Mindblowing performances of Jugalbandi music

These are the days of Jugalbandi. One thing that impresses people about Jugalbandi music is its startling beauty.The Jugalbandi concert of  Sriram Parasuram and Anuradha Sriram, held at the Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, proved their refined intuition, bringing out their excellence. They started with Vasantha raga and presented it with the convincing classical phrases of Ninnukori varanam... composed by Singaaraacharyulu. Their tonal felicity and training came to the fore in the manner of their recital. The Nattai raga alapana that followed next enthralled audiences. When they wove a spiritual web around the rasikas in Mahaganapathim... of Dikshitar with perfect sruthi alignment, Anuradha provided us a musical atmosphere with her shrill voice for internal rejuvenation. When Parasuram embarked on the Jog raga, the Hindustani counterpart of Nattai, his elaboration, soaked in Raga Bhava and evoking the soundness of the Hindustani tradition, revealed his Manodharma getting tempered with the quality of music. The traditional composition, Sesa – Sanayarae – Sadhane... with Stucco phrases, revealed the evocative factor of Hindustani music.The Dharmavathi raga alapana, alternating between the husband and wife team, though not very admirable, was still a pleasant rendition, developed studiously with a sample style of musical expression. It marked an interpretative approach in Bhajanai Seyavae... of Mysore Vasudevachar and revealed the couple’s sonorous love music. The essence of Pilu raga Thumri, was brought out well by Parasuram, his voice suiting any octave, in a brisk and vivacious style. The high octave presentation of the traditional song Savanu - Bhundia... made the concert completely absorbing. Effortless and fluid technique marked the presentation of the Atana raga in Ambanee Erangayenil... of Papanasam Sivan.This was a concert that was a treat to the rasikas with their pleasing tonal quality. At the end of the day, I felt that the new direction of Jugalbandi needs to be watched closely, with an openness so that new challenges in the direction can be charted.