Margazhi Musings 2019: Rithvik Raja

Date: 27^rd Dec 2019  - Venue: Vidya  Bharati, Mylapore

Team: Rithvik Raja, M.Rajeev (Violin), N.C.Bharadwaj (Mridangam), Karthick (Ghatam)

Rithvik Raja continues to draw people like a magnet. His concerts are ticketed at in many concerts. I was ruing some of the missed chances when an opportunity at Sri Parthasarathy Sabha beckoned me. A good set of artists were waiting to give a feast to the rasikas. When I saw Ghatam Karthick, I was jubilant and sure of a great Thani.

Rithvik Raja & Team

Rithvik was straight into the grid with a Karaharapriya kriti of Thyagaraja Rama nee samana mevaru. Very beautifully rendered. This is the fist time for me to listen to Rajeev at violin. An amazing artist indeed. He earned more “Shabhash” from everyone including his fellow artists! That says something, doesn’t it? The Niraval was at paluku paluku laku tene.

Mysore Vasudevachar’s ever-green Khamas followed. Who can resist it no matter how many times it was sung! He started with the anupallavi O Chaturanandi vandita.

Then came the pièce de résistance of the concert. Dikshitar’s Chaturdasa raga malika extolling Shr Viswanatha of Kuzhikarai temple (Dakshina Kasi) located near Tiruvarur. He started with a beautiful alapanaa in Gowri and brought out the nuances of all the 14 ragas. Rajeev was a delight to listen to. He gave a tough fight to Rithvik and in the process, the rasikas benefited most! Rithvik proceeded to list the ragams too. He was fully involved in that kriti to the delight of one and all. The Thani avartanam provided lot of space for Bharadwaj and Karthick to showcase their talents. And they did in a fantastic manner. Both Rithvik and Rajeev joined the crowd happily!

There was time for a beautiful RTP with Pallavi lines Lokadhara Karunichara. This earned more applause too. Sapashya Kousalya, in Jonpuri, was rendered next. I am beginning to think this has become a regular fixure of Rithvik’s concerts either by design or on the spot decision! He ended the concert with Nottuswaras.

A pleasant concert for the rasikas who savoured every moment. Once again, I witnessed a cohesion amongst the artists and a great team play.

  

Ambience: *

 Vocalist: **

Accompanying artists: **

Raga of the Concert: Ragamalika

Overall: **