Vidya Kalyanaraman commenced with Sivan’s composition, ‘Karpaga Manohara’ in Malayamarutham. Her lengthy, crisp and fast paced swaras were engaging. After Dikshitar’s ‘Parvati Kumaram’ in Nattakurinji , she took up raga alapana of Bilahari which was quite elaborate and technically right but a little bit lacking on the aesthetics.
Would have been better had she slowed down the pace a bit. She is a versatile singer with a mellifluous voice. She can do better if she opens up her voice when she reaches tara sthayi gandharam and above.
The violinist Kandadevi Vijayaraghavan presented a sober Bilahari. The not often heard kriti of Swati Tirunal, ‘Smara Sada Manasa Balagopalam’ was rendered well with neat kalpanaswaras at ‘Garuda Turangam.’
A fine rendition of ‘Marivare’ in Ananda Bhairavi and ‘Kandavarkku Kanavilum Kaalabhayam’ in Kuntalavarali preceded the main raga of the evening, Subha Pantuvarali. A poignant, all-encompassing and a leisurely delineation of this haunting raga, was followed by Tyagaraja’s ‘Ennallurake.’
From the start of the alapana to the finish with niraval and swaram at ‘Konnallu Saketa Puramela’ there was not a single lax moment, with the mood of the raga kept intact. The violin support was excellent and his bowing, very pleasing.
Mridangam vidwan Kumbakonam Swaminathan’s thani was neat and he gave a good overall support. The tail pieces included a Dasarnama ‘Vittala Salaho’ preceded by ‘Pacchaimamalai,’ a viruttam in Tamil, and Khamas thillana, both adding value to the concert.
