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Ranjani and Gayatri in Concert, September 19, 2008

Lakshmi Hall, Hindu Temple, Flushing NY



Song List
1. Valachi vacci - Navaragamalika varnam
2. Siddhivinayakam - Shanmukhapriya
3. Brovabharama - Bahudari
4. Eti janmamidira - Varaali
5. Kapaali - Mohanam
6. Sharavanabhava - Pasupatipriya
7. RTP: cheta_sreeramam - Kharaharapriya
8. Viruttam: katra kelviyum - Ragamalika
9. Nambi Kettavar - Hindolam
10. Jagadodhaarana - Kapi
11. Abhang: Vithoba - Marubehag
12. mangalam
Lakshmi hall was filled to capacity on Friday, September 19, for the grand finale concert of Shruti Laya's first regular season. Smt. Ranjani and Smt. Gayatri held the audience in thrall for a full three hours, with their spirited melodious music.

The sisters began the concert by declaring that it was lovely to be back in good old New York. They dedicated the concert to the memory of Sri.Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary.

The concert began with the Navaragamalika varnam Valachi Vacci followed by Siddhi Vinayakam (Shanmukhapriya, Dikshitar). The sisters followed this with a lengthy alapana of Bahudari, followed by the Thyagaraja kriti Brovabhaarama Raghuraama. A much softer kriti Eti janmamidira (Varali, Thyagaraja) led the way to the main item of the evening, Papanasam Sivan's composition Kaapaali in Mohanam. The elaborate alapana was beautifully nuanced, and Sri.H.N.Bhaskar's response was very melodious to listen to. The three way play of the swaraprastaram from Ranjani to Gayathri to Bhaskar on the violin kept the audience intently following along. The Tani by Sri.Delhi Sairam was masterly.

A short and fast piece Sharavana Bhava (Pasupatipriya, Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar), the sisters began the Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Kharaharapriya. The pallavi was "cheta sreeraamam chintaya, jeemoota shyaamam" which they used to great effect in bringing out all the intricacies of the ragam. This was then followed by a Viruttam "Katra Kelviyum", ending in a krithi "Nambi kettavar yaarayya" in Hindolam.

The concert was rounded off with a few light pieces, Jagadodhaarana (Kapi, Purandaradasa) and an Abhang "Vithoba" in Marathi (Marubehag, Namdev) and all too soon, the Mangalam signalled the end of the program.

Sharada Chityala, a director of Shruti Laya introduced the artists. Sreenadh Jonnavithula, another director, offered a vote of thanks to the artists and all those who helped make this program a huge success.

Following Shruti Laya tradition, a rasika from the audience, Smt. Nivedita Shivraj, was invited to give a musical appreciation. Members of the audience Smt. Geetha Shantikumar, Smt. Lakshmi Bandlamudi, Sri. Ramachandran and Sri. Krishnamachari presented shawls to the artists on behalf of Shruti Laya.

Shruti Laya wishes to thank all the Rasikas and well wishers in our area for making this first full series of concerts a great success. We look forward to bringing you many more such programs in the upcoming years.

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