Concert Of A Couple

Went to a jugalbandi concert of Dr. Sriram Parasuram and Anuradha Sriram yesterday here at Ravindra Bharathi. I have always admired this couple, for all the passion they show for music and the way they stand for good music.

This is the first time I got to attend their live concert and I was all excited at this chance. It was a good concert but I should say my expectations were a bit too high. I think its the same reason few folks dont prefer Jugalbandis for what they are - something of everything but nothing in complete. But I think there is always scope with a better planning and controlled execution. Or when the performers can mesmerize you with a tantalizing display of slightest of their creative charms ala Dr.Balamuralikrishna and Dr.Ajoy Chakraborty.

The couple started with a beautiful rendition of Sahana Varnam following up with a piece in Sahana Kanada. Then followed a Syama Sastry composition in Ananda Bhairavi prefixed with a brief essay of the raga. Anuradha then took up an esaay of raga Sumanesaranjani, which was the piece de resistance for me in this concert. They followed it up with a Bharathiyar's poem set to tune by Anuradha's guru Thanjavur S. Kalyanaraman. This was followed by lalita - lalit essay where they elaborated on Dikshitar composition Hiranmayeem Lakshmeem. Few lighter ones followed, I liked the way they presented Bho Sambho, dayananda saraswati's sanskrit poem.

I am not sure if it is the same format they do everywhere but I think they should seriously look at some changes to it. For one part, the concert is carnatic heavy and someone going for an enthralling Jugalbandi experience will find it not satisfying their expectations. And then none of the ragas get a detailed elaboration so rasikas dont get absorbed in to the flow. They should try to balance both the sides and given the time constraint, stick to fewer pieces but elaborate completely on atleast one or two. May be they can even change to a pure carnatic duet singing pattern.

Ramaraju Dinakar on violing was the find of the concert for me, the young musician has been very very melodious throughout and displayed all the qualities of great musicianship. I wish he gets enough opportunities and makes a name for himself!