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Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Apr.26 2009

Lakshmi Hall, Hindu Temple, Flushing NY

Song List

1. Varnam: Viriboni, Bhairavi
2. Mayateeta Swaroopini, Mayamalavagowla, Ponniah Pillai
3. Smarane Sukhamu, Janaranjani, Thyagaraja
4. Enthanine varnintunu, Mukhari, Thyagaraja
5. Thunai purindarul, Hindolam, Papanasam Sivan
6. Maale Manivanna, Kunthalavarali
7. Intha Soukyamanine, Kapi, Thyagaraja
8. RTP Behag Pallavi: Vennai thinna chinna thanamaa
9. Sreechakraraaja simhasane, Ragamalika, Agastya
10.Thiruppugazh: Madhiyal Vithaganagi, Surutti, Arunagiri Nathar
11.Thiruppugazh: Thullumada, Hamsanandi, Arunagiri Nathar
12.Ramamantrava Japitho, Jonpuri, Purandaradasa
13.Mangalam

On Sunday, April 26, Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan kept the audience spellbound with an extraordinary performance at Lakshmi Hall, Hindu Temple, Flushing. He was ably accompanied by Sri. S.D.Sridhar on the violin, and Sri. Thanjavur Murugabhupathy on the mridangam.

It is an indication of the artist's mastery of the art and his vast repertoire that he was able to accomodate practically every request from the audience. For instance, after the elaborate alapana in Kapi, a member of the audience came up to pass him a chit requesting Smarane Sukhamu, and he obliged with that very krithi! When asked for Thyagaraja's Manasuloni Marmamu after a string of two Thyagaraja songs, he deftly substituted the nearly identical composition Thunai Purindarul by Papanasam Sivan.

Beginning with the Viriboni Varnam, Sri Santhanagopalan launched into a full fledged rendition of the beautiful and gentle Mayateeta Swaroopini (Mayamalavagowla, Ponniah Pillai). This was followed by a swift paced Smarane Sukhamu followed by an elaborate treatment of Mukhari (Enthani ne varnintunu Sabari bhaagyamu). Sri Murugabhupati's thani for this song was a treat. After short pieces in Hindolam and Kunthalavarali, Sri. Santhanagopalan took up Kapi for an elaborate treatment of Intha Sowkyamanine jappa jaala, every line rich with bhaava. A relatively short Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Behag left us wishing for more, but was followed by the delectable tukdas beginning with Agasthyar's Sreechakraraaja, followed by Thiruppugazh and Ramamantrava Japitho.

Sri.S.D. Sridhar's playing brought out the nuances of each raga, while supporting the main artist expertly. Sri Murugabhupathy's mridangam was inspired, and added zest to the various pieces.

Sri. Sreenadh Jonnavithula, Director of Shruti Laya, introduced the artists and briefly spoke of their accomplishments. Smt.Sumathi Sumangali, Director of Shruti Laya, thanked the artists for this wonderful concert. Following Shruti Laya tradition, a member of the audience, Smt. Nirmala Ramasubramanyan was invited to give a musical appreciation. Members Sri. David Clayman, Sri. Sundar and Sri Mani Sundaram honored the artists with shawls.

Shruti Laya would like to thank State Bank of India, whose generous sponsorship helped us stage this program. We also thank our tireless volunteers Subu Garikapati, Mani Sundaram and Srinivas Tangella for help with setting up the hall, and Sanjay, Bhavani, Saipriya and Gautham for manning the front desk. And of course, we thank our members and rasikas, whose support and encouragement made Shruti Laya possible.


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