Joie de vivre – Sanjay Subramanian’s Kutcheri at Narada Gana Sabha for Karthik Fine Arts was all this and beyond.
The concert started off with a Varnam and then came Mysore Sadhashiva Rao’s ‘Saketha Nagaranatha’ in Harikamboji. It was crisp and the clarity was outstanding.
This was followed by ’Kannae Kannaayiram Vendum’ in Neelambari. What a beautiful lull! The vocal was masterly, the audience kept swaying and sighing in coherence, and we were almost all lost in that innocent time warp true to the spirit that is Neelambari.
A majestic, entertaining aalaap in Devamanohari for Thyagaraja’s ‘Evvarikkai’ was such a welcome change to keep that sublime energy free flowing and balanced.
And then sauntered in Kalyani with all elan. An intricate, detailed aalap totally justified the Raagabhava. His sanchaarams at various octaves kept the audience sit in rapture, bamboozled by the ease with which he handled the raga.
The aalap was followed by Dikshitar’s ‘Kamalamba Bhajare’ (Avarna 2 of Navavarna Krithis) and his fast tempo Kalpana Swaras were such a treat. A swift, vivid and a joyful rendition of Thygaraja’s ‘Sarasa Sama daana’ in Kaapi Naarayani set to deshaadi came next.
And we all knew it was time for the RTP (Ragam Thalam Pallavi). Bhoopaalam took off. Sanjay exploited the raaga completely with his startling bruhas evoking myriad emotions.
The Pallavi ‘Ethanai Kodi Inbam’ was sung in Bhoopalam, Husseini ,Sallappa and Desh. Sanjay’s rendition and Nagai Sriram’s strokes on the violin were especially brilliant in Sallapa.
The concert ended with a Thillana in the lovely Jujavanthi. The concert in toto was a very spiritual experience – chaotic joy.
Stay with Score as we bring you regular updates on the Margazhi season in Chennai! Tomorrow, read about R K Srikanthan’s performance at P S High School, Mylapore! For more info on concert schedules (if not for you atleast for amma, appa, paati, thatha, etc), click here.
