CHENNAI: The performance of the senior vocalist Nada Vidya Jyothi S R Veeraraghavan at Tapas Academy was engaging with alapanas and kalpana swaras. Veeraraghavan has been trained by veteran musician Dr Balamurali Krishna. His assertive kriti rendition, energetic improvisation of niraval lines, proved that the observance of tradition in the concert was nothing but reimposition and elaboration of the basic ideas. He explored Nadha Sudha of Thyagaraja in Raga Aarabhi, which was delivered with quality consciousness.
The masterpiece of the evening Vel Edutha Kaaiyyae in Raga Thodi of Periasamy Thooran. When he performed the number, the keenly-nuanced traditional style of his were executed well with the swaras that were accelerated on a steady flow. His portrayal of Sadasiva Brahemandra composition Maanasa Sancharare in Sama Raga was imbued with sufficient musical imagination.
Be it Sri Rama Saraswathi of Dikshitar in Raga Nasika Bhushani or Ekkadi Manusha Janmamu of Thirumalachar in the Raga Bouli or Karunai Deivamae Karpagame of Madurai Srinivasan in Raga Sindhubhairavi, the musician proved his ability and there was a maturity in the expressions of the songs, striving to communicate with convincingly classical fare.
The concluding piece thillana in Raga Kuntalavarali composed by his mentor Dr Balamurali Krishna was delivered with a reverberating zeal that reminded one of the maestro himself.
Today, in the arena of carnatic music presentation, if you come across a senior musician, insisting on originality, refusing to tailor the presentation for mere approbations, then that musician, without any doubt, is one of the ‘true inheritors’ of the divine music. Veeraraghavan truly belongs to that category. C K Vijayaraghavan’s violin support for all the ragas were pleasant throughout and his skillful display deserves appreciation. Thiruvarur Mohana Krishnan on mridangam certainly provided a spirited percussion support.