Accompanied by Srividya Sriram on the violin, TR Sundaresan on the Mridangam and Devarajan on the morsing.

7PM, Friday, 6th April 2007, at The Glass Hall, Singapore Arts Museum

A REVIEW:

A deliciously pampered evening ...listened to Sikkil Gurucharan, three and a half hour concert at the Singapore Arts Museum Glass House. A perfect setting , aircon included :-), a luminous fountain on the other side of the glass house. The only jarring note was the dais being several levels lower than the chairs. I would have preferred to sit at the feet of the performer (Guru Charan).

But unmindful of this, Gurucharan brought us all to his feet, begging for more; applause after applause, almost shattering the glass house. Gurucharan has cleared all my prejudices on the quality of singing among youth with one master stroke.

His tonal quality is rich, sweet, beautiful, soothing...all that with devotion and single-minded dedication provides an instant wi-fi connection to the audience.

Some dominant Themes and Patterns in today's concert

Melam 22 was the beginning , the middle and the end!!! SreeRaga Varnam as the opening piece, Pakkala Nilapadi (Karaharapriya) as the traditional centrepiece and Dhanasri Thillana as the tail piece, not to mention the strains of Madhyamavathi that concluded the session. Do not know if it was by design, but it gave a certain unity to the concert. (Some folks say Dhanasri is a Janya of Melam 29.)

Melam 29 and 20 also featured more than once
Bilahari(Indha Kannandha memi) and Kannada (Saravana Bhava Guhane)
Mukhari (Endraikku Siva Krupai...very devout)and Hindholam( Garuda Gamana)

Choice of Ragams with Winding and Devious ascents and descents
Sri Ragam, Mukhari,Kannada,Nalinakanthi

The twist in the Tail- When we thought we had reached Tukkada time (after Pakkala, Full South Indian Thali of Ragam Krithi Neraval and Swaram in chaste Karaharapriya), Gurucharan announced a Shuddha Sarang Mini North Indian Thali with Sri Ranjani, Nalinakanthi and Varali as side dishes. The pallavi was composed by the energetic and effercescent Mridangist T.V.Sundaresan. Very delightful experiment:-) No indigestions at all.

Chinnan Chiru Pen Pole moved me to tears as I recalled Sirkazhi's "ganeer" rendering. Gurucharan has a certain feel for Tamizh lyrics...great feeling listening to his tamil renditions.

THANKS SYAMA FOR THIS WONDERFUL EVENING.

Another review of the concert by a rasika from Toronto.....