ProjeKt Restart by RK Projects and Sound Innovations is now the centre stage for the booming e-concert platform. All its’ previous four episodes received affirmative positive feedback from its’ audiences not only in Malaysia but also from countries such as India, Australia and the UK. The fifth and final episode of this inaugural season was streamed live last week and was a perfect closure like the cherry on the cake. Here’s the review compiled by our team on all five episodes.
The first episode of ProjeKt Restart began with Kyra The Band. It premiered at the peak of the Movement Control Order on the 24th of May 2020 at 8:30 p.m. The organizers started precisely at 8:30 p.m. fuss free. The duration of the show was approximately 1 hour.
The live stream attracted over 6500 views on Youtube as well as Facebook.
The band who made us dance in the comforts of our homes (literally), consists of 5 members; they are vocalist Prasad Krishnamoorthy, guitarist Rohan Tankaraj, drummer Stephen Raj, bassist Sasitharan Davadas and keyboardist Daniel Selvakumar.
They performed Santhosha Kanneere, Rukkumani Rukkumani, Mellisaiye, Kaadhal Yogi, Ennavale Adi Ennavale, En Kadhalae, Oh Butterfly, Unnai Paartha Pinbu Naan, Pottu Vaitha Kathal Thitam, NenjeThullipo, Petta Rap, Chikku Bukku Rayile, Valayosai, Aathangara Marame ending the show with a drum solo.
The second episode of ProjeKt Restart featured Santosh Logandran and his band which was showcased on 7th of June 2020. This band consists of guitarist Sri Suriya, bassist Tasneem Bolhassan, keyboardist Stephanie Tham, drummer Ashwin Gobinath and violinist Hariraam Tingyuan Lam. Santosh Logandran was the lead vocals.
Again, the organizers started precisely as advertised, without any delays. This episode went on slightly over an hour. It has garnered 2500 views on live streaming.
Santosh started the show by singing Aradhana, a song written for his niece, followed by Thanga Thamarai Magale, a Carnatic rendition of Krishna Nee Begane, In Pursuit of Santhosam which is the title track of his album, Suttum Vizhi Sudare, Malargale Malargale, Nila Kaigirathu, Thoda Thoda Malardhadhenna, Uyire Uyire, Isaiyil Thodanguthamma, Sundari Kannal Oru Sethi, Munbe Vaa, Aasai Mugam, Alaipayuthey Kanna, Kannu Thangam, Nimirndhu Vaa En Thozhi, Unakaga Vazhe Ninaikiren, Santhosha Kanneere and ending their set with songs from his album Yen Di.
Chemistry Malaysia took to the stage in ProjeKt Restart’s third episode, again sharp on time as advertised, and fully conquered the stage. This episode was on the 21st of June 2020, which coincided with Father’s Day.
This episode emphasized on classic English hits from the glorious 70’s, 80’s right up to recent hits.
The show lasted just an hour and gained around 4500 views.
The next episode was live streamed on the 5th of July 2020. This episode was a collaboration with Vithai Production and lasted slightly over 1 hour. The band consisted of Sabesh Manmathan and Apputhi Murugaya as vocalists, Liresh Manmathan as the keyboardist, Jemimah Beulah as the guitarist, violinist Yumika Manmathan and lastly Pattrick Arokiasamy as the percussionist.
The group began with M.S Viswanathan and Maestro Ilaiyaraja songs such as Roja Malare Rajakumari, Vellai Pura Ondru, and Nilavae Vaa.
They continued their set with famous 90’s top hits Mustafa Mustafa, Oru Ponnu Onnu, and Urvashi Urvashi.
Sabesh took the opportunity to specially thank Mathiazhagan for being their mentor. He then continued the show by singing a classical song, Vizhiyile Yelumbothu Vazhi Koduthai followed by Pookal Pookum Tharunam and Thendral Vanthu Theendum.
The live event then picked up tempo with Ennodu Nee Irundhal, Koodamela Koodavechi, Oh Penne, Pookkalae Sattru Oyivedungal, Yaen Ennai Pirindhaai, Kadhaippoma, Azhagiye Marry Me, Ennamo Yeadho, June Ponal July Katrai, Enna Sona (Hindi), Merke Merke, Channa Mereya (Hindi), Maanja Pottu Thaan, Ponmagal Vandhaal, and lastly Engadi Porantha.
They ended the show by performing Uyire-Hey Penne, and an original composition, Unmei-Penmai Konjam.
The theme for fifth episode of ProjeKt Restart was Carnatic Fusion. The line-up highlighted some of the country’s very best Carnatic musicians.
This is indeed a time for all The Carnatic music rasigas to enjoy beautiful and poignant music to feed their soul.
The repertoire featured an all-female ensemble, called Sangeetha Swarangal and was aired on the 19th of July 2020. It garnered 3000 live views.
Taking centre stage was mother-daughter duo, Vidushi Srimathi Jayalakshmi Premkumar on the ghatam and Shuwehtha Premkumar on the veena. Krithika Chandrashekar was the vocalist, while Swathi Sivadas was the graceful pianist. On the Carnatic violin, was Pangasaasanii Gowrisan.
The show, hosted by Dharshamini Kesavan began with a song in the raagam Hamsadvani, meaning the sound of a swan. The next songs performed by the ensemble were: Vellai Pookal, Swasame Swasame, Netru Illadha Matram, Enna Satham Intha Neram, Kurukku Siruthavale, Vellai Pura Ondru, Kadhal Rojave, Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan, Sowkiyama Kannae, Oh Butterfly, Vaseegara, Nee Partha Parvaikkoru Nandri, Kadhale Kadhale, Inni Naanum Naan Illai, Hello Mister Ethirkatchi, Azhagu Nilave, Aanandha Yaazhai, Oru Deivam Thantha Poove, Amma Endru, Kannamma, Puthu Vellai Mazhai, Poovukkul Olinthirukkum, and Vennilave Vennilave.
The all-female band ended the show (as well as the first season of ProjeKt Restart) with the upbeat Dhanashree Thillana, a Carnatic composition by Swathi Thirunal.
Verdict: Impeccable showcase of local talents, full marks on punctuality, sound system on point and seamless live streaming.
A well deserving standing ovation to all the performers, and the team behind ProjeKt Restart.
Needless to say, ProjeKt Restart kept us sane during the Movement Control Order (MCO) with an array of finely calibrated symphonic music!
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