RaGa Sangamam – 5 November 2022

Margazhicha Bhoot Mothe.
Ze Gele Naahi Aale.

The Margazhi Monsters operating under the name Ranjani-Gayatri have arrived a month early and there’s been no return to normalcy in sight (or hearing) for the listener. Fun fact – during that Tri-Raga Grahabhedam, my ‘smart’ watch told me I had crossed a PAI goal! Extra proof that their music LITERALLY increases heart rates. Talk about palpable, even palpitative, effects of their music!

Maathe. They own this, no further questions asked. Bliss to relive their matchless rendition.

Since the event was titled Sangamam, the pieces were chosen to reflect this theme. The tale of Shiva and Vishnu’s union, the Ayyappan Avadarittha Kathaamritam was elaborated in nectar-sweet Kharaharapriya with gripping neraval to Triloka Mangalakaramoorti, followed by swarams! How masterfully they poured the raga while navigating the tight cycle of eight… Time to re-watch the Eppo Music Kambhoji MASTERCLASS about this!

God’s Own Music – 1 March 2022

Every so often, I’ll attend a concert like this and it makes me think – can’t I simply follow Ranjani-Gayatri to every state and country they sing in!

Even before the Saukumaryam festival was inaugurated with its beautiful, moving, spoken tributes, the audiences were allowed to sit in silence and collect ourselves, in the ethereally lit auditorium, with Ganesha’s chants reverberating, permeating, opening us to the divinity that would ensue. As the artistes began the music and the space was filled to the brim with their pure sound, the heart began to dance ecstatic. Paramaananda Natana. Adorned with those unbelievable garlands of Kedaram swarams weaved so intricately, so tightly, like magic. This was followed by the evergreen Naadatanumanisham in Chittaranjani, the gem’s hidden beauty completely unlocked in their finest voices.