Tunga Tarange: SangeethaSivakumar

Sangeetha Sivakumar has been one of the most talented performers among the younger generation. After her first music lessons in Kerala, she started learning from Charumati Ramachandran, one of the foremost disciples of ML Vasanthakumari.

This compilation seven tracks (including mangalam), all dedicated, as the title suggests, to rivers. All tracks have been rendered with maturity that one would not associate with someone so young. While the compositions are more "light" than pristine classical, the collection is generally excellent. Violin support by S. Varadarajan is more than adequate, while Poongulam Subramaniam on the mrudangam and S. Karthick on the ghatam have together made the album memorable.

The album starts off with Tunga tarange in Kuntalavaraali, a composition by Sadasiva Brahmendra, followed by the stunning Saveri kruthi by Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Kari Kalabha Mukham (click here for an excerpt, approx. 80Kb or under 30 sec @ 28.8 kbps). This is an ode to Ganesha, rendered beautifully by Sangeetha. The next song is Gaayathi vanamaali, (click here for an excerpt, 100 kb, under 40 seconds@28.8 kbps) a soulful song in Hamsadhwani, sung in a slightly unconventional fashion. To begin with, the song is sung with the Gandhara of the sruti as the Shadjam. Secondly, the range of swaras used is different from the normal Hamsadhwani (lower Gandharam to upper nishadam only), and finally, the style of rendition is charmingly different. This is followed by Sri Kanthimathim, a kruti by Dikshitar in Haimavati. Slokas from Ramayana follow next, set to Mohanam and Varali. Just before mangalam is Tunga teera viraajam, a serene composition by Ananda Daasar in Yamuna kalyani. Overall, a refreshing and mellifluous collection of melodies.

Bindumalini: Tamil Melodies from Sudha Raghunathan

One of the best among the younger generation of artistes, Sudha Raghunathan has been able to build up a listener base in a short period. Here, Sudha renders several Tamil songs from composers such as Subramanya Bharathi, Bharati Dasan, Gopalakrishna Bharati, and KS Raghunathan (the music director) himself.

Of the thirteen songs in the CD, most have been set to music and sung well. Bharaty Dasan's song 'Thunbam Nerkayil, Yaazheduthu Nee' in Desh, for example, is excellent. It's notable that KS Raghunathan has been able to revive the scintillating jati-swaras of this krithi (click here for an excerpt: 117 K, under 1 min @ 28.8 kbps).

The CD includes several classics such as 'Eppo varuvaaro' in Jonpuri(click here for an excerpt, 117K, under 1 min @ 28.8 kbps), and the folksy kriti composed by an anonymous policeman, 'Valli kanavan perai/vazhipokkan sonnalum/ullam kuzhaiyuthadee, kiliye' in Chenchurutti. Other ragas on the CD include Dharmavati, Bindumalini, Thilang, Bhavani, Mohanam, Bageswari, Mand and rare Karnaranjani.

In summary, a excellent and ecletic collection of semi classical songs.
(Review by Webmaster)

Enchanting Melodies: Popular Padams of Swati Tirunal

Swati Tirunal's padams are among his most popular compositions, especially in Kerala. Enchanting Melodies is a magnificient volume of padams rendered in a laid-back and languid style by Chitra. The score, rendered by the well-known music director M. Jayachandran, is subtle, with only the edakka, mrudangam and the flute in most places.

The volume includes such favourites as Aliveni enthu cheyvoo (Kurinji), Alarsara parithapam (Surutti), and Panimathee mukhee bale (Ahiri), as well as several little-known gems such as Poonthen nermizhi (Anandabhairavi: Click here for an MP3 excerpt, 180 kb, approx. 1 minute @ 28.8 kbps), and the wonderfully evocative Punnagavarali piece, Theliviyalum mukham (Click here for an MP3 excerpt 150 kb, less than a minute @ 28.8 kbps).

Other padams include the exquisitely-rendered Kinthu cheyvoo njaan in Kalyani, Tharunee (Dwijaavanti), Kantha thava (Athana) and Kanthanodu(Neelambari).

In summary, a must-have for any serious listener. (Review by Webmaster)