Mridangam Maestro stole the show....! - Sandeep Narayan

Mridangam Maestro stole the show....!

Sandeep Narayanan commenced his concert with Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar’s Ata Taala varnam in Kaanada “Nera nammithi”.  Then came a rare composition of Thyagaraja in Gaanavaridhi ragam….”Dhaya Juchuta..” The violinist portrayed a beautiful Gaana varidhi.

Muthuswami Dikshithar’s Dwijavanti kriti “Chetha Sri Balakrishnam Bhajare” was very pleasing. A quick and vibrant Kuntalavarali followed. Swati Tirunal’s “Bogeendra Saayinam…” had a marvelous mrudangam support by maestro Dr. Umayalpuram K.Sivaraman. His touches gave a dance recital effect to this particular song. The vocalist made a passing reference of M.K.Thagaraja Bhagavathar’s “Maname Nee Eesan Naamathai..” set in Kuntalavarali in the film “Ashok kumar” during his raga exploration. 

An elaborate Thodi was captivating. The violinist’s version was effective. The vocalist traversed through Karnaranjani and Kurinji interludes innovatively. “Kaarthikeya Kaangeya Gowri Thanayaa” was the main item. “Maal maruga muruga shanmuga  guhaa” had a jasmine fragrance while the raaga exploration was under progress. The thani aavarthanam that followed was sparkling with brilliance. Mrudangam Maestro Dr. Umayalpuram Sivaraman specially displayed his mastery over the instrument for Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev who had come to enjoy Sandeep Narayanan’s concert. Shree Sundarkumar’s Kanjira softly swept like a silent cyclone. An important point is that not even a single person moved out of the hall during thani aavarthanam. Every one enjoyed with rapt attention. Pin drop silence prevailed followed by a thunderous applause after the Thani was over. A BIG salute to the Mridangam maestro who stole the show.

Kamalesha vittala dasar’s Janasammohini raga song “Kare dhare Barabhaaradhe Guruve” was sparkling with divinity. The presentation particularly at “Vara Mantraalaya Pura Mandira dolu….CharanaSevakaru Kaarava muggidu ninna…” was effective. 

A viruttam in Sindubhairavi, Durga, Hindolam and Behag culminated in “Irakkam varaamal ponadhenna kaaranam”…in Behag (Gopalakrishna Bharathiyar)

Sri Sadasiva Brahmendrar’s “Sarvam Brahma Mayam” in Madhuvanthi was soaked in devotion.

   About the Author:

SHANKAR VENKATRAMAN, a practising company secretary by profession, hails from a family with musical lineage. On the maternal side, his mother’s great grandfather Nemam Subramania Iyer was one of the last disciples of Saint Thyagaraja Swamigal. His maternal grandfather Nemam Nataraja Bhagavathar was the disciple of Mahavaidhyanatha Sivan and an Asthana Vidhwan of Sringeri Samasthanam. His son “Kalaimaamani” Prof N.S.Ramachandran was the Director of different  Kendras of All India Radio and the  Dean and Director of Music Department, University of Delhi. He had composed many kruthis out of which “Sri Chandrasekhara Yatheendram Aashrayae”on Sri Kanchi Paramacharya in Sankarabharanam popularized by Dr.M.S.Subbulakshmi and “Sree Maha Ganapathae..” in Aabhogi an evergreen hit of M.L.Vasanthakumari are very popular.

Shankar Venkatraman’s father (Late) K.V.Venkatraman, son of Kanjanur-Kottur S.Vaithyanatha Swamy Iyer was an ardent devotee of Sri Kanchi Paramacharya and had served as the Correspondence-in-charge for Sri Paramacharya while Shri Periyavaa was camping in Kumbakonam during 1930-31(When Periyavaa was referred as Kumbakonam Periyavaa). Sri Sengalipuram Anantharama Deekshithar is Vaithyanathaswamy Iyer’s maternal cousin.

Shankar did his schooling at Vidya Mandir, Mylapore (1968-1982) Chennai and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai. He did his Company Secretary course from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Chennai-600034.

(*The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of Music of Madras.)