A. S. Murali @ NGS Mini hall (Charsur), 19th Dec 2018

[krishnan meenakshi]

Carnatic Kucheri Review- Rating (6.5/10):


A. S. Murali (vocal), V. Sanjeev (violin), B. Sivaraman (Mrudangam), Trichy Krishnaswamy (Gatam) @ Narada Gana Sabha. Mini Hall, Alwarpet on 19th Dec 2018.

Audience: No. > 80. Very appreciative audience many of them are his students.


List of Ragas:

1. Mayamalavagowlai, Jaya jaya swamin, Narayana Theerthar- A, K, S
2. Nattai, Namo namo raghukula, Annamacharya- Short A, K, S
3. Abhogi, Karuna rasjaladhi, Mee. Su. Krishnaiyer- A, K, S
4. Amrutabehag, Kamala charane, GNB- K
5. Sri, Vande vasudevam, Annamacharya- K
6. Kalyani, Adri sutha vara, Swati Thirunal- A, K, N, S
7. Bhairavi, Sritha kundela, Jaidev- K
8. Thillana, Hamsanandhi
9. Mangalam, Yadukula kamboji


Observation:

Only 2 ragas have been considered for review, since other ragas were given very simple treatment by the singer.

* Abhogi: Decent Alapana- short phrases, few gamakas, with repetitions, occasional slips at thara sthayi. Violinist played an impressive alapanai. Rarely sung Karunarasa (MSK’s Kriti in praise of Sadashiva Brahmendral) was rendered on expected lines which included an impressive Janta varisai like chittaiswaram. Kriti was followed by a few avarthanams of swarams at Pallavi.

* Kalyani (Main): Alapana- Tedious, lengthy, lacked variety, range spanning Manthra stahyi ‘Ga’ to Thara sthayi ‘Ma’, included straight gamaka sancharam. Niraval was sung at charanam ‘Bhavayogi Hrudaya Ambuja’ in a usual fashion in 2 kalams. Kalpanaswaram was rendered grammatically with light kanakku elements at kurraipu ending with a universal korvai (Twinkle twinkle little star).


Comments:

A.S.Murali: Started his concert with Sanskrit prelude and the pattern was followed in every kriti- a surprise and a welcome idea gelling with the theme (Samaskritam). Being PSN sishya, the kritis and sangathies were true to the padantharam. Most of the sung kritis are rare to concert platforms. His voice sounded strained at higher octave (thara sthayi Sa-Pa). Since kanakku has never been a domain of PSN school, nothing can be said in this regard. Kalpanaswarams are greatly confined to sarvalaghu patterns with few zig-zag swara orders.

V. Sanjeev: Very supportive, played beautiful alapanas and swarams.

B. Sivaraman: Very melodious metallic valandarai and dough soft idendarai (Thoppi) enriched the concert. Mrudangam was in complete sync with the kritis. Thani was brief (owing to time constraint) but crisp with a short tisra nadai sequence.

Trichy Krishnaswamy: Provided the suitable accompaniment to the singer and a good supplement to mrudangist.

Since, this is a clinical analysis (unlike general reviews seen in newspapers written by Rasikas) of the Kutcheri, the review tends to be more critical. The seniority of the singer has been weighed in, while writing this review and modesty has prevailed. No doubt, ASM is a good Guru from the PSN school.

[sureshvv]

* Abhogi: <snip> Rarely sung Karunarasa (MSK’s Kriti in praise of Sadashiva Brahmendral)

Think I have heard this in Ranjani before. Or is that a different kriti?

[krishnan meenakshi]

Thanks for the input.