Album Title: Utsava Sampradaya Krithis
Saragam
CD
Tracks
1. Hetsarika ka ra ra - Yadukulakamboji
2. Seetha Kalyana - Sankarabaranam
3. Nagumomu Kalavani - Madhyamavathi
4. Naapali Sri Rama - Sankarabaranm
5. Pathiki Harathire - Surati
6. Pathiki Mangala Harathire - Arabi
7. Shobane - Panthuvarali
8. Pulabanbu - Punnagavarali
9. Lali Lalayya - Kedaragowla
10. Ksheerasagara Vihara - Anandabairavi
11. Laliyugave - Neelambari
12. Jo Jo Rama - Reethigowla
13. Melukovayya - Bowli
14. Jayamangalam - Nadanamakriya
REVIEW
The album begins with "Hecharikaga Ra Ra" in Yadukulakambhoji. The bhaavaa she puts into the song adheres to the composition's thematic meaning; O Sri Rama, deign to come cautiously! In effect, SOwmya renders it well, and at a good tempo.
The next krithi is "Seetha Kalyana" in Shankarabharanam. This krithi is very plain, and perhaps a bit too slow. This krithi praises the wedding of Seetha, and describes the greatness of her husband, Sri Rama.
The next krithi is "Nagumomu Galavani" in Madhyamavathi. Again, Sowmya captures the meaning of the song in her rendition. Dr M Narmadha on the violin plays loudly in this composition and has a few solo spots. In this composition Thyagaraja exclaims how his heart has been captivated by Sri Rama. The tempo is chosen well in this composition, and is rendered well.
"Naapali Sri Rama" follows. Here, Thyagaraja asks Sri Rama to protect him. The rendition is ok.
This is followed by "Pathiki Haarathi" in Surutti. S.Sowmya renders this beautifully, and brings out the beauty of both the raga exceptionally well. Here, Thyagaraja repeatedly asks "let us give our offerings and perform for Sri Rama, O damsels!" A terrific rendition.
The composition, "Pathiki Mangala Harathire" in Arabhi is next. The thematic meaning of the composition is the same as the previous composition. Sowmya sings it very well, and brings out the beauty of Arabhi very effectively. The accompanists, as always, provide terrific support. I think Embar S. Kannan is on the mridhangam. Her bruga sangathis are good, even though not all of them achieve the desired effect.
A Panthuvarali composition, "Shobhane" follows. Here, Thyagaraja exclaims; 'deign to protect me, O Sri Rama, may there ever be auspiciousness!' It is rendered ok. It is a little slow, and while Sowmya puts bhaavaa into this composition, there is potential for a lot more.
This is followed "Pulapaanbu" in Ahiri. Sowmya sings it well and brings out the beauty of Ahiri out, like her guru, S.Ramanathan. She sings it well. Here, Thyagaraja asks Rama to to nicely lie down on the bed of flowers he has to offer.
A Kedharagoulai composition, "Laali Laalayya" is next. Sowmya handles the raga a lot better than I expected, similar again to her guru, S.Ramanathan. Here Thyagaraja tells Rama he is singing a lullby and asks him to go to sleep. This composition tests artists of how well they can sing this raga as a lullaby, and Sowmya does quite well for the most part.
This is followed by a composition in Anandhabhairavi, "Ksheerasagara Vihara". Sowmya sings Anandhabhairavi quite well, but it is quite boring. I imagine a more commanding voice would make this composition sound a little more interesting.
The next krithi, "Laaliyugave" in Neelambari is another lullaby from Thyagaraja - "as I rock the swing, may you swing". While Sowmya's Neelambari isn't the best, she achieves the desired effect of the composition; putting the listener to sleep.
Another lullaby follows, "Jo Jo Rama" in Reethigoulai. Not bad.
Sowmya then takes up a composition that her guru, S.Ramanathan would sing often: Melukovayya in Bhowli. Here, Thyagaraja asks Sri Rama to wake up. She renders it exceptionally well.
Sowmya concludes the album with "Jaya Mangalam" in Nadanamakriya. Here, Thyagaraja exclaims "may there be victory and auspicious prosperity". She once again captures the meaning of the composition in the way she sings the raga. A fine rendition to finish a fine thematic album on Thyagaraja's Utsava Sampradhaya Krithis. While I think the order of tracks is very unconventional and perhaps could've been reconsidered, this album really is a great listen, and gives reasons to attend her Utsava Sampradaya Krithis kutcheris that she often holds.
