Margazhi Musings 2019: Trichur Brothers

Date: 2^nd Dec 2019 / 18:45 Hrs

Venue: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore\

Team: Trichur brothers, R.Mohan (Mridangam)

Expectedly, there was a huge crowd. The ground floor was full, and I wanted to try my luck on the balcony. To my dismay, it boasted no vacancies! Mind you, it was a full 20 minute before the concert. Somehow, I managed to find the very last seat. The architect, who built this hall, was perhaps given some odd shaped size and instructed to make something of an auditorium. That’s the impression one gets when navigating the steps especially on the balcony. The steps are not easy to negotiate for the elderly. One could see some people struggling, making an attempt and then deciding to sit on the floor itself for convenience. After sitting on the chair, I tried to place my feet on the floor only that I couldn’t locate it. It was a full ½ meter below. So I let me feet dangle. After being reassured that I was not the only one in the category, I proceeded to direct my attention to the stage.

We waited, waited… the beginning never came on time. One could see the struggle the artists seemed to be having by testing the mikes and various other instruments. After a pitched battle with the sound engineers (I am using the term “engineer” for want of any other word!), the curtain opened. The artists were greeted with a thunderous applause. R.Mohan, father of the Trichur brothers, accompanied them in Mridangam. It has become a familiar sight now-a-days to see their father in almost all of their concerts.

Trichur brothers Srikrishnan and Ramkumar tried testing their voices. The elder one clearly was not happy with the vocal bass support. He tried to elicit the attention of sound engineer and tried to convey. Something happened or seemed to happen. He tried again in vain. It was the turn of younger brother followed by other artists. After a ten minute struggle where he tried to sing the Brindavana Saranga “Kamalapta kula kalashabdhi” and adjust the various parameters of the sound. He gave up. Finally, the brothers, perhaps, decided enough was enough and started with “Sami Ninne Kori” in a half-hearted manner. After finishing that, it was clear no miracle happened in terms of acoustics. One wonders why the organizers cannot spend quality time to improve this factor as it puts off everyone.

Perhaps, the brothers allowed this long unsavoury struggle to percolate into the concert. The second one, chosen, was Papanasam Sivan’s ever green Sriranjani “Gaja vadana Karuna sadana.” I am afraid the rendition was below par. Anandabhairvai followed in the form of “Tyagaraja Yoga Vaibhavam” of Dikshitar. I am not sure if the brothers felt they did justice to the ragam. A sedate Jaganmohini came next in “Shobillu Saptaswara.” Part of the balcony, perhaps realizing the mismatch in expectations, started leaving. The balcony became half full suddenly, a reflection of the concert. I haven’t seen such a disappearance mid-way.

For elaboration, Madhyamavati was taken up. “Rama katha sudha rasa” of Tygaraja flowed. This is where I felt the brothers came into form with an excellent alapanaa. Sometimes, the artists do not seem to pronounce correctly. We are all used to them swallowing consonants and vowels here and there and used to forgive them saying it was the heat of the moment! It was evident in the words “Dharaddakhila phaladame.” Niraval at “Bhamamani Janaki Soumitri” with Kalpanaswarams was good ably supported by the accompanists. When it was time for Tani, there was an earnest appeal from the elder one for the rasikas to stay. He cajoled them that the tani would not be allowed to go for more than ten minutes! In today’s world, I see the rasikas are becoming quite mature and do not indulge in mass exodus during that time! However, some brave souls, as usual, paid no heed.

Finally, the concert came to an end. All of us, literally, were sweating as the sabha deemed the inside atmosphere very pleasant and didn’t switch on the air conditioning. I will try to cover one more of theirs in the season.

Ambience: *

Vocalist: **

Accompanying artists: **

Raga of the concert: Madhyamavati

Overall: **