Madurai TN Seshagopalan-Mysore Nagaraj-Palghat Raghu-TH Vinayakram Gokulashtami concert (1994)

Gokulashtami concert @ Odakkathur Mutt, Bengaluru (September 1994)

Madurai TN Seshagopalan- vocal
Mysore Nagaraj- violin
Palghat R Raghu- mridangam
TH Vinayakram- ghatam

1) inta calamu (varNam)- bEgaDa, Adi, Veenai Kuppayya
2) vEnkaTaramaNA- latAngi, rUpakam, Papanasam Sivan
3) ninnu sEvinchina- yadukulakAmbOji, mISra CApu, Subbaraya Sastri
4) gOvardhana giridhara- hindOLam, Adi, Narayana Theertha
5) SrI rAja gOpAla- sAvEri, Adi (2 kalai), Muthuswami Dikshitar
6) krSNa ena bArade- madhuvanti, Adi, Purandaradasara
7) sAyankAle (selected SlOkam from Sri KrishNa KarnAmrutham)- rAgamAlikA, Bilwamangala aka LeelaSuka (13th century devotee of Lord Krishna)
8) sindhubhairavi thillAna (Na Dri Dheem Ta Na Na Thom Ta Na)- Adi, Oothukadu Venkata Kavi
9) nI nAma rUpamulaku- saurAshTraM, Adi, Thyagaraja

Thanks to my dear friend Vid Rao R Sharath for having this for very long and sharing.

Without a doubt, TNS sir brings the best of Indian Classical Music. his vast repertoire, breathtaking brigas, spellbinding speed, cerebral imagination, impressive innovation, respect for tradition, immersion to the musical artform to name a few and above all else total sharanagathi towards Lord Sri Krishna are all in display. When he was at his peak, he was breathtaking. Those who got to see him live during his peak including yours truly were soaked in fantastic music. And this is a perfect example.

All these krithis are well known to us, but TNS sir always brings a fresh approach each time. I cannot pick a favorite; they are all brilliant. One can feel the presence of Lord Krishna throughout. I will let the rasikas expound more.

Mysore Nagaraj sir is sublime in his violin. He goes toe to toe with TNS sir during the alapana and swaraprastara and takes our breath away.

The combination of TNS sir and Palghat Raghu sir is cerebral and joyous and it's wonderful to hear them together. Raghu sir is topnotch as always and uplifts the concert to glorious heights.

As for Vikku sir, I have been listening to him since childhood and I never cease to be amazed. Whether solo performances, with his sons, Shakti or in classical music concerts, he has redefined the way ghatam is played. And here it is no different.

Those who attended this concert, please share your reminiscences. Long live this concert! Long live Seshagopalan gAnam! Long live Mysore Nagaraj's violin play! Long live Palghat Raghu nADam and bAni! And may we never tire of the Thetakudi Harihara Sharma school led by his marvelous son, Vikku sir!