AndyMusicBlog-thodi

My Chennai Diary 2008 - 25thDec - part2

2008-12-30T05:23:00.001-08:00

The next concert we attended was of Hyderabad brothers at ParthasArathi Sabha. Some details for those who didn't read my blog last year. This sabha was founded in 1900 and is the oldest music Sabha in Madras. It seems to be caught in a time warp - old auditorium, tall fans, not too great acoustics . Wonderful pictures of Lord Parthasarathy at the venue.

Vocal: Hyderabad Brothers
Violin: S. Varadarajan
Mridangam: Karaikudi Mani
Khanjira: N Amrith

01. kanjadalAyadAkshi - kamalAmanOhari - Dikshithar - Adi -
Crisp rendition.
02. samayamidE nannu brOva (S @ pallavi) - kEdAram - MDR? - rUpakam
03. nI paramA nAma (sketch, S @ pallavi) - Ananda bhairavi - St. Thyagaraja- Adi
04. sogasujUda tharamA - kannada gowLa - St. Thyagaraja- rUpakam
05. pAmarajana pAlini (R, N @ kAmikAntha paladAyini, S) - simmhEndramadhyamam - Dikshithar - rUpakam
06. palukuTEchE palamEni (short sketch) - phalamanjari - St. Thyagaraja- rUpakam
07. vidajAlathurA - janaranjani - Adi
08. srI rAjagOpAla (R, S @ pallavi, T) - sAvEri - Adi
This was well rendered but the punch they had packed into a studio recording of this Kriti was missing.
Karaikudi Mani sir played a wonderful power-packed tani. Amruth played fitting replies to Mani sir. Amruth is from Bangalore and the son on Basavangudi Nataraj, a violin and mridangam vidwan. He plays the khanjira exactly like his guru G. Harishankar sir. Both of them accompanied excellently for all krithis.

09. enthati kulukE - kalyANi - rUpakam
10. entha nEvanenthunE sakhi - shudha sAveri - rUpakam
11. munthadi valEnApai - bhairavi- mishra chApu
12. evathE pAdu nammA - aTANa - khanda chApu
13. rAgam - madhyamAvathi

Good concert - was happy to note that Raghavachary(the elder brother) is back in form and actively participating while singing. His AnandaBhairavi and SAveri Alapanas were nice. They kept referring to their notes while singing. Though it was not one of their best concerts (their manodharma was stifled) , I liked it because of the songs rendered.

The next concert at ParthasArathi Sabha was of another set of jodi singers Ranjani-Gayatri. They were accompanied by KV Prasad on the mridangam and Mysore Srikanth on the violin.
1.) Chintachercha - ? Sourashtram
2.) Durbar - Andal Tirrupavai
3.) Bilahari - Paridanamichite- patnam subramaniam iyer - adi
4.) ShubhapantuvarAli - Shri SatyanArayanam - Dikshithar
Left the venue listening to sweet strains of MadhyamAvathi
Ranjani and Gayatri sing well but have this tendency to be agressive and speed through their renditions.Their voices are good though - melliflous yet powerful.

Sridhar and I met Amruth outside the venue and told him that his Tani was excellent. He attributed to God's grace. We spent about half an hour chatting with him. He told us that he began learning the mridangam when he was 6 years old and had a choice between the ghatam and khanjira as an upapakkavAdyam. He chose the later as one's fingers harden at the base while playing the ghatam and thats not good if one chooses to play both the mridangam and ghatam. He was impressed with Harishankar sir's style of playing and began learning to play like him by listening to his audio recordings. He mentioned about seeing Harishankar sir on TV and mistaking him to be a foreigner on account of his Albinoism.When Amruth finally met Harishankar sir, he told him that he had learnt to play like him and if sir would accept him as his disciple; if sir refused he would continue to learn from tapes as he wanted to play the Khanjira just like Harishankar sir and no one else. After listening to his playing, sir accepted him as a student and he learnt from him for a few years till Harishankar sir's demise. (That year witnessed the passing away of 2 Khanjira vidwans , G.Harishankar and T. Nagarajan.)
Amruth dropped us at Mylapore bus stand in his car. We didn't expect him to do that but it was a nice gesture on his part and shows his humility despite being one of the front ranking Khanjira players in India.

