‘Sri Purandhara,’ is a refreshing CD that has a rare collection of compositions of Purandaradasa, popularly known as dasar padams. On concert platforms, in Chennai, less than a score of his padams are oft repeated, while several are still left unexplored. In that context noted playback singer and model V.V. Prassanna has carefully waded through the several thousands of dasars padams and presented an attractive bouquet.
Prassanna’s voice, quite at ease in all octaves, makes it a pleasant listening. Equally thought-provoking, each song has a message too. He has set to tune eight songs in classical ragas such as Mohanam, Madhyamavati, Kapi, Hamsanandi and Kiravani, to name a few – all well within the ragas’ parameters.
The line-up
In ‘Hannu Bandhidhe’ dasar depicts himself as a fruit seller wherein he gives a roll call to all devotees to join him and enjoy the fruit of Balakrishna bhakti. The significance of complete fasting on Ekadasi days (that normally comes twice a month) is brought out in the next song ‘Haridhinadhali Unda.’
‘Ha Ha Ha Manava’ is the pick of the selection where Dasar laments about the degeneration of values in society at the cost of Bhakti. Pressing home the advantage of Kannada being his mother tongue, Prassanna executes each song with aplomb. Toeing Prassanna’s line, composer Rithik Madhavan romps home successfully in his music arrangement and programming. He also takes credit for recording, mixing and mastering the CD.
Rajhesh Vaidya, who has taken the veena to the next level as an orchestral accompaniment, is his adventurous self. His traverses through the frets for the song ‘Hannu Bandhidhe’ are breathtaking. Bala Sai (flute), Venkat (violin), Venkat (tabla) embellish the songs with their unobtrusive playing.
For copies contact 98411 90577/098942 56203. The collection is also available on raga.com and I tunes.
