Sunday, June 25, 2017

2017 Jun - Sanjana Chandran Violin Concert


Sanjana Chandran successfully completed her solo violin Arangetram (more like an awesome concert) on Jul 17, 2017 at the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. 



Sanjana just completed middle school and will be going to ninth grade.  Many of us in South Florida has seen her grow into this fantastic talent.  Clearly Sanjana is the best Carnatic Violin talent in North America in her age group and even above her age group.  Sanjana is a prodigy, period – God bless her.  Jayanthi joins me in showering our blessings to this talented child.  May Sanjana get everything her heart desires and continue to grow her musical abilities.



I have often wondered how prodigies come into being.  One can argue Sanjana’s dad, Sanjay Chandran, is an awesome violin player and the daughter is following his footsteps.  We have also seen mother handing down dance talent to her daughter.  But there is something more to it than just family background.  We have seen talent does not always get handed down generation to generation and we have also seen talents come out of unlikely places.  So, how does this work?  The answers are in Hindu Scriptures, more specifically in Vedantic texts.  We are all born with certain tendencies – the technical term used for tendencies is “Vasanas”.  The belief is that we choose to be born in an environment conducive to fulfil our vasanas.  These vasanas exert pressure on each of us to take up certain fields and if there is encouragement we blossom.  Just imagine if Sachin Tendulkar was forced to play volley ball the world would have lost a top cricketer.  Even if we don’t get the encouragement early on, the vasana pressure is relentless and it will come out later in life when we least expect it.  So, as parents, we should all watch for the natural talent exhibited by our kids and provide our support.  It could be in the field of mathematics, writing, music, sports, computers, science or whatever.  Each kid is unique with specific innate talent.  Our congratulations to Sapna and Sanjay for spotting and nurturing Sanjana with her skills.  All right – let us go to the concert, I am going to stop calling it an Arangetram.



Sanjana played with seasoned percussion players Dr. S. Ramakrishnan on the Mridangam and Dr. Ravi Balasubramanian on the Ghatam.  But she was not intimidated at all – in fact Sanjana overshadowed them with her sheer skill.  Sanjana demonstrated that she clearly understood the ragas she was presenting masterfully.  Music is all about conveying emotions and Sanjana clearly understood that when presenting the songs.  The song choices were fantastic and the ragas had the entire spectrum from speed to being meditative.  Entire audience was completely engrossed in the performance and Sanjana enjoyed playing every song.  The main piece was in Sankarabharanam, a real delight with all the accoutrements – an elaborate alapana, neraval, swaras and thani.  After watching a lot of reality shows we have all become critics, but none of us could find even a single instance of off-key in Sanjana’s violin.  In the second half, we were joined by Sanjana’s cousin Agasthya on the flute – another pure delight.  Agasthya was only 11 years old and what a joy, God bless you.  We learned a lot from the MC, Sunita, who kept us engaged through the concert.



Varnam in Todi/Adi – Era napai 

Very melodious start to the concert.  Sanjana picked up confidence as she went on.  Nice transition from first to second kalam (speed).



Sri Maha Ganapathi Rava Thuma in Gowle and Mishra chapu 

Sanjana has settled down and is completely relaxed.  She was very comfortable with the ragam.  Very elaborate song with beautiful swarams.



Akhilandeshwari in Dwijawanthi/Adi

Really beautiful alap that captivated the audience.  Start of the song sounded like a seasoned professional.  Expression was so amazing it brought tears to my eyes.  It was clear she enjoyed playing the song.  Connected with the audience with the emotion in the song and once that happens, ladies and gentlemen, it is real music.



Gnanamu sagarada in Purvikalyani and Rupakam

Wow, no other words.  Deft handling of the bow.  She knew the intricacies of the raga well.  Sometimes it felt like there were two violinists on stage one for each percussion artist as she switched between octaves for Ghatam and Mridangam.



Bhogendra sayeenam in Kundalavarali and Kanda Chapu

This is always a crowd pleaser being a fast number and Sanjana played it elegantly.  Felt like we were sitting in front of a seasoned artist. 



Ka Va Va in Varali and Adi

Sanjana’s expression during alap is remarkable.  This song is in a pleading tone inviting Lord Muruga.  She brought out that emotion as meant by the poet.  She completely overshadowed the seasoned percussionists and they were happy to be overshadowed.  The song put the entire audience in a meditative mood.



Brova baramma in Bahudari and Adi

This was another fast number.  The Professors, I mean the Percussionists, seemed to enjoy themselves. Lot of scope for them in the song. 



Saroja dala nethri in Sankarabharanam and Adi

I just stopped taking notes and being completely engrossed in the beauty of the song.  Sankarabharanam is considered one of the “ghana” ragas and it has been played for eons by stalwarts.  The expectation is always very high when this raga is chosen.  The artist will have to put their full into it and show that they understand the nook and cranny of the raga.  Sanjana did complete justice to this raga and song.  She started with a bright alap and went into the song confidently.  The swaras and neravals were at a professional level. 



Thani

Just awesome by the dynamic percussion duo. 



Manavyala kim chara in Nalinakanthi and Adi

During this song Agasthya joined in with his Flute.  Sanjana by now owned the stage and she was a picture of confidence. Effortless delivery, nicely done.



RTP in Keeravani and Kanda Jathi Triputai

Very mature alapana and very soulful.  Flute alapana blew every one away making us look for Gopi's and cows to come through the doors anytime.  They both took us to a meditative state bringing the thoughts down to practically zero state. 



The concert closed with Krishna nee begane baro in Yamuna kalyani and mishra chapu, Chinnanchiru kiliye in raga malika, English note and finally Bhagyatha lakshmi baramma.