When Sivamani plays, you listen. Even when the rain comes down hard and you are nudged around for space. The ace percussionist was his fl amboyant, irresistible self at the Palace Grounds on Sunday, when he treated hundreds of fans to his array of original, innovative beats.
The Sivamani-Mandolin Shrinivas concert - held as part of The Times Bangalore Festival organized by The Times of India - was also a study in contrast of styles. While Sivamani stuck to the script and did the customary crowd-puller act, he was complemented in style by Shrinivas' soothing turn. Keyboardist Steven Devassy added his expert octaves, to complete the colourful triumvirate. Their medley had the crowd, that braved the showers to catch the masters in action, asking for more. The spirit was intact from the word go. The rain wasn't quite the dampener, and Sivamani chose to play under the covers. That was enough for many to return from exit points, even as the fans continued tapping their feet while seeking cover under chairs held high. Two A R Rahman chart-scorchers - Humma humma from Bombay and a Jodhaa Akbar track - set the evening's tempo. Sivamani also had the crowd hooked with Kannada tracks and the regular nod to the Bangalore spirit: "This is my favourite venue''. By the time Shrinivas had the crowd glued on with his 'Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram', the spirits were peaking to a high. Sivamani put almost everything in sight to use, working nimbly on them with his drumsticks. A suitcase, water cans, kitchen utensils, all doubled as drums here. The final nod to the crowd was made when he flung the drumsticks into the cheering crowd. The memorabilia was made. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Trio_scorches_the_rain/articleshow/3616590.cms -- regards, Vithur ARR in my Heart; His Music in my Blood;
