Maharajapuram Ramachandran's concert at Mulund Fine Arts on 22nd October 2011

A review by Smt Bhanu Kumar on Times of India :

Classic Concert








Bhanu Kumar

Posted On Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:57:01 AM





Music lovers of Mulund thoroughly enjoyed the concert



The program was a study in proper concert technique. Maharajapuram Ramachandran, veteran vocalist from Chennai presented a quality concert at the Kalidas Auditorium, Mulund West on October 22 evening. The program was hosted by Mulund Fine Arts Society for the benefit of their members and special invitees.



It was a typical Carnatic concert with all the requisite features and finesse. A seasoned Vidwan Ramachandran adhered to the norms throughout .Starting the musical evening with a brisk Begada Varnam, he went on to present a Ganpati Keertana in Nattai ragam which had the audience nodding their heads in endorsement. Seetamma Mayamma in ragam Vasanta came next preceding the detailed delineation of Kalyana Vasantham.



Extensive treatment of Shankarabharanam and Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Hamir Kalyani and a garland of various ragas blended into a whole completing the repertoire. The raga vistaras, the swara sessions and other nuances brought out the elements that are proud possessions of Carnatic music.



Admirable violin support by Nagai Murlidharan and Mridangam support by Mannarkudi Easwaran was finely tuned. The thani avartanam played by Easwaran was rendered with amazing aplomb. “It is very important to have rapport with the accompanying artistes. Being very senior players, they were absolutely supportive of the concert,” says Ramachandran.



Tracing his journey of music spanning over 35 years, Ramachandran recalls his training under his illustrious father Maharajapuram Santhanam.“Being the eldest son I had the distinctive advantage of not only learning directly from my father but would sit behind him on stage during concerts and join him whenever he indicated. It was on the spot decision from him asking me to sing an alaap or neraval. It was almost like an internship.



I learnt more on stage than at home. I remember when my father asked me to sit next to him. It was, as mentioned in leading periodical Kalki, a sort of promotion for me followed by a string of Jugalbandi concerts. Then it was time for my solo concerts starting with Krishna Gana Sabha in the year 1978.



With all the advantage of recognition as member of a musical family and acquaintance with leading sabha office bearers, the journey has been full of hard work to sustain the good name. I would always be compared with my genius father and would work towards living up to the high expectations.



This is one way of converting the disadvantage of being compared to distinct advantage by proving yourself,” says Ramachandran. “It was a concert which was not only elevating but an educative one. Younger generation performers should emulate such vidwans for the preservation of music parampara,” says Sita Jayaraman from the committee of Mulund Fine Arts.



“The rasikas in Mulund were amazing. They waited till midnight when the concert got over and were very appreciative,” says the artiste. “I just did not feel like leaving though it was past 11.30 pm. The concert was so absorbing that I did not notice the passing of time,” says Vishnupriya, an ardent fan of music. Ramachandran proved his lineage and musical heritage that has over generations made their village Maharajapuram proud.