Concert Review

 On 20th May 2012, Sunday, a vocal concert of Vidwan Sampagodu Vighnaraja, a young musician from Bangalore who is currently teaching carnatic music at the Temple of Music in Malaysia, was held under the auspices of Nadasurabhi at the Indian Heritage Academy.  Endowed with a rich voice and a vast manodharmam, Vighnaga greatly impressed the audience at the Nadasurabhi concert.
 
Vighnaraja started off the concert with a Varnam in Natakuranji - Chalamela, set to Adi talam and went on to present it in seven speeds - 2 aksharas per beat, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 aksharas- which received great applause! A racy swara prasthara to his kalyani song rendered as a Ganesha stuthi,and a speedy Chenchukamboji kriti - Vararagalayawere were well received.  To prove that he is not just a speed master he presented Dikshitar's Navavarana kriti, Kamalambam samrakshatu in Anandabharavi in a very pleasing, slow tempo. A detailed deliniation of raga poorvikalyani for Neelakantasivan's Ananda natam aaduvar embellished with swaraprastharas in different kaalas and gathis and Marubari talarenura in Kamach were added attractions.  A Raga-Tana-Pallavi in Keeravani as the main piece was a wholesome treat.  Vighnaraja treated the raga in three parts and went on to present the thana in different speeds with much elaboration.  The pallavi - Gajamukhane, sumukhane paripaaliso - was set in Chaturasra triputa tala which was followed by  ragamalika swaras, predictably once again in varying speeds and nadais like tisra, chaturasra and khanda.  The speed did not mar the clarity in pronouncing the swaras or sahitya at any stage.  It was followed by tani avartanam.  With Purandaradasa's Jagadodharana and Pibare Ramarasam in Ahir Bhairav he concluded the 3.5 hour concert.
 
Vidwan B.K. Raghu on the violin was extremely good.  He not only gave a satisfactory following throughout but also played each raga with all nuances using  extra ordinary sancharas.  The Tani avartanam by Vidwan A.S.N. Swamy on mridangam and Vidwan Raghavendra Prakash on Ghatam was of a high standard.