My Chennai Diary 2008 - 26th Dec - part1

2008-12-30T05:22:00.000-08:00

We had decided to meet up at the Music Academy at 8.30 to pick up daily tickets for Bombay Jayashree's concert. We bought the tickets and realised that even if had arrived 10 mins later than we did,all the tickets would have been sold out.
Bombay sisters were singing at the Academy in the morning. Listened to their Ritigowla and found their voices pleasant ( after a long long time. ) Met my friend KumAran from Charsur Digital Workstation and he talked about Sanjay's concert at Krisha GAna Sabha being excellent.
I bought the new Paddhati CDs of Sangeeta KalAnidhi Palakkad KVNarayanaswamy which contained a Navaratri Mandapam concert of his (all Swathi Tirunal compositions.)

We then went to Bharat KalAchar to listen to veteran vocalist Parassala B PonnamAL. (Excerpt from an earlier blog post of mine : Parassala PonnamALis one of Semmagudi SrinivasIyer's senior disciples and blessed with a rich, deep and sweet voice which belies her age. (She is almost 85) My grandma was an avid fan of her music and we used to listen to her performances on AIR regularly. )

There were hardly 50 people in the audience. But the presence of TV Shankaranarayanan and family and Hyderabad sisters will give an indication of the greatness of PonnamAL. I am of the opinion that all the present day performers ought to have been present to imbibe a few pearls of wisdom from this veteran vocalist.

Smt. Parassala B PonnamAL. - Vocal
Smt Bhama krishnan - vocal support
Mullaivasal chandramouli - violin
J.Vaidhyanathan - mrudangam
Arvind Athreya - kanjira

1. Varnam - kanakangi - todi - ata
2. mulAdhAra kshetra mooshika vAhanA - mayamalava gowlai - rupakam - Tirunelvelli shankaranarayanan (Ragam, neraval & swaras at vimala kamala mrudula charaNA)
3. marivere - ananda bhairavi - misra chapu - shyama sastri (ragam, swaram @ marivere)
The Semmangudi BAni was so evident in her singing. (TMKrishna who claims to represent Semmangudi's style ought to have listened to her today.)
4. karunai puriya nalla KArunam iduve - sri ranjani - adi - ambujam krishnA
5. sri pathe sri narayana papa mochane hare - mukhari - rupakam - Kirikattu Gopala Pillai (ragam, swara @ shanka chakra gada)
6. meenakshi memudam - purvikalyani - adi 2 kalai - muthuswami dikshitar (ragam, neraval & swaram @ madhura puri nilaye . Tani avarthanam by J. Vaidyanathan and Athreya was good.

7. thyagaraja swami pAdambujam dinamum pani maname - atana - adi - ambujam krishnA
8. sada unadu tiruvadi - manohari (sounded a lot like Useni ) - Adi - V.V.Sadagopan
9. kanta nodu - neelambari - rupakam- swathi tirunAl
10. shantamu leka - HariKamboji? - Adi 2 kalai -St. thyagarajA
11. pannaga shayanA padmanAbha - madhyamAvathi -Adi - MuthuswAmi Dikshitar.

Dr. Smt.Y.G.PArthasArathy , the Director of PadmA Sheshadri school gave a short speech and congratulated PonnammAL for her wonderful singing (She lauded PonnammAL, as a fellow woman, for striking a balance between her musical career and family). She was also proud that J.Vaidyanathan, Chandramouli and Athreya were former students of PadmA SheshAdri school.

This was the best concert I heard during the season. PonnammAL's choice of songs, her vintage style of singing, a wonderful set of ragams made this kucheri a memorable one. It was a treat to listen to this grand old lady who is a guardian of all that is precious in Carnatic music.

After some shopping at Chennai silks and another lunch at Woodlands , we went to Music Academy to listen to TNS Krishna. He was singing an RTP in LatAngi. (MAtangi Madura Meenakshi LalitAngi Latangi). Ragamalika swarams in Abhogi, ChakravAkam, and Latangi. He concluded with a Ragamalika shlokam in SAveri, sahAnA, todi and Hameer kalyani and a tillAna in Hameer kalyani. Good performance reminding one of a young TNS. (He makes too many funny faces while singing and its comical to watch him.)

My Chennai Diary 2008 - 25thDec - part1

2008-12-30T02:39:00.000-08:00

I was in Chennai last weekend for attending Carnatic music concerts during the December season, 2008. We left from Bangalore on 24th December and reached Madras (aka Chennai) on 25th morning. I'd taken along printouts of the concert schedules from 25th to 28th. As in 2007, I had a tough time deciding on which concerts to attend as various Sabhas host concerts of front ranking artistes simultaneously. I was slightly sad that I couldn't attend any concerts of Vijay Shiva and Vedavalli mami as they had no concerts scheduled during this time-frame.

