Sikkil Gurucharan displays consummate mastery over Carnatic music in Palakkad

Carnatic vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan delivered lecture-demonstration sessions at Chembai Music College and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad on Thursday. The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPICMACAY) organised the events. Trivandrum N. Sampath accompanied Mr. Gurucharan on violin and Palakkad Harinarayanan on mridangam.

At Chembai College, Mr. Gurucharan started his presentation with the Saveri Varnam, ‘Sarasooda’. He showed how to beautifully sing a Varnam in three different speeds, blending Carnatic music with Hindustani techniques.

He performed a Dakshinamoorthy sthuthi and explained the nuances of the Phenadhyuthi raaga. He stressed that music is a universal language that unites people beyond boundaries and differences.

Mr. Gurucharan then performed a Kalyani Ragam krithi and explained the Chakra system, where 72 Melakartha raagas are grouped into sets of six. He demonstrated this by singing Kalpanaswaram in six raagas from the Veda Chakra, showing how the swaras change. He emphasised the importance of practising multiple raagas daily to master them.

His rendition of the patriotic song ‘Hind desh ke nivasi’ in Desh raaga brought back nostalgic memories of old radio days. He showed a rare knack for breaking down complex ideas into simple and digestible bits during the question-answer session.

Bridging art, science

At IIT Palakkad, Mr. Gurucharan defined music as a combination of frequency and numbers repeated in cycles, cleverly bridging the gap between art and science. He beautifully resonated with the scientific minds at IIT.

He mesmerised the large audience with his performance of the Varnam ‘Chalamu seya’ in Valaji raaga. His performance of Thyagaraja’s ‘Jagadananda Karaka’ in Nattai raaga was unique, with the violin complementing his swaras. He also rendered ‘Brihaspathe’ in Atana raaga, showcasing Jupiter’s power and strength.

Mr. Gurucharan’s choice of Hamsanandi raaga for the Ragam Thanam Pallavi was clever, especially since it was also the name of IIT Palakkad’s guest house.

His performance of ‘Jayathi Jayathi Bharatha Mathaa’ was a treat, especially with the unique viruttam ‘Vandemaatharam’. The twin concerts provided a fulfilling experience to the music enthusiasts of Palakkad.