Vadya Lahari

Vadya Lahari - Vadya Lahari

Performers:

A. Kanyakumari - violin

Mannargudi A. Easwaran - mrdangam (drum)

Kumari N. Vijayalakshmi - vina (string instrument)

Mambalam K.S. Siva - nadaswaram (reed instrument)

Yarpanam K. Ganesa Pillai - tavil (drum)

From the liner notes:

Vadya Lahari ("Waves of Music") is a highly creative and energetic recording of traditional Karnatic music of South India. The pieces combine delicate and bold sounds in a way that is rarely ever done. In that sense, this recording is unique and unparalleled. The periods of interplay between the various instruments are displays of great virtuosity, and will captivate both the connoisseur and the casual listener alike.

The ensemble performing on this recording is the most recent innovation by the violinist A. Kanyakumari, and represents an experiment within the deep tradition of Karnatic music that could only have taken place in the modern age. She has spanned a dynamic gulf by juxtaposing the delicate, introspective sound of the vina with the ecstatic roar of the nadaswaram. To the Indian mind it is nearly impossible to conceive the two instruments playing together (it's a bit like scoring the orchestra parts in a lute concerto for brass band - and the sound engineer deserves a medal for his performance). The result, as you will hear on this recording, is joyous, powerful and exciting music.

In order to appreciate fully the boldness of this experiment one must imagine a world without electricity. In such a world the vina, and even the violin produce such soft sounds that any percussive accompaniment would be likely to intrude, except in the hands of an extremely sensitive drummer. On the other hand, the nadaswaram and tavil are played in temples at festive occasions, or in processions and celebrations. They are played outdoors, often while walking, and their sound is meant to penetrate every corner of the neighborhood. In Vadya Lahari, we hear not only vina and nadaswaram together, but, occasionally, solo vina or violin accompanied by tavil, an arresting situation, to put it mildly.

This is not Kanyakumari's first musical experiment; she once played a twenty-nine hour non-stop recital, and the exploratory quality of her mind will no doubt lead her into many other fascinating pursuits. She has assembled an ensemble of extremely sensitive and open-minded musicians in Vadya Lahari, all of whom have solid reputations within Karnatic music. The listener is likely to experience all South Indian music with fresh ears after hearing this lively recording.

Tracklisting:

1. Kriti: Gan Ganapate {6:14}

2. Kriti: Chintadirchara {4:35}

3. Tarangam: Sharambhava {9:27}

4. Kriti: Chandrasekharam {3:52}

5. Tillana: Gi Ta Dhu Ni Ki {3:29}

6. Kriti: Rama Katha Sudharasa {24:14}

7. Bhajan: Ragupati Raghava Rajaram {3:19}

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