The first concert I attended was at The Madras Music Academy.The Music Academy auditorium named after TTKrishnamachari has excellent acoustics with Bose Speaker systems and paintings of Purandaradasa , the Trinity and Swathi Tirunal by S.RAjam adorn its walls. Prof. T.N.Krishnan was scheduled to play at 9.15 AM and arrived at the venue a little late. He was accompanied on the violin by his daughter Viji Krishnan and son Sriram Krishnan, on the Mridangam by Thiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam and on the Ghatam by Vaikom Gopalakrishnan. Vaikom has accompanied prof. TNK in almost every concert of his that I have listened to.

1.) Viriboni- Bhairavi - ata tAla Varnam

2.) Giripai - Sahana - St. Thyagaraja, Adi tALam
Missed the first two songs. Also read in the paper on the next day that Prof. TNK cut a cake to celebrate his 81st Birthday and that his children played "happy b'day to you" on the violin.

3.) Siva Siva - Pantuvarali (R,N,S) St. Thyagaraja,
TNK started playing the first phrases of raghuvara, when his son interrupted him with "appa, we need to watch out for time" and then they choose to play a shorter composition. At the end of the piece, Sriram apologised to the "raghuvara fans" in the audience. Sriram played in all 3 octaves effortlessly and with complete control over the instrument proving himself to be a worthy heir of his illustrous father.

4.) Me Valla - Kapi (R) St. Thyagaraja , Adi tALam

5.) RTP - Natakurinji - Adi talam (ThaKiTa eduppu)
Pallavi - Un Darishanam Kidaikimo natarAjan dayA nidhe.
Ragamalika swaras in mohanam, ranjani, dvijavanthi, sindubhairavi
Excellent tani - Prof. TNK enjoys evry Tani to the fullest and this was no exception. His face was glowing with happiness while he kept the beat and was listening to his accompanists.
6.) Marubari - kamas JAvaLi
7.) Ragamalika in Chenchuriti, nAdanAmakriyA, YamunAKalyANi and Sri Ragam
8.) Sindhu Bhairavi
9.) Suruti - Vanga kadal - Andal TiruppAvai
10.) Mangalam

I then walked to SaptaswAra musicals in Luz Street, Mylapore with my friend Sridhar who wanted to pick up a few flutes from there.
We came back to the Music Academy after having a South Indian meal at Woodlands.

Listened to Carnatica brothers with Dr. Jyotsna Shrikanth on the violin and Delhi S. Sairam on the Mridangam.
1.) KedAragowlai - SaragunA PAlimpa - St. Thyagaraja - Adi tALam
2.) Dhayajoodu - GAnavArini - St. Thyagaraja - Adi tALam
3.) NataBhairavi - Ragam, tanam and pallavi. Excellent AlApanA by Jyotsna on the violin. Adi tALam .
pallavi - Bhairavi BhArgavi Shankari Vara Ravi Shashi nataBhairavi.
RagamAlika Swarams in Vasantabhairavi, SAlagabhairavi and Sindhubhairavi.
4.) Shree Ashtalakshmi namostute - RaganmAlika in Shree, Nattai, Khamaj, Gaula, SAramati, Arabhi, malayamArutham, varAli and kedaraGaula.

Good concert and they weren't too loud unlike last year at PArthasArathi sabha.

Sanjay @ KoramangalA Sangeetha SabhA - part1

2008-11-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

Vocal : Sanjay Subrahmanyan
Violin : H K Venkatram
Mridangam : Tumkur Ravishankar
KhanjirA : Guruprasanna

01.) jalajAkshi ninne ( varNam) - chakravAkam - Patnam Subramanya Iyer - Adi Talam

02.) tyAgarAja gurum AshrayE - kEdAram - M D Ramanathan - Rupakam
Heard this Kriti in a live concert for the first time. (Last heard this kriti in a vintage MDR rendition). Being highly innovative, Sanjay always chooses to do something novel in his Kucheris.

