Violin M.
Chandrasekaran and G. Bharathi
Mridangam S.
Ramakrishnan
Effective meditation is when one forgets the body
and mind and transcends to a realm that is not describable in words. Listening to a concert from the violin
Maestro, Sangeetha Kalanidhi, Shri M. Chandrasekaran is equivalent to achieving
a deep state of meditation. As soon as
he puts his bow to the violin the entire audience transforms into that state.
Such is his magic touch. Please read
through the commentary written by our community youngsters Sanjana Chandran and
Sharada Ramakrishnan.
Sanjana Chandran - 8th grader at Eagles Landing
Middle School
On Friday, March 31, Sangita Kalanidhi M.
Chandrasekaran and Smt. G. Bharathi, accompanied by Dr. Ramakrishnan gave an
unforgettable violin concert at the Shiva Vishnu Temple in South Florida. The
artists were very engaging and connected with the audience.
The concert started off with Vatapi Ganapatim, a
well-known krithi in Ragam Hamsadwani. The korvai at the end of the Kalpana Swaram
was elaborate and the fact that the violinist could not look at the taalam, yet
played it so well, really astonished me. The next song was Anupama Gunaambudhi
in Ragam Atana. The kala pramanam that the duo played was different from what I
have heard previously and was very refreshing.
Then the concert ventured off into very emotional songs very dear to me.
The duo played Akilandeswari in Ragam Dvijavanti and Manavyalakinchara in Ragam
Nalinakanti. The kritis were very nicely ornamented. The main piece was a Ragam
Thanam Pallavi in Simhendra Madhyamum. The artists brought out the richness of
the Ragam in the alapana and the thanam rendition. In the Thani, Dr.
Ramakrishnan uncle played some complex rhythmic patterns and it was energetic.
After the RTP, the duo played some popular thukadas such as Baro Krishnayya. In
one of the thukadas, Mr. M brought out the nuances of the song by imitating
bird calls on his violin. The artists concluded the concert with Bhagyada
Lakshmi Baramma.
I was especially keen on attending this concert
since the main artists are my good friend, Sahana’s grandfather and aunt and I
was so glad I did. Overall the artists presented a marvelous program of
Carnatic music appealing to all who attended.
Sharada Ramakrishnan,
graduate in Mathematics from Emory University
I left this concert with a
feeling of inspiration and gratitude. While the artists all demonstrated
mastery of their instruments and of Carnatic music, Chandrasekaran Mama and his
team brought to the stage an understanding of what music truly is: enjoyment.
He was unreservedly encouraging of the artists and of the audience. After a few
songs, some attendees asked that he not announce the names of raagams so
students would have a chance to practice identifying them. He was overjoyed by
this news: “Full knowledge students here! Romba sandosham!” The environment was
open and inviting. By the end of the performance, the line between the stage
and the hall was no longer relevant: we were all a part of Chandrasekaran
Mama’s team.
