With TM Krishna, we expect the unexpected! May be, if we had a traditional concert by him, we would feel terribly cheated! We need some conversation, some discussion at the end of it. It has to provoke us in some way, stir some debate, ruffle a few feathers, raise some questions at least. As they say, agree with, disagree with him....we can do all that, but for sure, we cannot ignore him! End of the day, the differences if any, are about packaging- packaging Carnatic music. TM Krishna questions the packaging...if I understand him correctly. Let him package music whichever way he wants. It's entirely his choice and mission. As far as we are concerned, we care about the content! We go to listen to his sublime Thodi, to his expansive Kedaragaula....to his soulful Yadukula Kambhoji. In that, he has never let us down! The rest....as they say....is detail!
It was a concert with a difference. It was a veena, violin, vocal trio...with ghatam and mridangam for percussion. And this time, none would follow the vocalist. That was the whole idea. They would each be on their own, creating their own music-scapes.....and feeding off each others' ideas.
The concert started with "mallaari"- a composition traditionally played when the temple-deity is taken around in a procession. It is set to the raga Gambhira-naattai. You can feel the rhythm in the composition- it's as if the deity is being gently rocked...a swerve here, a little toss there....as it makes its way through the streets of the temple-town! If we were edgy about what kind of musical fare would be dished out in this concert, we settled down....comfortable....wrapped in the arms of mallaari! "Augurs well...", a voice chuckled through the darkness of the hall, "to open the concert with Gambhira-naattai. Isn't Gambhir the opening batsman in the ongoing Test match!!?"
The next composition started off with a string of short raga-forays. It started with Shanmukhapriya played on the veena and covered several raga-terrains by the trio, before settling on Thodi raga. Some of the ragas weren't easy- there was Saalaka Bhairavi and Manirangu and some....which couldn't be fully deciphered. The more informed in the audience....reeled out ragas which couldn't be authentically verified. Multiple options floated around in whispers and hushed voices, and settled down only when the next raga was unfurled. It would be more obscure than the previous one. Thankfully, there was Desh and Kapi and Dwijavanti.....with their indelible signature. You can't miss them. And finally....the raga Thodi....stately as ever!
The Dikshitar kriti "Shri Krishnam bhaja maanasa" was presented elaborately. As the lines "guru pavana pura" was sung, our minds traveled to Guruvayur. "Guru-pavana-pura" is "Guru-vayu-oor". Dikshitar composed this magnum opus at Guruvayur.
The main piece of the concert was a varnam (traditionally, the opening batsman in a concert)! Yes, an opening batsman can bat lower down the order too! Why not!! The trio took up the nava-raga-maalika varnam and dealt with it elaborately. All the nine ragas were detailed, there were mini-thaanams played, followed by the actual varnam and kalpana swaras to round it off!
In fact, this opening batsman batted so low down the batting order, that there was time only for a tail-ender! The varnam was actually followed by a Thillana- Lalgudi's thillana in the raga Mohana Kalyani. If ever there is a raga which exudes happiness....undiluted, unalloyed, concentrated happiness...it has to be Mohana Kalyani! There is no other! And Lalgudi's thillana is a treat!
The concert came to a close with one of Dikshitar's "note-compositions"- a scottish tune with Sanskrit lyrics. When Dikshitar stayed at Manali (near Madras), he was influenced by the English band. We have about 38 compositions of Dikshitar in this genre. Needless to say, these compositions are a big hit with the audience! It's like tucking a "beeda" after a hearty meal!
It was time to head home. The night was still young....and cars whizzed past the road. Saturday night has a relaxed feel to it. Monday is still very far away!
People hung around..... in animated conversation... with an acquaintance here, an old friend there....a rather barmy atmosphere you can say.
You cannot slink away from a TM Krishna concert quietly. Soon, we had a huddle of our own. "So..... gentlemen! Gentlemen!.....A varnam...a varnam... as the main-item! Of course, it was brilliant....most undoubtedly. Don't get me wrong on that. But.....but... a varnam. Next, what are we going to hear.....as the piece-de-resistance......may I ask? A mangalam...may be... in the next concert? May be...the National-Anthem...with a raga-alapana....and a thaanam ....while we all stand in attention for two hours?" We cleared our throat to find an answer. Someone shot back, "Why not! Why not.....!? And who said varnam was the main piece? To me, all the pieces were equally important!"
Evidently, this debate could go nowhere! TM Krishna had made his point! I took the easiest option out. "Cheerio! Getting late... mate! Catch you another day!" As we got onto the main-road with a left-turn at the lights, the mind was on a high. A dash of Mallaari, a dollop of Thodi, a scoop of Mohana Kalyani, the finest Scottish brew....all blended effortlessly.... to make it the most engaging cocktail! Now, now...who is complaining!!!?
