Setting the tone right

As we enter the portals of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, to attend a vocal music programme, a familiar voice attracts our attention and we realise that it is Binny Krishnakumar, who sang Ra Ra Sarasuku Ra Ra in the film Chandramukhi, singing in the company of her husband Krishna Kumar.

The duo set the tone when they opened their concert with a pada varnam of Balamurali Krishna in Raga Thodi.

An excellent Ranjini Raga alapana followed by Dhunmarga chara of Thyagaraja was rendered, making use of the manodharma.

When the raga alapana of Krishnakumar in Karakarapriya Pakkala Nilabadi of Thyagaraja, which is a raga with a classically exalted musical identity of its own, was rendered, it gave a vivid account accompanied by the prayogas in aesthetic proportions.

It was really a rare musical conveyance. They took up Rama Rama of Swati Thirunal in Raga Revagupthi, enhancing the impact of the kriti with melodic nuances, by their diligence and endearing performance.

They concluded with the rendition of their own composition in Raga suba pantuvarali Krishna Kannaiya. Krishnakumar’s creativity was supplemented by Binny’s subtle and aesthetic ornamentations and vice-versa.

The rich and resonant tone of the couple, who have won several awards of merit from recognised institutions and governments, consistently lent attraction to their performance and the sukam in their combined presentation, where Binny’s voice is quite sharp and traverses wide range with ease, and Krishnakumar’s soft and bass tenor, ably pitching their presentation.

V L Kumar (violin), Mannarkoil Balaji (mridangam), Murali (ghatam) registered themselves as satisfying accompanists with their breezy laya patterns.