Sudha Ragunathan’s Vibrant Concert at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Margazhi Festival 2023
Sudha Ragunathan recently graced the stage at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan with a mesmerizing concert, showcasing her years of dedication and creative exploration in the world of music. Her choice of compositions was a testament to her deep understanding of the art form, captivating the audience with every note.
The Musical Journey
Opening the concert with the lively ‘Arunodayame’ in raga Bowli by Lalgudi Jayaraman, Sudha Ragunathan set the perfect tone for the evening, captivating the audience from the very beginning. She then delved into the soul-stirring ‘Pahi pahi bala ganapathe’ in Hamsadhwani, a composition by Mazhavai Chidambara Bharathi, seamlessly blending tradition with raw emotion.
A Melodic Serenity
“Sugunamule” in Chakravakam by Tyagaraja showcased Sudha’s exquisite sangatis and kalpanaswaras, weaving a tapestry of melodic serenity that enraptured the audience. Her rendition brought out the bright shades of the raga, culminating in a crescendo of fast-speed swaras that garnered thunderous applause.
Artistic Brilliance
While the Shanmukhapriya raga alapana with cascading brigas lingered on certain phrases, Sudha’s mastery over the raga’s intricacies shone through, captivating the audience with her artistic brilliance. Embar Kannan’s violin complemented her expressions beautifully in the kriti ‘Parvati Nayakane’ by Papanasam Sivan, enhancing the lyrical beauty of the performance.
Rhythmic Prowess
The tani avarthanam by Neyveli Skandasubramanian (mridangam) and R. Raman (morsing) displayed a mesmerizing rhythmic prowess that elevated the compositions to new heights, leaving the audience spellbound with each beat.
A Fitting Finale
Sudha’s choice of concluding pieces provided a fitting finale to the concert, taking the audience on a delightful departure from the classical realm with ‘Dangurava sari hariya’ by Purandaradasa and the folk-inspired Kavadi Chindu ‘Vallik kanavan’. The rendition of Jayadeva’s Ashtapadi ‘Nindati Chandana’ in Darbari Kanada evoked a majestic and serene ambience, leaving an indelible mark on the audience.
Musical Creativity
Sudha displayed her creative streak with enchanting improvisations to Lalgudi Jayaraman’s Behag tillana, adding a unique touch to the musical experience and further cementing her status as a maestro in the world of classical music.
In Conclusion
Overall, Sudha Ragunathan’s concert at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Margazhi festival 2023 was a mesmerizing journey through the realms of classical music, showcasing her unparalleled artistry and deep-rooted passion for the craft. It was a night to remember, leaving the audience longing for more of her soul-stirring performances in the future.
