Sirkazhi G. Siva Chidambaram performing at Tamil Isai Vizha in Madurai.
| Photo Credit: R. ASHOK
On the second day of the 52nd Tamil Isai Vizha, Sirkazhi G. Siva Chidambaram rendered an energetic and enthusiastic vocal concert with percussion support from Delhi V.S.K. Chakrapani on the Violin, Valangaiman Thyagarajan on the Mridangam, Valangaiman Mohanraj on the Khanjira, Ganesh Munuswamy on the Rhythm Pad and Thirumurugan on the Moharsing.
The vocalist commenced worshipping Lord Ganesa (Mukkuruni Vinayagar) through “oranai kandrai” and rendered Muthuthandavar’s “sevikka vendumayya” in Abhogi.
He then sang a brief Alapana for Suddhaananda Bhaarati’s “ illai enban yarada” in mohanam. His rendition bridged the deep devotional surrender (bhakti) with enlightened awareness (jnana) of the Rasikas.
In quick succession, he brought the immediate sense of spiritual yearning through “Maravathiru Nenjame” in Punnagavarali. Muthuthandavar’s plea to the mind (nenjam) to never forget (maravadhiru) the divine grace of Lord of Thillai was very well brought out.
He then rendered “ kadaikkan vaittennai alamma” by Ramaswamy Sivan in Begada, followed by “ Ithanai naal enna seithai” by Pavendar Bharathidasan, in which he blended the standard classical composition with spiritual storytelling and made the audience to introspect.
A unique rendition of Karaharapriya, the main raga of the evening, ( where he used Verses from Thirukural as Viruttam and lyrics from Uvamai Kavingar Surada’s “Thithikum Thamizhile”.
With his Kalpanaswaras, the violinist mirrored the empathetic tonal matching and melodic improvisations that complemented the vocalist. The song was dedicated to late Solomon Pappaiah. The Tani that followed the mrudangist led the structure and dictated the tempo to which both the Khanjira and morsing player responded well.
His final pieces included the ever green “ Chinnanchiru Pen Pole” in Sindhubhairavi by Ulundurpettai Shanmugam.
Published – October 02, 2026 09:32 pm IST
