Exploring new pastures

Kalavardhanis - Carnatic classical vocal - Charumati Ramachandran - Price Rs. 350.

CHARUMATI RAMACHANDRAN, vocalist endowed with a keen, innovative, musical mind, has recorded for Kalavardhanis, a classical concert with Usha Rajagopalan on the violin, Kallidaikurichi Sivakumar on the mridangam and S. V. Ramani on the ghatam. The Tamil Padha varnam in Abheri, with its sruti bedham and nadai variations stand testimony to the opening statement of this review. Shyama Sastri's ``Devi Brova'' in the raga Chintamani that sports a unique grace has an appropriate gait, while the madhyamakala swaraprastharas are permeated with the raga bhava.

Tyagaraja's ``Sri Pathe'' in Nagaswaravali and the swaras rendered with vim and vigour remind the rasika of D. K. Jayaraman. The razor sharp, venturesome mind of the artiste has prompted her to sing a challenging Pallavi in the raga Desh set to Kanda Ata talam in tisra gati. Usha grafts a tuneful response. The Tanam with the accompanying support of the mridangam for the singer, and ghatam accompaniment for the violinist is pleasing. The lyrical expansion of ``Bharatha Desam Namadhu Desam, Nesamudan Vaazha Isan Arula Vendum'', the accurate neraval and swara improvisations, the ragamaalika swaras in Hindolam, Anandhabhairavi, Suddhadhanyasi and Sindhubhairavi make a colourful string. The percussionists rise to the occasion and play a meticulous, although brief, tani avartanam for the intricate talam.

Swati Tirunal's padam in Dvijavanti, Dharmapuri Subbarayar's ``Sakhi Prana'' in Chenchurutti, a Bharatiyar song and verses from the Bhagavat Gita, both in pleasant ragas such as Madhukauns, Mand, Anandhabhairavi, Brindhavani, Yamunakalyani, Kaapi and Valaji are tuned by the artiste herself. M. L. Vasanthakumari deservedly earned the reputation of being the Joan of Arc of Carnatic music. Charumati, her disciple, in terms of exploring fresh pastures, is no less.

- S.P.

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