We were whisked back to the Maharajapuram era while listening to Ramachandran at Anjaneyar temple , Nanganallur. One had a sense of déjà vu when he essayed Sunodha Vinodhini . The Varnam Gananayaka in the same raga made us nostalgically recollect his father Santhanam's rendition of the Varnam.

He chose a couple of Kritis in the Ghana Ragas ,a Kriti in Nattai and Arabhi. His exposition of Pavanathmaja Paripoorna in Nattai by Muthuswamy Dikshitar was exemplary. His neat Niraval and Swara Prastharas for Salakalla in arabhi was pristine and classical to the core. The sedate Nannu Vidachi in Reeti Gowlai by Thyagaraja evoked melodic essence.

Ramachandran's Mohanam stood like shining star with no frills and fusses. His raga treatise for Mohana Rama was replete with brigha and bhava. Mohanam found repose in him. The volleyof swaras was the crowning piece of the concert. Ramachandran s rendition of Bhoosambosivamboo in Revathi followed a Viruttam in the same raga which added spiritual flavor to the concert.

M R Gopinath's essay of Arabhi and Mohanam was of high order. Srimushnam RajaRao the mridangist lead the bandwagon of the percussive duo.

Vaikkom Gopalakrishnan on the ghatam melded with his co artistes.

The tani of Raja Rao and Gopalakrishnan was like a question and answer session.

Mira
Dec 29 ^th 2008

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