At 22, you are all starry eyed, the world looks happy, beautiful and you want to make the best of it. But N.J. Nandini, the Carnatic vocalist from Thiruvananthapuram, is rearing to make it to the big Carnatic stage, has plenty of awards in her kitty, and has bagged the coveted Chembai Puraskaram.
She sang recently at the Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira with a dynamism that passionate singers bring to their music. N.J. Nandini has a melodious voice -- though not all that powerful – which is bestowed with felicity and movement. She takes to her medium like a fish takes to water; this perhaps comes with relentless practice coupled with talent.
Her rendition of Devamanohari was enthusiastic and brisk, followed by a competent exposition by Apoorva Krishna on the violin. Her rendition of Tyagaraja’s krithi “Evvarikai” was energetic and lively. Hamsanandi, which followed, received a very imaginative and intense treatment from Nandini. In her detailed alaapane, she even attempted a brief shruti bheda, brushing the contours of Hindola. Apoorva showed her prowess as a mature performer with a spacious alaap, building on the importance of silence in music. “Chetasri” in Dwijavanti at once brought all the great masters like Madurai Mani Iyer and Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer on to the canvas. It was short and lively.
The main raga of the evening was Shankarabharana. Nandini’s pliant voice brings out the best of gamakas never compromising on the emotions. She rendered “Shree Dakshinamurthy” with maturity; her kalpanaswaras and neraval was well laid out. Maybe she could have taken more time over her raga exposition. N.C. Bharadwaj is a serious accompanist and added value to the concert.
