Tattvaloka Auditorium is small and compact, among the best of its kind in the city. And the divine atmosphere adds to the overall impact. This past week Dr. Sundar’s performance for TAPAS ACADEMY , the only one of his for the Season, was on a classical track.
Tyagaraja’s ‘Sri Raguvaraprameya,’ a beautiful composition in Khambodi, was the first. His years of training under D.K. Jayaraman was evident in his rendition. It was a memorable journey back to the good old days. J.B. Keerthana’s vocal support was a bonus. The kriti has a variety of charanams each showcasing Khambodi’s different aspects. Dr. Sundar, a medical practitioner, treated the kriti with due respect.
Swati Tirunal’s ‘Deva Deva’ helped him research Mayamalavagowla during the niraval. Sundar’s supple voice helped him traverse through Lathangi with grace. Showcasing the raga in the very first line, his attempts were quite incisive. The mix of phrases for this raga had a soothing touch.
Vittal Ramamurthy, cool as ever, on the violin, interpreted the raga on the same lines effectively.
It is hard to resist a niraval in the charanam lines ‘Vega Nannu Brovu’ of Patnam Subramania Iyer’s ‘Aparadhamullaniyu’ and Sundar yielded.
Kudanthai Saravanan’s deliveries on the mridangam deserve special mention. It was controlled aggression, never too loud, yet impacting. Kharaharapriya, the main raga of the evening, was refreshing. Sundar's portrayal of the raga would have helped many students understand how such sampoorna ragas should be presented with manodharma. Vittal’s reply did not lag behind. Sivan’s ‘Srinivasa Thava Charanam’ notwithstanding its slow pace, was absorbing. Kudanthai Saravanan in the company of Kudanthai Balaji Sairam (morsing) continued his gentle approach in the thani segment too.
