neraval in the line “Shyama Krishna sodari gowri parameshwari girija” in the charanam. The concert was fittingly ended with Bharatiyar’s Varuvai Varuvai Varuvai Kanna.  KJ Dileep's accompaniment on the violin was superb. He exhibited admirable versatility and professional expertise.

Revathi began with Thyagarajar’s Shashivadana in the ragam Chandrajyoti, in Adi Talam. Next was Muthuswami Dikshitar’s Parvathi Kumaram, set to Roopaka Talam, along with swarams in the Pallavi. This was followed by Devi Brova Samayamidhe, a Shyama Sastri composition in Chintamani, a rare ragam. This was followed by raga alapanai and tanam in the ragam Simmhendramadhyamam, a favourite of most vainikas. The song she chose was Ninne Nammiti, composed by Mysore Vasudevacharya. This formed the main piece of the concert. She wound up with the popular Annamacharya compostion, Muddugare Yashoda, in Kurinji, set to Adi Talam, followed by a Purandaradasar composition, Rama Mantrava Japiso, in Adi Talam. Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma in Madhyamavati served as an apt mangalam.   The concert was short but crisp and impactful.

Miami Ramakrishnan who accompanied on the mridangam for both concerts , is a math professor at the Miami University.  He has been the face of mridangam in Miami USA for several decades. His accompaniment was very neat, unobtrusive and polished.

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