Abhishek Raghuram juxtaposes rhythmic brilliance with melodic introspection

Abhishek Raghuram’s music is deeply rooted in Carnatic classicism, yet is not confined by conventional boundaries. He brings an unmistakably individualistic approach to the concert platform as seen recently at ‘Mind, Voice and Beyond’, his performance for Bharat Sangeet Utsav at Narada Gana Sabha. Ponnaiah Pillai’s Khamas padam, ‘Saamiyai azhaithu vaadi sakhiye, emerged as a centrepiece offering a juxtaposition of rhythmic exuberance and melodic exploration.

The Sankarabharanam Ata tala varnam, ‘Chalamelara’, set the proceedings on a brisk, almost jet-speed course. Swarna Venkatesa Dikshitar’s ‘Manamirangadha’ in Mayamalavagowla, set to Rupaka tala, offered a contrasting shade before Tyagaraja’s ‘Vinata suta vahana’ in Jayantasena brought rhythmic complexity to the fore with its mel-kala tisram kuraippu. The rapid-fire treatment of ‘Vara narada narayana’ in Vijayashree further demonstrated Abhishek’s agility and command over musical passages.

The Khamas padam provided the concert’s most engaging rhythmic encounter. N.C.