
There was variety. Yet, the menu sounded familiar. This likeable mix in the concert itinerary, perhaps, is a key attraction for her fans to come in hordes to her programme. This senior artiste assiduously cultivates a harmonious rapport with the fans. This bonhomie ensures a packed hall in her concerts.
The main piece of the day was "Raksha bettare doraku ''. A lovely Bhairavi composition of Tyagaraja, this one was about protecting Lord Rama from evil eyes by applying dainty mark Tilaka on His forehead. Aruna Sairam was soaked fully into the song, as she rendered it expressively. The delivery was impeccable and touched the right chord. Aruna Sairam adopted the `horses for courses' policy at Sir Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. The evergreen ragamalika piece "Bhavayami Raghuramam'' of Swathi Thirunal, the Brindavana Saranga composition of Dikshithar "Sri Rangapura'' and the popular "Jaga Janani'' in Rathipathi Priya received approving nods from the audience. "Saravanabhava Samayamithira," a composition of Muthiah Bhagavatar in PashupatiPriya, a rarely heard ragam, gushed out in a racy way. There wasn't a dull moment during her nearly three-hour concert. There was clarity in diction. There was something majestic about her voice. She was able to connect with the audience. That said a telling tale about Aruna Sairam the communicator.