Sonorous and structured

Sreevalson’s vocal concert for SICA appealed with its well-structured format.

Good skill Sreevalson J. Menon

HYDERABAD: Kerala-based Carnatic vocalist Sreevalson J. Menon, a new face in Hyderabad, was invited by South Indian Cultural Association (SICA) to present a concert last week at Ravindra Bharati.

On this occasion Sreevalson was accompanied by R. Dinakar on violin, Kapa Srinvasa Rao on mridangam and T.P Balasubramanyam on ghatam.

Srivalson who’s an associate professor in Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, is blessed with robust rich voice with enviable span. He had his training under Rajalakshmi Krishnan, disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar and advanced training from Neyyattinkara Vasudevan.

This well structured concert was opened by Sreevalson with Saveri Varnam

Valachi Vachi , presented in two speeds. The menu comprised some unusual numbers. Dhanyudevvado Dasarathe of Patnam in Malayamarutham was the number he presented later, followed by Thyagaraja’s Pancharatna kirtana Endaro Mahanubhavulu in Sriragam. He first delineated the raga in detail and kriti rendition was expressive with quality of sahitya expression. The chitta swaras and related sahitya line were well gone through.

Dikshitar’s Govardhana Girisam in Hindolam was a beauty of expression of sahitya. So was Paralokabhaya of Thyagaraja in Mandari with brief expansion. There was Dikshitar’s popular number Akhilandeswari Rakshamam in Dwijavanthi, rendered with devotional appeal. It was then time for Sreevalson to come out with main number of the concert Emijesithenemi Srirama of Thyagaraja in Thodi. He gave detailed picture of the raga in depth, building it steadily from mandra to taarasthayi and back. It was a rich presentation. The swarakalpana he presented also carried the mood of the raga. Tani avartanam by percussionists enhanced the appeal of the number. Dinakar’s violin support matched the vocal output and the responses he gave to the manodharma parts complemented vocalist’s output.

Later part of the concert was comprised of a Tamil composition of Subramanya Bharati on Lord Krishna set in Yadukula Kambhoji.

Bhaja Bhaja Manasa Harimana

Bhagyadalakshmi Baramma