Bharat Sundar @ Charsur

By Priyanka Haresh

On 22 December 2024, at the Charsur Arts Foundation, Bharat Sundar paid tribute to the legendary composer Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna (BMK) through a thematic concert. Accompanied by Vittal Rangan (violin), N.C. Bharadwaj (mridangam), Chandrasekara Sharma (ghatam), Arya Nagarajan (tambura), and Kruthi Bhat (sruti petti), Bharat presented a thoughtfully curated performance showcasing the maestro’s compositions, which are often studded with Swaraksharams—an innovative hallmark of BMK's creative genius.

The concert began with the Todi Adi tala varnam, Saraguna Gavumu, rendered at a brisk pace, immediately drawing the audience into the energy of the performance. This was followed by Gana Sudha Rasa in Nata, set to Adi tala. Bharat’s kalpana swarams, interwoven with korvais and porutthams and mathematical precision, were ably supported by Vittal Rangan’s violin responses.

The highlight of the concert was the inclusion of Bhavame Maha Bhagyamu in Kapi, a piece BMK famously performed during his Kalanidhi concert. Bharat rendered it with an emphasis on bhava, paying homage to BMK’s spiritual and emotional depth.

The evening's standout segment was the exploration of Sahana raga. The serene alapana, imbued with vishranthi, was enhanced by the harmonious blend of the vocal, violin, and tambura. This led into Kaavave Kanyakumari, set to Misra Chapu tala, which captivated the audience with its emotive depth.

Another notable feature was the Kamavardhini raga alapana that transitioned seamlessly into Mohanam through grahabedam. Grahabedham, a complex and nuanced technique handled effortlessly by Dr. BMK, was showcased beautifully in this segment. The jathi heard during the Hindolam section of the Raga-Taya Malika (Grahabedha Tillana) is, intriguingly, a separate thillana composed by BMK himself, adding a layer of innovation to the performance. Bharat’s rendition here was marked by precision and deep understanding.

The main composition of the evening, BMK’s Tamil kriti Varuga Varuga, set to Adi tala, was a showpiece for both lyrical and rhythmic exploration. Bharat’s niraval showcased his mastery of improvisation, and the tightly knit kalpana swarams, supported by the dynamic interplay between N.C. Bharadwaj on the mridangam and Chandrasekara Sharma on the ghatam, culminated in an intricate gopuccha yati. The tani avartanam that followed was a rhythmic treat for the audience.

The concert concluded with a raga-taya malika tillana in Kalyani, executed with clarity and precision, bringing the evening to a fulfilling close.

This concert was a fitting homage to Dr. Balamuralikrishna, blending tradition with thoughtful experimentation. Bharat Sundar’s engagement with the compositions, along with his camaraderie with the accompanying artists, stood out throughout the performance.