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T.V. Sankaranarayanan in great form
By T.M. Anantharaman
Padmabushan and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri T.V.Sankaranarayanan
(TVS) was in great form singing for the Thyagaraja-Purandaradasa
Aaradhana festival of the Girinagara Sangeetha Sabha in Bangalore
on Sunday evening (February 24, 2008). It was a small crowd
as crowds go for a TVS concert but that didn't deter the artiste
and his son Sankaran Mahadevan (who gave vocal support) from
providing a veritable feast of memorable music that will be
cherished for long by listeners.
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TVS began with the crisp Thyagaraja
composition "Sri Raghukula" in Hamsadwani and sang
it with the usual verve. As is his wont, he carved out delectable
swara patterns, enriching the scope and content of theme for
the listener. Son Sankaran Mahadevan came into his own,
lending vocal support especially in the next kriti of Thyagaraja
"Rama Bakthi Samrajya" in raga Suddha Bangala. Perhaps
for the first time in many years, such elaborate, lilting kalpana
swara patterns were effortlessly created for this song in tandem
by the father and son duo. What made the rendering truly enjoyable
was the alert and pleasing violin support by Bangalore-based
young violinist B.K.Raghu. He showed his gifted-talent in abundant
measure throughout the concert.
TVS sang raga Vasantha and Thyagaraja kriti "Seethamma"
with usual gusto but somehow this and the Atana piece of Purandaradasa
"Sagala graha palamu neeney" that followed didn't
register much.
Then came the surprise packet of the evening. It was simply
a superb exposition of raga Kalyani by son Sankaran Mahadevan,
who displayed both a great grasp of the heart-tugging feel for
the beauty of the raga and also a rich sweeping imagination
backed by a voice which, with its natural 'ravais", could
traverse the octaves with ease. At the end, it was simply amazing
that a youngster could sing with so much of confidence. Come
to think of it, this he must be getting it from his illustrious
father TVS, no doubt! The Purandaradasa composition "Nambi
kettavar ellavo Rangaiyanaa" in misra chapu tala was engrossingly
captivating, sung as it was with a lot of grace and charm, especially
in the neraval phase in "pankaja lochana", and the
awesome flow of kalpana swaras that left one amazed.
This was followed by a casual and none-too-impressive Jayamanohari
piece of Thyagaraja "Nee Bakthi baagya sudha". But
TVS hit the high spots as it were next when he sang a brilliantly
evocative Kambodhi raga stamped every inch in style and reminiscent
of his guru Sri Madurai Mani Iyer. It seemed he was fully immersed
in the devotional grandeur of the raga and this was confirmed
when he took the Thyagaraja kriti "Maa Janaki", an
all-time favourite of his guru. As TVS and his son unfurled
sangathis and swaras, the melodic violin of Raghu providing
added lustre, the listeners were transported to higher planes
of musical fulfillment.
Young Sankaran Mahadevan then etched out a Kapi raga that was
brilliant in design and texture, especially in the upper reaches
of the octave. The brigha-filled sweeps were simply breath-taking
at times and yet adorably sweet. Thayarajas's memorable "Inta
Sowkya" was sung by father and son superbly, especially
noteworthy were the swaras which gushed forth abundantly like
the myriad-coloured spout from a water-fountain in full flow.
The Thani avardhanam by Vidwan V. Krishna on the mridangam and
Omkara on the ghatam was rousing and their robust playing was
well appreciated by the audience. All in all, TVS and son Sankaran
Mahadevan provided true enjoyment with their lively and imaginative
approach to classical music. Long live this genre, who is truly
committed to the art form and who invariably leave an unforgettable
mark on the listener.
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