The twilight breeze caressed the trees while the occasional chirping of birds intermingled with the gentle rustle of leaves. The pool’s water shimmered in the glow of candles that flanked the minimalist stage, setting a magical atmosphere. Enthusiastic music lovers gradually filled the neatly arranged vintage chairs, all the while keeping a wary eye on the dark grey sky above, fearing it might open up and spoil the evening’s event. Titled ‘By the Sea’, this was no ordinary concert; it was an intimate gathering designed to offer a unique auditory and visual experience.
The emcees took the stage and introduced a talented group of musicians led by the renowned Carnatic vocalist Sandeep Narayan. The ensemble wasted no time and jumped straight into ‘Naada tanumanisham’ in raga Chitta Ranjani. The rendition was seamless, almost pitch-perfect, setting a high bar for the rest of the evening.
Expressing his desire to take his informal jamming sessions to a larger and more diverse audience, Sandeep mentioned that this concert was a step in that direction. Organized in collaboration with Event Art, the concert aimed to allow the audience to experience music in a novel ambience and innovative format.
The second song of the evening, ‘Oru murai unnai kandaen’ from the album Alai, flowed as softly as the breeze itself. On the guitar was Akshay Yashodharan, and on the flute was Lalit Talluri. They took turns to showcase their imaginative improvisations, which harmoniously blended with Sandeep’s soulful singing. The fusion of flute, guitar, and voice was particularly enchanting, especially in the lines:
Ootredutta uyir oinduvitta pinnum
Kaatchi theliya villaye
Aatru vellam karai thaandi vanda pinnum
Daagam thaniya villaye
Lalit’s choice of playing the bansuri added an atmospheric layer to the performance, while Akshay’s fluent strumming on the guitar perfectly complemented the setting. Chandrasekara Sharma’s ghatam accompaniment was sublime, providing just the right rhythmic structures to elevate the overall rendition.
Sandeep Narayan’s enjoyment of the concert was palpable as he performed an array of pieces. His next selection was Jayadeva’s Ashtapathi, ‘Dheera sameere yamuna theere’, composed by Tanjore S.
. Kalyanaraman in raga Pahadi. He navigated effortlessly between low and high registers, embellishing the kriti with vibrant brigas, reminiscent of his guru, Sanjay Subrahmanyan.
The concert continued with Sandeep’s heart-warming rendition of ‘Aadum Chidambaramo’, accompanied once again by guitar and flute. Despite a light drizzle that began to fall, the performers maintained their spirited rendition. Following this, Sandeep sang ‘Chandra chooda siva shankara’, ‘Naadha vindhu’, and ‘Gopala gokula vallabha’, where the harmony between guitar and voice was especially noteworthy.
As the evening drew to a close, there was a delightful surprise for the audience. Sandeep invited them to join him on a walk along the beach while he sang a medley of kritis. He began with a Kannada song ‘Akka kelava nan ondhu’ followed by devotional pieces like ‘Ramaiya Rama’ and ‘Ramanai bhajithal’. Encouraging the audience to sing along, he recreated the traditional practice of unchavrittis in the mada vedhis of Mylapore during the Margazhi season, adding a nostalgic touch to the night.
The intimate concert, enriched by the natural elements and the seamless harmony between the musicians, left the audience with unforgettable memories. In creating this event, Sandeep Narayan successfully demonstrated how Carnatic music could transcend traditional settings to touch the souls of those gathered by the sea. The collaboration with Event Art proved to be a triumph, offering a fresh and enriching way to experience classical music.
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Sandeep Narayan performing by the beach was an experience that melded the divine charm of Carnatic music with the serene beauty of nature, providing an extraordinary evening that will linger in the hearts and minds of all who attended. The blend of traditional and modern elements accentuated the timeless appeal of this ancient musical form, all the while adapting it to newer, more innovative formats. This exemplary concert serves as a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to connect people through shared experiences.
