T.S. Sathyavathi’s Carnatic music concert in Kochi was testimonial to her disciplined and scholastic approach to music. The performance stood out for the few compositions that were elaborated with attention to detail.
The concert started with the rarely sung Kedaragowla varnam ‘Viriboni’ and moved on to raga Kedaram. The Tyagaraja composition ‘Ramaneepai’ was sung with relish and the sarvalaghu swaras were exacting and brought out the salient aspects of the raga. In fact, Dr. Sathyavathi has assimilated much of the style of her guru and mentor – the veteran musician R.K. Srikantan, presenting quintessential short raga phrases and the sarvalaghu in swarakalpana.
Raga Dhenuka received a varied treatment and the kriti ‘Teliyalerurama’, usually sung in a high tempo, was sung in vilamba kala. Her precision in presentation, bordering on technicalities, once again came to the fore in the alaapana of Kanada raga. ‘Vasudevamanisham’ in Khanda Triputa tala, composed by Mysore Vasudevachar, was rendered.
Her voice had a unique raw texture that ably conveyed the lyrical content in the compositions. ‘Ri pa ga’ usage came in plenty as the vocalist sketched the unique gamaka patterns in the swara segment. Swaras at unexpected take off points were highly appealing. Attukal Balasubramaniam gave support on the violin.
Dr. Sathyavathi belongs to an elevated class of musicians who believe less is more, hence moderation found place in her improvisations. The vocalist used fast sancharas sparingly and that left a telling impact. This was evident in her presentation of Mohanam raga, which was supplemented with a tanam in the same vein and a pallavi in Khanda Triputa ‘Karunajaladhe Dasarathe’.
It was an almost flawless rendition, rendered with perfection, covering most variations possible within the ambit of the stringent rhythmic cycle.
Anjana Rao gave wholesome vocal support even in this highly demanding pallavi. Keeping with the structure of Mohanam, Sathyavathi took up only pentatonic ragas such as Hamsanadam and the very rare Latantapriya in the ragamalika segment.
Trivandrum G. Babu on the mridangam and Adichanellore Anilkumar on the ghatam presented the taniyavarthanam.
After Vasudevachar’s ‘Brochevarevarura’ in Kamas, the vocalist concluded her recital with Purandaradasa devarnama ‘Bandhunindihanodi’ in Madhyamavati raga. The concert was organised by Rasikapriya.
