Audio Review: Karthik - Songs I Like

When I see Karthik performing carnatic numbers on television and stage shows, I always thought why not record them and release as an album. And here it is as "Karthik: Songs I Like" with some of the most famous carnatic songs in a fusion style. Below is a quick review about the album..(Music by Sai Madhukar)

mahAgaNapatim (Muthuswami Dikshitar, Naata raagam, Sanskrit)

Album starts of with this piece, a traditional way to pray the Lord Ganesha before starting any work! Composed in Naata(i) raaga, one of my favorites, has Karthik's signature all over the song. I have seen Karthik perform this one a couple of times on television, didn't seem to be much difference! You may find a similarity in the orchestration to the one in Morning Raaga, but again, it is the same song and same raaga! :)

kRshNA nee bEganE (Vyasatirtha, Yaman raagam, Kannada)

May be the most famously known Kannada kriti, performed by many singers already. Karthik again excels, this time in the raaga Yaman (or yamunA kaLyANi)! Simple orchestration with a few strings and flute accompaniement.

brOchEvaaru evarurA (Mysore Vasudevacharya, Khamas raagam, Telugu)

The famous Telugu kriti by Mysore Vasudevacharya is set in the raaga Khamaj (or Khamas). Though most of us are used to this one rendered by SPB and Vani Jairam for Sankarabharanam, Karthik does a good job too! Probably what was missing may be is the feel of the words in the beginning, which comes back on track even before you realize! Karthik's Telugu diction and pronunciation is almost flawless!

pibarE rAmarasam (Sadasiva Brahmendra, Chakravaakam raagam, Sanskrit)

Ah, Chakravaakam (Ahir Bhairavi in Hindustani)! One raaga which has a flavor of contemplation. Known to most Telugus because of Padamati Sandhyaraagam, this kriti in Sanskrit, rendered with many different variations with simple orchestration, leaves you in a trans state in the end!

Tribute to Bharathiyar (Subramania Bharathi, Raagamalika, Tamil)

A beautiful raagamalika with three of the most famous Tamil songs by Bharathiyar.Starts off with a beautiful violin piece in the lilting Sahaana raagam for the song "manathil uruthi vendum" followed by flute pieces that take a beautiful drift in to the soothing Yaman for the song "suttum vizhi chudarthaan". I always feel Yaman is Karthik's forte, for reasons many. He performs this Yaman as if he is pampering the song with his vocals! The final piece is composed in Sindhubhairavi for the song "nallathor veeNai seithe".

This is the only number in the album which I am not aware of earlier. But for Tamilians, I believe, these songs are a part of their daily life! This happens to be my favorite number in this album!

nagumOmu kanalEni (Tyaagaraaja, Abheri raagam, Telugu)

A Telugu kriti by Tyaagaraaja in the raaga Abheri. The beauty in this song lies in the crests and troughs of the notes in the charanam and Karthik does an excellent job! Again a mention for not tampering with the meaning of the song by breaking the words in inappropriate places :)

nAnATi bratuku nATakamE (Annamacharya, Revathi raagam, Telugu)

Revathi is one intense yet simple raagam, so is the orchestration and rendition of this song. Known to be one of the most philosophical songs written by Annamacharya, the song creates a mood of deep thought and stillness! Again, Karthik excels - especially with his diction. The shehnai piece before the second charanam is amazingly done!

mangaLam (Sree Ramadasu, Telugu)

'Energetic' is the word :)

I feel like listening to this Mangalam piece again and again. Karthik stands out, as usual, but something to mention here is the beautiful and sweet female vocals in the chorus! Well rendered with respect to diction and pronunciation. Nice tail piece to end the album with!!

Verdict (5/5)*****

A must listen for carnatic and fusion music lovers.

Hoping this is just the start and we would get to see more such albums from him!