TN Seshagopalan at his best

When veteran vocalist TN Seshagopalan opened his concert for Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, with a Begada Raga Kriti (Nadopasana) of Thyagaraja with ‘Madhyamakala Swaraprastharams’ and sang with Raga Bhava and in ‘Dhurithakala’ forays, with soft tonal equations, he brought out the mellifluous nature he was aiming to showcase. In his presentation next, he dealt with Raga Kalyanavasantham — Janyam of Keeravani (Nadaloludai) of Thyagaraja. With an appreciation of the kriti’s excellence, he brought out the Bhava enshrined and the laya nirnaya in his rendition. He emphasised the efficacy of ‘Nadopasana’   and enhanced the impact of melodic nuances. The priceless kriti of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar (Vanchato) in Raga Karnaranjani, came out with his intuitive perception of the Raga and he sang with a classically exalted musical identity of his own, giving a vivid account of the intent of the composer, employing prayogas, engagingly in aesthetic proportion. When he hopped next on to explore Raga Sankarabaranam (Sri Kamalambikaya) of Dikshitar and took up expansive elaboration, it revealed the singer’s sensitive predilection to communicate the Ragaswarupa, strictly with the moorings of classicism, never wanting to dabble with superficial glitz. In Venkatasaila Vikara of Shyama Sastri in Raga Amirkalyani presented earlier, he succeeded in indicating, that excellence in music is always sustained by vision of Rasa in the kriti and not just delivery of lyrics.The concert as a whole indicated that TN Seshagopalan has the capacity to render kritis with such an intensity as to mirror well their dynamism.