Reviews

Season Reviews - E R Anirudh

Date : 4.1.24

Venue : Naada Inbam December Music Festival

Artist : E R Anirudh

Violin : Mantha Sri Ramya

Mridangam : Sai Nivaeithan

By Sivapriya Krishnan

Twenty-one-year-old E R Anirudh, a disciple of Alepey Venkatesan, presented an enjoyable concert at Naada Inabam. Under the careful guidance of his guru, he has been meticulously groomed with a focus on pathantara, raga lakshana, and lakshya aspects, showcasing his skill and dedication.

Anirudh started with Jagadanandakaraka, a Tyagaraja pancharatna in Nata. Neekelana Yeda in Devamanohari was the next in the right kalapramana. A detailed Pantuvarali raga alapana followed by Appa Rama bhakti with niraval and swaras. The raga alapana was of a very high order, without dilution or mixing it with any allied ragas. Manaviyalakincara and Kuthuvilakkeriya, that days’ Tiruppavai was next. A wonderful ragam-tanam-pallavi followed in Todi. The pallavi line was Sree Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama Hare Rama set in khanda jati Jhampa tala in rettai kalai. What marked his pallavi singing was the adherence to the rules whilst creatively elaborating it. Todi was expanded in all its glory, followed by tanam, sung in the madhyamakala, from start to end. The pallavi line was minimal in words and a lot of karvais, the way yesteryear stalwarts sang it. This tests the mettle of the singer to keep tala correctly. Niraval was done elaborately, followed by trikalam and ragamalika swaras in Athana, Varali, Mohanam. Vandan Vandan Bharata in Mohanam followed suit. Ayodhi Managar, a kavadi chindu was an interesting piece. Antaa Rama mayam of Bhadrachala Ramadasa in Subhapantuvarali had all the required poignancy.

He concluded the concert with a Tillana in Kapi, Taradipanana, a composition of Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar in Lakshmeesa tala. The seven angas of Lakshmeesha tala dhrutam -(2) anu dhrutam -(1) dhrutam - (2) laghu - (4) laghu - (4) laghu - (4) guru - 8 2+1+2+4+4+4+8 = 25 aksharams . Anirudh announced that the concert was a tribute to the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

Anirudh's performance evoked a sense of optimism and joy. Having listened to his previous performances, the upward trajectory in his musical prowess was discernible in this concert.

Violinist Mantha Sri Ramya was melodious and supported the concert intelligently, as was Sri Nivaeithan on the mridangam.

The author is a Carnatic vocalist, writer and management professional

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