Cambridge-based Carnatic classical vocalist Deepti Navaratna released her latest CD of South Indian Classical music on May 7th 2011 at the First Church in Cambridge.  The CD release ceremony was followed by a concert highlighting key pieces from the CD - 'Aarohanam', with violinist Krishnan Parameswaran and drummer Mahalingam Santhanakrishnan.

Deepti Navaratna has won great critical acclaim for her vocal artistry that affords classical wisdom, emotive appeal and virtuosity with distinctive grace. An A-grade artiste of All India Radio since 2000, she topped the All India Radio’s National Music competition twice in the categories of Carnatic and light classical music. She is also recognized for charting exciting new possibilities for the Carnatic voice in the contemporary idiom. She was featured as a ‘Karnatic Soprano’ in a multi-chamber opera produced by Boston Musica Viva under the direction of composer Shirish Korde. Her recent work ‚’Akshah’ focuses on the intimate relationship between sound and movement and was premiered at Indo-American Arts Council’s festival of perfoming arts at the Asia Society, New York City. Some of her notable performances were featured at Asia Society (New York City), Harvard Arts Museum (Cambridge, MA), Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA), Yale School of music (New Haven, CT), Tsai Performance Center (Boston, MA), Sensational India Festival at Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, MA), Thyagaraja Festival (Salt Lake City), among others.

 The CD opens with Varnam Chalmuseya  composed by Lalgudi Jayaraman in Ragam Valaji.  Lalgudi's compositions are known to be bhava laden and Deepti does a great job in bringing out the yearning of the Nayika for her lover. Deepti's smooth voice lends itself perfectly for the composition.

The next  composition in Ragam Naatai - Sri Mahaganapathe by Mayooram Vishwanatha Shastri is a lovely prayer offering to Lord Ganesha.  This is followed by Thyagaraja's Chutamurare in Ragam Arabhi set to Rupaka Talam.  The sleeve claims this to be one of the "daintiest" compositions of Thyagaraja.  Deepti's Alapanai  helps showcase her lovely range as she smoothly glides from the lower to higher octaves. 

Next we have Kamalaptakula in Ragam Brindavani. Another composition by Thiagaraja it is a rare one known for the lovely alliterative prose that is used to  praise Rama.

The next piece, Nee Samanamevaru by G.N.Balasubramanium is  the centerpiece of the CD . Deepti opens with a lovely alapanai of Shubhapantuvarali Ragam. The violin accompaniment for the Alapanai is wonderful. The piece ends with a scintillating Tani where Mali gets to showcase his command over rhythm and time.

The last item , a  Lalgudi Thillana in Desh Ragam brings the music to a lovely conclusion.

Deepti has chosen the songs wisely to showcase her vocal range . Her bhava laden approach to music is always a pleasure to listen to .  Mali on the Mridangam and Krishnan Parmeshwaran provide wonderful accompaniment. 

Overall a lovely CD

For more information check out

http://www.deeptinavaratna.com or www.cdbaby.com/cd/deeptinavaratna.

 

 

 

 

 

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