Only brave hearts or confident artistes can take up such a challenge, the challenge of performing at a moment's notice. Talented Carnatic vocalists, Trichur Brothers, who filled in for the postponed ‘Lahori Blues' concert by the Pakistani duo Zeb and Haniya, made the most of the little time they had to prepare for their The Hindu Friday Review November Fest show.
The duo's band Anubhuthi, which blends Indian classical with world music, came up with a melodious and soothing concert that was classical in its core but tinged with the contemporary.
Anubhuthi comprises young musicians — Navneeth Sundar (keyboard), Vedanth Bharadwaj (acoustic guitar), Trichur R. Mohan (mridangam), B. Sridhar (drums) and Srikrishna Mohan and Ramkumar Mohan (vocals). While not compromising on the classicism of renditions, the enthusiastic group elegantly traversed genres through Western notes and harmonies.
The improvisational opening piece in ragamalika began and ended in a haunting Hamsadhwani refrain, with the musicians alternating with phrases from Vasanthi, Abheri, Valachi, Desh and Sindhu Bhairavi ragas.
The mood shifted from meditative in ‘Telisi Rama' (Thyagaraja) in Poornachandrika and ‘Bho Shambho' (Dayananda Saraswathi) in Revathi to devotional with ‘Harivarasanam' (Madhyamavati) and the Rama bhajan, ‘Pibare Ramarasam' (Ahir Bhairav).
Navneeth and Vedanth took turns to accompany the singers. While Sridhar showed restraint and finesse, Trichur Mohan's playing was high on energy. But sometimes his vigorous mridangam drowned out the voice.
The vocalists made a fine attempt to convey the nuances of the traditional compositions. With its raring-to-go attitude and open-minded approach, the band has the skill to continue its sound experiments.
The presentation was high on curiosity and confidence, so much so those who walked in to listen sat till the end.
