Malladi Brothers (Sreeramprasad and Ravikumar) performing on the 72nd 12 months artwork pageant of Mylapore High-quality Arts Membership in Chennai in December 2023.
| Picture Credit score: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
Some senior musicians use the early season live shows for experimentation and even supply some teasers. The Malladi brothers, singing for Mylapore High-quality Arts Membership, appeared to comply with that technique, with some stunning selections.
The primary piece in Kedaram (‘Rama neepai’, Tyagaraja) created a vibrant tempo and ambiance with the swaras on the finish getting the percussionists into the temper of the deliberate journey. The raga alapana of Sriranjani that adopted stayed throughout the standardised template with regulated creativeness. Subsequent was ‘Ini oru ganam unai’ (Papanasam Sivan). The niraval at ‘Ini oru ganam’ was a great spotlight within the early phase as was violinist Karthik Nagaraj’s raga alapana with placing jaru slides.
Malladi Brothers (Sreeramprasad and Ravikumar) performing on the 72nd Artwork Competition of Mylapore High-quality Arts Membership in December 2023.
| Picture Credit score:
JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
A shock bundle
The brothers are recognized to respect lyrical expressions precisely. The charming ‘Kshitija ramanam’ in Devagandhari (Dikshitar, Adi 2 kalai) was sung in an in-between tempo to maintain away any slack in momentum. Then got here the primary shock – raga Kantamani, the 61st melakarta. That is hardly ever an necessary selection in a significant live performance. Regardless of its tough boundaries, Ravi Kumar sang a fluent raga alapana. ‘Palintuvo palimpave’ (Adi, Tyagaraja) was uneventful, because the raga limitations curbed any artistic scope. It underlined the explanation for such ragas receiving much less consideration within the palms of composers and performers alike. Maybe, it additionally created some digression within the tight course that the brothers have up to now adopted.
‘Marivere gati’ (Ananda Bhairavi, Syama Sastri) is an effective panacea for any live performance that wants a back-to-the-familiar vibe. The Malladi brothers allowed the total import of this magnificent kriti to circulate, with good enunciation and raga lakshanam. This has, maybe, been rendered one million instances over time, however by no means ceases to attraction.
Away from the standard
The second shock was Mayamalavagowla being chosen to suit the primary piece slot. A nice raga alapana went past the ropes — the longer rendition introduced diminishing returns. ‘Devisree’ by Tyagaraja on Goddess Tulasamma shouldn’t be usually heard. It acquired wonderful remedy from the brothers, whose conventional repertoire is their biggest power. Swaras at ‘Pavani’ with kuraippu was a great canvas through which the accompanists showcased their mettle effectively.
Malladi Brothers (Sreeramprasad and Ravikumar) performing on the 72nd artwork pageant of Mylapore High-quality Arts Membership in December 2023. He’s accompanied by Violinist Karthik Nagaraj, Ghatam Suresh and Ok.V. Gopalakrishnan (kanjira).
| Picture Credit score:
JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
‘Pooraya mamakamam’ (Bilahari, Narayana Tirtha) was a great distinction to the extra sedate Mayamalavagowla kriti. The brothers rounded off their live performance with ‘Vishwanatha kasipathe’ in Pahadi, and the gorgeous Navarasa Kannada track by Annamacharya (‘Itali kante’) set to music by their grand-guru, Pinakapani with a peppy chittaswaram.
It was apparent that the brothers sought to create varied moods on this live performance, going by the selection of ragas. A live performance that has its pillars relaxation on Kantamani and Mayamalavagowla, nonetheless, will probably be thought of an experiment. The ghana ragas are felt strongly if current, and much more strongly when absent.
Violinist Karthik Nagaraj had a little bit of a hesitant begin, however blossomed effectively with each alternative, particularly in raga alapana and niraval. Palladam Ravi was each refined and distinguished, relying on what was wanted. His studious method was well-matched by Ghatam Suresh and Ok.V. Gopalakrishnan (kanjira), with every pitching effectively to make up a extremely competent crew. Their tani avaratanam was additionally succinct and interesting.