December Music Season – Update 4

Venue: Narada Gana Sabha

26 Dec 2008 – Vocal – T V Sankaranarayanan; Violin – H K Venkatraman; Mrudangam – Tanjore Murugabhopathy

Good concert. Some of songs were: Gajananam, sfri naradha, sri guru praba, abaya varadhe saradhe (Hindolam), Saroja nala nethri (shankarabharanam), Karpooran narumo & venkatajala nilayam. For his age, he sang very well and sounded fully passionate. 65% of the hall was occupied and it looked like it was filled up with his fans that seemed to have enjoyed the concert fully. I liked it.

26 Dec 2008 – Ganesh, Kumaresh & Jayanthi Kumaresh

Bad Concert. Looked like one quite an unprepared concert. They failed miserably to keep the attention of listeners at the end.

27 Dec 2008 – Vocal – Ranjani & Gayathri; Violin – Charulatha (?); Mrudangam – Manoj Siva

Excellent Concert. Some of the songs were:Vallava nayaga, palil, nava siddhi petralum, sri kamakoti peeta, nee kelara, anjile ondru petran. I simply loved the song anandha bairavi unai allal aarabi specifically. The crowed guessed the song, raaga and hence, the built up was very enjoyable. Kudos the college going like Violinist Charu ended up playing her role very well.

Crazy Mohan's Chocolate Krishna

I watched Crazy Mohan's latest play called Chocolate Krishna at Narada Gana Sabha. It was 119th performance and has duration of 90m.

It is about self belief than getting addicted in god's belief. It provoked good amount of laugh and filled up with funny one liners. The linking up of Vodafone commercial is too good. Worth seeing once.

December Music Season – Update 3

Venue: Narada Gana Sabha

25 Dec 2008 – Vocal – Priya Sisters; Violin – V V Srinivasa Rao' Mrudangam – B Sivaraman

Good concert. Some of songs are: Sri valli devasenapathy, kanda purama soundaryam, kali dhanushkodi with ponguju sri raghu, rasika jana mohana ranjani, jo achudananda. I loved thirumal kunda and chinnan siru kiliye especially. They are sounding very fine while singing melody or in a soft voice.

25 Dec 2008 – Bharathanatyam by Shobana

Decent show. Shobana looked like an angel and danced with complete grace. Facial expressions were very good especially while she was dancing for yadhava Krishna, yadhukula Krishna. She played to gallery when she danced for nadhar mudi mel irukkum nalla paambey ! But I felt lost as it had no story like what Sonal Mansing gave on 24^th Dec. Hence, my satisfaction level was not that good. But the hall was full for Shobana.

December Music Season 2008 – Update 2

Venue: Narada Gana Sabha

23 Dec 2008 – Vocal – Sanjay Subramaniam; Violin – Nagai Muralidharan; Mrudangam – Patri Sathishkumar

Excellent concert. Ongi Ulagalandha, Kaalai thooki nindradum, Alanaadu, Isai paada vendumey are some of the songs he sang. Alanaadu in Thodi was mesmerizing and he just made people to hook it on so easily and held the control on through the concert. The crowd showered him with affectionate applauses. Govinda alalem mangai manaala vaa was another damn good song he sang and I loved. In fact, I started even imagining that song in fusion, percussion type while sipping coffee.

24 Dec 2008 – Vocal – T M Krishna; Violin – Mysore Manjunath; Mrudangam – Trichy Sankaran

Excellent Concert. Ayyappan avadharitha, maakelara vicharam, sri guru kula murthy (udayaravi chandrika raagam), vinaradhana manaveer, mari mari nine with karuna govinda (RTP) are some of the songs he sang. I loved maakelara vicharam and dasaratha bala ramachandrayya especially. Sound engineering issues did neither dither the singers nor the audiences.

24 Dec 2008 – Odissi – Sonal Mansing

Lovely. My first brush with Odissi. The theme was panchakanya – Ahalya, Tara, Kundi, Mandothari & Draupati. While kundi episode depicted poignancy, anger was the highlight of Draupati. Every character / story is introduced by a crisp 2-3min speech im impeccable english and the dance followed.Amazing expression, subtle body language, engaging music kept us on good mood throughout.

December Music Season 2008 – Update 1

I wanted to attend one full season of December music for quite some time. But never had time to fulfill that. But this time, I did it due to recession. Self and my friend Mr.C attending concert / Kacheri in narada gana sabha, ttk road. I love Carnatic music but never learned so I cant identify Raagas but at the same time I am very familiar with lot of songs due to continuous listening. Mr.C is very much aware of raaga and hence, no issues in information.

17 Dec 2008: Vocal - T N Seshagopalan; Violin – V V Ravi; Mrudangam – Trichur Narendran

I went 30m late., hence not really enjoyed the concert.

18 Dec 2008: Vocal – Nithyasree Mahadevan; Violin – Hemalatha; Mrudangam – Neyveli Skandasubramaniam

Good concert. Sasivadana, Allal Enum, Un perumayai evar arivar & Ramakrishna govinda murare are the highlights of this concert.

