Gaining mastery over two different styles of music demands inherent talent, hard work and dedication. Only a few can accomplish this. It is difficult to rightly understand the subtle nuances and imbibe them while rendering the concert. It was an elevating experience to hear veteran vocalist T V Gopalakrishnan who is a versatile singer, known for his awe-inspiring voice.
Singing at Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Math, Malleshwaram, the vocalist was in his best form and there were moments of glory as the music radiated in all its splendour. Impressive exposition of bhava and multi-dimensions of laya blended well. Blessed with a baritone voice, the way he sang was highly commendable. TVG has had a multi-faceted career. He has been recognised for his mastery over both Carnatic and Hindusthani music and as a mridangam player. The acclaimed singer continues to keep his loyal fans in awe with songs that range from classics to devotionals.
In the concert under review, as always, his voice and upbeat songs kept everyone entertained. His renditions conjured up a misty past of legendary vocalists. Great lyrics and great music added up to a spontaneous classical recital. Accompanied by S Varadarajan(violin), Tiruvarur Bhakavatsalam(mridanga), C P Vyasa Vittal(khanjari) and C K Pavandeep(vocal Support), he added colour to the compositions and transported the audience to the world of melody. He began with the most familiar Dikshitar krithi Vatapi and crowned it with scholarly swaras. Shyama Sastry’s Gowlipantu krithi(Tarunam Idamma) was full of feelings. A brief raga prelude for raga sudha rasa(Andolika) was rewarding.
Nagaswaravali was sketched in a compact vistara followed by Sri Shankara Guruvaram. The kalpanaswaras underscored the beauty of laya. After Dikshitar’s Subramanyen(Shuddha Dhanyasi), he dealt with Shankarabharana in detail. The raga swaroopa was neatly captured. Subbarama Dikshitar’s Shankaracharyam was appropriate to the settings of the concert. The entire delineation was a masterpiece that will remain etched in the minds of music lovers.
Pranatartihara (Chenjurati), Shankara Sri Girinatha(Hamsanandi, Swati Tirunal) left an indelible mark.
TVG displayed his talent by packing his recital with krithis addressed to Sri Shankaracharya.
Promising Bharatanatya
Prapancha, the world of music, led by veteran flautist B Shankararao presented a promising Bharatanatya recital by young Smitha Murthy at BM Sri Kala Bhavana, Thyagarajanagar. Smitha is an enthusiastic and gifted NRI dancer. She has a powerful physique and communicative eyes. The fluidity in her movements and her dance poses were commendable. Dancing with total dedication and devotion, Smitha negotiated the nritta, nrithya and abhinaya with total confidence and conviction. Even though she danced to a recorded song, she was able to create magic through her performance.
The Kharaharapriya varna lasted for around twenty minutes. But hats off to Smitha. She did full justice to it and the well balanced nritta, nrithya and abhinaya impressed the rasikas. The krithi, addressed to Lord Shiva and set to Revathi, was given a fair exposition and her talent in abhinaya was in full view.
The Navasandhi kauthuvam was done with ease. Smitha concluded her short recital with Kapi tillana.