Santhana Gopalan enthralls all

Neyveli Santhana Gopalan’s style is distinguished by his adherence to strict raga interpretation especially in his manodharma trait and in ragasancharam. And hence his style is orthodox and purist in essence. Nurtured by great musicians like TN Seshagopalan and Maharajapuram Santhanam, he has won appreciation from the music lovers as well as critics.

Neyveli’s performance at Ravindra Bharathi, as part of the monthly concert arranged by South Indian Cultural Association, was a delight to witness. He began with a Begada Varnam and then rendered “Dwaitamu Sukhama Adwaitamu Sukhama” (Reethigoula), a Madhyamakala Krithi, “Entha Muddo Entha Sogasoh” (Bindumalini), the only krithi written by Thyagaraja in this raga, “Intha Soukhyamani Ney Jeppajala” (Kapi) showing his inimitable style with a clear dictum.

On the request of the Tamil audience he took Behag choosing a pallavi in Tamil in Athana, Mohana, Kalyani, Kharahaapriya and Sankarabharanam ragas. In the three hour long kutchery, Gopalan’s swarakalpana in “Maha Ganapathi Ravathu Mam” (Goula) and “Ney Nendu Vedakuduraa” (Karnataka Behag) was pleasing. He then took Muthuswamy Deekshitula’s krithi “Meenakshi Mudam Dehi” (Poorvikalyani) and at “Madhurapuri Nilayeh” showcased nervals in all their beauty.

He picked up “Vandanamu Ragahunandana” (Sahana) as the main item and gave a detailed swarakalpna with his lucid rendition. After singing “Durmarga Charaadhamula” (Ranjani), “Krishna Nama Rasana” (Sindhubhairavi), a Surdas bhajan, Neyveli concluded the concert with “Manasa Sanchararey” (Sama) by Sadasiva Brahmendra.

Violin vidwan Rajeev was at his best in following the vocalist’s command and in the melodic display of swaras. Mridanga vidwan DSR Murthy decorated the performance with his expertise in taniavarthanam. PV Ramana Murthy on ghatam was also commendable. A word of appreciation. Sometimes musicians or accompanying artists cannot keep attend concerts due to unforeseen circumstances.

In such circumstances the cultural/musical organisation faces testing times. It is at this juncture, we have to appreciate Neyveli Santhan Gopalan, who attended the concert in Hyderabad on short notice, as his kutchery was arranged as a stop gap arrangement. Senior violin vidwan Dwaram Mangatahayru honoured the artist on behalf of the organisation.

By:Chivukula Rama Mohan