An Evening of Bharathanatyam: A Raw, Unfiltered Blast from India’s Classical Soul
Alright, let’s get straight to it. An Evening of Bharathanatyam by M.L. Vasanthakumari isn’t just another album—it’s a punch in the gut for anyone who thinks Indian classical music is all about sitting quietly with your hands folded. Released in 1972 under Columbia Records, this sucker smashes through genres like Folk, World, and Country while staying rooted deep in Carnatic traditions. And yeah, there’s even a hint of Hindustani flavor sprinkled in because why not? MLV (yeah, that’s what we’re calling her) doesn’t mess around when she sings—her voice hits you harder than a mridangam slap.
Let me break it down track-wise. First up, "Ashtapadi - Nindati Chandana." This one sticks with you like gum on a hot day. The flute work by Sankaran? Insane. It’s like he took the soul of Krishna himself and made it dance. Then MLV comes in with her vocals, sharp as glass but smooth as silk. You can almost picture Radha rolling her eyes at Krishna’s antics here—classic love drama served piping hot. If you’ve got ears, you’ll feel this one burrow into your brain. Forget Spotify playlists; this is the real deal.
Then there’s "Thillana," which feels like someone lit a firecracker inside a temple. Guru K.N. Dhandayuthapani Pillai knows how to choreograph energy into sound—this guy was no joke. Srividya kills it on vocals for B2, making you wonder if she ate a microphone for breakfast. Seriously, how does someone belt out notes like that without losing their voice halfway? The violin by Venkatraman adds layers so thick you could slice ‘em with a knife. By the end, you're left breathless, wondering what just hit you.
The rest of the tracks ain’t slouches either—“Varnam - Sakiye” (both parts!) has enough complexity to make your head spin, and “Alarippu - Thisram” starts off simple but builds into something primal. But honestly, after hearing those two killer tracks, everything else feels like dessert after an already massive meal.
Now, let’s talk credits real quick. MLV wasn’t alone in this beast-mode project. Mridangam wizard Srinivasan lays down beats tighter than your grandma’s saree pleats. And props to V.A.K. Ranga Rao for sleeve notes that actually tell you something instead of spewing fluff. Oh, and shoutout to K.R.V. Bhakta for snapping photos that look cooler than most modern album art.
So yeah, An Evening of Bharathanatyam. It’s raw, unpolished, and dripping with authenticity. Listening to it feels like stepping back into 1972 India—no filters, no autotune, just pure talent flexing its muscles.
But here’s the kicker: albums like these remind us how much we’ve lost chasing perfection. Screw polished production—give me passion over precision any day. Now go listen to it before robots take over music completely.
