Vid. Kamalakiran Vinjamuri of VA (violin)
Vid. K.H. Vineeth (mridangam)
Vid. Sowmiya J. Narayanan of VA (ghatam)
There was a nice review of Suryaprakash's performance in the local WhatsApp Dallas music group. This may be on face book as well.
Smattering of mani iyer favorites and crowd pleasers , while throwing in the occasional surprise, is the summary of a very memorable concert by Suryaprakash and party. Despite the usual, heavy workload Suryaprakash delivered an outstanding concert for the DFW audience at the Allen public library.
The concert began with a varnam Kanamum maraven Surya Vasantham a janya of the 35th mela Shoolini
A brisk round of swarams was followed Sri raghukulamandubhooti hamsadhwani
A short Atana
Alapana was followed by Nimma Bhagya doddadho
sadananda thandavam in bahudari was preceded by an alapana with
Neraval at budharum siddharum
Kamalamba samrakshatumaam , the first of the navavarna Krithis in mishra chapu preceded the sub main and was well rendered. The navavarnams as with several other Dikshitar Krithis, are complete by themselves . The mridangam accompaniment to these Krithis can be subdued to highlight and bring out the best in these compositions.
The sub main was Ka guha shanmukhaa neeye composed koteeshwara iyer in the raga koshalam , the seventy first melakartha. The difference, on paper between Kosalam and kalyani is the use of R3 , which changes the complexion of the raga . Suryaprakash effectively used this and did not over use the vivadhi note to bring this uncommon raga to life . Kamala Kiran Vinjamuri delivered an effective Alapana and proved to be a great foil for the main artiste
After stamping his individuality with uncommon ragas , What followed was an Madurai Mani Iyer/ TVS show , be it in terms Sarasa samadhana kapi narayani where every sangathi and sarvalaghu swara phrase kept MMI fans guessing on what’s coming next and an approval of “ that’s reminiscent”, especially with the neraval at hithavu mata and the brilliant MMI’esque sarvalaghu swarams phrases like “ mgrgmsrmpdnn ndndppmmrgr “ reminded us of vintage TVS / Madurai mani iyer fare . One should talk about the excellent support provided by kamalakiran at this stage . It was possible to notice that the violinist had clearly listened to past recordings of masters, but if he had not and the responses were impromptu, it was a brilliant exposition of following zig zag phrases that were dished out .
Next, suryaprakash took us on a princely path, shunning the mundane on a journey into majestic kharaharapriya . Suryaprakash’s range is amazing. He is able to comfortably traverse the higher and lower octaves . The alapana had several semmangudi style phrases in it. The hard work of the vocalist and the sincerity of rendition shone through in the alapana as well as the swara prastharas. KH Vineet reserved his best for the main piece .. his accompaniment for the main piece was sublime and had the kalamandalam style efficiently coming through with Chendai like phrases in the Thani .. Sowmiya narayanan on the ghatam was efficient as upapakkavadhyam . Chakkani raja, albeit being a common kriti and another MMI hit , brings forth new dimensions every time it is sung , simply because of the number of sangathis that Thiagaraja has incorporated in it . While the original composition had 50+ sangathis, Surya Prakash rendered at least 15-20 of them. He alternated between kanakku patterns at 4 after samam and sarvalaghu patterns efficiently blending his individuality , with the stamp of his school
The Dwi raga Pallavi saranganai Ranganai ninai brindavana saranganai in khanda thriputa. Ragamalika swarams we’re rendered in behag, darbari kanada .. some of the phrases reminded this listener of Madurai Somu
Then pazhani velavane followed by kanthan Karunai Puriyum vadivel, another MMI favorite in Bhimplas . The concert ended with the evergreen note by Shri Harikeshanallur Muthiah bhagavathar
As is expected, you bring in a lot of insight into your reviews with your erudition, especially in matters of laya. Suryaprakash gave an impressive concert there too, again young and skilled Kamalakiran accompanying him. Please write about that concert too, and we are hoping for more reviews of the concerts at the festival. I wonder if you attended any concerts right in the venue. I look forward to your writing about them. After all, they came after a long wait--a gap of three years...