Sandeep Narayan, Akshay Yashodharan on guitar, Lalit Talluri on flute and Chandrashekhar Sharma on ghatam | Photo Credits: Courtesy: Event Art
The evening breeze was touching the trees. Every now and then you could hear the chirping of birds. The water of the pool shimmered in the light of candles placed on either side of the minimalist stage. As music lovers settled down on neatly arranged old chairs, they feared that the dark grey sky might open up and disrupt the play. Titled ‘By the Sea’, it was an unusually intimate concert.
Soon the MC introduced a group of talented musicians led by singer Sandeep Narayan. Without taking much time, they started ‘Naada Tanumnisham’ in Raga Chitta Ranjani. The music was smooth and almost melodious.
Expressing his desire to take his informal jamming sessions to a larger audience, Sandeep said that this concert was an effort in that direction. Organised in association with Event Art, this concert gave an opportunity to experience music in a new environment and format.
His other song ‘Oru Murai Unnai Kanden'(from the album). Alai) was as gentle as the wind. Akshay Yashodharan on the guitar and Lalit Talluri on the flute played alternately, and their imagination blended well with Sandeep’s singing.
The flute, guitar and voice came together especially well in these lines:
Ootredatta Uyir Oinduvitta Pinnam
Kachi Thaliya Vilaye
Thandi Vanda Pinnum
Dagam Tania Wilaye
Lalit’s flute selection was atmospheric, and Akshay’s strumming was fluent, while Chandrashekhar Sharma’s ghatam accompaniment was excellent, giving the presentation the right pace with proper rhythm.
Sandeep Narayan enjoying the concert | Photo Credit: Courtesy: Event Art
Sandeep then chose Jayadeva’s Ashtapati ‘Dheera Sameere Yamuna There’ composed by Tanjore S. Kalyanaraman in Raga Pahadi. He effortlessly differentiated between the low and high registers and embellished the kriti with vivacity Brigidus. It reminded him of himselfGuru Sanjay Subramanian.
His heart-touching rendition of ‘Aadum Chidambaramo’ came again with the accompaniment of guitar and flute. Though it had started raining, Sandeep continued singing with the same zeal. He then sang ‘Chandra Chooda Shiva Shankar’, followed by ‘Naada Vindhu’ and ‘Gopala Gokul Vallabha’. The guitar-vocal harmony in these pieces was unique.
Sandeep Narayan singing on the beach. | Photo Credit: Courtesy: Event Art
There was a surprise at the end. The audience got a chance to go to the beach with Sandeep singing a medley of krithias by the sea. He started with the Kannada song ‘Akka Kelava Naan Ondhu’, followed by a few songs on Rama like ‘Ramaiya Rama’ and ‘Ramanai Bhajithal’. When he asked the audience to sing along, one remembered that unchavaritis In Female Vedi During Margazhi in Mylapore.
