Flavour and fervour
 The ‘Bru Malabar’ invite, promising a ‘feast for the senses’ - both for the palate and the aural - at the vocal recital by renowned Carnatic vocalist
P Unnikrishnan at the
Music Academy Mini Hall on November 17 was indeed a ‘supreme
coffee’ experience and a mellifluous ‘Kaapi’ experience. The only bitter taste was in the unexpectedly poor crowd that did not even fill the mini hall that evening.
The programme started one full hour late, thanks to voice-sound-instrument-mike-light- checks and coffee breaks et al that cut much into the time span of the vocal rendition.
Well, Unnikrishnan's music provided ample compensation for all these time-steals. True, he could sing only seven pieces within the time-frame made available to him. The Saveri varnam ‘Sarasuda’, the Chakravakham - Tyagaraja kriti - Sugunamule Jeppukondi (Roopakam), the popular Hamsanaadam kriti 'Bantu Reeti Koluviyya Vayya Rama' of Tyagaraja, the post-coffee break (about 40 minutes) Tyagiah kriti in ‘Kaapi’ 'Intasoukyamani Jeppa Jaala' (Adi), the bhajan 'Krishnankaru Bajamana Prabhahutum' (Sumanessmanjari) and the significant finale Ragamalika-based ‘Kurai Ondrum Ilai Govinda’ (Rajaji) - 'We do not have any regrets' - were all deliciously served.
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| KV
Prasad |
Unnikrishnan has matured a lot, musically. His recital was pure for sure. The fairly descriptive and impressive aalapanas in the
Tyagaraja
kritis, the manodharmic svara jaalam, the neravals at ‘Raama Naama Munu Mudra’ - (Bantu Reeti charanam) were all fervently rendered in good faith to sampradaya. The senior rasikas must have nostalgically been reminded of the
Semmangudi mode on this occasion. Unnikrishnan was so good. Crowd or no crowd, his involvement in the evening’s recital was exemplary.
Kalaimamani Prasad, with his gifted, natural flair for the percussion, evidenced, in full measure, his versatility.
Kanyakumari disciple Embar Kannan accompanied the main artiste on the violin in grand style. He has already become a veteran though still young. V Suresh on the ghatam was matching - a matching foil. The entire programme was soothingly refreshing. 'Kurai Ondrum Illai
Govinda'.
R. Srinivasan
Ph no. 24355576
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