03.) MandAri - Brilliant Alapanai by Sanjay- paralOka bhayamu -St. Thyagaraja - Adi tALam.Neraval & swarAms @ ‘dEva lOkamani tannukollulO tyAgarAjanuta’

04.) kAntimati annai nI gati - kAnaDa -Adi Talam - PApanAsam Sivan. Another kriti which people have rarely rendered in concerts. mahArAjapuram Santhanam used to sing this kriti with great fervor and Sanjay's rendition reminded me Santhanam's kAntimati.

Malladi Brothers @ KoramangalA Sangeetha SabhA , 2008

2008-11-15T02:13:00.000-08:00

MallAdi brothers (SrirAm PrasAd and Ravi KumAr)
Dr. Mysore M ManjunAth - Violin
Arjun Kumar - mridangam
N. Amruth - KhanjirA

I try and attend as many concerts of Malladi brothers in Bangalore as possible ( Their gurus VidwAn Voleti Venkateshwarulu and VidwAn Nedunuri Krishnamurthy have been all time favorites at home.)
MallAdi brothers commenced their concert with an Adi TAlam varnam in AnandaBhairavi.
2.) GajAnayu sadA Pada -Thodi - (not sure whose composition it is ?) - Adi
3.) NAgaswarAvali (GarudaDhwani) - Sripate - St. Thyagaraja - Adi
Racked my brains over the identifying the ragam but was able to . Brilliant swarams by both of them.
4.) MukhAri - ksheenamai - St. ThyAgarajA - Adi
5.) Simhendramadhyamam - KAmAkshi KAmakoti Peetha Vasini - Dikshithar - Rupakam .
Neraval and swarams at Nadabindu KalAswarupini katyayani.
6.) Vara RAga laya - Chenchu Kambojhi - St. ThyAgarajA - Rupakam .
7.) SAveri - Excellent alapanais by Ravi KumAr and Manjunath . DurusugA Kripa - Shyama Shastri - Adi Talam . Neraval and swarams at parama pAvani Kripavani .

I left after the tani as I had some official work to complete. Missed their tukkdas.
Summing up, another excellent concert by Malladi brothers.

Unni @ Koramangala Sangeetha Sabha, 2008

2008-11-15T01:52:00.000-08:00

Am back to blogging after a hiatus. There weren't too many concerts in Bangalore since last few months (and I was busy with work too.) Unnikrishnan was accompanied by Charulatha Ramanujam on the violin, senior Vidwan A.V.Anand on the Mridangam and Srisylan on the Ghatam.
List of songs rendered :
1.) SAmiNeeTodi - PantuvarAli Varnam - Adi TAlam
2.) Sugunamule - Chakravakam - St. Thyagaraja - Rupakam
3.) Varali - karunayelA kanden - St. Thyagaraja - Adi
I have always liked Unni's renditions of Varali. This was no exception. The only other recording of this kriti which I have listened to is by Semmangudi SrinivAsaier.
4.) Dhanyasi - bAlakrishnaPAdamalar - PApanasham Shivan - Adi
5.) BahudAri - BrovabAramA - St. Thyagaraja - Adi
Exquisite alapanai by Charulatha .
6.) KirvANi - kaligi yunte - St. Thyagaraja - Adi
This was boring (only a maestro like MSS or KVN can do justice to Kirvani ) and we left after listening to it for a while.While listening to Unni's concerts I have noted that he rarely sings any kritis of ShyAmA shAstri (His guru Dr. S.RAmanAthan was an renowned expert of ShyAmA shAstri compositions.) Rating it as a good concert on account of VarAli and Dhanyasi renditions.

Chamber concert of Sangeeta Kalanidhi Vidushi Dr. R. Vedavalli @ Essae Music Foundation

2008-08-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the rare privilege to attend a chamber concert by veteran vocalist Sangita KalAnidhi Smt. R. Vedavalli. She was accompanied by Smt. Charulatha Ramanujam on the violin and Shri Anoor A. Sarma on the Mridangam. I have always been a die-hard fan of her music (do check out older blogs of mine for more details ) and didn't want to miss this opportunity.

I am attaching details of the artistes by pasting the original invite from Essae Music foundation.

Vocal support was provided by her senior disciples Smt Sumitra Vasudev and Smt. Sumathi.

1.) SarasiJAkshi - Varnam in Sri RAgam

2.) Sariyevvare - Shriranjani - St. Thyagaraja - Adi

3.) Entara - Haraikambhoji - St. Thyagaraja - Adi (Neraval and swarams at SheshuduShivuniki)

4.) praNatArTiharAya namastE vara - sAmantAm Muthuswamy Dikshithar - Adi - This was the first time I heard this kriti and had to refer to my book on Dikshithar kritis on getting home to identify the rAgam.

