Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi’s showcased the purity of sound at MadRasana’s unamplified concert

Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi.
| Photo Credit: AKHILA EASWARAN

The inaugural concert of MadRasana’s Margazhi series unfolded with a performance by Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi at the M.S. Subbulakshmi Arangam. The Lalgudi bani, celebrated for its melodic precision and emotional depth, found perfect expression through their violins and transported listeners to a sublime plane. Their efforts were enhanced by the rhythmic finesse of B. Harikumar on the mridangam and Giridhar Udupa on the ghatam.

The compositions for the day were chosen based on the feel of the space. The venue’s acoustics, eschewing electronic amplification, emphasised the purity of sound. This allowed the performers to establish an intimate, direct connection with their audience.

The concert began with the Nalinakanti varnam ‘Neeve gathi’, a gem from their guru Lalgudi Jayaraman’s repertoire. The brother-sister duo then transitioned to Tyagaraja’s only kriti in Bhavapriya, ‘Srikanta neeyada’ set to Misra Chapu. Brimming with bhava, this rare and evocative pratimadhyamam raga was explored with pathos, showcasing intricate swara patterns that resonated deeply with the audience.

Lalgudi GJR Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi’s bhava-rich raga essays resonated deeply with the rasikas.
| Photo Credit:
AKHILA EASWARAN

The musical seers said ‘kaveri snanam, saveri ganam’, and Periyasami Thooran ‘Muruga muruga’ in Saveri radiated karuna rasa through its soul-stirring melodic arcs. The duo’s interpretation brought out the raga’s contemplative facets, while Harikumar and Giridhar Udupa provided a rhythmic backdrop of subtle intensity.

A detailed exploration of Nattakurinji followed, led by Vijayalakshmi’s fluid bowing. Krishnan’s innovative dual-bow technique unveiled the multifaceted textures of the raga (graceful and majestic), with one bow producing sharp clarity and the other creating a resonant base. Filled with intricate gamakas and prayogas, their rendition of Swati Tirunal’s  ‘Mamava sada varade’, enriched with elaborate kalpanaswaras, reflected an effortless command over manodharma.

Patnam Subramania Iyer’s Apoorva raga kriti, ‘Srivenkatesha’ in Phalamanjari added vibrancy to the concert by emitting a burst of energy — with brisk melkala tala.

In a composition where nadam is described as mooladhara, the inaugural concert fittingly featured Tyagaraja’s ‘Swara raga sudha’ in Sankarabharanam. Celebrated as the ‘Chakravarthy’ raga by Lalgudi Jayaraman, Sankarabharanam’s majestic scope made it an ideal choice for the occasion. This centrepiece began with Krishnan’s alapana suffused with nuanced gamakas, harmonised effortlessly with Vijayalakshmi’s eloquent interjections. The intricate playing brought out the raga’s multifaceted beauty. The rendition progressed through an emotive niraval and the cascade of kalpanaswaras transported the rasikas to a transcendental realm. 

The subsequent tani avartanam was an auditory feast. Harikumar’s measured, effortless korvais complemented Giridhar’s nuanced gumki variations, crafting a captivating laya interplay.

The mood turned introspective with Muthuswami Dikshitar’s ‘Akilandeswari’ in Dwijavanti, rendered with elegance. Each note seemed to linger with meditative grace. Bharatiyar’s ‘Sollavallayo’ in ragamalika, tuned by Lalgudi Jayaraman, flowed gracefully through Valaji, Garuda Malhar, Ranjani and Saramathi. 

The penultimate piece, Arunagirinathar’s ‘Timira udati Tiruppugazh’ in Kapi, showcased the duo’s soulful connection with their instruments. The siblings concluded with a Misra Sivaranjani thillana composed by their guru. The piece, marked by precision and the emotive depth left a lasting impression.