On Friday night I attended a music concert by famous Indian Carnatic vocalist M. Balamuralikrishna. Although it took an hour and a half to get there due to horrible traffic conditions, the concert was a treat. This 78-year old vocalist didn’t just sing, he used his voice as an instrument. The incredible range of pitches and sounds showed just how supple this man’s voice still was. My co-worker, a native of Kerala, India, was only able to understand bits and pieces, as many of the songs were in Tegelu.
Some of the songs were his own compositions, still adhering to the Carnatic style but pushing the boundaries. Some songs were about love and others about the Hindu gods. A violin played in a downward position, mridangam (type of south Indian drum played on both sides), and a male vocalist accompanied this legend. A drone-like sound was present throughout the concert.
Played in an improvisational style with no music, the accompanists had to listen very closely to blend with the main melody. Although tired and relaxed from the soothing music, I fought to stay awake to hear the beautiful vocalizations and experience the lively solos by the mridangam player.
With already much quieter streets, the ride back to our neighborhood was only 15 minutes. Still soothed by the melodies, I was ready to go to bed.
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