Divine Unison
Sangita Kalanidhis Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer & M. S. Subbulakshmi
EMI India CDNF 147838-39 (2 CDs)

Contents:

  1. Sree Lakshmi Varaham - Abhogi/Adi - Muthuswami Dikshitar (8'25)
  2. Swarajati: Rave Himagiri - Todi/Adi - Shyama Sastri (14'21)
  3. Entarani - Harikambhoji/Adi - Tyagaraja (8'15)
  4. Sri Kantimathim - Hemavathi/Adi - Muthuswami Dikshitar (4'54)
  5. Evari Mata - Kambhoji/Adi - Tyagaraja (6'10)
  6. E Nati Nomu - Bhairavi/Adi - Tyagaraja (6'12)
  7. Teliyaleru Rama - Dhenuka/Adi - Tyagaraja (6'24)
  8. Ennaga Manasu - Nilambari/Adi - Tyagaraja (4'56)
  1. Rama Nee Samanamevaru - Kharaharapriya/Rupakam - Tyagaraja (21'50)
  2. Itu Sahasamulu - Saindavi/Adi - Swati Tirunal (3'07)
  3. Maye Tvam - Tarangini/Adi - Muthuswami Dikshitar (4'06)
  4. Javali: Sakhiprana - Chechuruti/Adi - Dharmapuri Subbarayar (5'19)
  5. Slokam: Moulav Ganga - Appaya Dikshitar
    Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho - Nadanamakriya/Mishra Jhampa - Mysore Maharaja Jayachamaraja (8'07)
  6. Tillana - Jenjhooti/Adi - Veena Seshanna (4'28)
  7. Mangalam (2'31)

Accompanists are not named.

Sound quality: fairly good

Recording date: 1967; CD re-issue: 1999

This is certainly an intriguing combination, although M.S. Subbulakshmi is clearly the backing vocalist during any of the demanding passages. For easy things, they sing more in unison. But it is not a "jugalbandi" in any sense, as there is no alternation.

The major issue is that some songs have been edited for the release, and so some tracks are rather abrupt especially at their beginning (alapana cutoff). Ultimately, although there are some very compelling tracks, the program as a whole is too much of an incoherent mish-mash.

To purchasing information for this disc.

To Carnatic CD list.

T. M. McComb