Reviews

Season Reviews - Rama Ravi & Nandita Ravi

Date : 24.12.23

Venue : Naada Inbam

Artist : Rama Ravi & Dr. Nandita Ravi

Mridangam : K Arunprakash

Violin : R K Shriramkumar

By Sivapriya Krishnan

Rama Ravi is one of the senior vocalists to have directly learnt music from the legendary T Brinda – Mukta - Sankaran. She has also had the fortune to learn from Mysore Vasudevacharya, Budalur Krishnamurthi, T.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar during her stint at Kalakshetra. Her music is vintage that has stood the test of time.

Strict adherence to the school she belongs to, Rama Ravi’s music is sublime, unfettered, with a wonderful peppy kaalapramana.  The compositions she sang that evening were masterpieces, that have been honed and chiselled over the years.

                                      

Beginning with Saveri varnam Sarasuda and a swara prastara, she moved onto Sree Ranganatham in Poornachandrika. Muddumomu, the family jewel of Brindamma was next, followed by Adiya paadam kandal in Darbar, a Gopalakrishna Bharati composition. It was a classic Darbar filled with intricate raga phrases. Keeravani raga was elaborated with Bhaktapaalana,  a composition of Ponnaya (Quartet), a rare gem. Venkatashaila Vihara in Hamirkalyani, yet another precious composition from the family heirloom, transported one to Venkatagiri. Gajavadana Sammmodhita in Todi by Kumara Ettendra, was the main song of the day. Words cannot describe the rendition of this song by the great musician. Meragadu a javali in Athana and Rama Rama a padam in Bhairavi were sung in quick succession. The concert concluded with a brisk Karpagame kan paarai in Madhyamavati. 

In a world dominated by noise, and restlessness, the exceptional artistry of Rama Ravi and the music she presents is truly scarce. Her performances possess a rare ability to envelop every listener in a serene atmosphere, a tranquility earned through years of dedicated practice and spiritual discipline. For any earnest student of music, experiencing these concerts is imperative, as they offer profound lessons and insights.

R.K. Shriramkumar (violin) and K. Arunprakash are experts in accompanying senior legends like this and collectively embellished the whole experience. Nanditha Ravi ably supported her mother and guru on vocal support.

The author is a Carnatic vocalist, writer and management professional

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