A truly elevating experience

That Talavadya concerts are popular in the City was evident when music lovers bought tickets well in advance and lined up at the last minute at Chowdiah Memorial Hall.

The performance was by Citi National Centre for Performing Arts, Aadi Anant,
featuring well-known musicians such as Kaushiki Chakrabarty Desikan and a Talavadya Kacheri by Anindo Chatterjee, Kaaraikkudi Mani, V Suresh and N Amrith.

The hall was packed with musicians and music lovers. Those seated in the audience seemed to follow every beat and knew exactly what the musicians were performing, even without an introduction.

The evening began with an hour-long performance by Kaushiki with Raag Yaman. Her lively rendition and subtle variation in tone wherever necessary left the audience yearning for more.

This was followed first by an introduction by Anindo Chatterjee, Kaaraikkudi Mani, V Suresh and N Amrith before the four of them jammed up for a Talavadya Kacheri.
   Each of these musicians is popular and strong in his own stream.

Anindo Chatterjee first performed in the North Indian traditional style and then merged effortlessly with his counterparts from the South.

“I never practice too hard and always prefer performing extempore and improvise on stage. I look forward to playing with musicians from the South because I tend to blend in well with their style of performance,” said Anindo, who played a mix of different jathis.

Anindo recalled that he had always received a very warm response from the audience in the City. Among the other performers were Kaaraikkudi Mani, who is popular for combining melody with percussion.

He is known for his Kaaraikkudi Mani Bani, a style conceived and developed by him. “I practice a lot and after extensive performances, have coined my own style. My approach to every concert depends on the stage, place and the accompanying artists,” said Kaaraikkudi who thinks that music elevates the soul.

“I am still one of those who believes that music is not meant for entertainment. It is sacred,” he added.     

Those in the audience loved the performances from the beginning to end and sat through rather patiently. Sushma Nayak, who runs her own dance academy in the City, said, “It’s not always that you get to see such eminent musicians perform on one stage.

I came here to watch Kaaraikkudi Mani perform and I couldn’t have asked for a more memorable evening,” she said. Shyam, another member of the audience, said, “I never miss a single percussion concert in the City. It was a truly elevating experience.”