🔸This offering has a unique concert featuring legends, in which Muraīgānam is in the supporting role. The concert’s merit first comes from the main artist Vidvan Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar (CVB) and his vocal performance complemented by his intra-concert conversations that add to the overall listening experience. Second, Sri. M Balamuralikrishna (BMK) is the viola accompanist and this provides a setting of contrast to appreciate the true merit of viola as a tuneful instrument. Third, Sri. T V Gopalakrishnan is the mridangam accompanist and he has set higher standards in percussion. Fourth and finally, Sri. Alangudi Ramachandran is the ghatam accompanist and he has matched all of them no less.
🔹CVB leads from the front given his stature as a performer of excellence and as a great individual, right from the word go till the Mangalam. The other three have contributed their best to make a great vocal performance into a greater vocal concert.
🔸The intra-concert conversations, never an interruption into enjoying the aesthetics of the concert but certainly adding to it, looked at objectively are very insightful, even revealing the dimensions of accomplishments of the performer and the accompanists. Not all conversations are clearly audible but the ones that are clear and audible are a delight to listen to and reflect upon.
🔹Translation of some of them may help those not familiar with CVB's Tamil, but it will rob the genuineness of expression by him. In the flow of the concert, an involved listener will not miss the import and the spirit of his intra-concert conversations.
🔸In terms of the concert contents, there are two distinct phases. The phase till the laya-vinyāsam, and the one after that till the Mangalam. Every composition in the first phase are weighty ones and presented in the typical CVB style—involved, melodious, laden with bhāvam, and always enjoyable. Each accompanying artiste rises to the occasion as needed to support CVB—BMK melodically and aesthetically, and TVG and AR as percussionists rhythmically and aesthetically. It is in this, the whole of the concert is greater than the sum of the parts.
🔹The delineation of ghambīra nāta and pantuvarāli rāgams by BMK on the viola, after excellent renditions of them by CVB, and the latter’s wholesome praise for BMK’s follow through is noteworthy. CVB touches on the aspects of good accompanying, purity of notes, presentation of the key form of the rāgams, and the importance of knowledge over mere practice.
🔸The phase, post the laya-vinyāsam is full of devotional hymns, once again presented in the typical CVB style—full of bhāvam, melodious, short but sweet, and variety. Here too the accompanists rise to the occasion with BMK bringing out the key facets of all the beautiful rāgams rendered by CVB.
🔹CVB is sincere and affectionate in doling out appreciation to each of the accompanists. That reveals his affection for vidvat or true learning, which is selfless. In addition to the liberal ‘bhalē’ he adds words and lines that add to the dynamics of the concert to make it a truly greater one, worthy of music for posterity. There is just the right humour too to add to it all.
🔸Speaking of Muraīgānam, that comes out with the right flourishes at the right time in a measured but matured manner, it highlights the viola as a tuneful accompaniment in the hands of an able performer especially in contrast with the stature of the main artiste, a legend in his own right. It is melodious, balanced and even instructive of a good accompanying and follow through. CVB mentions in passing that this concert was the first for BMK after the latter was conferred the D.Litt. by Andhra University; and CVB goes on to address BMK as Dr aval.
🔹Overall, a truly memorable and fulfilling concert reflecting the convergence of the legends, masterly accompaniment on the viola, engaging accompaniment of the percussionists, and a grand laya-vinyāsam.
🔸The remastered audio presented here is a live concert held on 11th August 1974.
00:00 ❇️ Varñam - Bhairavi - Atta - P Adiappayya
00:09:20 ❇️ Vātāpi Gañapatim - Hamsadhwani - Ādi - Dikshitar
00:34:44 ❇️ Endaró Mahānubhāvulu - Shree - Ādi - Tyagaraja
00:49:12 ❇️ Rakshamām Sharañāgatam - Gambhīranāta - Ādi - Meenakshi Sutha
00:58:00 ❇️ Raghuvara Nannu - Pantuvarāli - Ādi - Tyagaraja
02:05:00 ❇️ Karuñai Cheivan Entó - Yadululakāmbhóji - Ādi - Irayimman Thampi
02:17:36 ❇️ Ishta Deivamé - Karnātaka Dévagāndhari - Ādi - M P Sivan
02:20:06 ❇️ Dévi Karumāriyamma - Āhir Bhairav - Composer TBI
02:23:40 ❇️ Darshañam Puñya Darshañam - Sāma - Composer TBI
02:26:12 ❇️ Shlókams & Viruttams : Kāpi, Kalyāni, Dhanyāsi and Neelāmbari
02:34:58 ❇️ Mangalam - Sowrāshtra – Tyagaraja
Please partake the best from this offering and enjoy the concert in all its glory.
💐 My sincere thanks to:
1️⃣Smt. Kruti Pyati for sharing the collection of her late father Sri. R S Pyati,
2️⃣ Sri. T K Ramkumar for his narration and support in this project.