Trivandrum V. Balaji, S. Krishna, Rahul Vellal and B. Ananth Krishnan Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Rahul Vellal, who hails from Karnataka and winner of the Global Child Prodigy Awards 2020 among others, presented a repertoire of familiar and much-loved compositions in his recent concert at Krishna Gana Sabha. B on violin accompanying the singer. Ananth Krishnan, Trivandrum V. Balaji on Mridangam and S. on Ghatam. Krishna supported.
Starting with ‘Tattvamariya Tarama’ in Rithigovali by Papanasam Sivan, Rahul brought out the gentle grace of the raga. His imagistic notes were clean and simple, flowing naturally into the next composition – Dikshitar’s ‘Sarsija Nabha Sodari’ in Nagagandhari – a composition that established a serene mood.
In an age of elaborate productions, it’s refreshing to see a concert that sticks to the basics – simple, clean and heartfelt. This was followed by a crisp Lathangi Alapana, its outlines clearly carved and complemented by a soothing violin response. This was another composition of Papanasam Sivan – ‘Pirava Varam Thaarum’. Anupallavi featured complex harmonies and Kalpanaswara started with ‘Pirva Varam’.,
Rahul decided to include many audience favorites like ‘Kanrin Kuralai Kettu’ (Mukhari), ‘Bhogindra Sayinam’ (Kundalavarali), ‘Naan Oru Vilayattu Bommaiya’ (Navarasa Kannada), and ‘Jagadhodharan’ (Kaapi), which includes the works of Neelkanth Sivan, Swathi Tirunal. Papanasam Sivan and Purandara Das.
Rahul’s concert was simple, clean and heart touching. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The highlight of the evening came with a Manodharma in Keeravani which beautifully captured the essence of the raga. The sensitive responses of the violin warmed the atmosphere. Tyagaraja’s ‘Kaligiunte’ followed a poignant, ornate rendition of Niravala and Kalpanaswaras in ‘Baguga Sri Raghu Ramuni Padamula’ executed in two kalams. The vocal tone of the violin provided power to the performance.
Thani began with the Mridangam, offering a distinctive tone, complemented by Krishna’s impeccable clear playing. Their spontaneous conversation concluded with a 32-beat Korvai that garnered applause.
Soulful ‘Pibare Ramrasam’, Acomposed of ,‘Sadashiva Brahmendrar’ reflects the genuine sentiment, yet the slightly hasty pace of the mridangam seems inconsistent with the contemplative spirit of the composition.
As the evening approached, the atmosphere became devotional. There was the energetic bhajan, ‘Hari Mana’ in Brindavan Sarang, followed by the reverent ‘Har Har Shankar Jai Jai Shankar Palayam’ in Revathi. The patriotic ‘Jayati Jayati Bharat Mata’ enlivened the khamas, before Rahul concluded with the timeless ‘Maitrim Bhajtha’ and ‘Mangalam’.
published – October 17, 2025 04:48 PM IST