Vintage BMK magic recreated - Smt. Ramya Kiranmayi for Sarvani Sangeetha Sabha

[humdinger]

Celebrating the 95th Jayanthi of Padma Vibhushan Dr. Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna garu @ Raga Sudha Hall by Sarvani Sangeetha Sabha.

Smt.Ramya Kiranmayi Chaganti - Vocal,
Smt.Mantha Sri Ramya-Violin,
Sri.Akshya Ram-Mridangam,
Sri.Hari Kishore - Kanjira

yE naadamulO (Varnam) - nATa - BMK
SakalaganAdhipa - Arabhi - BMK
Paripalayamam parama purusha - nAtakapriya - BMK (R,N,S)
Omkarakarini - Lavangi - BMK
Kamaladalayata lochanamulave - bahudari - BMK (R)
RTP - Amruthavarshini & Anandabhairavi
Pibare ramarasam - Chakravakam / Ahir Bhairav - Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami
Nijagadsa - Sindhu Bhairavi - Jayadeva
Aaj aye shyam mohan - Yamuna Kalyani - Swati Tirunal
Thillana - Raga thaya malika - BMK
Managlam on Lord Shiva - Kuranji (Ramachandraya tune) - BMK

Vidushi Ramya Kiranmayi presented an aesthetically enriched concert while adhering to the high levels of classicism that would entail a finest tribute to the legendary musician Late Sri. M.Balamuralikrishna.

She started with a varnam in raga nATa composed by BMK and handled it very deftly with quick variations of pace. It was an apt choice which summarized the life of BMK in his own sentence "The seven notes are my life - Saptaswaramulu nA Jeevamu".

She followed up with a favorite prayer song of BMK, his own composition, "Sakala ganAdhipa" in Arabhi. The swaras taken up in between showcased Arabhi in all its beauty, while presenting all the thAla embellishments BMK decked this kriti with.

What followed was a serene alapana of raga nATakapriya, followed by the beautiful composition of BMK - Paripalayamam. A sumptuous Neraval at "Sarasijanayana" coupled with very engaging Swarakalpana resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable presentation.

A quick and careful rendition of "Omakarakarini" in Lavangi came next. An alapana of mellifluous Bahudari came in after, as a prelude to one of the lyrically most beautiful - "Kamala dalayata lOchanamulive". In this kriti BMK praises beautiful eyes of mother, that grant the boons of literature and music to the ones with right and balanced living.

I was already feeling glad I could make to the concert given the quality so far, But little was I prepared for what followed after. The young Vidushi announced, she would present a dwiraga RTP in Amruthavarshini - Anandabhairavi. Yes, it was the same pallavi that ardent fans of vintage BMK RTPs go gaga over, a complicated one indeed in sankeerna gati.

Both the ragas were presented in their full glory, followed by a very endearing rendition of thanam that effortlessly traversed between both the ragas. Sahityam was sung in a relaxed pace doing full justice to the complex thalam involved and a comprehensive swarakalpana followed. What appealed to me was that the vidushi didn't try to imitate the legend but brought forth her own flavor of manodharmam - just how a RTP should be presented. Thani avarthanam by both the vidwans was very aesthetic and befitting to the beauty of the pallavi taken up.

After a very pleasing rendition of Pibare ramarasam, Nijagadasa and a swati tirunal bhajan that consisted the Thukkada section, the vidushi presented a rare Raga Thaya Malika thillana that was composed by BMK. An excellent display of grahabhEdam where by changing the shadjamam, The ragam Kalyani is made to traverse the ragas of Mohana, Hindolam and Darbari Kanada.

A rare mangalam on lord Shiva concluded the concert, supposedly an impromptu rendition of BMK in a temple concert in the tune of Ramachandraya.

Overall it was a very satisfying concert, a befitting tribute to the legendary vidwan. It was a courageous attempt by the young vidushi who had to punch well above her weight often, to be able to present the stuff that was owned by BMK and still come out with flying colours. A special mention should be about the violin accompaniment, Vidushi Sriramya was excellence personified, elevating the level of an already brilliant concert - just like how MSG would play for BMK. It was a grand team effort showcasing the kind of pedigree and practice that went into making of these promising young musicians.

A huge burst of rain accompanied me way back home, the amruthavarshini apparently was approved by the legend himself and became eligible to be blessed by the divine!

[rajeshnat]

@humdinger
Thank you your lovely review. DR BMK as a composer vaggeyakkara is very unique . I am guessing possibly he also tune smithed ones like pibare ramarasam (ahirbhairavi one) are all well done . I have not heard about Ramya Kiranmayi, i got zapped up when i listened to amrithavarshini and anandabhairavi RTP . That RTP is a phenom more with a melodic base - the raga mudra is part of pallavi ... sachind ananda bhairavi .... amurthavarshini janani where both ragas are handled as puravangam and uttarangam.

i think MSG SIr only played for that concert extraordinary melodic bowing and mastery. When BMK passed in that particular year , i recollect hearing few exclusive BMK numbers from Suryaprakash-Pantula Rama- Trichur Brothers- AmruthaVenkatesh that year, they were eye openers, BMK as a vaggeyakkara is one of a kind . I personally like musicians other than BMK singing BMK songs.

YOu said Thillana - Raga thaya malika - BMK. What is thaya is that a typo?

[humdinger]

@rajeshnat - Thank you for your comment. Yes, I first experienced the bliss of those vintage RTPs of BMK like the one above and others like Valaji-Abhogi when coolkarni ji shared them on the sangeetham.com share forums. MSG sir was the one who played a great part in those as well.

Ramya Kiranmayi is a disciple of Gurus Pantula Rama and MSN Murthy couple - has an A grade in both vocal and violin. I would definitely recommend you listen to few of her concerts available on youtube. She is a promising upcoming musician.

Raga Thaya Malika is as named by BMK. He explained once this concept called Thayam in music in an interview, which is well demonstrated here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksr0SpvuTHM

[arasi]

humdinger,
Good to hear from you! Thanks for bringing this for our listening.

[humdinger]

Thank you arasi ji