Sri Ganesha Namah
Sri Rama Jayam


Carnatic music concert by

        Sri T. N. Seshagopalan (vocal)
        Sri H. K. Venkatram (violin)
        Sri Umayalpuram J. Mali (mrudangam)
        Miss Indumathy Nagarajan  (tambura)

on Sunday 16th August 1998
at The Wallace Theatre, University of Sydney
From 4 pm to 7.50 pm

Audience of about 380.

Concert organised by Pallavi, Sydney

Repertoire


1.  Sami Ninne, Sri, Adi, Karur Devadu Iyer
2.  Sri Mahaganapathi, Gowla, Misra Chapu, Muthuswamy Dikshitar
3.  Chalamelara, Marga Hindolam, Adi, Thyagaraja
4.  Sadinchene, Arabhi, Adi, Thyagaraja
5.  Himadrisute Pahimam, Kalyani, Adi (Tisra gati), Shyama Sastri (R,S)
6.  O Jagadamba, Anandabhairavi, Adi, Shyama Sastri
7.  Tunai purindarul, Suddha Hindolam (Varamu), Adi, Papanasam Sivan (R,S)
8.  Ragam Tanam Pallavi, Saveri, Khanda Jaathi Triputa (2-kalai),
"Rageshu saveri teereshu kaveri uchitamu, Ghana naya bhaava" (commences 5 beats before samam with "saveri" on samam)
Ragamalika swaram Kedaram, Nattai, Revati, Hamsadhwani, Reetigowlai, Bilahari, Begada, Bageshri, Darbar, Darbari Kaanada, Amritavarshini, Saraswati, Ahiri, Devamanohari, Kuntalavarali, Hindolam, Huseni, Kadanakuthuhalam, Sunadavinodini, Neelambari, Bowli, Kapi
9.  Viruttam, followed by Sanchara dhadhara (ashtapati), Sudha Sarang, Adi, Jayadeva
10. Ivan yaaro (padam), Kambhoji, Misra Chapu, Kavi Kunjara Bharathi
11. Slokam & Rama Mantrava Japiso, Jhonpuri, Adi, Purandaradasa
12. Kanden kanden, Vasanta, Adi, Arunachalakaviraya
13. Ninamarupamulaku (Mangalam), Sourashtram, Adi, Thyagaraja
and Slokam (Mangalam kosalendraya), Madhyamavathi
Madurai Sri T. N. Seshagopalan's Sydney concert was truly breathtaking.  In a performance that lasted just under four hours, Sri Seshagopalan demonstrated his expertise in all aspects of Carnatic music.  Whether it was krithi rendition, raga alapana, swara singing or pallavi rendition, he excelled.

The concert commenced with the Sri ragam varnam rendered in two speeds.  The charanam section was rendered in 2-kalai with the swaram rendered in 1-kalai.  The sangathi-s that TNS introduced into the line 'Kamakoti sundara' were very attractive. A genius in layam, TNS rendered the chitta swaram for the gowla piece mixing three speeds.  The three raga essays in Kalyani, Varamu and Saveri were superb: each packed with raga bhava and delicacy together with dazzling brighas and exuberance.  His kalpana swara-s were scintillating, creatively constructed with laya nuances. He has the ability to introduce nadai variations with ease while rendering kalpana swarams. Sri TNS demonstrated why he is considered as as pallavi expert with his RTP in Saveri.  The highlight for many was the 22 ragam swara-ragamalika section.  For most of the ragams he sang just one avartanam but was able to capture the essence of each ragam in this short period.  His swara-prasthara in Kapi lasted around 8 minutes - exploring the full scope of this moving ragam. He concluded with an elaborate korvai.  Even the post-pallavi pieces were rendered with a lot of bhavam and conviction.

The accompanying artises, H. K. Venkatram and Umayalpuram Mali provided excellent support.  It was unobtrusive and subtle.  Venkatram's raga expositions in Kalyani and Saveri were dignified and his swara prastharas in Varamu and Kapi were most attractive.  He was able to quickly match TNS in the extensive swara-ragamalika section.  Mali was able to blend well in with the mood of TNS and was quick to recognise and adapt to the changes of nadai and kaalam during kalpana swaram.  The confidant stamp of his guru, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, was evident in his play.

Overall, I would rate it as one of the best Carnatic music concerts to have been performed in Australia.


 
Madurai T N Seshagopalan: Sydney concert 16 August 1998

Mohan Ayyar

Mohan's Carnatic Corner