Two days ago, 9.45 am it was announced that the next day’s
programme will belong to Gayathri Venkatraghavan. I couldn’t help that jump my
stomach did for I really love her voice. Some people feel she has a limited
repertoire. Perhaps she has. Depending on the occasion and the audience, she
may choose certain krithis often. I am not complaining. She brings out the ‘Raagabhava’
so beautifully and the composer’s attitude and emotions remain intact i her
singing.
I felt she was going to give a ‘Thamizhisai’ concert and there
she was – singing Thamizh lyrics.
The concert began with a brief but well etched Krithi in Sowrashtram
– “ Charanam endru sonnaanae” by Arunachala Kavi. The lyric was simple and set
in a conversational mode where Rama argues his case for giving asylum to
Vibheeshana. Close your eyes and you may see Rama convincing sugreeva and that
is the beauty of Gayathri’s singing! The brigas and swaras in”Guha
saravanabhava sivabala (சிம்மேந்திர மத்தியமம்) were in a class of their own. The
best as far as I am concerned was Thiruvempavai – “Aartha piravi thuyar keda”(ஆர்த்த பிறவித் துயர் கெட) in Sankarabharanam. I closed my eyes - all chains binding me snapped open! The
unending beautiful blue sky with all kinds of birds soaring high and the
gurgling crystal clear water soothingly cool on my feet and the gentle breeze
bringing earthy green smell – I could for a brief moment merge with everything around
me. The power of the words was such that I was pulled into the endless joyful dance
of ‘சிற்றம்பலத்தே தீயாடும் கூத்தன்'.
The concert came to an end with வடவரையை மத்தாக்கி (சிலப்பதிகாரம்). Again I was stunned by the magic of the right words making up
that great classic creation.
The usual chores –smoothly flowed one into another and time
stood still. One hour of true bliss!
