L Ramakrishnan Violin
NC Baradwaj Mridangam
Ghatam (Not sure about that artiste)
Sivarathri spl concert at 9pm 4th March
1 Petra thaai thanai- Virutham in saveri and Arabhi - Varnam - Anname
2 sivakama sundari- jaganmohini - swaram
3 NAdathanumanisham
4 Sevikka Venum Ayya - Andolika
5 Kalyani alapana - mAnAda mayilAda virutham - Chidambaram enru manam kanindhida - Swarams - P Sivan
6 Vazhi maraithirukkudhe / starting from Anupallavi
7 Siva siva siva ena rAdA - Pantuvarali - neraval at Ati NEmamuto VilvArchanamu followed by Swarams
8 Kamboji alapana / KAna KaN Koti Vendum - starting from Anupallavi - neraval at MANikkam Vairam (only 1st kala neravals which was the best part) - swarams - tani
9 Eppo varuvAro with charanam with mudra also sung
10 virutham in Bilahari Saveri and Sindhu bairavi followed by Vishweru Dharshanu karu (added ‘u’ since that’s how everyone seems to sing)
11 Poorvikalyani Behag Virutham - irakkam varamal
12 Tillana - Rageshri / Lalgudi Jayaraman
RKM’s voice was not in the best form unfortunately - but still the team managed to deliver a very engaging concert for close to 2hr 35 min. Kamboji and Kalyani happened in the same concert after along time (for me). L Ramakrishnan was a pillar of strength for the concert and his Kalyani and Kamboji reforms were brilliant. Loved the neraval in kamboji by RKM who kept it blissfully bavam-icious without resorting to melkala gymnastics. The acoustics weren’t really great given this is a temporary setup outside the Sivan temple. The most annoying part was when RKM asked NCB to start the tani / one of the comperes started talking ... RKM tried his best to intervene and urge him (through gestures) to speak later but in vain. And since it’s Shivarathri, folks were happily gallivanting up and across the front of the stage which was an eyesore.. on the brighter side, it was a full house which was so heartening to see.
Another part that I really liked about RKM’s music this time - was the measured approach to manodharma / perhaps in tune with the audience expected in a shivarathri night kind of concert, but it paid off very well. 1) most songs chosen were Tamil so there he scored brownies aplenty from the heavily Tamil skewed audience 2) he didn’t overdo the Kalpana swaras - in any stage. 3) still managed 2 memorable neravals. Overall it was an enjoyable high energy concert fitting for a shivarathri.
P.S : The other funny /annoying instant was when RKM started 'Eppo Varuvaro' just after the tani finished. There was quite an exodus from the front row ...... RKM was visibly amused and remarked to his co-artistes on stage with a grin - 'Eppo Varuvaro' paadren, ellarum 'Pora'
. He waited for the exit to happen (pausing the singing for a while) & then resumed. Should definitely commend him for taking it in his stride and quickly reconciling!