Nov 6, 2024: Bharat Sangeet Utsav was in full swing at Narada Gana Sabha. The second program of the day was a 'Sampradāya Kutcheri' by Vid. N. Vijay Siva, accompanied by Vid. L. Ramakrishnan  on the violin, Vid. N. C. Bharadwaj on the Mṛdaṅgam, Vid. Sunil Kumar on the Kañjīrā and Vid. Sanjay Swaminathan on vocal support. The concert was a demonstration of measured virtuosity by all the artistes, and a display of years of practice and experience by the vocalist. The Harikāmbhōji, Bhairavī and Śaṅkarābharaṇam Ālāpana-s were a different experience, even seasoned Rasika-s who have been immersed in Carnatic music for years, will agree. In my understanding, the reason for this is that Vid. Vijay Siva did not stick with the usual roadmap followed for these Rāga-s: start from the lower octave and develop around all the Nyāsa svara-s. Rather, he let the Rāga take him where it did, weaving beautiful contours and providing much food for thought. Vid. L. Ramakrishnan’s replies on the violin mirrored, and many-a-times built on the vocalist’s ideas, ensuring that continuity was kept intact. 

The other unique aspect of this concert was that there were no Kōrvai-s in any song, including the main (Manasu Svādhīna - Śaṅkarābharaṇam). Nevertheless, much of the kaṇakku̱ (mathematics) was naturally built into the Svara kalpana. Vids. Vijay Siva, L. Ramakrishnan and Sanjay Swaminathan created some very enjoyable kaṇakku̱-s on the spot in the Svara-s for Bhairavī (Gōvinda Ghaṭaya).  In Manasu Svādhīna, Vid. Vijay Siva started the kuṟaippu̱ from the kīẕ kāla (slow speed) and built it up to mēl kāla (fast), finally achieving a glittering finish without singing a complicated Kōrvai! Vid. N. C. Bharadwaj and Vid. Sunil Kumar beautifully complemented the flow of ideas, elevating the entire experience.

The concert included some not-often-heard compositions, such as Mā Dayai Nidi Eṉum (Vasantā) with its sweeping glides and Ēhi Annapūrṇē (Punnāgavarāḷi) in all its majesty. The latter was rendered at a brisk pace, which was especially remarkable because, in recent times, this song is mostly rendered as slowly as possible. Although both paces are pleasant to the ears, when Vid. Vijay Siva sang, it somehow seemed that there could be no other possible speed for this song.

The remaining compositions performed in the concert are given in the form of a table. The article highlights the main take-aways that this writer found interesting.