Invite for Dikshitar Akhandam - Feb 28th, 2010

I am performing in the Akhandam below at Chennai on the 28th of February, 2010 (Sunday).
I am planning to sing a few Dikshitar kritis which I have not sung so far in a concert - so watch this space!!!

Odakathur Matham Concert, Ulsoor, Feb 14th

I remember attending so many concerts at this venue over the past 15 years that performing there was definitely a high point for me!!!
I had planned for a ragam thanam pallavi for this concert - a pallavi which I had conceived of in Trisra Triputa Talam with a tricky one matra eduppu.
Vidushi Charulatha Ramanujam was on the violin while Vidwan V Krishna and Vidwan Guruprasanna played the mridangam and khanjira respectively.
Here goes the list:

1. vanajakshi - ata talam - varnam - pallavi gopalayyar
2. alakalallaladaga gani - madhyamavati - rupakam - thyagaraja (S at 'samayamuna...')
3. sri parvati parameshwarau - bowli - adi - dikshitar
4. marubalka - sri ranjini - adi - thyagaraja (R,N,S) at 'doora bhaaramandhu....'
5. devadi deva sadasiva - sindhunamakriya - adi - thyagaraja
6. nadopasana - begada - adi - thyagaraja (R,N,S) at 'tantri laya swara...'
7. edayya gathi - chalanata - adi - koteeswara iyer
8. RTP Varali - trisra triputa - 'shiva shankara karunakara, shambho pahimam parama' ragamalika swarams in athana, mohana, megha ranjani and behag
9. shlokam 'kara charana kritham' in kedaragowla, hameer kalyani, saveri and revati
10. mahadeva shiva shambho - revati - adi - tanjore shankar iyer
11. sapashyat - jonpuri - adi
    
12. tiruppugazh
    
13. mangalam

February Concert Schedule

1. Feb 2nd - Calicut Thyagaraja Aradhana, 5 pm
   
2. Feb 6th - Sri Rangam Thyagaraja Utsavam, Srirangam, 6 pm
   
3. Feb 7th - Nadopasana, Chennai - 6 pm
4. Feb 14th - Odakathur Matham Ramakrishna Bhajana Samaj - 6 pm
5. Feb 28th - Muttusvami Dikshitar Akhandam, Pettachi Auditorium, Chennai  11 am
   

Concert at Calicut - Feb 2nd

The trip to Calicut was eventful in more ways than one.
First I missed my bus, then the bus journey was excruciating!!!!
Anyway, MD Rajamani maama's aradhana in Calicut was not to be missed and hence it was all worth the effort.
The concert was very well received by an overflowing audience - with some elite musicians also in attendance, including Sri Palai Ramachandran, Sri Parassala Ravi and others.
What was memorable for me was Vidwan Sri Tanjore Ramadas's accompaniment on the mridangam for me.
He is a direct disciple of Palakkad Mani Iyer and hence his playing is so full of energy and experience.
I told him before the concert that I was planning to sing the Atana kriti 'E papamu' and he immediately reminisced having played for it for DKJ, DKP, Semmangudi maama and others.
Unfortunately, I have only heard 'E Papamu'  being rendered either by Alathur Brothers or by TK Rangachari and have no other recording.
It would be fascinating to hear Semmangudi Maama's version of this masterpiece.

The list I sang on that day:

1. Sugunamule - Chakravakam - Rupaka - S
2. E Papamu - Atana - Misra Chapu - R,S
3. Vaachaamagocharame - Kaikavashi - Adi
4. E naati nomu phalamo - Bhairavi - Adi - R,N,S + Thani
5. Sri Rama Jaya Rama - Yadukulakambhoji

Vidwan Viju S Anand played the violin while Vidwan Tanjavur Ramadas accompanied me on the Mridangam.