Madurai TN Seshagopalan-Lalgudi G Jayaraman-Karaikudi R Mani-TH Vinayakram live @ MMA (12/29/1983)

Live at Music Academy, Madras (December 29th 1983)

Madurai TN Seshagopalan- vocal
Lalgudi G Jayaraman- violin
Karaikudi R Mani- mridangam
TH "Vikku" Vinayakram- ghatam

1) viribOni (varNam)- Bhairavi, Kanda jAti Ata, Pacchimiriyam Adiappayya
2) shakti gaNapatim- nATa/nATTai, rUpakaM, Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar
3) evarikai avatAramettitivO- dEvamanOhari, miSra CApu, Thyagaraja
4) O jagadambA- Anandabhairavi, Adi, Shyama Sastri
5a) talli ninnu nera- kalyANi, miSra cApu, Shyama Sastri
5b) thani Avarthanam
6) bEgaDa RTP (rAma bhakta tyAgarAja raksha mAM namOstu tE)- Adi (4 kaLai- starts at one beat before samam- thanks to Sri Arunkumar Sridharan)
7) Sa:ntha:ka:ram bhujaga Sayanam (Viruttham- Sri Vishnu Sahasra Na:mam)- rAgamAlika (shaNmukhapriya, valaji, dhanyAsi, suraTi)
8) Thiruppugazh- behAg, Arunagirinathar
9) nI nAma rUpamulaku- saurASTraM, Adi, Thyagaraja

Many people have requested that the full concert be uploaded and it is finally here. What a fantastic team TNS-LGJ-KRM-THV make!

Once more, TNS brings his vast repertoire to the forefront and we feel blessed. He begins the concert with the famous varNam and we know it's going to be memorable. He then sings a rare krithi in nATTai from his paramaguru Muthiah Bhagavathar which I have never heard before. The swaraprastara is splendid. The divinity of Devamanohari is clearly evident during evarikai avatAramettitivO. I first heard it by TNS himself from the December 2000 Season concert released by Charsur. When he sings "rAmayya rAma" before the pallavi line, one easily gets darshanam of Sri Rama. We get a back to back Shyama Sastri with O jagadambA and talli ninnu nera where Anandabhairavi and Kalyani are rendered with gusto and Devi's smile widens broadly. Both intellectuals and music lovers are satisfied. One is reminded of the great Dr. BMK when TNS goes up and down the octaves and gets down to the low Sa. When a giant like Lalgudi is there, we are guaranteed glorious gANam and the maestro elevates the atmosphere. His alapana responses give the audience a high that they will never experience again. The Kalyani swaraprastara is captivating. The Thetakudi Harihara Sharma sishyas KRM and THV make sure their presence is there throughout and the thani in Misra Chapu is terrific with chatusram and tisram dominating. I request their disciples to expound more.

Following this is a short but alluring bEgaDa RTP dedicated to Thyagaraja. This is where TNS displays his forward thinking innovation and on spot improvisation and unpredictability (something he inherited from GNB and BMK and polished in his own way). One can tell he is not satisfied with what he's done so far and brings more to the table. His brigas are breathtaking as always and tAnam is tremendous. But it is the teamwork between the quad that makes it memorable. They seem to be energized by each other's presence and give the audience their money's worth.

Whenever we hear Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam, our hearts open up with love for Srimannarayana and TNS and Lalgudi render it Viruttham style where each ragam is like a garland for the Lord. Following it is a Thiruppugazh where Arunagirinathar's overwhelming love for his God Muruga is brought to life. And the quad finish it off in style with the immortal nI nAma rUpamulaku.

I request those who attended this concert to share your experiences. Also those who are listening to this concert for the first time, please share your thoughts.

There is no doubt that the legacies of TNS, Lalgudi, KRM and THV are secure. Their music conveys everything and their sishyas and fans are doing their part to pass it to future generations. This concert is the perfect medicine for us during these troubling times. Let's unite and enjoy it together.

Thanks to Sris Shankar K and Nagarajan for sharing.