Madurai G.S.Mani-Bhandup Fine Arts-18.9.10 - Concert report

( Thyagaraja Kriti - Chinna nadana - Kalanidhi raga )





Vocal – Shri Madurai G.S.Mani
Violin – Shri R.Madhavan
Mridangam – Shri Thanjavur Ramadas
Konnakol – Kumari Neeraja
1. Vanajakshi -Kalyani Varnam
2. Daya jucutakidi -Ganavaridhi
3. Sobillu Sapthaswara-Jaganmohini
4. Chinna nadaena Cheyi - Kalanidhi
5. Rama Nanu Brovara – Harikambhoji
6. Arjuna Saradhimaashraye Ambuja Lochana- Jayantasena
7. Mari vere Dhikkevaraiya Rama Maati Mati – Shanmugapriya
8. Meluko Meluko Madhangi talli– Bowli
9. Sive Pahimam – Kalyani
10. Jagat Janani – Rathipathipriya
11. Ani Thomasaa ( Marathi )
12. Kandena Udupiya Krishna – Purandaradasa
13. Chidambaranai Dhigambaranai Gangadharanai – Sindhu Bhairavi - Madurai G.S.Mani’s own composition
14. Chandrachooda Shiva shankara Parvathi Ramana – Purandaradasa
15. Erumayil Eri Vilayadum mugam ondre

Shri Madurai G.S.Mani gave a surprise by introducing Kumari Neeraja as a Konnakol artist making a debut . Neeraja, daughter of Shri Thanjavur Ramadas , a disciple of Shri Palghat Mani, made her mark during the mini thani avarthanam at the end of Sive Pahimam . After gradually picking up the confidence, the challenge between Father and daughter was absorbing and Shri Ramadas and Shri GS Mani were guiding her and were giving constant encouragement. Good to see a woman taking up a different form of music . Mani Sir gave a brief on the art of Konnakol and the earlier convention was that the Konnakol artist used to occupy the position where Mridangam Vidwan sits now. It was Palghat Mani whose class had changed the scenario.

Shri G.S.Mani stressed the need for parents to bring the children though he admitted that it is very difficult today considering the diversion . He raised his concern that unless the current generation of parents pursue with their children, the divine music may find it difficult after sometime.

Bhandup Fine Arts founded in 1989 has successfully completed 22 years . The concert was sponsored by Dr. Smt Padma and Shri V.Ramakrishnan , President of Powai Fine Arts. Nice to see sabhas mutually supporting each other.

The concert took off at a brisk pace with the 4 fast paced kritis and settled down nicely at Mari vere Dhikkevaraiya , a Patnam Subramania Iyer Kriti (Shanmugapriya ). The alapana and Violin return was elaborate . Sobillu sapthaswara also had small but beautiful swara exchanges between GSM and Madhavan.

The main item was however Sive Pahimam , a Thyagaraja Swamigal Kriti ( Kalyani ). Shri G.S.Mani went indepth into each note back and forth . At one stage, he himself remarked .. ALAPANA PANNINDE IRUKALAAM POLIRUKKU. DON’T FEEL LIKE ENDING IT.. Violinist R.Madhavan gave very good accompaniment throughout the concert. He presented very good alapana during Shanmugapriya and Kalyani. Madhavan’s play has good melody and the violin play is of high quality. Veteran Mridangam vidwan Shri Ramadas showed his class.
Shri G.S.Mani, as ever, gave short description of the kritis, nuances of ragas and the story behind them. He always touch upon a Kannada kriti, a bhajan during the thukada section. Today , it was Ani Thomasaa and Kandane Udupiya Krishna . A patron of Bhandup Fine Arts, he admired the sabha administrators that they have come a very long way. G.S.Mani sir’s style has always been to interact with the audience regularly with some serious thoughts about the kriti , aarohanam and avarohanam and some light hearted comments .

It seems Shanmugapriya is the flavor of the month as TN Krishnan, Bombay Jayashri and now Mani Sir !

The 50 odd rasikas were happily greeting the artists after the concert ended at around 9.30 pm ( around 2hours and 45 minutes ). The concert was well organized and the Bright High School at Bhandup West has been nicely renovated for the concert hall to carry a capacity of atleast 150 plus.

The audio quality is not that great. Please excuse me for this.