Rishabh Kaushik performing at the Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall. | Photo courtesy: Special Arrangement
Rishabh Kaushik’s hard work stood out in the recent Nadasangam concert held at the Mini Hall for Narada Gana Sabha. There was a good mix of ragas and musicians and Rishabh showcased his talent to the fullest. He was accompanied by Indalur Shyam Raghav on violin and Vishnuvardhan K. on mridangam.
The young singer began with Calcutta Krishnamurthy’s lively Kadankuthuhalam varnam ‘Saranaagata Vatsale’. He then presented Saint Thyagaraja’s ‘Narad Gana Lola’ in Attana, set in Rupakam. Though the presentation was generally clean, Swaranathanam went wrong at times.
After a fiery raga alapana by Vachaspathi, Rishabha rendered Papanasam Sivan’s ‘Parathpara Parameswara’. He should have kept in mind that splitting the compound word Charanaravinda (charana + ravinda) into charana and ravinda (in the anupallavi line the beautiful Charanaravinda Ananda) would destroy both linguistic beauty and meaning. Though it may not always be possible to completely break compound words while singing due to the demands of musical aesthetics, at least the first consonance must be rendered properly to convey the consonance. And, it is ‘Subramanyan thandaye’ in the concluding charanam, not ‘Subramanyam thandaye’. Rishabha then negotiated the niraval and swara sequence charana in ‘Ari ayanum kaana’ with ample assurance.
After the touching reetigoula song ‘Enna Punniyum Seideno’ by Othukadu Venkata Kavi in ​​Misra Chapu came Thyagaraja’s major work ‘Kaligiyunteagada’. After a satisfactory exploration of Keeravani, Rishabha competently performed the song with Niraval and Swaraprastha in ‘Bhagavat Aagarserulaku’. He concluded the recital with a touching Tillana in Misra Sivaranjani composed by Maharajapuram Santhanam.
Shyam Raghav’s bow playing was superb throughout the programme. His raga-nibandhas, both Vachaspati and Keeravani, were soulful. Vishnuvardhan’s rhythm playing was masterful, and his thani for 2-kalai etc. talas was lively.
This concert not only highlighted Rishabh’s talent but also highlighted areas that need attention, such as vocabulary fidelity, ease of gamak, swara-vartan and emotional connect with the compositions. With more guidance, hard work and experience, he can aspire to establish himself in this field.
