Back in the 70’s when I lived in Hubbali, AIR Bangalore was a great source of numerous concerts during the Rama Navami time. Like today, it was the time, when numerous organizations would organize concerts for a week or so. And during this period, AIR Bangalore would broadcast excerpts of these concerts and probably some live concerts as well.

It was during this time, I distinctly remember listening to Namagiripettai Krishnan playing with violin and mridangam accompaniment. It was the time when Namagiripettai was the leading Nadaswaram vidwan along with Sheik Chinna Moulana Sahib, and I was a frequent listener to these two, once again with AIR being the main source. And I also remember attending a concert of Namagiripettai at Hubbali; of course I don’t remember any details.

As I was browsing thru the nadaswaram concerts, I cam across a recording of Namagiripettai with M Chandrasekaran on the violin. You get a completely different perspective of his playing and elevated by the accompaniment of M Chandrasekhar. As you listen to this concert, you can hear MC appreciating Namagiripettai in his kalyanavasantam alapana, which is definitely one of the top alapanas in that ragam. You will definitely enjoy this.

• mAkElara – ravichandrikA
• mOkshamu galada – sAramati
• kAraNam kETTu vADi – poorvikalyANi
• nee dayarAdA – vasantabhairavi
• nAdalOluDai – kalyANavasantam
• mOhana rAma – mOhanam
• Pallavi – ShanmukapriyA
• tukkadas

No idea who the mridangam and kanjira accompaniments are 😦