The Hindu,(Chennai), Friday, January 9, 2004. Concert Review of Sh.S.Kasim ∓ S.Babu,(Nadhaswaram Artistes) at Music Academy Chennai held on 23-12-2003.

 

Concert of Quality:

 

The rasika was happy to listen to a full-fledged, quality concert of Nagaswaram music after a long time. The credit goes to Kasim and Babu, Nagaswaram Vidhwans belonging to the popular Sheik Chinna Moulana lineage. Tha Natakuranji Varnam of Moolaiveedu rengaswamy pillai was the opening number rendered in two speeds. Brisk kritis in Vasantha and Saraswathi were played neatly before the launch of the pleasing alapana of Arabhi. The blowing was powerful and clear, totally shruti aligned with no intruding scratchy, squeaky sounds to spoil the melodic stream of Arabhi. The sustained karvais, a well codified structure, and the prayogas offered with calm deliberation contributed to a meaningful interpretation of the ragha. “O Rajeevaksha” of Thyagaraja, the soundly constructed swara passages, the sharp kuraippu for the kriti eduppu and the bright korvai, faithfully adhered to the tenets of a serious classical presentation. “Ranganayakam”, a Dikshitar master piece in Nayaki, played suitably in a Chowka kalapramanam was endued with considerable melodic flavour worthy of savouring. The spirited version of “Bogeendrasayinam” in Kunthalavarali from the repertoire of Swati Tirunal was in keeping with its exclusive lilt. The colourful phrases in the development of Kambhoji were firmly ensconced in the ethos of tradition. The sensitive modulation in the blowing, alternating between the soft and strong, was worthy of positive assessment. “Sriraghuvara” bore a handsome demeanour underlining the essence of ‘Sukha Bhava’. The rhythmic accompaniment on the thavil by Mannargudi Vasudevan and Nangur Selvaganapathy was of a high order. The standard of the performance deserved more members in the audience.