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CHORDS AND NTOES

My Tribute

Manorama Music,

Rs. 125.00

This is K. S. Chitra's tribute to M. S. Subbulakshmi. And Chitra has chosen the best possible way to do it. She has dedicated nine of the legendary singer's krithis and bhajans, rendering them in that magical MS style, trying to be as faithful as possible. Like Chitra says in a short tribute at the beginning of the album, she, like millions, had grown up listening to this heavenly voice, these krithis and bhajans immortalised by MS. Chitra has chosen to recreate the charm of such krithis and bhajans like `Broohi Mukundeti... ,' Bhavayami Gopalabalam... ', `Kaattrinile varum... ', Bhavayami Raghuramam... ' and `Kuria onrum illai... ' the one with which MS used to usually conclude her concerts.

What gives a different colour, a modern touch to these songs is the use of different musical instruments. For those who have listened, time and again, to MS sing them in concerts with the traditional `kutcheri' instruments as backup, this version may not appeal at first hearing. But it is sure to grow on you.

Krishna

Manorama Music,

Rs. 100.00

Carnatic vocalist Sreevalsan J. Menon has brought together seven lyrical pieces from diverse sources that celebrate the Krishna concept. At once mythical and historical, Krishna becomes sublime, powerful, an intimate friend, an endearing child, and a passionate lover in the words of writers who visualised Him. The album begins with `Thumani madathu... ' from Thiruppavai by the 9th century poet Andal and moves through the compositions of Tyagaraja, Swati Tirunal and others. Included are compositions like `Bagayenaiyya... .,' where Tyagaraja interprets the essence of the Bhagavad Gita in a nutshell; `Balagopala... ' by Muthuswamy Dikshitar, the padam beginning `Madhava Murahara... ' from Kottayathu Thampuran's `Kimeera vadham,' the rarely heard song `Smarathinumam sadayam... ' from Swati Tirunal's `Kuchelopakhyanam,' Kshetrayya's `Vatikagopala... ' and lilting `Jagadhodharana... ' by Purandaradasa. The western and eastern blend of music, composed by Sreevalsan, Robin Thomas and Edappally Ajith Kumar, gives a contemporaneity to this eternal theme.

Jugalbandi

Satyam Audios, Rs. 99.00

The title of this album may be misleading. This is not a jugalbandi in the strict sense of the term. Rather it is the presentation of two different styles of music with the common bond being the choice krithis in the same ragas. Kalamandalam Sankaran Embranthiri and Sreevalsan J. Menon render ten popular padams and krithis in the Kathakali and Carnatic styles. Meledam Narayanan provides the vocal backup for Sankaran Embranthiri. The violin, chenda, mridangam, maddalam, ghatam, edakka provide effective backup.

Madhava Murali

Manorama Music,

Rs. 125.00

The flute is an integral part of the Krishna myth. This is a collection of compositions that extol the glories of the Lord. Six popular tracks when played on the flute by Kudamaloor Janardanan acquire a different feel. The veena, mridangam, edakka, ghatam, tabla and other percussion effects provide sensitive accompaniment to krithis like `Krishna nee begane baro... ', `Alai payuthe... ,' Karuna cheyvanenthu thamasam... ,' `Krupaya palaya... ,' `Enna thavam cheythane, Yasoda... .,' and `Rara Venugopabala... ,' a popular swarajathi, with Janardanan chipping in with subtle improvisations. The superb recording quality enhances the charm of the music.

K. P.

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