Amritha Murali sings on 16th March 2014

Vidushi Amritha Murali                                             - Vocal

Vidwan Mathur R. Srinidhi                                       - Violin

Prof. V.Krishna                                                  - Mridangam

Vidwan Phanindra Bhaskara                                      -  Ghatam

Concert Review:

Chaste and enjoyable concert by Amritha Murali

Young and popular artist from Chennai Kumari Amritha Murali presented a highly enjoyable concert at Nadasurabhi on 16th March 2014. After taking care to ensure perfect sruti on tambura, Amritha commenced her recital with a slokam in Nattai followed by the Thyagaraja kriti Janaki ramana in Suddha seemantini. A few round of swarams highlighted the beauty of the raga. As a seasoned musician, the artist plunged into Harikambodhi kriti of Thiagaraja Endukku Nirdhaya including neraval and swarams at Dharalo nivai. Audience started warming up to the steadily deepening exploration of the charms of carnatic music. Another heavy ragam Poorvikalyani followed and the kriti chosen was an inimitable Shyama Sastri number Ninnu vinaaga mari. Yet another beautiful neraval was delectable. A crisp Brova bharama of Thyagaraja in Bahudari was a filler before the next major item. Here it was a detailed alapana of a relatively less popular Naari Reethigowla but the composition of Muthuswamy Dikshitar Sree Neelotpala naayaki was more familiar. Swarams for this song accentuated the intricacies of the ragam. A Sivan composition in kannada raga, saravanabhava guhane was presented before launching into the main item of the evening which was Bhairavi. A brilliant raga alapanai followed by yet another masterpiece of Thyagaraja Raksha bettere doraku and a delightful neraval at Sangeethapriya thyagaraja followed by swaram gave total fulfilment in listening experience to the packed audience. After a sedate and thoughtful thani by senior percussionist Prof.V.Krishna and young Phanindra Bhaskara, Amritha presented a few lovely thukkadas. A ragamalika virutham followed by a ragamalika Purandaradasa's kriti, Neenyaakko ninna hangyaako Ranga, was well received. An Abhang and a thillana were the tail pieces before Mangalam.

The general feeling that one gets on listening to Amritha Murali's concert is that she is an artist who sets her own standards which are very high. Choosing a rather low pitch compared to almost all other contemporary female artists, she sings with ease through the entire scale without straining herself, her voice or the audience. The concert is technically at a very high level which is presented without compromising on the aesthetic value, the bhaavam of the composition or the sowkyam of the listeners. There is no doubt that she will continue to grow in her already established steep trajectory of musical achievement.

Mathur Srinidhi on violin excelled during the concert by providing good following to the main artist and also during his independent replies. He has a definite bright future in the musical firmament of Bangalore.

Invitation:

Vidushi Amritha Murali is a highly accomplished young artist from Chennai. She is equally proficient in vocal music as well as violin. She is a student of Sri.P.S.Narayanaswamy for vocal music and Smt. T.Rukmini for violin. Amritha is known for her leisurely and chaste presentation of carnatic music which is a feast to the ears not only for the connoisseurs of music but also to any rasika looking for “Soukya Sangeetham”. Amritha sings in the coveted Senior Slot at the Madras Music Academy  Season held in December.

Awards and Prizes

A recipient of many prizes and awards, Amritha has to her credit

·      the title of “Isai Chudar” from Kartik Fine Arts, Chennai,

·      “Yuva Kala Bharathi” from Bharat Kalachar, Chennai,

·      Kalki Krishnamurthy memorial award

·      the title of ‘Nada Oli’ from Nada Inbam, Chennai,

·      Dr.M.L.Vasantakumari memorial award from Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha.

·      the ‘M S Subbulakshmi Award’ from Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai,

·       the ‘Dharmatma Vaidyasubrahmanya Iyer Award’ from R A Puram Bhakta Jana Sabha, Chennai,

·      Yuva Kalakaar Puraskar for the year 2005-06 from Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts, Mumbai,

·      All India Radio National Competition Prize , 2000,

·      Outstanding  Vocalist award for the years 2011 and 2010 and the best concert award in2009   from the Madras Music Academy,

·       Best  vocalist from The Indian Fine Arts Society and Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha ,Chennai,  

·      Voleti Venkateshwarulu Endowment  Prize from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha,

Accompaniments:

Prof. Krishna is a senior, veteran percussionist.

Sri.Mathur Srinidhi and Sri. Phanindra Bhaskara are young talented artists from Bangalore.