Reviews

Puducode Krishnamurthy Compositions

You can always count on Raga Sudha Hall to host engaging, even quaint, cultural events. And Chennai is full of such institutions, shining light on rare and unusual topics off the beaten path. This event was no exception - a book release of the compositions of the late vidwan Puducode Krishnamurthy, edited by musician Baby Sriram. The project was inspired and underwritten by Ekatvam Trust.  The Chief Guest, K.N. Ramaswamy, Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai and the recipient of the first copy, vidwan T.N. Seshagopalan, both spoke of Puducode Krishnamurthy and wistfully recalled a time when musicians sang solely as a form of worship and audiences would sit and listen with patience and engagement. One of Puducode Krishnamurthy’s students spoke fondly about his experiences learning from the master while the latter taught music at Kalakshetra. Vidushi Baby Sriram gave a brief vote of thanks. 

What followed was a delightful concert by K. Gayatri, who presented six compositions from the book. Her virtuosity established with her brief alapana of Sahana and her shraddha and sadhana shone through as she presented these fairly wordy keertanas with exceptional musicality and fluid ease reminiscent of her guru, the late Suguna Purushotthaman. Such effortlessness is always a sign of intense preparation and focus. Sahana was followed by Amritavarshini, Andolika, Simhendramadhyamam, Sunadavinodini, and Desh.  


Gayatri gave prominence to the sahityams of the composer in her kriti renditions while establishing her own stamp and voice control in the brief alapanas and her vibrant swara kalpana. Violinist B Ananthakrishnan and Poongalam Subramaniam on mridangam added much luster to this intimate concert of these off-the-beaten-path compositions.  Both violin and mridangam vidwans must have spent considerable time familiarising themselves with the keertanams, and in particular, the cittaswarams, in order to accompany the vocalist as seamlessly as they did. The small audience of rasikas and admirers of the vidwan composer were treated to music for musicians.  Chennai, especially Ragasudha Hall, is full of such events.

Projects such as these help preserve more than the memory of these vidwans of yesteryear. They also preserve the record of the music and language of their times for future generations. It is unlikely that vidwan Pudukkode Krishnamurthy’s compositions will find a place on the kutcheri stage. But their value is now preserved thanks to the support of Ekatvam foundation and the expert efforts of Baby Sriram. It is heartening to witness such events.


Song List

  • Meenalochani - Sahana
  • Dhaaye sree Danvantaramoortim -  Amrithavarshini
  • Adimalarina saranam - Andolika
  • Iniyum kanivutho - Simhendramadhyamam
  • Vande dasaratim - Sunaadavinodini
  • Kaviripaayum - Desh

By

Shankar Ramachandran

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