A LEGEND OF HIS TIMES

We keep coming across many personalities who have done great things in their life time.At times we stand, gaze at them in astonishment and move on. At times we take them as role models to emulate. At times we were so engulfed by their presence and performance that we were in search of words to praise them.

All these thoughts to gether flashed thru my mind when i went to the musical nite by SP Balasubramanian and P.SUSEELA on Sunday.I was waiting to pen this blog since then but somehow could get time only today.

And the legend i am referring to is my favourite singer SPB. Right from the time he came on to the celluloid world with his famous song "AAYIRAM NILAVE VAA"there is no turning back. Every song, in every language that he sang, was a testimony to the passion and love that he possessed for this great art of music,All these came to light on that beautiful Sunday.With the cool breeze of MARGAZHI already creating a beautiful back drop for the musical extravaganza,he came on to the stage at quarter to seven and occupied the stage for little more than 3hours.During this period of three hours he paired with singers (of both genders of different age groups) with so much ease, control and comfort and was proving at every stage of his rendition that he is the king of his art.

The lovely voice with out any smear what soever, the diction delivery,raga aalabanai (Cine Songs chosen were with karnatic background which itself gave a unique feeling to the whole programme and gave an opportunity to listen to songs of yester years and also to songs of of recent origin ), the fusion that he was able to bring about, the compatibility with fellow singers, the respect that he showed to all singers irrespective of their age all went to prove that the legend is ruling and will continue to rule for years to come.

Five songs took the night by storm and made value for money.
1..MADHAMO AVANI, MANGAYO MARGAZHI
despite that the other legend P.Suseela was not able to match, him he compensated for her too by his brilliant rendering.
2..Unakkenna mele nindrai Oh NANDALALA-Sri MS Viswanathan was present as a chief guest and SPB presented this song as a tribute to MSV and what a tribute it is !!
3..Innum ennai enna seyya pogirai ...A song which i have developed a special taste and when SPB sang that song the whole auditorium was instantly in love with that song.
4...Aval oru navarasa nadagam...Another song of another legend MGR.the beauty is that the song was sung with teh same beauty, class and birgas as it was rendered for the original play back and th applause was thunderous.
5..MALARE MOUNAMA...Anantu was explaining the beauty of each song and the features of the raga based on which each song was sung.For this song he joined SPB to render the humming in the back ground and co singer for this song for the night was Deepshika (Who was affectionately called as Vamani by SPB to indicate her short height and her ability to take viswaroopam when it came to performance on the stage)and the three of them enthralled the audience with one of the finest blend of music, rhythm and orchestra.

Because of the anxiety to reach home in time with my wife and sister i left with an hour to go for the curtains to come down and i was told that his favourie songs from sankarabaranam occupied the centre stage later.

No regrets on that. What i have heard for about 2 hours gave such a joy and peace of mind, which is difficult to explain.Good music they say act as a great medicine when you are in distress and it adds to your happiness when you are already in a state of ecstasy

SPB proved that on that night, long live the legend!!!.