5.) brOvavammA tAmasamElEbirAnabrOvavammA - Manji - mishra Chapu - Shyama Shasrti

6.) EkAmranAthaM bhajEhaM - gamakakriya - Muthuswamy Dikshithar - Adi

7.) cETah shrI bAlakRSNaM bhajarE rE - DwijAvanti (Jaijaivanti in the Hindustani tradition) - Exquisite AlApana by both the singer and violinist. Muthuswamy Dikshithar - tishra EkaM

8.) Mundu Vena - DurbAr - St. Thyagaraja - Adi
9.) When Vedavalli mAmi sang an elaborate and exquisite Raga Alapana in Shanmukhapriya (special mention of Charulatha's violin AlApana) followed by Tanam in Shanmukhapriya , RitigowlA, BegadA and Nayaki ?( not sure of the last rAgam), we expected her to sing a Pallavi next as Smt. Vedavalli is a renowned expert of RTPs. She however sang
EkAmrEshanAyakIM IshvarIM bhajarE rE mAnasa - chAmaraM - Muthuswamy Dikshithar -Adi (Notice the change of the ragam Name - that has been done on purpose as the Dikshithar school refers to Shanmukhapriya as chAmaraM.)

Ragamalika swarams in SAma, Mohanam, Behag and Suruti.

10.) ValapudAsa - padam in SahAna

11.) Andru Ulagam - Sindhu Bhairavi - Andal Tirrupavai

12.) Tillana - Vasantha

13.) Mangalam - PavamAna - Sourashtram - St. Thyagaraja followed by "Swasti PrajAya" shlokam in Madhyamavati.

The artistes were felicitated by veteran vocalist from Bangalore, Vidwan S. Shankar. (There were many other performing artistes amongst the audience. )

I spoke to Vedavalli mAmi after the concert and sought her blessings.When I told her that I had met her after her Music Academy Concert, she said she remembered me and I was elated.

I take this opportunity to thank our hosts Smt. Srividya and Shri Prakash of Essae Music Foundation for organizing such a wonderful Kucheri at their home. I also pray to The Lord to shower his blessings on them so that they may continue to serve the cause of propogating the tradition of Carnatic music.

Concluding this post, it was one of the best Chamber concerts I have heard in a long time - the musical ambience, the list of songs rendered, the joy of listening to a veteran like Vedavalli mAmi who has been perfomrming since over 6 decades - every thing was simply too good.

Semamngudi nostalgia on his birth centenary birthday

2008-07-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

My tribute to vocal maestro Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer on his 100th Birth centenary.

The first thought that came to my mind is that had I been born a day earlier, I would have had the privilege of sharing my birthday with this great maestro. People (musicians /his students/ critics ) have written a lot about this doyen of music who also earned the name Pita Maha of Carnatic music as he had a long innings of 70 + years as a performing artiste and lived to a ripe old age of 96. So I won't delve on these aspects.

I felt that the best way of paying tribute to SSI on his birthday was by listening to a concert of his as he he will leave on for ever in the form of his music. I chose a vintage concert of his in which he is accompanied by Lalgudi G Jayaraman and Vellore Ramabhadran. I had picked this concert album released by Carnatica at the Rama Navami Festival at Fort High school ground music this year. It includes a lot of songs which SSI made famous and which one will always associate with him.

01 Sadinchane - Arabhi - Saint ThyAgarajA - Adi - A short and sweet rendition. I like Santhanam's rendition of this Thyagaraja Kriti and I could discern similarities between his rendition and that of SSI
02 Devadeva - Mayamalavagowla -Swathi Tirunal. Nobody can sing this Kriti like SSI. Racy swara patterns at JataRupa. I also like his Inta Parakka in the same raga a lot.(This live recording was a favorite of my grandmother too.)

03 NinneVenda - karnataka Behag - Saint ThyAgarajA -Adi
Another song sung mainly by SSI - don't have renditions by any other singer. Semmangudi's swara patterns dazzle.

04 Biranabrova_Kalyani - Tharangampadi Panchanatha Iyer - Adi - A detailed AlApana followed by Lalgudi's violin precedes this kriti rendition.

