Kalyanapuram S. Aravind Delights with a Carefully Curated Repertoire

Kalyanapuram S. Aravind’s recent concert, held in memory of N.V. Subramaniam, the founder of Saraswathi and Saraswathi Vaggeyakara Trust, showcased his exceptional talent and dedication to classical music. Presented by the Kedaram Trust, the event featured a meticulously curated repertoire that left an indelible impression on the audience.

Opening with Elegance

The concert commenced with the profoundly beautiful composition by Muthuswami Dikshitar, ‘Sri subramanyaya namaste’ in the raga Kamboji. Aravind’s unhurried alapana of Kamboji was a defining moment of the evening. In his very first phrase, he established the raga’s identity, captivating the audience and setting the tone for the performance. Accompanying him was L. Ramakrishnan on the violin, whose response systematically built upon the raga, culminating in a distinctive phrase that highlighted the kakali nishadam in the lower octave.

Emphasizing Lyrical Beauty

Following the alapana, Aravind transitioned into the verse ‘Senthanai kandhanai sengottu verpanai’ from Arunagirinathar’s Kandhar Alankaram, which led seamlessly into the main kriti. The jaru phrases employed during this segment received particular attention, and the tempo chosen allowed for the distinctive qualities of Kamboji to resonate clearly. Notably, the latter part of the charanam, which is typically rendered in madhyama kala, was presented at the same pace as the kriti, enhancing the listener’s experience.

Rhythmic Exploration

The niraval at the anupallavi line ‘Vasavadi sakala deva vanditaya’ drew the audience’s focus to the lyrics. Aravind’s use of the upper octave for ‘sakala deva’ was especially effective, leading into kalpanaswaras that initially stabilized around that pitch. The interplay of math and melody was striking, particularly as B. Sivaraman on the mridangam and Nerkunam Sankar on the kanjira explored the rhythmic possibilities of tisra eka exchanges, characterized by three beats to a cycle. This section culminated in a fluid tani avartanam, culminating in a complex koraippu.

Rich and Engaging Repertoire

Aravind’s mastery was evident in the kritis that preceded the main performance. The evening began with Tyagaraja’s ‘Evarikai avataramethithivo’ in Devamanohari, which he rendered straightforwardly, accompanied by a brief alapana. Following this, ‘Manasuloni marmamulu’ in Hindolam was brisk, with kalpanaswaras at the same tempo that further engaged the audience. Throughout the evening, Aravind’s anchoring around Dhaivatam in phrases exchanged between him and Ramakrishnan created a captivating auditory experience, despite a few moments that pushed beyond his comfortable upper vocal range.

Capturing the Audience’s Imagination

The opening Navaragamalika varnam, which began with the raga Kedaram and the shloka ‘Dharani garbha sambhutham’ leading to Dikshitar’s ‘Angarakamashrayamyaham’, aptly set the course for the concert. Muthiah Bhagavatar’s ‘Sarasa dala nayane’ in Saramathi, complete with its unhurried chittaswaram composed by Aravind’s guru, Madurai T.N. Seshagopalan, followed and transitioned into an elegant Purvikalyani alapana. This was succeeded by another Tyagaraja composition, ‘Gnanamosaga rada,’ which featured tanam-style phrasing. The niraval at the line ‘Paripurna nishkalanka’ showcased brilliant interaction between Aravind and Ramakrishnan.

A Vibrant Finale

As the concert neared its conclusion, the atmosphere shifted with the lively rendition of ‘Siruviralgal thadavi,’ a Periyazhwar pasuram in Thodi, which evolved into a ragamalika virutham. Here, Aravind’s creativity flourished as he transitioned through a variety of ragas at the line ‘Govindan kuzhal kondu oodhina podhu.’ He effortlessly traversed Hamir Kalyani, adding short phrases from Bhairavi and Sindhu Bhairavi, with Ramakrishnan introducing Vasantha and Kalyana Vasantham into the mix. The performance culminated in Rageshri with the Surdas bhajan ‘Krishna nama rasana,’ providing a feast of musical richness that delighted attendees.

A Fitting Tribute

The ability to articulate musical ideas without excessive embellishment made Aravind’s concert a fitting tribute to N.V. Subramaniam. Through an attentively chosen repertoire and skilled execution, he emphasized the nuances of each piece, allowing the details to shine forth, creating a memorable experience for all present.

Published – September 30, 2026 06:17 pm IST