Prince Rama Varma on 24th October 2010

Prince Shri Rama Varma is a direct descendant of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, who was one of the most prolific and versatile composers both in Carnatic and Hindustani styles of Indian Classical Music. He is also the great grand son of Amma Maharani, who besides being a great patron of musicians was also instrumental in bringing to light many of Swathi Thirunal's compositions.

Shri Rama Varma himself is a highly accomplished vocalist and vainika. His music is greatly influenced by his devotion to Swati Tirunal, admiration to Sri.M.D.Ramanathan and guru bhakti to Dr.M.Balamurali Krishna.He has been performing on stage for two decades, besides accompanying his guru Dr.BMK on numerous occasions.

Shri Rama Varma has excelled also as a teacher. He teaches music to groups of children, some of which are telecast on TV channels. He conducts music workshops in India and abroad to promote carnatic music, specialising on Dr.BMK's compositions.

Sri.Varma has now taken over the responsibility of conducting week long music festivals in Thiruvananthapuram, namely Navarathri Festival and Swathi Sangeethotsavam.

CONCERT REVIEW:
 
Prince Rama Varma captured the hearts of young and old alike during his concert on Sunday, 24th October when he performed for Nadasurabhi  The genes of the great musician-composer, Maharaja Swathi Tirunal and long association with his guru -the genius - Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna has given him a solid foundation and has enabled him to grasp all the nuances of carnatic music.  He is endowed with a very rich and  melodious voice which added great beauty to many of the songs.  He showed his mastery in the beginning itself by singing the evergreen Mohana Adi tala varnam - 'Ninnukkoriyunnanu' in varying speeds at different places.  Next he presented a very rare Thyagaraja kriti in Mayamalavagoula - 'Rakshimpave...' which was popularised by his Guru.  This was followed by a brief swara at 'Dakshi na Kailasamuna'.  The next item, 'Akhilandeswari Rakshamam' of Muthuswamy dikshitar in Dwijavanti was presented in a slow and steady pace and was soothing.  A tamil song ' Hariyum Haranum Onre' composed by one of the great master of yester years, Sri M.D. Ramanathan in 'Athana' was enjoyable as the artist gave the gist of the song before singing.  Purandaradasa's 'Hodi nagari mele kaiyya' was in 'ananda bhairavi' and emphasis by the artist on 'Hodi' each time kept the percussionists alert to keep the strike!  'Panthuvarali' was the main raga taken for detailed delineation.  It was very soothing.  This was followed by a tanam (with talam as is the practice for the Navarathri kritis at Trivandrum Navarathri Mandapam).  He then sang Swathi Tirunal's Navarathri kriti - 'Saroruhasana Jaye' which is sung on the 6th day of the Navarathri.  Swara prasthara was at Pallavi.
'Sree Rama namam' of Badrachala Ramdas tuned by Dr. Balamuralikrishna, 'Sarwam Bramhamayam' of Sadashiva Bramhendra, 'Rama rama enarada' composed by Balamuralikrishna's maternal grand father Sri Rangadasa in Sindhu Bhairavi, 'Murahara Mukunda Madhava' of Annammacharya in Behag, a thillana in kuntalavarali composed by his guru Dr. Balamuralikrishna were the other pieces presented very melodiously by Vidwan Rama Varma.  
The accompanying artists did a great job in playing their roles in the best manner possible.   H.K. Venkatram's  violin was in perfect tune with the melody of the vocalist, with the soothing, mild bowing, without any gimmicks or extra brigas. His reproduction of the artist's bhava was perfect.  Similarly Anoor Anathakrishna Sharma was an excellent match.  His mridangam went along with the voice of the artist so very well and he maintained that softness throughout the concert.  Guruprasanna on khanjira, known to strike hard and produce lot of sounds also maintained the tonal quality to match the mridangam.  Bhagyalakshmi excelled on her morching bringing out beautiful nadam leaving everyone wonder struck.
The hall was full and many had to take seats outside the hall and the entire crowd stayed on till the end of the concert.   This was a memorable concert and was enjoyed by one and all.