Sunday, April 23, 2017

2017 Mar - Violin Concert by Shri M. Chandrasekaran


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.