Veena – Nirmala Rajasekar
Violin – R Raghul
Mridangam – Yella Venkateswara Rao
Ghatam – N Guruprasad
The Veena concert of Vidushi Nirmala Rajasekar was elevating and inspiring. Not only were her kritis well-chosen, she accomodated listeners’ requests (received online prior to the concert), especially the Tanamalika and requested ragas.
Her training under senior Veena stalwart, Kalpagam Swaminathan stood her in good stead, as she plucked and glided her way along the strings, much to the delight of the audience, many of whom seemed to be her ardent Rasikas.
The concert was embellished by excellent accompanying artistes,(R Raghul – Violin, Yella Venkateswara Rao – Mridangam and N Guruprasad – Ghatam) who supported her every bit of the way. Mridangist Padma Shri Yella Venkateswara Rao deserves special mention. He also spoke a few words on how Nirmala ‘s playing of the Veena reminded him of the doyens of old times. Raghul on the Violin played superbly while never trying to outplay the main artiste. Guruprasad ably supported on the Ghatam.
We hope Nirmala Rajasekar is going to be a regular fixture on the Chennai concert circuit. The only ever so tiny request I have of her is to mention Raga names and the kriti after she plays each song, rather than before – to enable Rasikas to get their thrills of identifying the raga and kriti correctly. Also, her style lays emphasis on the kriti itself and using all the strings on the Veena. This is enchanting, by itself. I would love her to elaborate just a wee bit more on manodharma aspects (like neraval, sawaras, alapana) so that her own dexterity on the Veena is even more showcased. Tanamalika was thrilling!Tani Avartanam was stellar!
The concert included the following:
- Sahana varnam – Karunimpa
- Senchurutti – Ganesha Kumara pahimam – Dikshitar
- Saveri – Muruga Muruga and Neraval at Senthil maanagar vaazhum….
- Karaharapriya – Alapana, Ramanee samanam evaru with swaras at Paluku Paluku…
- Varali Ragam, Tanamalika ( also in Vasantha, Reetigowlai, Desh, Shivaranjani) – Kaa vaa vaa with swaras and Tani Avartanam – Yella on Mridangam and Guruprasad on ghatam did an excellent piece.
- Baghyada Lakshmi Baaramma
Meera's Carnatic Contemplations & Beyond 