M. Narmadha’s two-and-a-half-hour violin concert in Thrissur last week was a skilful demonstration of the inimitable Parur-MSG bani of which she is the torch-bearer.
After a short alapana of Natta, she switched on to ‘Maha Ganapathim manasas smarami’, a popular composition of Dikshitar in Adi. The quest for Tyagaraja was manifested in seven compositions that followed in succession. Each one was played in keeping with the soul of the melody and the lyrics. ‘Sarasa sama dana’ in Kapinarayani, ‘Bandhu reethikolu’ in Hamsanadam, ‘Nannu kanna talli’ in Sindhu Kannada, ‘Sobhillu sapta swara’ in Jaganmohini, ‘Sadinchane’ in Arabhi and ‘Ethavu nara nilakada niku’ in Kalyani were the compositions.
The essaying of Kalyani, the main raga in the recital, was an exposition of her virtuosity as she could bring out the many shades of the sampoorna raga by movements in all the strings. The last one was apt since it was Janmashtami, celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. The restraint exhibited by K.M.S. Mani while drumming the mridangam was worthy of emulation. He was accompanied by Kovai Suresh on the ghatam and Thamarakkudi Rajasekharan on the morsing. The finale was a serene rendition of Irayimman Thampi’s popular lullaby, ‘Omana thinkal kidavo’ in Sankarabharanam.
The concert was organised by Sree Thyagabrahma Sangeetha Sabha, Nadabrahmam Foundation and Sangeetham Santhosham.