05 Sri Venkatesha- Suruti - Muthuswamy Dikshithar - One of the lesser known aspects of SSI's music is that he was that he had a wide repertoire of rare Dikshithar kritis. Haven't heard anyone except SSI and Voleti sing this song.

06 Kshinamai - MukhAri - Saint ThyAgarajA -Adi - another song popularized by SSI.

(To continue ..... )

Kalpakam Swaminathan @Bangalore Gayana Samaja

2008-07-20T23:01:00.000-07:00

I attended a concert by Smt. Kalpakam Swaminathan at Bangalore Gayana Samaja yesterday morning. She is a brilliant artiste who plays the Thanjavur Bani and an acknowledged master of Muthuswamy Dikshithar Compositions. What I found more amazing is her energy and dedication to the art of Carnatic music at the age of 87.

An article by Gowri Ramnarayan published in Hindu on Smt. Kalpakam Swaminathan
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750570300.htm

She was accompanied by Sri Cheluvaraju on the Mridangam and a disciple of hers on another Veena. Reached the venue a little late. Listened to the following songs by her.

Meenakshi Memudam Dehi - Purvikalyani , Muthuswamy Dikshithar
GowliPantu- could not identify the composition.
Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi - Dharmavati (It was announced later that she learnt the composition by Veena Seshanna just the day before the concert , as a tribute to the Veena maestro, which shows her greatness.)
Tillana - Chenchurriti.

She was conferred the prestigious Veena Seshanna Memorial National Award. Rudrapatnam Brothers R.N.Thyagarajan and R.N Taranathan were honoured with the V.N.Rao Memorial award this year.

Semmangudi Birth Centenary @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja - Part 3

2008-07-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday 27th July, 2008 to Sunday 3rd August, 2008 -
Evening Music Concerts Daily 6 PM

Sunday 27th July, 2008
Sri SANJAY SUBRAMANYAM - Vocal
Sri S. VARADARAJAN - Violin
Sri NEYVELI B. VENKATESH - Mridangam
Sri G. GURUPRASSANNA - Khanjira

Monday 28st July, 2008
Sri T.M.KRISHNA - Vocal
Sri H.K.VENKATRAM - Violin
Sri GURUVAYUR DORAI - Mridangam
Sri GIRIDHAR UDUPA -Ghatam

Tuesday 29th July, 2008
Prof. T.K.KRISHNAN - Violin
Sri VELLORE RAMABHADRAN - Mridangam
Sri M.A.KRISHNASWAMY - Ghatam

Wednesday 30th July, 2008
Sri BELLARY M.VENKATESTACHAR and M.RAGHAVENDRA - Vocal
Sri MYSORE M. NAGARAJ - Violin
Sri H.S.SUDHEENDRA- Mridangam
Sri M.GURURAJ - Morsing

Thursday 31st July, 2008
Sri T.V. SHANKARANARAYANAN - Vocal
DR. MYSORE M. MANJUNATH - Violin
Sri B.HARIKUMAR - Mridangam
Sri B.N.CHANDRAMOULI - Khanjira

Friday 1st August 2008
Sri LALGUDI J.G.R.KRISHNAN & Smt. LALGUDI VIJAYALAKSHMI (VIOLIN-DUET)
Sri PATRI SATISH KUMAR - Mridangam
Sri AMRUTH N - Khanjira

Saturday 2nd August 2008
Smt. RANJANI & GAYATHRI - Vocal
Smt. CHARULATHA RAMANUJAM - Violin
Sri C. CHELUVARAJ - Mridangam
Sri SRISHAILAN - Ghatam

Sunday 3rd August, 2008
Smt. SUDHA RAGHUNATHAN - Vocal
Sri M.R.GOPINATH - Violin
Sri NEYVELI SKANDA SUBRAMANIAN - Mridangam
Sri R.RAMESH - Morsing

Season tickets ( for 8 days ) Rs. 200, Members - 150
Daily tickets - Rs. 40

Semmangudi Birth Centenary @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja - Part 2

2008-07-16T00:10:00.001-07:00

40th MUSIC CONFERENCE AND BIRTH CENTENARY OF SEMMANGUDI SRINIVASA IYER

Conference President : Bellary M Venkateshachar

Theme of the Conference : Semmanugudi
Experts Sessions :
Monday 28th July, 2008 to Saturday 2nd August,2008
Daily 9.45 AM to 12.30 PM

