--------------------- By Vidhya Mahadevan
With a gifted voice that traverses multiple octaves with ease and a rich repertoire that highlights his mastery in handling the ragas, Vignesh Ishwar presented an enthralling concert on 12th December, 2024, at Narada Gana Sabha as part of Kartik Fine Arts Margazhi festival.
He began the concert with a magnificent Neelayadakshi in Paras, a composition of Shyama Shastri, which set the tone for a beautiful line-up to follow. A succinct yet bhava-laden Purvikalyani alapana later, Thyagaraja’s Paripurna Kaama Bhavamuna in Roopakam was presented.
Next, Maulau Ganga, a Nindha-stuti in Sanskrit by Appayya Dikshitar was explored in Kamboji where Vignesh brought out the grandeur of the raga, all while focusing on the plea of the composer. In brief, Appayya Dikshitar calls out that Lord Shiva carries the cold Ganga, the cool moon, with the cold snakes adorning his hands and legs, and has the daughter of the ice mountain to his left. He wonders how Lord Shiva can bear such cold and pleads with the Lord to stay in his mind and heart (Chitta) to ease the heat from all the worldly anguish. The variations in Kamboji phrases that Vignesh used to emphasise the word Chitte exemplified his skills in connecting the ragam to the lyrics.
This was followed by an eloquent rendition of Nadamadi thirindha, a composition of Papavinasa Mudaliyar (an 18th century composer) which is again a Ninda-stuti, set in Tamil. The neraval line “Thiruneerai sumandheero neruppaana meni thanil” was chosen with care as it tied back to Maulau Ganga. Again, the composer teases Shiva if he carried the ashes or the Ganga (neer) to cool his body. Vignesh artistically drew parallels between both these pieces that are in different languages and composed centuries apart.
Vittal Rangan’s performance shone both during his solo sections and while playing with Vignesh. His ability to bring the violin in unison with the vocal was showcased throughout the concert but deserves particular mention in Muthuswami Dikshitar’s Soundararajam Bhavaye, in Brindavana Saranga which was presented next. Vignesh’s unhurried pace and flow of this rendition brought a tranquil feeling among the audience.
A brisk Makelara in Ravichandrika with racy kalpanaswarams by Vignesh and Vittal led to Mukhari, the main raga for the evening. The raga essay that followed presented Mukhari in a very different light - more to express anger than the usual pathos. The raga alapana was given a grand treatment where Vignesh explored low and high notes and brought out the essence of the raga using vivid phrases. As if to confirm this, Vignesh began Thyagaraja’s composition Elavatara from the anupallavi line Alamu Seyu Taka… Elavatara Ettukontivi (Is it for waging war? … Oh Why did you take Rama Avatar).
Praveen Sparsh and Guru Prasad's spellbinding Thani avarthanam added an extra layer of sheen to an already bright concert.
Vittala Salaho Swami by Purandara Dasa in Desh and Niraimadhi Mugamenum, a Thirupugazh in Hamsanandi wrapped up this memorable evening.
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