Gayatri Girish at Nadasurabhi Koramangala Bangalore on 16-6-2019

[hnbhagavan]

Balasubramanian Gurumurthi is with Kv Chellappa and 5 others.
I am reproducing Sri Balasubramanyam Gurumurthy's review in Facebook for Rasikas friends

MELODY RAINS AT KORAMANGALA BANGALORE – DELIGHTFUL CONCERT BY Smt GAYATHRI GIRISH AT NADASURABHI ON 16TH JUNE 2019

Vocal: Vidushi Smt Gayathri Girish
Violin: Vidushi Smt Charulatha Ramanujam
Mridangam: Vidwan RSR Srikanth
Khanjira: Vidwan Sunaad Anoor

I am an immense fan of Smt Gayathri Girish madam. She combines Manodharma and Knowledge. An Excellent Voice, full throated, Sruthi Suddham and perfect diction make her a real top-notch Carnatic musician.

She was accompanied by a talented Violinist Smt Charulatha Ramanujam and this powerful combination did show up in the ensuing concert.

The concert started with the famous varnam “Nee Daya Rada” composed by the Doyen Shri GNB sir, in the raga ANDHOLIKA. Many an article has been written on the affinity of GNB sir for Andholika. The varnam gives us deep insight into the various facets of the raga as well as performer's innovative musical ideas. Mrs Gayathri did bring out the features of Andholika to the Rasikas from the very initial humming.

The KHAMAS raga kriti of Saint Thyagaraja “sItA patI nA manasuna” was brilliant in the portrayal by Gayathri madam. I have seen on an earlier occasion also that this ragam becomes very tractable in her handling and assumes an exclusive grace. The alapana was further complimented by the admirable violin returns of Smt Charulatha madam.

Perfect sangathis were followed in good diction. Saint Thyagaraja narrates the necessity of Rama having to prove his prowess to Sugriva so that Rama will be accepted by the vanara king.

The Neraval was in the phrase “Prema juci napai” and the following swaras were quite refreshing.

The raga of the day was BRINDAVANA SARANGA. This gentle and emotionally appealing raga was rendered with a mesmerising effect. She chose the composition of Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar “Saundara rajam asraye”. This is in praise of Lord Soundararaja Perumal in Nagapattinam.

A brilliant alapana was followed by the kriti sahityams in impeccable fluency. This kriti has two madyamakalams one in Anupallavi and Charanam. “manda smita mukhambujam” and “kambu vidambana kantham”. This imparts additional excellence to the rendering. Neraval was in the phrase “Soundararajam”. Cascading flow of Swaras was breathtaking. As always, the violin returns by Charulatha Madam added enrichment to the beauty of the concert.

A composition of Shri Mutiah Bhagavathar in KARNARANJANI, “Vanchathonuna” was an imaginative filler. I understand that this was made popular by the Doyen Shri TN Seshagopalan and he used to sing a chittaswaram while essaying the raga before rendering the kriti. I did not notice if Gayathri madam rendered this Chittaswarams. I must listen again (When?)

Another masterpiece of this concert was the raga SIMMENDRAMADHYAMAM. The kriti chosen was the composition of Mysore Vasudevachar “ninnE nammitinaiya”. The raga alapana did not leave scope for any speculation regarding the raga and it was obvious in the initial phase itself. (I have come across traces of Keeravani in some renderings). Perfect Sangathis were followed by the Neraval “Pannagendra Sayana”. In the Swaraprastharam I noticed some patterns of Kanaku. I personally prefer a sarvalaghu rendering. Anyway, that is me and myself.

Another brisk composition of Saint Thyagaraja, “sarasa sAma dAna bhEda daNDa catura” in the raga KAPINARAYANI made me situp as I started dozing. Good planning.

An involved RTP in the Raga ABHOGI was great to listen but must have been taxing for the performer. A brilliant presentation of the raga nuances, she started on a single line Pallavi “Tillai Sabhapathikku veru Deivam Samanamaguma”. The Purvangam was in chatusranadai and the Uttarangam was in Theesra Nadai. Very impressive. The support from all the accompanists added excellence.

There was a Ragamalika extension to the Pallavi. I could discern a few ragas like, KANADA, BAHUDHARI, MOHANAKALYANI, REVATHI, BEGADA, SURUTI AND BACK TO ABHOGI. I understand from the member Rasikas (the most important was Smt Meena Venkatram), that she played also MOHANAM, AMRTAVARSHINI, SHANMUGAPRIYA AND BHAIRAVI.

There were two THANI avarthanams, after Simmendhramadyamam and one after the RTP. Very dynamic and Energetic in the words of the compere who delivered the vote of thanks.

The Ashtapathi, " praviśa rādhe mādhava-samīpam, kuru murāre maṅgala-śatāni" in the Raga MISHRA SIVARANJANI is quite popular in her concerts.

In conclusion she rendered the HAMSANANDI composition “shrinivasa tiru venkatamudaiyai” of Shri Papanasam Sivan. She also rendered the normal viruttam “cediyaaya valvinaigal teerkum tirumaale”.

I FEEL VERY HAPPY FOR HAVING LISTENED TO A BRILLIANT AND WHOLESOME CONCERT BY Smt GAYATHRI GIRISH.

I AM GRATEFUL TO NADASURABHI FOR AFFORDING US SUCH EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES.

[CRama]

It was a bad miss for me. I was in Bangalore for a few days and I returned to Chennai by the train leaving on 16 afternoon. Good selection of songs and involved presentation which is her hall mark. Happy that many music lovers in Bangalore got the opportunity to hear her good concert.

[hnbhagavan]

I am unable to understand why Gayatri Girish is not featured at annual festival of Music Academy.Last year she did not figure.This year?

[CRama]

She gets chance in Academy intermittantly. Last year and this year no. Year before last she had a concert in Academy in which she presented a four kalai pallavi which won her many accolades. But we can hear her in many other venues during the season.