The delight of 16 + 1 : An US concert celebrating rasikas choice - M Balamuralikrishna (1979)

Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna (BMK) has taken the most classical art form of Carnatic Music not only to the nooks and corners of our great country but also to many other countries around the world. BMK made people fall in love with music and relish it. He is among the very few who championed Carnatic Music to be accessible to all. His artistic endeavour is appreciated by both scholars and laymen alike. His music attracted academics, pundits, professionals and laypersons, young and old alike. While it was a common practice to request BMK to sing a song of one’s choice in the second half of a live concert, what if, the aficionados or rasikas of Muraligānam were given an opportunity to propose a list of songs of their choice for a full concert ? We suppose, the album “The delight of 16+1," is one such rare concert, which was held somewhere in the US in 1979, celebrating the choice of rasikas. Here, BMK is accompanied by Sri. Annavarapu Ramaswami (Violin) and Sri. Tanjore Upendran (Mridangam). There are 17 items presented here in 16 rāgas. Compositions of Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Annamacharya, Bhadrachala Ramadas and several others including the compositions of BMK are featured here. Although there are some rāgālāpana, svara-vinyāsam and laya-vinyāsam in this concert, it appears to be mainly centered on the presentation of krtis. Bearing his idiom of presentation, each kriti presented here seems to be taking the form of completeness despite its duration. While the well-known and popular rāgas such as Ārabhi, Māyamālava gaula, Shankarābharanam, Amritavarshini, Móhana, Kāmavardhini, Kharaharapriya, Mukhāri, Behāg, Ābhógi, Hindóla, Madhyamāvati and others make the beautiful music, revealing its beauty, the not so often heard rāgas like Mahati and Sindhukannada show the exquisite melody of aural framework. This upload is for all the rasikas who would like to listen to music both inclusively and exclusively. An enjoyable, entertaining concert that took place some 40 years back is now being presented to you after its restoration. Come, partake in the delight of 16+1 and share your thoughts and reflections with all of us. 00:00 🌹 Concert Introduction: Sri. T K Ramkumar 00:51 ⏹ Mahadeva sutham - Arabhi - Adi – BMK 16:02 ⏹ Merusamana dheera - Mayamalavagowla - Adi - Tyagaraja 23:39 ⏹ Mahaneeya madhura murte - Mahati - Rupaka - BMK 38:08 ⏹ Svara raga sudha rasa - Shankarabharanam - Adi - Tyagaraja 58:10 ⏹ Anandamrita varshini - Amrithavarshini - Adi - Muthuswami Dikshitar 1:04:39 ⏹ Ottrumai servadu - Mohana - Adi - Tirujnana Sambahar 1:17:03 ⏹ Nanuganna talli na bhagyama - Sindhukannada - Adi - Tyagaraja 1:21:59 ⏹ Varuga varuga - Kamavardhini - Adi - BMK 1:30:09 ⏹ Prakkala-nilabadi - Kharaharapriya - Triputa - Tyagaraja 1:37:12 ⏹ Brahama kadigina padamu - Mukhari - Adi - Annamacharya 1:41:53 ⏹ Narayana te namo namo - Behag - Adi - Annamacharya 1:49:11 ⏹ Tanga ratham vandadu - Film song (Kalai Kovil) 1:54:33 ⏹ Paluke bangara-mayena - Anandabhairavi - Adi – Bh. Ramadas 1:58:24 ⏹ Seetakalyana vaibhogame - Kurinji - Khandachapu - Tyagaraja 2:02:33 ⏹ Tillana - Hindola - Adi - BMK 2:08:51 ⏹ Nagumomu-galavani - Madhyamavati - Adi - Tyagaraja 2:11:16 ⏹ Mangalam - Navaroj - Adi – Bh. Ramadas