Smt.M.S.Sheela presents a Vocal Concert on 20th July 2014

Concert Review

Brilliant programme by Smt.M.S.Sheela at Nadasurabhi on 20th July 2014.

The July concert was a truely classical presentation of Carnatic tradition with finesse. Smt. M.S.Sheela was at her very best form. There were two parts in the concert. First was the rendering of Shyamasastri's  three  Swarajithi s  by Vidhushi  Sheela and her  Nadasurabhi  disciples. It was a well rehearsed  rendering  with perfect coordination between the Guru and her disciples. The Guru had  succeeded in making each one of the disciples understand  the exquisite nuances of these compositions- namely  Raave in Todi,  Kamakshi in Yadukulakambhodhi, and most beautiful among them- Amba  Kamakshi  in   Bhairavi.

 The second portion was the main recital  in memory of  Vidwan Dr. R.K.Srikantan. It was most appropriate as Vidhushi M.S.Sheela  is his prime disciple.
She began the concert with a lesser known varnam in raga Darbar sung in two kalams.  A short but sweet  alapana of  Nagaswarali  followed by  Sri Sankaraguruvaram a  composition of Mahavaidyanathasivan  set pace well.  Ambapahi  a composition of Muthaiabhagavathar in the raga Keeravani  was good.
 A detailed  alapana of  Hamsavinodhini  (janya raga of  Sankarabharanam-  omitting Pa  in both arohanam and avarohanam)  was rendered well  giving  good picture of the raga.
The composition  Saraswathy   of  Jayachamarajawodayar   in this raga was a beautiful one. Niraval and swarams in this  showed her capacity to handle  lesser known ragas well.
 A brisk  rendering of  Pattividuvaradha in Manjari (Thyagaraja)  and Bhogindrasayinam  in Kuntalavarali ( Swatitirunal)  set the pace for the main piece of the concert.

A detailed  and nuances filled alapana of Todi  was followed by  Thyagaraja's  " Chesinathella"   and was rendered well.  Niraval and Swarams  showed her mastery  of rhythm  without making it too percussive.
 An interesting and melodious 'thukkadas' comprising of  a composition of Purandaradasa in Mohanam,  a Jayadeva 's Ashtapathi in  Hamsanandhi,  Sadasivabrhamendrar's  in Yamunakalyani,  a Purandaradasa's in  Brindavanasaranga  brought the concert to end-  a melodious and memorable one.

The concert experience was greatly enhanced by the understanding support provided by the seasoned artists Smt. Nalina Mohan on violin, Sri. H.S. Sudhindra on mridangam and Sri.M. Gururaj on morsing.

List of Songs:
 
01.  chalamEla (varNam) – darbAr – Thiruvottiyur Thyagayya
 
02.  SrI Sankara guruvaram – nAgasvarALi – Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer  ( A,S )
 
03.  amba vANi nannu – kIravANi – Muthaiah Bhagavathar ( N,S )
 
neraval & swara @ ‘varavInApANi vAgvilAsini’
 
04.  sarasvatim bhagavatim nmAmyaham – hamsavinOdini – Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar ( A )
 
05.  patti viDuva rAdu – manjari – Thyagaraja
 
06.  bhOgIndra SAyinam – kuntaLavarALi – Swathi Thirunal
 
07.  cEsinADella marachitivO – thODi – Thyagaraja ( A,N,S,T )
 
neraval & swara @ ‘ AsakonnaTTi nannala pincuTaku mundu‘
 
08.  SLOkam ( ayi murali mukunda smera vaktra aravinda ) – mOhanam
 
antarangadalli hariya kANadava – mOhanam – Purandaradasa
 
09.  nindAti chandanam indu kiraNam – hamsAnandi – Jayadeva ( A )
 
10.  pibarE rAmarasam – yamunA kalyANi – Sadashiva Brahmendra ( O )
 
11.  krishNanA koLalinA karE – sindhubhairavi – P T Narasimhachar ( short sketch)
 
12.  Tatta tadhimi tadhimiki enata hari adinane – madhyamAvati ? – Purandara Dasa
 
13.  mangaLam – saurAshtram – saurAshtram & madhyamAvati – Thyagaraja

Invitation

Rajyothsava Awardee Ganakalashree

Vidushi M.S.Sheela                                        - Vocal

Vidushi Nalina Mohan                                  - Violin

Vidwan H.S.Sudhindra                                  - Mridangam

Vidwan M.Gururaj                                        -  Morsing

 This will be a special concert in memory of Padmabhushan Sangita Kalanidhi Dr.R.K.Srikantan. Smt.M.S.Sheela, a senior vocalist is a prime disciple of Dr.Srikantan. Smt.Sheela has performed in all leading sabhas in India and has also widely travelled all over the globe on several concert tours. Besides her core proficiency in carnatic music, she is also a well known light music artist and a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. The concert will include the presentation of Syama Shastri’s swarajathis along with her students trained in the  Nadasurabhi course. Smt. Sheela is accompanied in this concert by senior artists on violin, mridangam and morsing.