The plethora of contemporary approaches to the interpretation of Margam coupled with the search for unexplored themes notwithstanding, it came as a surprise when a team of skilled classical musicians and Bharatanatyam artistes chose to undertake a visual interpretation of the ragam tanam pallavi (RTP). Considered the most challenging piece in the Carnatic kutcheri repertoire, the RTP imposes taxing demands on its exponents. Taking on the challenge of choreographing an RTP, conceptualised, composed and orchestrated by flautist R. Athulkumar (grandson and disciple of late flute maestro, N. Ramani), guru Himaja (a torchbearer of K.N. The opening pushpanjali in Chalanattai followed by the Sanskrit verse ‘Shantakaram’ preceded the main item, the RTP, which was set to the septatonic, sampurna raga Kalyani. A typical korvai plus tani avartanam wound up the RTP.

Source: The Hindu March 22, 2018 10:18 UTC