A Grand Vocal Concert by Vidwan S.Kasturirangan

Vidwan Kasturirangan is a senior disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi Padmabhushan Madurai T.N.Seshagopalan. He is one of the brilliant Carnatic vocalists today. He has been performing in most prestigious sabhas all over India and abroad. Sri.Kasturirangan is a recipient of various awards including those from Shanmukhananda Sabha and Sur Singer Sansad of Mumbai, Music Academy, Krishna Gana Sabha, Bharat Kalachar in Chennai and Indian Arts Academy, Melbourne,Australia. He is an A Grade artist of All India Radio.

Concert Review

Kasthurirangan provides Wholesome treat at Nadasurabhi.

Carnatic music concerts have retained their capacity to draw crowds even today, although its structure and content have remained unaltered for centuries. The primary reason for this is the infinite variety that can be showcased by the artist on the stage, within the strict framework of tradition. Vidwan Kasthurirangan from Chennai amply demonstrated this during his concert for Nadasurabhi on the 20th of September 2009, held at the IHA, Koramangala. The concert aptly had a Navarathri flavour, interspersed with "regular" krithis as well. The artist presented the concert with a judicious mix of compositions from different composers, in different beats (thalas) at different speeds, making the overall listening experience a delightful one. Kasthurirangan's natural briga laden voice could embellish both the slow tempo songs like Amba Neelayathakshi and the fast numbers like Saranam Vijaya Saraswathi Maye. The hidden melancholy in the Lalitha Raga was brought out brilliantly during the alapana as well as the presentation of Nannu Brovu Lalitha.

The main piece of the day was Dikshitar's Kalyani masterpiece Kamalaambaam Bhajare. The unhurried and detailed rendition of this song highlighted the deep bhava both in the raga as well as the composition.

Vidwan MS Govindaswamy gave more than just able support to the main artist. Some of his violin replies to the vocalist's sangathis encouraged further intricate patterns by both artists. It was a real treat to the listeners. Vidwan Vasudeva Rao Mohite stamped his seniority in the field of percussion, by his superb Mridangam support. Vidwan Ramesh did good justice to his guru Sri. Mohite's training by providing good ghata support.

Mr. KSS.Raghavan announced that the October concert will be on the 11th October 2009 - second Sunday instead of the usual third Sunday which happens to be Deepavali Day. The programme will be a vocal concert by Dr. Shertalai Renganatha Sharma, who is a Professor of Music at the Music College, Madurai. Also, details of Annual November Festival can be had from the website http://nadasurabhi.org.

List of Songs:

1. Samidayajuda- Kedaragowla Varnam
2. Mayatheetha Swaroopini- Mayamalavagowla
3. Amba Neelayatakshi- Neelambari
4. Nannu Brova Lalitha- Lalitha
5. Saranam Vijaya Saraswathi- Vijaya Saraswathi
6. Nee Sari Evvare Ramayya- Rama Priya
7. Vidamu Seyave- Karaharapriya
8. Kamalambaam Bajare- Kalyani (Main followed by Thani)
9. Aarabhi Maanam vaithu- Ragamalikai
10. Nannu Palimpa Thamasama- Suvasini (Very close to Sivaranjani- the difference was demonstrated by the artist)
11. Ramamanthrava Japiso- Jonpuri
12. Mangalam