Fine vocal culture

Ranjani Sivakumar.

Here is one of the prominent Carnatic vocalists, blessed with mellifluous vocal culture with good range and appeal who made her presence felt in Hyderabad music circles. Sujanaranjani arranged the concert of Ranjani Sivakumar last week held at Saptaparni, Banjara Hills.

Ranjani Sivakumar launched her concert with Pancharatna kirtana of Thyagaraja Jagadanandakaraka in Nata, Adi talam with stress on sahitya bhava. She then rendered Karpaga Manohara a composition of Papanasam Sivan in Malayamarutham in Khanda Chapu talam with brief alapana. The kriti rendition was impressive. The swarakalpana she presented was soothing, well supported by Tejaswi on violin.

Amba Neelambari of Ponnayya Pillai in Neelambari in vilamba kalam was a pleasing and leisurely rendition and followed it with Thyagaraja kirtana

Sogasujooda Tarama in Kannadagowla, set in Rupaka talam opening it with the line

Niga Nigamanu Kapola Yugamuche Merayu Momu connecting it with pallavi

Sogasu Joodatarama . It was one of the captivating numbers.

Ranjani then chose to present Ragam- Tanam- Pallavi in Aarabhi. The raga essay showcased its beauty with nuances of the raga Aarabhi enriching her alapana in all three octaves. The tanam was also was a pleasing presentation that won audience appreciation. The pallvai she chose was a Tamil line

Aadido Thillai Anandam Tandoom, Tandoom ena , she impressively showcasing variations in the talam in her Pallavi rendition.

The swarakalpana mirrored her command on the ragam.

The swarakalpana was presented in raga malika format comprised of Janasammodini and Garudadhwani. In these entire exercises violinist Tejaswi lent excellent support to all these segments of Ragam, Tanam and Pallavi with his own nuances matching the vocalist’s output. Percussionists Burra Sriram and T.P. Balasubrahmanyam lent impressive support elevating the concert’s appeal.

In the later part of the concert Ranjani presented Maavalla Kaadamma Devi Yasoda in Mand with touch of folk idiom and followed it with Jagadodharana , Purandaradasa in Hindustani Peelu. She then concluded her concert with Balamurali’s tillana in Brindavani, set in Adi talam.