Sanjay Subrahmanyan treated Auckland Carnatic music lovers with a brilliant concert on the third day of ‘Sangeethothsavam,’ organised by the New Zealand Carnatic Music Society.
H N Bhaskar and Tanjore Murugabhoopathy accompanied him respectively on Violin and Mridangam at the programme held at Fickling Convention Centre in Three Kings on June 3.
The Concert Superstar of Carnatic music was a much-awaited event, as his previous visit to New Zealand was more than seven years ago. Music enthusiasts were rooted to their chairs, gripped by anticipation, as Sanjay wove his special magic over them.
Creative style
His creativity and unique style of rendering the ‘Manodharma’ aspects of Carnatic music was complete, drowning his fans in a musical deluge.
He started the Concert with ‘Vanajaksha Varnam’ in Raga Reetigowlai, followed by ‘Siva Chidambarame’ in Raga Nagaswarali. The brisk ‘Kalpana Swaras’ for this composition set the tone for the evening. Contemplative and melodious rendering of Raga Kedaram for ‘Ananda Natana Prakasham’ added to the already charged atmosphere.
Selecting ‘Yaro Ivar Yaro’ in Bhairavi as the main composition, Sanjay took his time to explore the majestic Raga, traversing all the octaves and emphasising with brisk ‘Brigha Laden’ phrases. The ‘Neraval’ and ‘Kalpana Swaras’ were very exciting; they were an absolute treat to the ears.
The Annamayya composition ‘Palukuthe’ in Abheri was like a jewel in the crown.
The crescendo
The Concert reached its crescendo as Sanjay settled to render ‘Ragam Tanam Pallavi’ in Raga Bahudari. He took the ‘Pallavi line ‘Kandanadi Avar Enakku Sondam, Adi Valli Manaalanadi’ with Ragamalikai Swarams in Hindolam, Bilahari, Huseni and Begada.
Violinist Bhaskar gave excellent support with great timing in his replies as well as in playing excellent sangatis.
It did seem at times that Sanjay was testing his mettle with quite complex swara patterns across several songs. Bhaskar rose to the challenge and deftly displayed his prowess and command over his instrument in style. It was as exciting as watching a fencing duel at the Olympics!
Tanjore Murugabhoopathy’s dynamic skills on the Mridangam added the right amount of explosive creativity to the concert experience. His ‘tani avartanam’ (solo play) was superb.
Sanjay pleased his fans by singing several requests, Bharathiyar’s ‘Veenaiyadi Nee Enakku,’ ‘Chittam Irangada’ in Sahana, ‘Oorile Kani Illai’ and ‘Karpagame.’
Priya Srinivasan is a former Secretary of the New Zealand Carnatic Music Society. She is currently Programme Coordinator at Raskias New Zealand.
