Indian vocalist weaves celestial tales for enthusiastic listeners
Monday, August 11, 2008
MICHAEL HUEBNER

Even by Indian classical music standards, 3½ hours may seem excessive for a concert, but time flies when you're on a magic carpet.

That's the analogy Aruna Sairam used for the second half of her concert Sunday at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, and it fit. The Carnatic (South Indian) vocalist, whose career is flying high after a Carnegie Hall debut and recent Harmonia Mundi CD, took enthusiastic listeners on a journey through India's folk music traditions, from Tanjore and her native Bombay to Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. She described - in music, words and speech-song - women in colorful saris that brightened up the desert sands, a little calf at Krishna's feet, and pilgrimages where people sang as they walked.

She possesses a dusky, rich, classic voice, in about the range of a contralto. Her warbling trills are as supple as birdsong, her musical instincts as sharp any you're likely to find, East or West.

As widely expressive and varied as Sairam was for this lighthearted portion of her concert, the first half was even more remarkable.

An opening raga started characteristically slow and built to an impressive speed. A 19th century song by Thyagaraja unfolded almost mournfully. Violinist Vittal Rammurthy served mostly as Sairam's alter ego, echoing much of her improvisation, but offered a wide palette of color and style within several solos. Thiruvarur Sri Vaidyanathan provided solid rhythmic accompaniment on mridangam, the two-headed South Indian drum, often defying beat patterns and reaching finger-blurring speed.

The concert's centerpiece was a rare opportunity. An hour-long discourse on Mahalakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity, unfolded in deep emotional renderings, each aspect, or mood, of the piece bridged by instrumental interludes. With the help of hand and facial gestures, Sairam vividly wove the celestial tales into a songful tapestry.

Concert presenters Shruthi have brought in some outstanding artists recently, filling a vital slot in Birmingham's cultural map. (link)