O.S. Arun and the formidable line up of percussionists struck a advantageous steadiness between melody and rhythm
O.S. Arun and the formidable line up of percussionists struck a advantageous steadiness between melody and rhythm
Singer O.S. Arun launched the Alapana Belief to deliver pleasure into lives via music. For example, it conducts reveals for kids with autism, or at outdated age houses. Throughout one such programme, he was requested to sing ‘Oru naal podhuma’ (from Thiruvilaiyadal),’ by a member of an outdated age residence, on the finish of which he noticed the lady’s face mild up. It was then that Arun determined to conduct this occasion usually to succeed in out to extra individuals.
Together with music, Arun started to honour artistes at these reveals. Instituted by G.R. Srikantan, the awards got away on the 2022 version held not too long ago at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
On the primary day of the competition, veteran thavil vidwan Achalpuram S. Sankaran acquired the award. The ceremony was adopted by Arun’s vocal recital. He was accompanied by percussion virtuosos — Haridwaramangalam A.Okay. Pazhanivel on the thavil, Patri Satish Kumar on the mridangam, and Karthick on the ghatam. No factors for guessing that the tani avartanam was marked by rhythmic brillliance. Nicely-known violinist Mullaivasal Chandramouli offered melody help.
The primary piece of the live performance was a Muthuswami Dikshitar kriti. Dikshitar’s kritis present that fantastic resonance wherever they’re positioned in a live performance — as a grand centrepiece, or proper initially.
The kriti chosen was ‘Sadachaleswaram’ (Bhupalam). The richness of the expertise deepened as Arun rendered kalpanaswaras in medium tempo in the direction of the tip of the piece. The composition, replete with swaraksharam (when the be aware and the syllable within the lyrics turn into one) enhanced the enjoyment of listening.
Subsequent, Vanaspati, the fourth Melakarta raga, got here via melodiously within the Tyagaraja composition ‘Pariyachakama.’ As soon as once more, the swarakalpana in a soothing tempo introduced serenity to the rendering.
Artistic patterns
Varamu is a raga that many well-known artistes have rendered in inspiring methods. So it was with the essay by Arun. His artistic phrasings flowed seamlessly in the course of the alapana. Violinist Mullaivasal Chandramouli’s Varamu sketch was acceptable. A raga that intently resembles Hindolam, Varamu takes the Chatusruti Dhaivatam. Arun sang Papanasam Sivan’s ‘Thunai purindharul’. As soon as once more, that medium-paced swarakalpana was pretty.
Setting the stage for the thani, Pazhanivel exhibited his prowess on the thavil with spontaneous and inventive rhythm patterns. Each Satish Kumar and Karthick took up the problem and got here off with flying colors.
It was a live performance that was healthful and fulfilling in each approach.
The Chennai-based reviewer is a educated musician.