Sandeep Narayan exhibits the versatility of his voice

Sandeep Narayan’s performance for The Music Academy had a surfeit of precocious philharmonic moments. Sandeep’s high-voltage performance with a afloat arc of emotions enabled by a multi-tonal dependable appealed to some the connoisseurs and the laic audience.

The Khamas kriti by Muthuswami Dikshitar, ‘Santana gopalakrishnam’ gave a agleam opening. A Bhairavi kriti, ‘Ethanai kaettalum’ by Oothukkadu Venkatakavi successful Misra Chapu followed. This kriti is afloat of raga bhavana, and Sandeep presented it with singular sensitivity, highlighting the nuances well. ‘Vinaradana manavi’ successful Devagandhari (Tyagaraja) with swaras was the prelude to the tempest that gathered subsequently.

The Rishabhapriya alapana had a dual pulse — a reflective 1 successful the aboriginal portion and power-packed non-stop phrases later. However, this meant rationing of clip for the rest. H.N. Bhaskar eschewed immoderate of the theatrics successful his pleasing raga alapana.

‘Gana naya desika’ is the go-to kriti successful this raga and Sandeep’s majestic rendition deserves praise. Swaras followed the kriti that went without the customary niraval.

Begada was the prime for the RTP. Sandeep and Bhaskar presented an aesthetic, somewhat abbreviated mentation of the raga. Following a regular tanam, Sandeep sang an engaging pallavi acceptable to Tisra Triputa successful 4 kalais that created tremendous abstraction for immoderate crafty niraval. ‘Sagari kanakavarshini’ playing connected the swaraksharam of ‘sa ga ri’ had some philharmonic salience and rapid-fire moments.

This ambidexterity is simply a utile accomplishment successful Sandeep’s armoury. But it indispensable beryllium deployed cautiously truthful that sensitivity is not short-changed. Ragamalika swaras were besides anchored connected ‘sa ga ri’ with Anandabhairavi, Bindumalini and Nalinakanti. These 20 minutes punctuated the wide entertainment.

Most successful the assemblage would person swayed to the folksy hymn ‘Ninnu vidisi undalenayya’ successful Kedaragowla, to which Sandeep did justice.

Mridangist Sai Giridhar and ghatam artiste Tirupunithura Radhakrishnan were peppy throughout, showing bully laya power successful the pallavi that oscillated from dilatory to ultra-fast.

Sandeep has a nicely tempered dependable that tin grip some edge-of-the-seat crescendos and bhava-laden phrases. But, successful this concert, 1 felt the erstwhile tilted towards the latter. There was lone 1 insignificant kriti by Tyagaraja successful the concert. A fewer much kritis would person ensured balance.