Gayathri Venkataraghavan

Melodious Concert by Gayathri Venkataraghavan for Nadasurabhi

Seasoned artist Vidushi Gayathri Venkataraghavan presented a special thematic concert on compositions of Saint Thyagaraja for Nadasurabhi on 16th October 2016, the occasion being the 250th birth year of the great composer and musician. St Thyagaraja has been hailed as a composer par excellence for various reasons. We find a great variety in his compositions. He has composed a number of group kritis of which the ‘Pancharatna kritis’ are rare gems. He has adopted varied tyles and different tempos for different kritis. The splendour of Thyagaraja kritis can be witnessed in the structure of each song having numerous ‘sangathis’ that furtherbeautify the songs. The artist gave a brilliant start to the concert with ‘Jagadanandakaraka’ , one of the ‘Pancharatna kritis’ of the saint. Next was ‘Nadasudha rasa’ in raga ‘Arabhi’. As it was the speciality of St Thyagaraja’s to introduce a number of ‘sangathis’ in his songs, Vidushi Gayathri , with a great acumen in the field highlighted this aspect by repeating the line ‘sarasa sangathi…’ as different, fine ‘sangathis’. The neraval and a fast swara prasthara at ‘dhara bhajana bhagyamula’ were adequate in bringing out the “Nada Sudha Rasa” from the composition. A fairly elaborate presentation of raga ‘Chandrajyothi’ was melodic and pure. The song ‘Shashi vadana’ was full of grace and adorned with swaras with a pleasant lingering on swaras Ga, Ri, Sa. A rare song in raga ‘Saveri’, ‘Kanna thalli neevu’ in a slow tempo was followed by a fast ‘Maakelara vicharamu’ in raga ‘Ravichandrika’. Her ‘Kapi’ raga was divine and the composition ‘Intha soukyamani’ had all the ‘soukya’ (comfort) in her soulful rendering. ‘Shankarabharanam’ was the main item. ‘Manasu swadheena’ with neraval at ‘Raja rajesha niranjana..’ followed by swara prasthara was of a high standard. After the ‘tani avartanam’, ‘Ksheera sagara vihara’ in ‘Anadabhairavi’, ‘Pavanajasthuti’ in ‘kuranji’ and ‘Karuna jaladhe’ in ‘Nadanamakriya’ were very soothing in her melodious voice. Thyagaraja’s compositions are known for variety. She did full justice to the chosen theme by selecting from the various types the saint has composed, like ‘Pancharatnam’, ‘Divyanama sankirtanam’, ‘Utsava sampradayam’, fast pace, slow soothing ones, emotionally loaded one, etc. Concert was compact and well planned. Senior violinist Vidwan C.N.Chandrasekhar provided dignified support. Vidwan H.S.Sudhindra on Mridangam, showed his versatility by keenly following the mood of the artist and the pattern of the songs. Vidwan Phanindra Bhaskara on Ghatam was energetic and highly supportive. The contented audience queued up to the stage to convey their appreciation to the artist.

1. Jagadananda Karaka, Nattai

2. Nadasudha, Arabhi (neraval and swaras)

3. Sasi vadana, Chandrajyothi (Alapana, swaras)

4. Kanna thalli Nivu, saveri (brief alapana)

5. Makelara, Ravichandrika (Swaras)

6. Intha sowkhyamani (Alapana)- Kapi

7. Manasuswadhina, Sankarabhranam (Alapana, neraval, swaras, thani)

8. Kshirasagaravihara, Anandaabhairavi

9. Sitha Kalyana, Kurinji

10. Karunajaladhe, Nadanamakriya

11. Ninama rupamulaku