TMKrishna at Asthika Samajam Alwarpet on 6th Dec 2011

T.M.Krishna
Mridangam-Guru Karaikkudi Mani
Violin-H.V.Vinayakaram
Ghatam- Trichy Murali

Place- Asthka samajam- Guruvayoor Durai Trust.

TMK, being the first programme of this season gave a stellar performance. He along with GKM created an
electifying atmosphere. At times, you don't want to listen any other concert for few days after listening
to any live or recorded version. I felt this many times after listening MMI recordings.I had the ditto
feeling yesterday.

Tatva jIvatvam brahmani tatva kIvatvam - Sadasiva Brahmedral- Keeravani- swaram in "tatva jivatvam"

Alapana in Purvikalyani - "Tillai chidambaram enre"-Gopalakrishna Bharati

Mini alapana in jayanthasena followed by "vinatA sutavA" -Thyagarajar. Swaram in "mata bhAda manE"

Main-Harikambodhi- "enduku nirdaya evarunnArura" -Thyagarajar - neraval in "dharalO nIvai tyAgarAjupai" and
swaram.

Tani

marubAri tALalEnurA-KhamAs- PattAmirAmaiah.

Tandai tayUm nee, ennuirk kuyirum nee - verse form Thaymanavar on tirisiragiri (Tiruchirappalli)- dhanyAsi, mohanam and behAg
followed by "irakkam varAmal"- Gopla krishna bharati

Eppo varuvAro- Jonpuri- GKB

PavamAna-Mangalam.

First of all, this programme is on behalf of Guruvayoor Durai trust, Logo of Mridangam with GuruvAyurappan at the centre of
mridangam showed the mood of Astika samAjam

Second, the programme which was supposed to start at 6.30 started at 7 Pm and another 15 minutes for mike sytem. Till purvi
kalyAni kriti, TMK was complaining about the speaker/mic system. Result, the concert is for 2 hours.

The most irritating part is there had to be timelimit in praising each other. The rasikas are not present to see the award
function but purely to enjoy music. Even a moderate CM fan knows about Guruvayur Durai, Karaikkudi Mani or PSN. What is the
fuss in taking time and prasing each other.

After the function was over, there was a half a dozen youngsters bring a big bench for the artists to sit. After TMK said
"NO", they removed it and put a carpet for the artists to sit. So much of confusion. For a minute, I thought whether Tom
cruise had come to Asthika samAjam.

Additing to the woes, Even after the programme started, suddenly TMK got up and went go Durai and the latter put a shawl
and garland. After this, Karikkudi mani got up and awarded Durai. Man, what is happening ?

Interestingly, TMK brough 4 of disciples to accompany him with twin TamburAs. Seeing the crowd at the podium, I remembered
"Tiruvayaru crowd for pancha ratna kritis"

Once TMK is set, eveybody was in sheer joy of music. The breathtaking swaras in keeravani clearly started the mood of
the artists and rasikas. It was a full crowd and TMK never lost is tempo a bit. His high speed jayanthasena followed by a
slow and steady Harikambodhi was truly a memorable one, that to bringing SSI's famous "enduku"..

Tani by Karaikkudi mani- one line review- "the clappings lasted at least 2 minutes" which was not even for TMK in the
concert. As Durai summed up - "to praise Karaikudi mani, this "janmam" is not enough. You have to take another one"

Trichy murali definitely gasping for "return" and could not do any justification. The intricate "kanakkus" in mridangam
is always unique for KM. Other Trichy Murali was Ok.

Honestly, Iam listening violin by HVV, the first time. He definitely did justification in his return. Good show.