Neyveli Santhanagopalan - Chromepet Concert Review

Well, I did hear to some splendid music yesterday by my guru’s guru, Sri NSG. It was an electrifying atmosphere and Sri NSG started with the evergreen ata thala varna in Kalyani. It was rendered with panache.

Following it was a Thyagaraja kriti, Entha nechina which included a brief kalpanaswara which showed NSG’s class. Following it was another Thyagaraja kriti, Rama nannu brovara in the raaga Harikambhoji (ya!!! one of my favorites) with an excellent aalapana and a neraval. This was followed by Siva Siva Enaratha in Panthuvarali. This showed NSG’s prowess in music. It was filled with energy and was exuberant till the very last. It also had a neraval at the line "Bagavathulatho Poshimchi vara…". Next to it was a short kriti in Kundalavarali, "Kandavarkku kanavilum kaala bayam yethaiah…" which was followed by a classic. I literally cannot express my joy in hearing his rendition of this kriti. It was a kriti in Keeravani, "Punniyam oru kodi…" This was the main piece and the swaras, raaga aalapana, neraval, kalpanaswaram everything were PERFECT! The song also included a thani by the legendary Sri Kamalakarrao, who had come all the way from Raja mundri for the concert. He happens to be the most senior disciple of Sri Palghat Mani Iyer. And the way he played, you could get no doubt at all. Class! The person on the kanjira was a bit nervous, i felt. But yet, he did a good job. It was Sri Venkataramana, son of a popular vidwan, Sri Shyam sunder. Following the main piece were a few short thukadas followed by the mangalam.

I’m going to ask my guru Sri Ajay Nambudiri to teach me the Keeravani kriti. It was one of the best kritis rendered by any vidwan/vidushi in the world.

And speaking about the violin vidwan (thanks, I didn’t forget!!). Sri Varadarajan played excellently. His aalapana of Panthuvarali and Keeravani were awesome and Sri NSG enjoyed it a lot.

Now, for the punch. I feel that people who shun away from Carnatic music definitely lose something in this world. I would request those people to listen to good, pleasant music.