Kalasagaram Festival Kicks Off with Sanjay Subramanyam’s Concert

Subramanyam started with Valachi, Navaragamalika varnam of Patnam
Subramaniya Iyer. Next came Gopalakrishna Bharathi’s ‘Harahara Siva’ in
Gambiranattai followed by ‘Janani Ninnuvina’, a masterpiece and famous
krithi of Subbaraya Sastri, in Reetigowla.

Sanjay did a brief raaga alapana, then took up the Ragam Mohanakalyani and
sang Purandaradasa’s ‘Sharanambe’ with brisk kalpanaswaras, which are
normally rendered in Kalyani — a clear indication of how an artist
experiments within the framework of the grammar.

If there was any doubt of the magical vibes with the audience Sanjay got
there with yet another Tamil rendition, ‘Ramasamy Dhoothan Naanada’ in
Bahudari, a composition of Arunachala Kavirayar. He played with the speed
and rhythm of the song to the delight of the full house.

This was followed by a Thodi ragam for ‘Kaddanuvariki’, main item of the
day. Sanjay handled it in his typical style and showcased his mastery,
showing he is the most-sought after musician of this generation.

He chose Sahana for a very brief Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Adi thalam. The
Pallavi ‘Bhaktharukku Sagaa Naan Sadgurunin Malaradi Paniyum’ was obviously
shortened by the restraints of time. Neyveli B. Venkatesh and Anirudh
Athreya excelled in their Tani to the audience's delight. Violinist
Varadarajan’s turn for both Mohanakalyani. Thodi and his excellent following
was a treat for the audience.

Jai Devi in Ragam Vallabhi of Swathi Thirunal which was tuned by Padma
Vibhushan Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna was again well presented and
enjoyed by the audience.

‘Mavalla gadamma’ in Mand of Chittoor Subramania Pillai, ‘Innamum Oru Talam’ in Behag of Marimutha Pillai, ‘Thunbam Nergaiyil’ in Desh, ‘Amudhamuru’, a popular Thirupughazh in Sindhu Bhairavi with Ragamalika Viruttam in Shanmugha Priya, Saveri, Suddha Danyasi and Sindhu Bairavi were all the tail enders which showed his repertoire of songs of different Vaggeyakaras and fulfilled the expectations of the audience.