Having heard of this great artist numerous times and of his concerts in hyderabad, I haven't got the chance to attend any of the concerts. SPICMACAY has done a great job having included his program on their yearly program VIRASAT in 2011. A very special thanks to SPICMACAY and I'm also very forunate to attend this program on 14th August 2011.
The program was begun with Sami Ninne Varnam in the raga Sankarabharanam. A very beautiful gem and also the rendering. In the first song only he showed what a mastery he had on the music. Next he sang Shobhillu Saptaswara song. Shri Seshagopalan gaaru explained the meaning of this song in this way. This song was composed by Saint Shri Tyagaraja, in the Raga Jaganmohini. In this Song, Tyagaraja praises the music, the seven notes are divine. A gayathri mantra has 24 syllables, which is formed by 12 notes of music. "Dhara rig saamadulalo gayathri hridayamundunaa". The music notes only are equal to gayathri manthra. So giving tributes to music only equal to rendering Gayathri Manthra.
Next he moved to rendering Raga bhairavi. First he explained the importance of Bhairavi Raga. He sang the song "Kamakshi Amba" by Shri Shyamasasthri. He sang this song in Ragam Tanam Pallavi fashion. The first aalapana of this Raga was mind blowing. The violinist who accompanied him is also mind blowing. He was giving full support to the artist as well as his with spot creations at the time he mesmerized the audience. He maintained complete tempo with vocal artist. There is some importance to 8 charanam's of this song as explained by the singer. By I dont remember it.
Now the main part. Here he wanted to conclude concert first. But he said that while he was singing Bhairavi raga, he got in mind that why should he sing Sindhu Bhairavi also and to explain the difference. Thus resulted in another beautiful Jugalbandi of two Ragas, Bhairavi and Sindhu Bhairavi. He chose the song "Kapalini trisulini ezhil sindumbhairavi". Woww.. I can say. The way of his singing, showing difference between these two great Ragams, another WOWW.
The concert was concluded with Thillana composed by himself only. In the concert he said about his guru and Parama guru Muthaiah Hhagavatar gaaru. The hall is sounded with claps from the audience. Though he is Sangeetha Kalanidhi, a prestigious award given to Carnatic Musician, he is very simple, and a great musician. He explained about the raaga that he is singing and meaning of the each song that was sung, the also importance of each song.. Real music education, singing the songs in different Ragas which are having very small difference. Genius.
Once again thank you so much SPICMACAY.
