Prince Rama Varma - Sri Chithira Thirunal Jayanthi - Sundara Vinayaka - Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan

On a rainy day in October 2019, Prince Rama Varma, accompanied by Sri S.R.Vinu, Nanjil Sri Arul, Attingal Sri Madhu and Thirunakkara Sri Rethish, drenched the blessed music lovers at Sri Swathi Thirunal Sangeetha Sabha, Trivandrum during their patron's day celebrations.
Varma ji came up with a whole bunch of songs which he had never sung before and it was a joyful, three hour journey for all concerned.
After the Varnam, Varma ji brought to light a brilliant composition on Lord Vinayaka in the 32nd Melakarta Raga called Ragavardhini, by the Legendary Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan, which was sung in concert, probably for the very first time ever!
Varma ji explains the special position that Dr.T.V.Gopalakrishnan had in the heart of Maharaja Sri Chithira Thirunal, in the sweetest way possible.
After a delightful essay of super aesthetic and melodious Swarams in this dissonant Raga, Varma ji gives a fascinating little impromptu lecture, connecting this Raga to the vintage film song by Mukesh, 'Oh Re Taal Mile Nadi Ke Jal Me" and follows that up with some stunning tips on how to sing the Raga Charukesi, for the benefit of the music students who had braved the bad weather and had gathered there. He suggests that they give Charukesi an identity of it's own, rather than see it, just as an amalgam of Shankarabharanam in the lower half and Thodi in the upper half.
He illustrates how it sounds so much better, if the Ma is not oscillated the way one does in Shankarabharanam and if one gives the Gamakam on Dha, rather than on Ni, the way one does while singing Thodi.