Brinda Manickavasakan included rare compositions in her concerts. , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M
Sung by Brinda Manikavasakan, for Shri Tyag Brahma Gana SabhaIt was lively and fresh from beginning to end. The concert began with a swara package with Tyagaraja’s Begada kriti ‘Tanwari Tanmu’ and concluded with the signature notes of the raga ‘MMGRS NNDPM’. He took Dhanyasi’s Alpana, which always shines in upper register communication. Brinda crossed it easily and carefully so that her voice did not become shrill. After Raga Alapana, a rare composition of Anai Ayya ‘Paruvam Park Nyayam’ was presented. After these vibrant works, Brinda settled down to YamunaKalyani with Dikshitar’s work ‘Jambupate Mampahi’. This work on water is not only long, but also a test for any singer in conveying the depth and subtle nuances of a slow composition.
Before Brinda moved to Mohanam, Shyama Shastri’s ‘Ninnu Vina Marigalada’ came as a complement to Ritigovala; A brief introduction section was followed by a Tamil poem from Manickavachakar’s ‘Thiruvachagam’, ‘Ennilane Thirunamam’. This soulful rendition was paired with Papanasam Sivan’s popular composition ‘Kapaali’. After this the Swara package was effectively woven.
Bombay R. Brinda Manikavasakan with Madhavan (violin), Sumesh Narayanan (mridangam), Sunil Kumar (kanjira). , Photo Courtesy: Srinath M
It was RTP time, and Brinda elaborated on Shanmukhpriya with captivating phrases leading to the tanam, before taking up the pallavi ‘Senthur vaaz murugan shanmuganai priyamudan nammai kakkam’. The song has been composed by Mridangam scholar Arun Prakash.It expresses the essence of Shanmukhpriya, although it avoids prati-madhyam, which is the characteristic swara of the raga.
Niraval was associated with a long meandering vocal section, which also included Behaag, Saveri and Brindavani, as in the Ragamalika series. The concert concluded with Swathi Tirunal’s bhajan ‘Chaliye Gunjan’ in Raga Brindavani.
Bombay R. Madhavan ably accompanied Brinda on the violin. His vocal sections were particularly notable. With the young and popular percussionist Sumesh Narayanan on Mridangam and Sunil Kumar on Kanjira, it was expected that they would add to the strength of the concert. And, they did. Sumesh and Sunil competed with each other in sharp and vocal exchanges during their Taani Avtaranam.
published – December 17, 2024 03:39 PM IST
