Akshay Padmanabhan’s Thodi raga alapana, which was rendered in an unhurried pace was like a veteran’s innings.
Akshay Padmanabhan’s Ranjani raga alapana was full of bhava and the song ‘Ranjani Niranjani,’ the GNB composition, that followed was rendered very well with niraval at ‘Kanjadalalochani.’ The violinist played a short and sweet Ranjani. The concert which began late at 1 p.m. with Begada raga varnam ‘Intachalamu,’ sung in two speeds, was followed by ‘Sri Rama Padama’ the Tyagaraja kriti in Amrithavahini, when the violinist who was held up due to traffic disruption joined. The handful of
people who came at 12 noon were faithfully waiting and it paid off.
Before embarking on the main piece of the concert Akshay rendered Dikshitar’s ‘Sarasijanabha Sodari’ (sounded ‘chodari’ instead of’ ‘sodari’) in a fast tempo. Thodi raga alapana, which was done in an unhurried pace was like a veteran’s innings. He has an expressive voice which makes the raga come alive. The violinist, Sudha R.S. Iyer,
seemed perturbed and nervous and it showed in her rendition. ‘Sri Krishnam Bhaja’ was rendered beautifully followed by a short niraval and swaram, may be due to paucity of time. Madipakkam A. Murali on the mridangam was the only support for the vocalist and he played his part well and also rendered a short and neat thani. Akshay concluded
his concert with ‘Pahi Kalyana Rama’ preceded by a ragamalika slokam.
Kudos to the vocalist for his attitude and display even after such a delay and it was a pity that he had to cut short his concert. Could there be an alternate plan in such circumstances?
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