CLASSICAL STORM HITS BAHRAIN..

CLASSICAL STORM HITS THE ISLAND BAHRAIN... Smt. Sudha Raghunathan..

It was on 21st November 2008 - Friday at Bahrain Society of Engineers, Juffair an extraordinary non-stop continuous 4 hours classical treat was enjoyed by all the carnatic music fans of Bahrain.

The first appreciation and the heartfelt thanks goes to the organisers 'Indian Fine Arts Society' and ofcourse to all the generous sponsors. Splendind event provided by IFAS, which was in turn hugely welcomed and enjoyed by all the bahrain living music fans.

Smt.Sudha Raghunathan classical concert accompanied by Sri.Embar Kannan on the Violin and Sri.Neyveli Skanda Subramanian on the Mridangam. Before narrating much about the Classical Storm of Sudha Raghunathan, I would like to brief few details about the great Artist.

Brief of 'Padma Sri Kalaimamani Smt.Sudha Raghunathan'

• Music Legend : Smt. Sudha Raghunathan
• Initial Guru : Sri. B.V. Lakshman
• Life time Guru : Smt. Dr.M.L. Vasanthakumari ( MLV)
• Sudha Raghunathan's Education : M.A. Economics - Ethiraj College

Sudha Raghunathan with her divine voice drenched the audience for continuous 4 hours and as a reciprocative gesture, the audience too anchored their feet firmly and never moved an inch from their respective seats. I personally felt, it is the divine music of Sudha that has tied the audience and glued them in their seats. It is not that easy to get to watch an exemplary concert like this, that too for hours. To say precisely, the audience on that evening are really lucky people to enjoy the classical treat from Sudha.

As a traditional opening, Sudha started with a varnam, then the famous 'Siddhi Vinayakam' in Ragam Shanmuga priya, followed by the Gala song 'Endaro Mahanu', Sri.Thiyagarajar krithi in 'Sri' Ragam. This sparkling opening gave enough hint to the audience to be prepared for a gala treat from Sudha. The expectation of the audience was upheld rightly throughout the concert by sudha.

Not to forget to add a line about the excellent Sound system at the auditorium. I personally feel the sound system is the key motivator for any artist during their concert.

Apart from that, Sudha received an outstanding support from co-artist Sri.Embar Kannan - Violin and Sri.Skanda Subramanian - Mridangam. The divine Sounds from Violin and Mridangam was like a rhythmic sound of thunder during a Storm.. So altogether it was a grand feast (unlimited Dinner with (in) Desert..!!).

Then as center piece for the concert, Sudha presented a song in Ragam 'Bairavi' with detailed alapana. Sri.Embar Kannan rightly utilised every single chance to reveal his profuse talent and dazzlingly supported Sudha's alapana. Though there was a small pause during the concert for presenting the artists with Momento and to honour the Chief guests, but all these were acceptable being a part of any concert.

I guess Sudha was very much inspired with the set of audience and their support, so that made Sudha much more in upbeat mood to provide some more musical delights that evening. She sang all her famous masterpieces like 'Brahma Mukatey', 'Kurai Onrum Illai', 'Kanda Naal Mudhal', 'Vishama Kara Kannan', 'Jagado Darana', Madhava Murali (Bhajan). I am sure none of the audience that evening might have had their dinner, as their stomach and heart is already filled by the divine music of Sudha.

There was a loud of applause and laughter when Sudha sang the following lines in the song 'VishmaKara Kannan'.. I too enjoyed this and even laughed after returning home..

Please manage to read the same lines in Tamil....

Pakkathu Veetu Pennai Azhaipaan..,Muhari ragam paada solli vambuku izhupaan..

Enakkadhu theriyaadenral, nekuruga killi vittu vikki vikki azhumbodhu idhaney Muhari Enbaan................ Vishmakara Kannan...........

The audience were also amazed at the speech skill of Sudha. Great Vocabulary, timing and modulations... ofcourse, Sudha is from Ethiraj college, so needless to mention her mastering of language.

Above all, Sudha was persistent enough to accomodate all her loving audience to click photos with her and to provide enough of autographs too. I was also lucky enough to click a picture with this Music Legend and to have her autograph. Being my favourite number 1 singer, I was so happy to be present that evening for Sudha's Musical Feast, in addition to the Photograph & Autograph.

We, the Music fans sincerely pray to the Almighty to bless this Legend Smt. Sudha Raghunathan with healthy, prosperous, peaceful life and to continue her dedicated service to the carnatic field by achieving to the new heights which I feel will be the right 'Guru Dakshina' to Dr. MLV.

--- Vartaaa..