Priya Sisters on an Impression Spree (April 11th 2006)

It kick started shortly past 7pm and closed shortly before 10:30pm, *P H E W*. I was tired if not them, and yes it was impressive tho it didn't beat the best :D. My first kutchery of them and it did not disappoint me a bit. Nothing facinating and yet it was just sweet.

Fresh in lovely blues with the kuzhuvinar

The one thing that lacked in the kutchery was stage chemistry. Its not like listening to some record, its live and sitting like zombies doesn't look good. For almost an hour and half there was tending to zero share of stare's / appreciation (but among the percussionist). Skanda subramanian is very lively and always has a smile to exchange, only if someone would receive it. After 8:30 tho the stage came alive. That undermined whatever performance the sisters gave.

Engrossed :-"

Their singing is very soft and it not a kind that throws enegry at the crowd. I'v had the opportunity to see Sudha & T.M.K. profusion and energy when they sing. The squeeze the last bit out for the crowd. In the end what gains repute is quality with maximized quantity. T.M.K's concert has been acclaimed as one of the best here, and sudha just beats em all for she is a natural crowd puller. I realized why :).

Vapid as they conjure up the tukkadas

The tukkada's disappointed me the most. Maybe coz I am a bit used to sudha's rendition, but the colour that she adds to em was grossly missing for it seemed so banal. If that was trying to impress the crowd, well then I wasn't impressed (not that I am of any stature to say so). The rest by far was wonderful.

One of the best part is since they are a duo, they sing like a relay race. And the two voices to bring in some overlays (ppl found of A.R.R. would love that) and singing at different octaves at times proved brilliant. With two people to take the share they outlasted most. The little one of the two played quite a bit of the lead, today atleast.

And the other celebrity of the night was this little kid who goes by the name sriram. I'd rather call him Mr.Curious with the camera :)). He just wan'd to click away the evening so I let him have a little tour with all his haphazard photography. Once that stopped he got restless and wan'd to draw on my diary ... and lo he drew lord hanuman \:D/. I was elated.

Naughty throughout :)

I have no clue as to what his grandma told him, but he went upto the stage and vanangeefied the sisters and just flit from the scene ;)). What a doll!!! The sisters were baffled and exchanged their shock and smirk while singing. And yeah, my camera is still in one piece :D.

Here is a summary of the songs -

1. vanajAkshi ninnE kOri (R: reeti gowLa) tentatively
2. thathvamariya tharama (R: reeti gowLa)
3. teliyalEru raama (R: dhEnuka)
4. ??
5. Etaavuna nErcitivO (R: yedikula kaambOdhi)
6. dhEvaadhi dhEvaa (R: sunaada vinOdhini)
7. paal vaDiyum mugam (R naaTTai kurinji)
8. paripurNa kaama baavamuna (R: poorvi kalyaaNi)
9. ??
   
10. aruL sEiya vendum aiyA (R: rasikapriyaa)
11. nannu paalimpa (R: mOhanam)
12. ??
13. kurai Ondrum illai
14. theeradha vilayattu pillai
15. mudhakeratha modakaam (slokam)
16. thandananaa abi
17. ??
18. chinnan chiru kiliye
19. aasai mugham marandhu (R: jOnpuri)
20. ??
21. gOvindam gOkulanandam ... Om namo bhagavate vaasudeevye (slokam)
22. ??
23. ??
24. kanda naal mudelai (any one knows in what raagam this song goes traditionally??)
    
25. mangalam
    

The Troup:
Priya Sisters - Vocal
Sri M.A.Krishnaswami - Violin
Neyveli Sri S.Skanda subramanian - Mridangam
Sri S.V.Ramani - Ghatam

so next stop with GnK (Ganesh & Kumaresh) on turssday

this is SamY, reporting from Sri Rama Samaj, West Mambalam, Chennai (11th April 2006)