A vocal concert by veteran T.V. Sankaranarayanan (TVS) at Chinmaya Buvaneswari Navagriha Temple, Thrissur was an exposition of his virtuosity.
A flair for swaras dominated most of the kritis he rendered, right from the opening number Jaya jaya swamin, the Natta composition of Narayana Theertha in Adi. Kannada Goula, a rarely heard raga, is any connoisseur’s dream in a concert. TVS presented it in the most striking manner, decorating it with sangathis. A derivative of Kharaharapriya, it embraced certain sancharas that were aesthetically coined with alluring packets of swaras. The composition was Sogudu chudatharama of Tyagaraja in Roopakam.
Presentation of Mohanakalyani was impressive. Even as the three sthayis were explored, he preferred to stay in the tara sthayi for long. Bhuvaneswariya of Muthiah Bhagavathar in Adi had a class of its own.
TVS revealed the beauty of Hindolam through an elaborate alapana. Ramanukku mannan mudi, a composition of Arunachala Kavi, had some light moments when TVS expatiated on the line ‘Paamaraney unakku ennadi pechu’, meaning ‘what is the need for your talk, hey illiterate man’, as he described himself as a ‘paamara’. It was all the more entertaining as the words were rendered in a discontinuous style but in sync with the rhythm. The winding up of the composition was also noteworthy with repetition of the word ‘Nanmayundu’ in his typical sanchara style.
Papanasam Sivan’s composition invoking Krishna, Guruvayurappa, was prefixed with a prolonged virutham, ‘Kanna karmukil varna’. The Chakravakam kirtana in Adi was relatively short. So was Meevalla guna dosha of Tyagaraja in Kapi and Khanta chap.
It was a vibrant picture of Kamboji that TVS painted that too on a wide canvas. Each phrase was delectable for the combination of swaras exuded the charm of the raga immeasurably. C.S. Anuroop made it more attractive by playing on the lower strings of violin, as the vocalist scaled higher, thereby bringing out the beauty of contrast.
Once TVS opened the lines of Maa Janaki, the composition, the response of the audience indicated that they were expecting the much sought-after number from him. The plethora of swaras tagged to niraval at ‘Raja raja vara’ could fill the entire venue with Kamboji. The percussion tani by K. Jayakrishnan on mridangam and Vellattanjur Sreejith on ghatam was masterly.
It was enchanting to listen to the evergreen number Krishna nee begane baaro, Vyasaraya’s composition in Yamunakalyani.
TVS appeared relaxed as he played with the word ‘tayige’ embellishing it with myriad expressions. So was the denouement that had ‘baaro’ rendered in varied movements. The Jonpuri composition Eppo varuvaro was the concluding kriti.
The concert was jointly staged by Nada Brahmam Foundation and Sree Thyagabrahma Sangeetha Sabha.