Of diverse genres
Jass visions - CD1-JS 712 - CD2-JS713 - Carnatic Classical - Divine Ensemble - Tiruvarur Bakthavatsalam and others - Price not indicated.
"DIVINE ENSEMBLE" comprises songs of different composers in two CD albums released by Jass visions. Bakthavatsalam, a focussed mridangist, whose contribution on the concert stage lends considerable joi de vevre ' to the proceedings, has brought together several reputed artistes in their areas of specialisation such as Injikkudi Subramanian (nagaswaram), Tiruvarur S. Swaminathan (flute), M. R. Gopinath (violin), B. S. Purushottam (kanjira), V. Suresh (ghatam), A. S. Krishnan (morsing) and K. S. Venkatasubramanian (tabla) to produce this audio recording.
Bakthavatsalam himself is at the head of the percussion wheel. The traditional, vivacious Mallari, a genre mostly associated with nagaswaram music in temples, signals a spirit-soaring start. "Gajavadana" in Sriranjani, with kalpanaswaras on the nagaswaram, flute and violin are full of zip and zest. Tyagaraja's Sriraga ratna, "Endaro Mahanubhavulu" is a sensitive rendition with harsh, strident decibel levels kept at bay. Abheri is elucidated in stages by Subramaniam, Swaminathan and Gopinath to good effect. The ever popular "Nagumomu" of Tyagaraja is an apt choice to sustain interest. The swaras in the madhyama and dhurita speeds have order and method with the divisions and sub-divisions culminating in a well organised finishing solfa sequence.
The percussion display with Bakthavatsalam leading from the front, is a professional effort packed to the hilt with metronomic accuracy.
Tyagaraja's "Niravati Sukhada" in Ravichandrika with its captivating chittaswaram composed by Malaikkottai Panchami Pillai, "Bantureeti" in Hamsanadham, "Ninnuvina" in Navarasakannada (although replete with instrumental acrobatics totally inconsistent to the raga lakshana) are quite listenable. Songs by Rajaji, Bharatiar, Purandaradasa, Vyasaraya, a Lalgudi tillana in Revathi and the last number titled "Medley" with assorted tunes of various compositions strung together, do establish an interesting aural connection.
S.P.
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