Future Present - Ashwath Narayanan

Future Present - Ashwath Narayanan 

‘Future Present’.. Before anyone doubts my English Grammar, I must assure them, that did I study English at school and had a mother at home who made us do hundreds of exercises from Wren & Martin, even during our holidays. I am doubtful if today’s school children use Wren& Martin, atleast mine didn’t ! 

Ashwath Narayanan is the future of Chennai’s Carnatic music who is singing in the present ! His concert at Bharati Vidya Bhavan 
was a compact offering of songs, well chosen and well delivered. 

He started the concert with a traditional Varnam in Kalyani ‘Vanajakshi‘. Anyone who has had some formal training in Carnatic Music would have inevitably learnt this Varnam along with Mohanam and Hamsadhwani. More Varnams you learn, stronger is your foundation in music. And a Varnam is a kind of a yardstick to determine the competence of the singer. 

Ashwath is certainly someone to watch out for, after all he is trained by none other than Sangita Kalanidhi Sri K V Narayanswamy. After KVN ‘s passing away, his wife Padma who is also Ashwath’s aunt, taught him and shaped him to be what he is. 

His next song was Saint Thygaraja’s composition ‘Manasaa Yetulortunte’ set in Ragam Malayamarutham. He handled it very well and moved on to sing a composition of Muthuswami Dikshitar. He sang ‘Angarakam Ashrayamyham’ set in Ragam Surutti. This is one is among the nine Navagraha krithis composed by Dikshitar. Each song is dedicated to one of the nine planets. This one is an offering to the planet Mars which is known as Angarakan or Chevvai in Tamil and Mangal in Hindi. Dikshitar explored all the Navagraha temples which are situated in and around Kumbakonam. Vaitheeswaran Koil is for the planet Mars. 

I always marvel at the fabulous work of all these composers who have left such invaluable wealth for us. And while I wish, I could compose or create such poetic marvels, I am atleast glad that I am having an opportunity to enjoy these gems and am grateful that I have a taste for this ! 

Ashwath went on to sing ‘Manasuloni Marmamulanu’ again a composition of Saint Thygaraja set in Ragam Varamu. His next song was ‘Pahi Parvata Nandini’ a composition by Swati Tirunal set in Ragam Arabhi. 
Swati Tirunal’s composition seems to be a definite item in everyone’s program. Just as, atleast one Tamil composition has become mandatory in every concert. My only regret is that Purandardasa the ‘Father of Carnatic Music‘ is marginalised and hardly anyone’s choice ! Maybe this is because I am from Bangalore and Kannada songs and Purandaradasa’s Devaranamas and Dasara padagalu are close to my heart. 

He concluded the concert with a mandatory Tamil song ‘Manadurkugandadu’ a composition by Thanjavur Shankar Aiyar set in Ragam Sindhu Bhairavi. 

It was a very nice concert and I must say that Ashwath has great stage presence. Yet, just one hour plus concert is too short to form a serious opinion. He shows great promise and with sincere commitment & consistency he will soon sing during the prime slots. And I am waiting !! 

About the Author:

Sandhya Shankar belongs to a well respected business family in Chennai. She is a Life Skills & Corporate Trainer by profession. She is an avid reader and a natural writer, who has written several poems and articles. She even presented her poems as a reading at the British council. She has keen interest in all art forms  and has explored many different forms of painting like stained glass and Tanjore being among them. 

Music being her first passion, she had her formal training under Terakotti Chandrasekharaiah at Bangalore and later briefly under Mrs Champa Kumar. She is a regular visitor of concerts, theatre and other live performances. Her witty reviews have gained a loyal and interactive readership for their sound technical commentary and relevance for every kind of melophile, from the casual-goer to the ragam expert, frequenting Chennai’s rich music scene.

(*The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of Music of Madras.)