Shashank Subramanyam (Flute)

Attended flute recital of Kalaimamani Sri. Shashank Subramanyam (Flute). He was accompanied by H. N. Bhaskar (Violin), Jayachandra Rao (Mridangam) and Ojas Adhiya (Tabla). This concert was organised by Ragamalika as part of 13th Annual festival 'Swara Raga Sudha 2018' on 3rd May 2018 at Sudanese club Abu Dhabi. I attended the concert with Jayant. 

Shashankji asked the audience what they would like to hear. Someone from first row suggested (I could not hear) and he started the concert. Concert started with Flute and Violin. Mridangam joined in soon after and shortly Tabla followed suit. 

Second composition was a known composition. Flute and Violin played beautiful solo pieces at the start. Tabla and flute concluded this composition. 

Now it was violin's turn. Bhaskar played with Mridangam. Flute and Tabla then joined in. Then they played in alternating combinations of  Flute-Tabla and Violin-Mridangam. Violinist played very well. Shashankji played very well too. I especially liked when he played alternate notes in komal and teevra octaves seamlessly. It appeared as if two flute players were playing. 

He then gave audience a choice between Raag Nasikabhushani and Dharmavati. Audience chose 70th Melkarta raag  over 59th. So it was Nasikabhushani. He played some very delicate and stable notes and received audience applause. He then played  some solo very fine, fluid and fast as well as slow flute. It was followed with Violin solo. Flute then took over again. There was neither Mridangam nor Tabla for this Raag.

He then presented Tyagaraja composition 'Mara vairi ramani' again in Raag Nasikabhushani.  It has two variations. One in Adi taal and another in Rupak. He chose Rupak taal. Here Violin-Tabla and Flute- Mridangam played in combinations. 

He then presented a short composition in Raag Dhenuka. It wad a beautiful composition and sounded very similar to Bhairavi.

He then presented Raag Mohanam. He played Ragam Tanam Pallavi (RTP). He changed his Flute to a longer one that provided richer tone initially.  This Raag sounded like Bhoop Raag.

He then made a fabulous demonstration. First he played in two octaves alternately and then he played in two octaves simultaneously. Amazing! Don't know how! Tabla and Mridangam joined in for Pallavi 'Mana mohana'. Ojas got some freedom to play during this composition. The crescendo was so good that they got standing ovation. 

It was followed by 'Tani avartanam',  a section designed for the Purcussionists to show their prowess. This time, though it was a Carnatic concert,  it was a rare occasion to watch Mridangam Vs Tabla. Both of them are masters and displayed what they can do given freedom. Paltas of Ojas were very good today. One of them was simply awesome. He won the audience with this brief opportunity.  Both off them merged in Mohra and played Korvai together. Audience clapped with the Percussionists. Rani avartanam came towards the end of concert. 

There was a short break to felicitate the artists. The power went off during felicitation. So the break extended but audience remained. There was dinner after the concert,  which I didn't partake,  as incentive. :) This break was uncalled for and broke the flow of the concert. 

Concert ended with three short compositions played by all the artists together. 

I have heard Shashank earlier in duet concert with Kushal Das. This time it was solo. He is an amazing flutist. He flew from Los Angeles for this concert and was flying back after. 

Violinist sass good and applauded his cci artists. Rap and Ojas were also excellent. 

Every year thus festival is house full. Today the hall was not full. It may be because of a combination of working day and current market situation. The hall has good acoustics.

The stage had a backdrop of a temple. This  is the image of the temple that will be  built in Abu Dhabi and will open in 2020.

A good concert. 

Entertainment rating 8.75/10