Concert review - Aug 15th 2007

On Independence day, August 15 2007, I attended a beautiful concert organized by “Advaita” at R.V. Dental college Auditorium, J.P.Nagar, Bangalore. My Gurus Shri Shashikiran and Shri. Ganesh Uncles performed. It was well attended and th huge hall was almost full.

They started off with Vathapi Ganapthim Bhaje in Hamsadvani. It was rendered very pleasantly. The next one was the “Jaya Jaya” in Naattai set to Kanda Chapu – the famous Dasar Kriti. Then came the famous Pancha Ratna “Endaro Mahanubavulu” to salute all the freedom fighters on the Independence day. Vasantha was next and the song was “Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Enniro”. Ganesh uncle had recently taught me this and it was as if he was teaching me!
Next was an interesting piece in “Nattai Kurinchi” – “Budha Mashrayam” in Misra Jathi Jampa taalam which was rendered very melodiously synchronizing with the sun set and clear sky in Bangalore after a long time. “Nagumomu” in Abheri came next and also the happiness in the hall increased with the pace of the song!
It seemed like there were two main pieces. The first one was “Akilandeswari” in Dwijavanthi. Thani-avarthanam was performed for this great Dikshidar Masterpiece.
Next came the highlight of the Day in “Desh”. Desh was chosen to honor our country. This was an RTP and the pallavi was composed by none other than my own guru Shashikiran uncle. The song goes like this:

Sangeetha Sahitya Nritya Kala Prashamsha Neya Desha
Bharatha Desha – Namma Nimma Desha

It was set to 60 counts to honor the 60th independence day. It was really amazing as the thaalam was extremely difficult. I don’t know how they could sing it!

Between the two main pieces was the happy number “Raguvamsa Sudam”. I am hearing vocal rendering of this happy piece for the first time. I have heard it played on instruments several times before though.

After the RTP was the “Thunga Thira Virajam” and followed by “Jayathi Jayathi” in Kamas. I started singing along and so did several in the audience. Next was “Kurai Ondrum Illai” of Rajaji. Then came the “English Notes” in Shankarabaranam with a touch of Harikambodhi. “Mythilim Bhajathe” of UN and MS fame was sung to honor the World Peace. And the final piece was the “Dasa Avathara Mangalam”.

The concert was fantastic. It started off with the two auspicious Ragams – Hamsadvani and Naattai. Many famous and popular songs were rendered and it was like a class for me. Thank you Gurus.