TM Krishna Concert Review

	Accompaniments: T.M. Krishna, S. Varadarajan, Trichy Sankaran, Neyveli Venkatesh (Ganjira)
	Score-Board
	Oh!	69
	Baley!	38
	Sabhash & Bhesh	14
	Other sound extras	22
	Varadarajan	87
	Trichy Sankaran	105 (Not out)
	Neyveli Venkatesh	63
	Total	398 (for 6 Declared)

The concert began with the Begada varnam. Krishna’s voice was decidedly raspy. “Would he be able to get through?” was the concern that flashed through the minds of the audience. “Never fear, Krishna is here.” he seemed to reply and forced a Riti Gowla alapana followed by Dwaithamu Sukhama with a flashy set of kalpana swarams at the line “gagana pavana”. Trichy Sankaran who also experienced some initial stickiness with the sruthi of his mridangam, joins in with gusto. The audience explodes with applause. Later on he returns the first mridangam to the pavilion for a replacement.

Semmangudi favorites Vadanyeshwaran and Pattividuvaradu follow, the latter adding a brisk pace to the concert. GNB’s Paramakripa Sagari in Yadukula Kambhoji was marked by its sweet undulating gamakams. Here Varadarajan shows his mettle on the violin with and exquisite and delicate reply to Krishna’s soft and simple alapana. This began the turning point in the innings despite some lapses in the words of the song.

With an extraordinary Bhairavi alapana it is now clear that Krishna has settled down to a solid innings. Varadarajan’s reply on the violin is marked by subtleties that underline the Raga’s mood and grandeur. Not a single hurried stroke here. Amba Kamakshi was a spiritual journey including a neraval at Bhaktha Jana Kalpalathika Karunalaya, which vividly paints a picture of the composer addressing Ambal. The only blemish in this tapestry was Krishna’s finishing of Kalpanaswara phrases with an abbreviated “bhhaa” of Bhakta Jana.

Sankaran and Neyveli Venkatesh provide a rhythm fest. The timbre of Sankaran’s drum and Venkatesh’s replies resonate through the hall. The audience erupts at each cross over of the Tani. This is what they had been waiting to hear all day at the first full concert of the Aradhana. The Ragam-Thanam-Pallavi, which followed in Mayamalava Gowla, continues the Devi theme; Maya Theetha Swaroopini Nannu Brovave. The Taanam must be mentioned for its forceful excitement which got Sankaran to spontaneously join in with the mridangam for its last few phrases. Kalpanaswaras follow the Pallavi with Krishna expertly transitioning to Sahana, then Varali and Manirangu.

At the Mangalam, the crowd is on its feet. Their team has prevailed! The Krishna and Sankaran partnership at the wicket has provided a convincing innings. Varadarajan and Venkatesh have held up the batting order.

Aradhana committee member VV Sundaram is all smiles. He has got $20,000 in pledges during T.M. Krishna’s solid stand at the crease. And the last minute substitution of Trichy Sankaran into the team has paid dividends in every respect. At 11pm, the crowd reluctantly disperses comforted by the knowledge that they can return at 9am and hear Sanjay Subrahmanyam.

Shankar Ramachandran