BRILLIANT DISPLAY OF FLAWLESS TECHNIQUE

Sanjay Subrahmanyan's vocal recital at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, under the aegis of Kapali Fine Arts, was a showcase of technical mastery and energetic vitality. Known for his innovative approach to classical music, he is one of the few artistes who takes care not to repeat his songs in concerts.

He began his recital with a brisk Varnam in Ragam Begada, 'Enta Chala Jesi'. The next was 'Siva Siva Ena Radha' in Ragam Pantuvarali. The Neravals in the Charanam of the song were interesting. He captured the nuances of the raga with good Kalpana Swaras and Brigha. Sanjay chose to handle the Ragam Hindolam elaborately in his next song 'Karunalaya Nidhiye'. Justice was done in an exquisite Raga Alapana sung for about five minutes. The violinist's calm and dignified description of Hindolam, evoked keen listening.

A short and sweet song, 'Orajeevaksha', in Ragam Arabhi followed. His technical mastery helped him reach higher peaks in the exposition of the raga. The violinist followed the vocalist sincerely, but at the same time exposing his imaginative streaks as well. The next song 'Mohanakara Muthukumara' in Ragam Neethimathi was executed perfectly by Sanjay.

Sanjay chose the main Ragam Karaharapriya for the next song, 'Chakkani Raja'. The Alapana was extensively dealt with, unfolding the beautiful facets of the melody. He started slow paced and ended briskly. He brought out his remarkable flair for Manodharma (Innovation) in the Raga Alapana, exhibiting the whole range of octaves. Though his voice is not his strength, he moulds it well. He skillfully embellished the song with a series of colourful swara passages.

The Tani Avartanam, followed by the mridangam and the ghatam players of the evening, was precise and brilliant. It spoke of the years of experience that the two artistes have. 'Un Kadaikann Parvai Adu Podumai' in Ragam Kamas,'Oh Khadhi' in Ragam Mukhari and 'Nirupamana Sami ni ve' were the other songs that gave an impressive finish to the concert.

What was evident was a sense of camaraderie between the accompanists of the evening and the vocalist. This made the whole exercise of going to the concert enjoyable for the rasikas. Sanjay was accompanied by Bangalore H.K.Venkatraman on the violin, Mannargudi Easwaran on the mridangam and Vaikkom Gopalakrishnan on the Ghatam.

|