They say maturity evolves with age. But then, many believe age is a mere number. Perhaps, such existential dilemmas could have been catapulted to the fleeting terrains of mind after having listened to one of the most engaging Carnatic music recitals by a teen sensation.
Seventeen-year-old Abhirami Ajai's expertise in an arena as vast as Carnatic music may raise hackles. However, the notion was drowned by the mellifluous tones that reverberated from the depths of Abhirami's young heart. Dedication and hard work, they say, exemplifies one’s confidence.
Abhirami Ajai is the disciple of the Perumbavoor G.Ravindranath and has been a student of Carnatic classical music ever since the age of four. She had performed her Arangetram ( the first solo stage performance) at the age of 15 at the Malliyoor Sree Mahaganapathi temple, Kottayam district, Kerala. Inspired by many Carnatic music legends, Abhirami strives to put in an element of uniqueness through the a few improvised pieces while performing on stage.
She is also a playback singer and has sung for a few popular Malayalam films including Diamond Necklace and Oru Indian Pranaya Katha. The concert held on Independence Day at the Rasikapriya Sabha at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in Kochi, was deemed to be an honour by the young artiste. She sang from an altar from where Carnatic music legends including M.S Subhalakshmi has enthralled music lovers.
The concert commenced with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by a varnam set to Raaga Bihag. This seemed to be more of a warm-up to the remainder of the concert. She then proceed to singing Shree Ganapathy set to Raaga Saurashtra and composed by one of the three jewels of Carnatic music Thyagaraja.
Abhirami Ajai at a Carnatic music concert
But it was only when she had begun singing Rakshamaam Sharanagatham composed in Raaga Naattu were we able to see the truly skills hidden within her. The many improvisations sung as part of the song clearly showcased a great deal of confidence.
Thus, began a series of complex raagas. Abhirami went on to sing Devi Neeye Thunai in Raaga Kirvani composed by Papanasam Sivan followed by another Thygaraja kriti set to Raaga Kaamvardhini.
Abhirami Ajai singing Raaga Hindolam
The popular Carnatic classical song Saamajavara composed in Raaga Hindolam, gave the audiences an opportunity to see the singer enjoy herself on the stage.
But the one piece that indeed stood out from the rest was the song sung in praise of Lord Guruvayoorappan composed in Raaga Thodi by Muthuswami Dikshitar. It was now, that one could say that she was rather confident on stage and had matured in terms of the technique and performance.
The daawani-clad (half-saree) lass sure understood the nuances of Carnatic music. She also had firm foundation in the genre. This song saw the combined effort of every member of the orchestra as well, making it one of the most pleasurable aspects of the concert. "I did not know how to go about performing such as vast raaga like Thodi. It is not a raaga you could sing for ten minutes or so. But I am glad that I was able to do justice to it," said Abhirami Ajai.
The concert also saw the demonstration of a rare ragamalika which involved a combination of Ranjini, Sree Ranjini, Megha Ranjini and Jana Ranjini. The transition from one raaga to another was smooth and kept the audiences engaged.
Abhirami also explored the world of devotion through the popular bhajan "Krishna nee begane baro" by Kanakadasa set to raaga Yaman Kalyani. The mild improvisations in the sahitya (lyrics) added a certain charm to the song, bringing out the Krishna-bhakti in her.
Towards the end, she sang a peppy song set to Raaga Jhonpuri composed by Swathi Thirunal. The song invoked how Kuchelan (Sudhama) was astound by the enormous wealth this friend Krishna had possessed upon meeting him after a long time.
This is was followed by a philosophical piece "Sarva Brahma Mayam" and popular Thillana set to Raaga Dhanasri. The mangalam indicated the end of the three hour and fifteen minute concert.
While the audience was rather small, it was evident that this concert was meant for those who could not only appreciate the well versed in the nuances of Carnatic music.
Abhirami would like to be known as a Carnatic musician who sings for films as well. "My parents have been the greatest source of support. Without them, I would have not been where I am," commented Abhirami.
In a nutshell, it was truly a pleasure to see how, progress or 'modernisation' has not dashed away the taste for all that is typically Indian and something we ought to cherish. Indian music dates back many centuries. Perhaps, it is Abhirami's generation that would keep alive the tradition and encourage more to gather an understanding of some of India's ancient forms of art.