T.V.RAMPRASADH, A MUSICIAN'S MUSICIAN

(PSN Disciples Foundation Annual Day Celebrations – Carnatic Vocal Concert

On Saturday, 24 Feb 2024 at Raga Sudha Hall, Mylapore, Chennai, India)

A soothing start to the concert with a varnam "Gyana Margam," a prayer to the almighty to grant the boon of joining the path of Knowledge in Hamsanadham Raaga and Adhi Taala, composed by T.M.Thyagarajan.

The next piece was the infrequent "Tarunum Ithamma" in Gowlipanthu Raaga and Adhi Taala, where Sri Syama Sastri implores, "Oh Mother Kamakshi, this is the right moment to protect me." The phrase M2 P N3 S is typical in Hamsanadham and Gowlipanthu. Yet, the Vocalist T.V.Ramprasadh enriched that phrase by showing a different color, a unique touch and different feel each time in the Kalpana swarams, which were well complemented by Violinist T.V.Ramanuhacharyalu.

The concert continued with the dazzling Deshi Simhāravam Raaga (Hemavati) Alapana by the Vocalist and Violinist, followed by the seventh krithi of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar from Madurai Maduramba(Meenakshi) Vibhakti Krithis, “Madhurambikayam” in Rupaka Taala. This Krithi resonated as an Archana to the Madurai Meenakshi as the several names of the Devi heard in the Krithi have a prominent place in the Sri Lalita Sahasranama.

The concert also featured a rarely heard composition in Shailadesakshi raaga in Adhi Tala by Thanjavur Ponnaiah Pillai which instantly captured the listener's ears. One may get easily confused with the striking phrase (MGPDS) in the initial part of the Alapana, which is most significant in Kambhoji Raaga. Still, the rare raaga's pure form was radiant in the later part of the Alapana, and the Krithi established it well. Here, the listener could easily recognize that the composer is a disciple of Sir Muthuswami Dikshitar. (His Guru's penname Guruguha and Raga Mudhra are evident in the krithi).

The Thodi Alapana was like a king, majestically walking, reaching the stage, and sitting on the royal throne. And not to miss the Shruthi Bedham at Madhayam (Changing the root note from sa to ma) lead to very harmonious Hindola Raaga echoing in the ears for a few seconds. Then, the ultimate return to Thundering Thodi Raaga, followed by the main Krithi of the concert, "Karuna judavamma," in the Taala Adhi. Though the violin's Alapana was a little short, the eminent violinist T.V. Ramanuhacharyalu touched all possible boundaries of the Raaga at ease.

What is the best lyric to do the Neraval, other than the Pallavi "Karuna judavamma," where Sri Thyagaraja pleads to Dharmasamvardhani, presiding goddess of Thiruvaiyaru, "Oh mother, please show mercy on me." The swaram patterns were decorative and mathematical yet precise; specifically, panchama varja (without pa) swara patterns dragged the listener increasingly into the kingdom of Thodi. The change from Chatusra to Tisra at the end was enchanting. Both Neraval and Kalpana swarams highlighted the deep musical connection between the Vocalist and Violinist.

Marvelous Mridangam artist Guru Raghavendra spontaneously picked up the pattern established by the Vocalist and continued to expand and explore it more and more in Thani (percussion solo), which requires special applause. 

The concert also featured a soul-stirring rendition of "Na Ninna dhyana," a Devarnama in Kaanada Raaga and Adhi Taala, which conveyed Sri Purandaradasa's conversation with his Lord Vittala, "Oh Ranga, When I meditate on you, those people cannot harm me."

The divine musical journey continued with the Valiant Vivadi Raaga Rasikapriya composition, “Arul Seyya Vendum Ayya" in Adhi Taala. Here the composer Koteeswara Iyer asks Lord Muruga, "Bless me that I may live thinking only of you as being everlasting as everything else is illusion ".

The entire concert expresses the emotional prayer of a seeker to the ultimate Brahman in various forms for grace. Upon examining the songlist in reverse order, one could discern an underlying message, "with vairagya (detachment, dispassion), by continuously immersing oneself in bhakti(devotion) and praying for the almighty's grace, that grace will automatically lead the seeker to the path of True Knowledge (Gyana), ensuring Salvation."

Undoubtedly, The Concert was engaging, enchanting, entertaining, educative, and all about experiencing aesthetic music, which makes one think, "T.V.Ramprasadh, A musician's musician."

Concert Link - https://www.youtube.com/live/GeeC8flE-E8?si=YqTt-NFOUTIqMj_Q