Prepare yourself for a treat with spell binding singing from Aruna Sairam, in her first UK tour. Aruna’s concerts attract crowds that create “traffic jams around the auditorium.” Accompanying her is the prestigious talent of Patri Satish Kumar and Jyotsna Shrikanth, a musician of dynamism and finesse.

What actually happened: Probably one of the finest Carnatic concerts we have witnessed since 2006. Sairam’s recital is full of beauty and poise; She drives home the sheer joys and essence of Mohanam, Lalitha and Shanmukhapriya with conviction, wit and authority. Her deep voice and elegant delineation of the varnams and the ragam-tanam-pallavi is nothing short of astounding. She begins with Mohanam, unfolding it with its characteristic gamaks. Lalitha follows next with a sonorous introduction and the composition.

One can hear the hum of excitement in the audience as she announces her third piece – a ragam-tanam-pallavi, “without which a Carnatic concert is incomplete,” in her own words.

In these unbelievable times, if you are missing the warmth and vibrancy of a live concert hall, look no further, because the full-length performances in HD quality that the Darbar Concert Hall brings, come with the same exciting vibes that bring a real concert hall to life.

Sairam leaves an impressive array of musical greats in the front row elated with her grand finale – the elegant and dramatic Kalinga Narthana Thillana. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Shashank Subramanyam, Ganesh and Kumaresh are amongst the regaled audiences in the brimming Purcell Room who give her a befitting standing ovation.

Sairam’s vivacity is infectious and her execution full of clarity and mirth - capable of reviving our spirits as we bid adieu to this historic year.

Srikanth, Kumar and Prakash provide an impeccable and memorable accompaniment to this towering personality of Carnatic music.

Compositions performed:
Raga Mohanam, composer Thirugnana Sambandar
Kriti Kapali Raga Mohanam, composer Papanasam Sivan
Raga Lalita, Composer Muthuswami Dikshitar
Ragam Tanam Pallavi, Raga Shanmukapriya
Teertha Vitthala Kshetra Vitthala inspired by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
Kalinga Nartana Tillana, Raga Gambhirananda, Dance of Krishna

Musicians:
Aruna Sairam (carnatic vocal)
Jyotsna Shrikanth (violin)
Patri Satish Kumar (mridangam)
RN Prakash (ghatam)
Priya Parkash (tanpura)