Diligence, training, discipline, commitment and confidence… Aishwarya Shankar showcased all these qualities during her 90-minute RTP concert.
They were displayed in equal measure by the accompanists R. Raghu on the violin and Kallidaikurichi S. Sivakumar on the mridangam.
The trio formed a well-integrated team fitting the scene with precision. In addition, Aishwarya and Raghu offered a commendable fare during the explorations of Mohanam and Thodi, which were developed with maturity and sincerity.
Emphasis of the raga lakshana, in the slow and swift sancharas was notable. In tanam, Raghu excelled. The only pity was that the mridangam player became a mute observer for the greater part.
The pallavi was an enjoyable challenge for a listener. It was in a 14-matra khandajati Ata talam, in tisra, chatusra and khanda nadais, to match the sahityam ‘Manamohana Kanna’ in Mohanam and Thodi. It was gratifying to see expertise from the singer, violinist and the percussionist. The singer and violinist were equally at home in the ragamalika – Kuntalavarali, Dharmavati, Khambodi, Varali and Madhyamavati. The manodharma swaras pursued this sequence and again in reverse, finally breaking into a kuraippu before the mridangam artist launced into a pleasant, highly imaginative thani.
The concert which commenced with a swift Saveri varnam, ended with ‘Naan Enna Tavam Seideno’ in Khamas and ‘Aerumayil Eri’ in ragamalika.
