Purity and simplicity were the hallmarks of Lakshmi Rajagopalan's vocal concert organised by Rajalakshmi Fine Arts, Coimbatore.
The devotion of the saintly composers and the beauty of the lyrics took centre stage as the artist quietly stayed behind.
A disciple of Bombay T.R. Balamani, Lakshmi began with ‘Viribhoni,' the Ata tala varnam in Bhairavi and set the tempo with Dikshitar's ‘Mahaganaptim' in Nattai.
Syama Sastri's ‘Marivere' in Ananda Bhairavi was rendered with great solemnity. She elaborated Purvikalyani, Hindolam and Madhyamavati with the choicest phrases that were further embellished by Palghat Subbaraman on the violin.
The sloka, ‘Apaara Karunaa Sindhum' and the Tamil virutham on Kanchi Maha Periyava, followed by the kriti ‘Chandrasekhara Saraswathiye Charanam' were filled with devotion.
Lively kalpanaswaras
The central kriti, ‘Saravana Bhava Guhane' was wholesome with enjoyable niraval for the line, ‘Annaiyodu Thandhai Nee' and lively kalpanaswaras.
The lighter session included ‘Mahadeva Siva Shambho', Annamayya's ‘Jaya Jaya Raama' in Manirangu and the emotionally rich ragamalika virutham, ‘Oru Tharam Saravana Bhava Endru' preceding ‘Vilayaada Idhu Neramaa?'
Palghat Harihara Lakshmanan on the mridangam and Palghat Parameswaran on the ghatam gave able support.
