Violin maestro M. Chandrasekharan is a versatile genius. He shines in his capacity as a solo artist, an accompanying artist, a vocalist and a composer. This year marks the shashtiabdapoorthy (60th year) of his service to music.
Little wonder, his concerts are a delectable pleasure to listen to. So was the violin duet along with his daughter G. Bharathi. He vocally rendered almost every piece that he played. His Dhanyasi alapana was charmingly classic. The song was Syama Sastri’s ‘Meenalochana Brova’ in Misra Chapu. At one stage both of them sang along as they played on the violin. And, when they didn’t sing, their violin sang. Fortunate indeed were the listeners. In every section of the concert, Bharathi established her expertise and capability. She has now evolved into a full-fledged artist herself.
The Simhendramadhyamam that she delineated was like that of a veteran – majestic and melodious. The chosen kriti was ‘Ninne Nammithi’ in Misra Chapu of Mysore Vasudevachar. The niraval was at the usual ‘Pannagendra Sayana.’ Bharathi’s concluding swaraprastara was an exercise in melody and rhythm that took the song to its crescendo.
Guruvayur Dorai on the mridangam and Udipi Sridhar on the Ghatam gave an exhilarating thani. Guruvayur Dorai’s fast-moving thisra natai korvais were a treat. M. Chandrasekharan complimented him often for his competence as an accompanist.
Chandrasekharan rendered an impressive piece, his own composition ‘Chandravadane,’ in raga Chandra, a janya of Kharaharapriya. Its arohana-avarohana is Sa Ri Ma Dha Sa-Sa Ni Dha Ma Ga Sa. He allotted some time for rasikas’ requests and offered dazzling raga sketches in Sahana, Thodi and Hamirkalyani.
His ‘Vellaiththamarai Pooviliruppaal’ of Subramania Bharathi, after an alapana was splendid.
The Misra Sivaranjani piece ‘Suttum Vizhi Chudaraam Kannamma’ was a poignant rendering. He produced the kolakkuyil osai ‘koo koo’ on the violin. Certainly, the sweetest songs are those that tell of the saddest thoughts!
Earlier the duet had commenced the concert with ‘Vallabha Nayakasya’ in a bewitching Begada. There was a breezy Kuntakriya piece, ‘Inthanuchu Varnimpa Tharama’ of Tyagaraja.
The duet concluded the outstanding recital with ‘Bhagyadha Lakshmi Baramma’ of Purandaradasa.
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