Salem Sriram sticks to Sampradaya

Review of Salem Sriram's carnatic music concert

Time: 5pm, Jan 09, 2010
Venue: SSVT, Maryland
Accompanists: Violin Sandhya Srinath, Mridangam Jayanth, Kanjira Vivek Chellappa
Occasion: SSVT's annual Tygaraja Aradhana Festival, 27th year celebration

Song list:

1. Telisi Rama, Ragam Poornachandrika
2. Dinamani Vamsa, Ragam Harikamboji
3. Bantureeti kolu, Ragam Hamsanaadam
4. Seethamma Mayamma, Ragam Vasantha
5. Bairavi Ragam, Tanam, followed by Koluvaiyunnade Kodandapani
6. Viruttam "Illaga Vilakku Adhu" in Ragamalika (Kamalamanohari, Sahana, and one more ragam) followed by Navasiddhi Petraalum, Ragam Karaharapriya
7. Muruga Muruga ena nee sol, Ragam Hamsanandhi, lyrics by Gomathy Ramasubramaniam
8. Gangadeeswaram Sankaram, Ragam Sindubhairavi, lyrics by Swami Surajananda
9. Jagadodarana, Ragam Kapi
10. Kumaran Thiruvadi Kaithozhuvaaye, Ragam Yamankalyani
11. Sri Tyagaraja's Mangalam

This was the second opportunity for me to hear Salem Sriram in concert at the same venue. Haven't heard him in between the two concerts. A hard working regular practitioner of chaste carnatic music despite a full time job in the current economy! Hats off to this US based musician. His voice modulation skills have been honed tremendously compared to what it was two years earlier. A resonating voice with least nasal accent and minimum hand movements. Praises especially for the no-gesture-posture while singing.

The concert, to say frankly, was two paced. The first half was dedicated to Sri Tyagaraja owing to the spirit of the occasion. All these songs had raga alapana, neraval, kalpana swaras and each showed Sriram's proficiency. Every song was rendered with its meaning imbibed. Bhavam was spontaneous and conveyed like the peaceful sounds of a flowing river.

The second half of the concert was on a different pace and mood, altogether I should say. The songs were on Siva and Muruga since the temple has deities of Siva, Kartikeya and Vishnu. It took me few minutes to adjust to the new ambiance Sriram created abruptly. The concert could have been packaged better. That's just my feeling. I enjoyed every song in it's absolute purity as such it was rendered.

People around didn't sound very happy with his elaborate Alapana on Hamsanaadham. They said its after all Bantureeti. I felt otherwise. I have a special attachment to this song since this was the first carnatic song I learnt when I was five. All the girls and boys in my neighborhood used to sing this song in a chorus for Navratri Golu. Etched in my mind as a precious and sweet childhood memory, I was actually overwhelmed when Sriram, after elaborating Hamsanaadam, strikingly started with the anupallavi Thundavanti Vani. Had a few seconds of silent gaze in amazement of the beauty of the kriti.

Bairavi as a choice for RTP was commendable. At the Tanam, he started the Tala and so did the percussionists. I was guessing on whom he is going to sing the Pallavi (was expecting something on Siva for that wud have made a smooth transition to the SV spirit). He boldly sang a fast paced Koluvaiyunnade. Surprised at the change but it was stunningly enjoyable. Sriram's diction was very clear, lucid, no Sha instead of Sa and Cha. It showed in the Viruttam. The fast paced Murugan Krithis received cheers from the appreciative audience. Gangadeeswaram Sankaram in Sindhubairavi was definitely charming. I thought it was a Swati Tirunal Krithi but there was no Mudra and Google proved me wrong too.

Sriram tends to twist and toss every raga sancharam and phrase which was quite tiring to hear. There should be a good balance of staid raga development, hinting at nuances, striking the unique chords of a ragam and display of vocal prowess. He has miles to go and he is very much capable.

Sandhya on the Violin and Jayanth on the Mridangam were established artistes. Masterly and class. Sandhya, during Dinamani Vamsa Kriti, played a special solo. She was switching between the first and the second or third string. It sounded like two people engaged in a conversation. A dual sided soliloquy on violin !

I was also new to Vivek Chellapa's Kanjira. I used to think Kanjira is restricted compared to Mridangam since its played using only one hand. Vivek played thunderously skillful, a casual and silent killer. Wah.

The concert left an overall feel good feeling followed by a simple and tasty dinner.