Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee was enveloped like mist and fog, by the music of Carnatic vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan who performed for SPIC MACAY, recently. He began traditionally by opting raga Hamsadwani, an ode to Ganesh, the remover of obstacles.
The song chosen was a ‘Vinayaka Ninnu’, a Telugu composition of Ramakrishna Bhagavatar. It was crisp and full of piety. Gurucharan, after this warm up, announced that music has transgressed all barriers of religion, cast, creed and colour.
Gurucharan flowed with the tempo created by his music and announced he will “test the technocrats in the making” with a traditional Ragam Tanam Pallavi in the raga Pantuvarali. An elaborate and cascading alapan followed by a complicated and dexterous thanam kept the audience spell bound.
The pallavi that came next was Kana Kidaykumo Karpesan Darisanam (I am yearning for a glimpse of Nataraja) which Gurucharan structured with great creativity of blooming manodharma within the rigid frame work of the composition.
Brilliant kalpana swaras ensured harmonious dialogue with violinist Sanjeev. Then came percussion solo by mridangam Vidwan Balaji who prefixed the solo explaining the rhythmic geometry.
He recited vocally the pattern in the ancient Konnakol style which made the audience totally involved. Gurucharan ended his concert with a Meera bhajan in raga Dipali.
