The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Main Hall in Mylapore was packed to capacity long before the Trichur Brothers took the stage. The audience got glimpses of their sound check. The brothers were accompanied by S. Janardhan (violin), Trichur R. Mohan (mridangam), and Nerkunam Sankar (khanjira).

They began the concert with the Sahana varnam, followed by a brisk transition into Papanasam Sivan’s Pirava varam tharum in Lathangi. The brothers then delved into Syama Sastry’s Marivere Gati in Ananda Bhairavi, a rendition so soulful it felt as if they were cradling the hearts of the audience. They followed this with Swaminatha Paripalayasumam in Nata. This changed the energy of the place from a contemplative mood to a joyful one. They showed their musical brilliance through several impressive rounds of kalpana swarams. Tyagaraja’s Hecharika ga rara followed next. S. Janardhan on the violin stayed closely aligned with the brothers, offering steady, unobtrusive support.

The RTP segment showcased the brothers at their best. They rendered a pallavi composed by Ram Kumar Mohan himself in the raga Hamsanadam. The lyrics, Mylapuriyil dinam dinam kaanbome kapaliyin bhavaniyai were a thoughtful tribute to the Mylapore setting. Interestingly the brothers had performed the same pallavi in September for the Mylapore Arts Academy at this same venue. The subsequent ragamalika swaras were in Saveri, Kapi, Des, and Hamsadhwani. The siblings’ father, Trichur R. Mohan, offered measured and supportive playing on the mridangam. The tani avartanam was a pleasure to hear; the instruments sounded crisp and perfectly balanced thanks to the sound levels set by the brothers. Nerkunam Sankar’s playing was marked by brisk and assured strokes, setting an energetic tone for the evening.

As the concert entered its final phase, the duo presented Papanasam Sivan’s Ramanai Bhajithal in mand and Purandara Dasa’s Venkatachalanilayam in Sindu Bhairavi. Both pieces were deeply moving, prompting the organisers to request an encore. They performed a Malayalam devotional in raga Reethigaula ashtapadi layam. The concert closed with Madurai Mani Iyer’s famous nottuswaram, a joyful sing-along that left the audience feeling uplifted.

The repertoire was remarkably diverse, showcasing a wide range of composers. The setlist felt perfectly curated, yet there was a spontaneous spark in their singing that made the music feel like it was being created right there on the spot. Their energy kept the audience guessing what would come next. The brothers, well-known for their harmonic blending, added them in just the right measure - enhancing the music without overdoing it. Even their attire—kurtas embroidered with the image of Karpagambal, reflected their deep connection to the Mylapore setting and the spirit of the season. If the ultimate goal of music is to dissolve the distance between the performer’s heart and the listener’s soul, the Trichur Brothers achieved it with grace, making the complex art of music feel like a shared emotional experience.

by

Amritha Saravanan