Reviews
Season Reviews - Shanthala Subramanyam

Date : 3.1.24
Venue : GCMA , Sastry Hall
3.15 p.m.
Flute : Shanthala
Subramanyam,
Violin : M Vijay
Mridangam : N C Bharadwaj
Mohrsing : P Govinda Prasad
By
Sivapriya Krishnan
Shanthala Subramanyam is a talented flautist who understands musical nuances well. Adhering to the gayaki style in her flute performances, she exhibits intelligence in her swara kalpana, avoiding unnecessary showmanship with the instrument.
Her concert for GCMA was replete with good music,
soothing to the ears and satisfying for a listener. Starting with a brisk
Sahana varnam, she went on to raga exposition of Sarasangi and Neekela Dayaradhu. The swaras for this
song in khanda chapu were well laid out, keeping the overall tempo and the
melody. Shuddha Dhanyasi raga was rendered well to be followed by Subrahmanyena rakshitoham. The main
piece Meenakshi memudham dehi in
Gamakakriya, was given the requisite importance. However, she had to rush into
swara kalpana and with better time management, she could have incorporated more
niraval and swaras. She concluded the concert with a Behag javali, Saramaina matalentho.
M. Vijay is a skilled violinist and has a melodic
touch. His collaboration with the flute elevated its performance. With a
commendable bowing technique, he works quietly but efficiently. N.C. Bharadwaj
and P. Govinda Prasad, played without drowning the flute and wrapped the
concert with a sparkling short tani.
(The
author is a Carnatic vocalist, writer and management professional)