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MADRAS MUSIC MELA 2001 |
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ABHISHEK RAGHURAM - SCHOLARSHIP CONVEYED WITH FLAIR |
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Abhishek
Raghuram’s morning concert at the Narada Gana Sabha on 23rd December was
thinly attended. A pity, as this youngster sings with great flair and is
one of the most talented musicians around today. Besides, one could see a
marked improvement in his performance and delivery in comparison to last
year. It was a cloudy day, but
one did see better attendance at other concerts by less-deserving singers,
so one wonders why! The
central pieces featured in his concert were such weighty compositions as Inda Paramukham
(Poorvikalyani), Senthil Andavan (Kharaharapriya) and
Koniyadina napai (Kambhoji). Abhishek has inherited a strong grounding in
laya, both by birth and training, and this was amply evident in his
neraval and kalpanaswara-s. He also showed original and creative ability
of a high order in melodic manodharma, except for the shades of
Harikambhoji that crept into his Kambhoji alapana. His voice is showing
signs of settling into one with rich timbre and good range, but he needs
to pay better attention to Sruti, especially as he is going through that
stage in life where the voice breaks. V
V Ravi’s violin accompaniment was better than is usual with him
nowadays. One however wishes that he would improve his bowing technique,
which remains as scratchy as ever. The double Mridangam accompaniment by
Palghat Raghu and Anand was a veritable treat for the laya-oriented. In
any generation, only a few artistes attain the status of being venerable
masters, and Palghat Raghu showed how richly he deserves this acclaim. It
is immensely pleasing to see Abhishek and Anand, his grandsons, being
groomed so well. The mikes for the Mridangams were kept at slightly too
loud a degree, but this was compensated for by the excellent sound quality
of the Mridangams, and the passion and involvement that Palghat Raghu
brought to his artistry. Raghu’s bearing on stage, with his attention
riveted on the vocalist, notwithstanding the fact that it was his own
grandson, revealed his stature as a superior accompanist. One did feel
that Anand would do well to emulate his grandfather in this regard. |
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General
remarks: Voice:
Smooth and easy, but still settling down Ratings: Sruti
- 70% Overall
effect: Vocal
- 75% Concert
- 80% Estimated
audience ratings: Audience
in hall - About 70 to 80 people - Nisshanka |
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Posted on December 26, 2001 |
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