The late Puranam Purushothama Sastry was a great vocalist and scholar who kept alive the tradition of his gurus Musiri Subramanya Iyer and Tiger Varadachari and known for utter classism and purity of musical expression. Nadabharati organised a concert by Suryadeepti in his memory recently.
Suryadeepti opened his concert with Bhairavi Atatala varnam Viriboni and played in both the speeds with perfect kalapramana with steady laya. Then he played Undedi Ramudokadu in Khamas which was often sung by Puranam doing neraval at a line Tamasadi Guna Rahitudu a most sensible line one enjoyed. Though Suyadeepti presented raga Saranga for Entabhagyamo, the Swarakalpana part was extensive and breezy. This was followed by another breezy number Sarasasamadana in Kapinarayani which was a treat. These also brought back memories of Puranam for no concert of his was complete without this number.
The first extensive raga picture Suryadeepti chose was Nasikabhushani. This was presented with feel of the melody. Maravairi Ramani was the composition Suryadeepti chose to present and was marked with swarakalpana in tisra vinyasa swaram in two speeds.
Thodi was the main melody of the concert. The delineation was packed with classic sangatis adding to its richness. The composition he chose for the raga was Srikrishnam Bhajamanasa of Dikshitar. This was played in detail with sahitya impact, because of many sangathis he brought in. The neraval at the line Shanka Chakra Gada , the arms Krishna carries, made it more appealing for the way he modulated the neraval. Violinist Rajan’s support in this and other numbers went well with the compositions revealing his own manodharma. The taniavartanam by Srinivasa Gopalan adapting sarva laghu technique with six akshara edupu (space) was creative carrying aesthetic appeal. He was well supported by kanjira player Srikanth replicating all the moves.
