K performing for Karthik Fine Arts at Narad Gana Sabha in 2022. Gayatri. , Photo Credit: Raghu R
Of. Gayatri’s singing was full of energy. From Tyagaraja’s ‘Naad Tanum Anisam’ in Chittaranjani to the finale ‘Marven En Nallilume’ in Paras by Kalki Krishnamurthy, she performed all the songs with grace and gusto.
Gayatri paid special attention to two ragas – Varali and Kamboji. While the former portrays Bhakti Rasa, the latter is known for its vitality and magnificence. Gayatri did justice to both of them in her own style. In Varali, he crossed out the karavis and idioms very carefully. The work he chose was Shyama Sastri’s pious ‘Karunajudvamma’. In ‘Nee Padambujme Sada’, Gayatri’s unique and swars played literature and melody very well.
K performing for the Karthik Lalit Kala Sangeet Samaroh 2022 at Narada Gana Sabha. Gayatri. , Photo credits: Raghu R.
His next major was Kamboji Alapana. This particular chord shines well in upper register communications. Gayatri’s melodious voice, capable of traversing different stages with ease, brings out the best in this raga. He sang Papanasam Sivan’s scintillating ‘Aadum Deivam Arulvai’ and focused on the extended niraval and swarakalpana pallavi line, which included various combinations of ‘Aadum Devum’ and ‘Idathu Padam Thuki Aadum’. The sweeping vocals were added to enhance the appeal of the songs along with the melody.
Gayatri was supported by RK Sriramkumar on violin, who made his significant presence felt – be it raga essays, niravals or vocal sessions.
Of. Arun Prakash (Mridangam) and S. Krishna (Ghatam) was the other experienced artist who accompanied him. His contribution was distinctive without being impressive. His Thani was also a brief but well-thought-out exercise.
Gayatri’s concerts include ‘Varuvaro Varam Taruvaro’ in Sama (Gopalakrishna Bharathi), ‘Arunachal Natham’ in Saranga (Dikshitar), ‘Kanden Kanden Thiruvayatrile’ in Attana (by his guru Suguna Purushottam) and ‘Apara Karuna Sindhu Baravisam’ by violinist ‘ were also included. RK Sriram Kumar in Raag Sindhu Bhairavi.