19 Dec 2008: Vocal – K J Yesudas; Violin – Nagai Muralidharan; Mrudangam – K V Prasad

Average concert. As always, Yesudas impressed us through his devotional songs – like om enbathu omkaram, Harivarasanam Viswamohanam, Krishna nee begane, Innoru jenmam venduma; Solla vallaya kiliye and enna varam ketpen naane is something I listened first time and I fell in love with those song and lyrics. K V Prasad was full of smiles when he was performing and he was interacting with Yesudas nicely throughout.

20 Dec 2008: Vocal – P Unnikrishnan; Violin – S Varadarajan; Mrudangam – Mannargudi A Eswaran

Good concert. Lot of hand movement while singing; I loved the song "Sri Paramaguru" which was sung for 20m. By the way, have you noted the Unnikrishnan's Leg thumb finger movement while he performs?

21 Dec 2008 – Vocal – Aruna Sairam; Violin – Embar Kannan; - Mrudangam – Patri Sathish Kumar

Good concert by the biggest crowd puller of this season. Her concert tickets are getting sold like Rajinikant's movies; As usual, she sang one catchy kavadi sindhu before winding up. I could feel lot of improvement in her singing from last year.

22 Dec 2008 – Vocal – Ranjani & Gayathri ; Venue – Kamaraj Arangam

I went to this concert with zero expectation and I loved it fully. Excellent singing by both – Highlights – Marukelara oh raghava and Sharan Sharan ekanatha (Abhang).

22 Dec 2008 – Instrumental – Kadri Gopalnath; Venue – Kamaraj Arangam

Very good concert. Nagumo was the highlight. But his moresing man Bangalore Rajasekhar's expressive face is even more good. His capturing of Taala for every song reminds us of movie acting !

Y V Reddy is great - New York Times

I have written previously about Y V Reddy's great work as RBI Governor. Now read out the post from New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/20/business/20nocera.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

Lyrics of Anjala Anjala from Vaaranam Aayiram

Lyrics of Anjala Anjala from Vaaranam Aayiram

English translation of Anjala Anjala herewith:

Pallavi

Ava Enna Enna Thedi Vantha Anjala
Ava Neratha Paathu Sevakum Sevakum Vethala
Ava Azhaga Solla Vartha Kooda Pathala
Ada Ippo Ippo Enakkau Vendum Anjala
Ava Illa Illa Neruppu Thane Nenjila

Anjala came in search of me
Her complexion will make beetlenut to go red
Words are not enough to describe her beauty
I need anjala right away
Fire in my hearts without her

(Ava Enna Enna Thedi Vantha Anjala…)

O Onnu Kulla Onna, En Nenjikulla Ninna
O Konjam Konjam Aaga, Uyir Pichi Pichi Thinna
Ava Otha Vaartha Sonna, Athu Minnum Minnum Ponna
O Enna Solli Enna, Ava Makki Poana Manna
O Onnu Kulla Onna, En Nenjikulla Ninna
O Enna Solli Enna, Ava Makki Poana Manna

She mergeg and stood in my heart
she took my life bit by bit
one single word of her would glitter like gold
but what to do, she disappeared into sand
She merged into my heart
but what to do, she disappeared into sand

Charanam 1

Adanga Kuthiriya Pola, Ada Alanjavan Naane
Oru Poova Pola Poova Pola Marthivitaley
Padutha Thookamum Illa, En Kanavula Tholla
Antha Sozhi Pola Sozhi Pola Punnagayale
Ethuvo Engala Sertha Irukku Kayuthula Koarka
Oh Kannamuchi Aatamondru Aadi parthome
Thuniyal Kannayum Katti, Kaiya Katthula Neeti
Innum Thedura Avala, Thaniya Enge Ponalo
Thaniya Enge Ponalo
Thaniya Enge Ponalo

I was roaming like a untamed horse
she changed me like a flower
I lost my sleep, dreams were rattling thru
her flashy smile like a dice
something united us but she is playing hide and seek with me
covered my eyes with a ribbon
searching for her in the air thru by hand
where did she go alone
where did she go alone
where did she go alone

Ava Enna Enna Thedi Vantha Anjala...

Charanam 2

Vazhka Raatinam Thaanda, Thinam Suthudhu Jora,
Athu Mela Keezha Mela Keezha Kathuthu Thoda
Mudhal nal Uchathil Irunthaen
Naan Pothunu Vizhundaen
Oru Meena Pola Meena Pola, Tharayila Nelinjen
Yaaro Koodave Varuva, Yaaro Paathiyil Povaar
Athu Yaaru Enna Onnum Namma Kayyil Illaye…
Velicham Thanthathu Oruthi, Avala Irutula Niruthi
Joora Payanatha Kelappi, Thaniya Enge Ponalo
Thaniya Enge Ponalo
Thaniya Enge Ponalo

Life is a roller coaster, rotating tirelessly everyday
goes up and down goes up and down
I was on top of the world
Next day, fallen from my grace
I felt like fish out of water
Some one comes along, parts in between
who would do, when will they go - is not in our hand
she gave light, i keep in my heart
she started my journey - but
where did she go alone
where did she go alone
where did she go alone

Ava Enna Enna Thedi Vantha Anjala....