Singer AS Murali stringed together lively raga sequences in his concert for the Navratri series of Arunachala Raman Sangeet Sabha. In Kamboji Alapan, he effectively brought out the beautiful features of the raga. On the violin, Pakka Ramdas responded deftly and creatively with a perfect illustration.
Murali, a student of Guru PS Narayanaswamy, presented Papanasam Sivan’s composition ‘Aadum Devam ni Arulvay’ on Shiva. He used the scope that Pallavi offers for improvisation to come up with specific and catchy phrases. In Charanam’s swaraprastaram, ‘Subhamsera Kaliyudan Aadi Padu Tholvi Anji’ he once again showed his training and considerable skill.
This line brings out the musician’s love for pure Tamil and knowledge of mythology.
He was accompanied by his brothers, AS Ranganathan and AS Krishnan in Mridangam and Morsing, who formed a good partnership in Tani Avataranam. He contributed to increasing the appeal of the concert. Murali, who is also a Ghatam artiste, enjoyed every moment of Thani.
perfect selection of songs
Kirwani Alapana was well conceived. Ramdas’s representatives were confused. The choice of Upper Thevaram, ‘Vannai Mathi Chudiya’ by the Murali in praise of Shiva at Tiruvannamalai, was appropriate, as the singing was for the Arunachala Raman Sabha. Niraval Dil Se was one in ‘Veernai Vidamundanai’, with a well-structured swaroop in Mishra Chapu.
Murali began his concert with Puliyur Doraiswamy Iyer’s ‘Sarseruhasan Priya’ in Nattai with vocals in the usual ‘Saraswati’. This was followed by Mahavaidyanath Iyer’s popular Janranjani work, ‘Pahim Sri Raja Rajeshwari’. Its sparkling chitswar has become the staple of this raga. The exchange of voices between the singer and the violinist was mesmerizing.
Dixit’s ‘Renuka Devi Samarakshitoham’ in Kannada Bangla (Khand Chapu) was a connoisseur’s delight. This composition is in the eighth division. Tyagaraja’s beloved work, ‘Sri Kanthaniyada’, was clearly rendered in Desadi.
The murli concluded with Madurai Srinivasan’s popular work ‘Karunai Devame’ in Sindhu Bhairavi. Singing was backed by Shyam Sundar and Tambura by Amrita. The concert is available on the Arke Convention Center’s YouTube channel.
The Chennai-based writer specializes in Carnatic music.
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