The audience at Tharekkad were treated to a feast of vintage music by vocalist V. Shankaranarayanan recently. Receiving whole-hearted support from the competent team of accompanists – Nagai R. Sriram (violin), Kovai Prakash (mridangam), and Kovai Suresh (ghatam), he made the concert memorable with his vivacious presentation. He made full use of his sonorous voice, maintaining perfect sruthi throughout the concert. His selections were judicious, proving his varied repertoire.
The concert got off to a brisk start with Lalgudi Jayaraman’s varnam ‘Chalamu seyave’ in Valaji followed by ‘Jaya jaya Swamin’ of Narayana Teertha in Natta. The vocalist’s moving rendition of ‘Sri Ramam ravikulabdhi’, a kriti of Muthuswamy Dikshitar in Narayanagowla, in praise of Lord Ram, revealed its serene content.
Rarely do we come across musicians performing an elaborate alapana for raga Vasanthabhairavi. That Shankaranarayanan did it with elegance is a tribute to his musical prowess. Rightly laying accent on daivata and nishadha and combining brigas and akaaras judiciously, he drew a grand portrait of the raga. Violinist Sriram responded wonderfully with a pleasing version of the melody. Choosing the popular Tyagaraja kriti ‘Needayaraadha’, the vocalist displayed originality in the unique combinations he wove in the kalpana swaras. ‘Thaamadham thakaadayya’, a composition of Lalgudi Gopala Iyer (father of Lalgudi Jayaraman) in Mohanakalyani, with an interesting chittaswaram was refreshing.
Shankaranarayanan gave full vent to his manodharma in his masterly exposition of Shanmukhapriya. The raga lakshanas came alive in his in-depth exploration. His presentation of Papanasam Sivan’s kriti on Siva, ‘Paarvthi naayakane’, bore testimony to his excellent pataanthara.
The imaginative sangathis in the niraval at ‘Nee maravaadanaiya enai aal Jagadeesa’ and the succeeding garland of swaraprastharas made a deep impact.
His delineation of Kapi captured the dainty hues of this captivating raga. His ability to stay long at the notes, showcasing his remarkable breath control and voice culture, warrants special mention. Touching panchamam in the upper octave and moving gracefully with subtle akaaras in the middle octave, he brought out the complete swaroopa of the raga. The lilting thaanam passages resembled the vibrant naada of the veena. The pallavi ‘Enna thavam seidanai Yasoda nee’ in Chatusra Jampai tala was presented with skill. The dazzling swara patterns added weight to the rendition.
The artiste followed it up with the song of Papanasam Sivan with the same title and in the same raga. He rounded off the concert with Balamuralikrishna’s thillaana in Hindolam.
Sriram gave ample proof of his stature as a top class violinist with his immaculate fingering and bowing. Prakash showed dexterity and anticipation in an enormous measure. His soft but subtle touches enhanced the appeal of the recital.
His elder brother Suresh displayed maturity in handling the ghatam. They presented a scintillating tani in Adi tala, marked by brilliant korvais.
The concert was organised by the Palghat Fine Society in their auditorium at Tharekkad.
