Vibrant Concert

Listening to the veteran musician T V Sankaranarayanan is always refreshing. He creates an aura and elevates his music to the highest level. These qualities make him one of the most sought after Carnatic musician.

This was evident in his concert held at Paramekkavu temple premises on 15th October. He started the concert with “Jaya Jaya Ganapathi” in Hamsadhwani, composed by Ganapathi Satchidananda, set to Adi Talam. The swaraprasthara was crisp and creative. Next was the Kriti “Mamava Sada Janani” of Maharaja Swathi Tirunal in Kaanada in Roopaka Talam. The short, but, eloquent raga alapana brought out the essence of Kaanada. The famous kriti “Saranamayyappa” in Mukhari was sung with gay abandon. “Neethu Charana Pankaja” of Pallavi Gopala Iyer, in Kalyani, was sung with a detailed raga alapana. This kriti is rarely heard in concerts now. He selected “O Jagajjanani” for the niraval. The niraval and swaraprasthara were creative and awe inspiring. “Guruvayurappa” in Chakravakam was preceded by a Sloka written by the musician himself. “Marukelara”, famous kriti of Saint Tyagaraja, in Raga Jayanthasree was sung in a brisk pace.

The main kriti of the concert was “Marakathavalli”, composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar in Kamboji and set to Adi Talam. The expressive alapana and innovative swara prasthara was the highlight of the evening. He also sang a kriti Saravanabhava Guhane in raga Kannada (Janya of 29th Melakarta Shankarabharanam). The concluding pieces were “Aadum Chidambaramo” in Behag, “Karpagame” in Madhyamavati and “Tirupathi vaasaa Venkatesa” in Hamsanandi.

Thrissur C Rajendran on the violin gave excellent support. His raga alapana was crafted with expertise over the instrument. The tani avartanam by Thrissur B Jayaram on the mridangam and Alleppey G Manoharan on ghatam was filled with creativity.

If the sound system had been better, the concert would have been more enchanting.