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Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna at Shruti Laya, May 9 2010

It was a Mother's day to remember. The young maestro Sri. Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (accompanied by S.D.Sridharan on violin and Thanjavur Murugabhupati on Mridangam) was in full form on May 9th. In honor of the special occasion, he devoted his Main piece (Jagadeeshwari,Mohanam, Vedapuri Narayanaswamy Iyer) and Submain (Kamakshi, Varali, Shyamasastry) pieces to Devi Krithis, and also sang the divinely beautiful "Maaye twam yaahi" (Tharangini, Muthuswami Dikshitar).

Skillfully mixing in rare compositions with old favourites, KBMK's concert held the audience spellbound. Sri.KBMK began with the Saranga varnam, and continued with a rarely heard composition "Pahi Pahi Bala Ganapathe" (Hamsadhvani, Chidambara Bharati). A few brisk rounds of swarams in this krithi got the concert off to an energetic start. After a few slower popular krithis, he then began the sub Main piece "Kamakshi, Amba, Bangaaru Kamakshi, nanu brovave" by Shyama Sastri, in Varali. An elaborate alapana brought out all the shades of this gentle and contemplative raaga. Sri.Sridharan's response was equally beautiful. Neraval was at the line "Sukha Shyamale Shiva Shankari".This was followed by the second Devagandhari piece of the day, "Ksheera Sagara Sayana". KBMK apologized after the song for repeating the raga, but said he had to sing it because it was a request from the audience! After another brisk song (Seethamma Mayamma, Vasantha, Thyagaraja), he proceeded to elaborate Mohanam, the main ragam of the day. The krithi was "Jagadeeshwari krupai puri". There was no neraval but an elaborate development of the swaraprastharams spanning the entire range of the ragam. Sri.Murugabhupathi's thani was a fitting conclusion to this main piece.

Shruti Laya thanks its members and donors for making this wonderful concert possible. Thanks also to the management of PS 115 for allowing us to use this facility.




Song List
01. Varnam - Saranga
02. Pahi pahi bala ganapathe - Hamsadhvani - Chidambara Bharathi
03. Endaro mahanubhavulu - Sree - Thyagaraja
04. Vinarada naa manavi - Devagandhari - Thyagaraja
05. Kaamaakshi amba - Varali - Shyama Sastry
06. Ksheera saagara sayana - Devagandhari - Thyagaraja
07. Seethamma maayamma - Vasantha - Thyagaraja
08. Jagadeeshwari - Mohanam - Vedapuri Narayanaswamy Iyer
09. Maaye twam yaahi - Tharangini - Dikshitar
10. Aarabhimaanam - Ragamalika
11. Vagaladi - Behag
12. Tillana - Surutti
13. Mangalam



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