Monday 28st July, 2008
Semmangudi's Life and Achievements - Sangeeta Kalanidhi Dr. Sri R.K.Srikanthan
Semmangudi's Research in Music - Sri. T.M.Krishna
Pallavi - Bellary Venkateshachar - Demonstration - M.Raghavendra

Tuesday 29th July, 2008
Semmangudi - The Ideal Guru - Sangeeta Kalanidhi Prof. T.N.Krishnan
Laya Excellence in Semmangudi' music - Sangeeta Kalanidhi Vellore Ramabhadran
Neraval - Smt. Neela Ramgopal

Wednesday 30th July, 2008
Semmangudi - The Tunesmith - Sangeeta Kalanidhi Madurai T.N.Sheshagopalan
Kucheri planning of Semmangudi - Sri. V. Subramanyam
Semmangudi Bani - R.K.Padmanabha
New Compositions promoted by KrishnaRaja Wodeyar IV

Thursday 31st July, 2008
Social and Public Services by Semmangudi
Reminiscences Semmangudi - karaikusi Subramanyam
Swarajatis with Prominence of Pallavi - R.N.Srilatha

Friday 1st August 2008
Semmangudi and accompanying artists - Sri. Lalgudi J.G.R. Krishnan
Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi style of Semmangudi - Sri. P.S.Narayanaswamy
Demonstrations - Kunnakudy M. Balamuralikrishna

Saturday 2nd August 2008
Semmangudi, Discipline and Dignity - Sri. H. Kamalnath, President, Gayana Samaja
Navanidhi Bhakti - Smt. Seethalakshmi Venkaeshan
Raga Concept of Semmangudi - Dr. Radha Bhaskar

Semmangudi Birth Centenary @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja - Part 1

2008-07-15T23:44:00.001-07:00

The Bangalore Gayana Samaja,

Sri KR Road, Bangalore, 560004,

Cordially invites you to the

BIRTH CENTENARY OF SEMMANGUDI SRINIVASA IYER

Sunday 20th July, 2008 to Sunday 3rd August,2008

40th Music Conference

Conference President : Bellary M Venkateshachar

Theme of the Conference : Semmanugudi

Inauguration :
Sunday 27th July, 2008
Experts Sessions :
Monday 28th July, 2008 to Saturday 2nd August,2008
Daily 9.45 AM to 12.30 PM
SADAS :
Sunday 3rd August,2008 at 10 AM
Conferring titles and honoring "Artistes of the Year"

Sunday 20th July, 2008 to Saturday 26th July, 2008 - Daily 6 PM

Sunday 20th July, 2008
RUDRAPATNAM BROS. - Sri R.N.Thyagarajan and R.N.Taranathan
Smt. AKKARAI SUBBALAKSHMI - Violin
Sri GURUVAYUR DORAI - Mridangam
Sri B.N. CHANDRAMOULI - Khanjira

Monday 21st July, 2008
Sri MALLADI BROTHERS (SRIRAM PRASAD & RAVI KUMAR)
Sri H.K. VENKATRAM - Violin
Sri ARJUN KUMAR - Mridangam
Sri N. AMRUT - Khanjira

Tuesday 22nd July, 2008
Sri. A. CHANDANKUMAR - Venu aka flute
Sri GANESH P - Chitra Veena
Smt. CHARULATHA RAMANUJAM - Violin
Sri TUMKUR B. RAVISHANKAR - Mridangam
Smt SUKANYA RAMGOPAL - Ghatam

Wednesday 23rd July, 2008
Sri R.K.SRIKANTHAN - Vocal
Sri. R.S.RAMAKANTH - Vocal support
Sri PARUR M.A. SUNDARESHWARAN - Violin
Sri ARJUN KUMAR - Mridangam
Sri G.S.Ramanijan - Ghatam

Thursday 24th July, 2008
Special concert of Swathi Tirunal Compositions set to Music by Semmangudi
Dr. SUKANYA PRABHAKAR
Sri B.RAGHURAM - Violin
Sri C. CHELUVARAJU - Mridangam
Sri DAYANAND MOHITE - Ghatam

Friday 25th July2008 (B'day of Semmangudi)
SEMMANGUDI -THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC
Multimedia and video presentaion including his Live Concerts
Production and Design : Sri S.R. Sitharam

Saturday 26th July, 2008
Exclusive presentation of Swathi Tirunal Compositions set to Music by Semmangudi
Smt. GOPIKA VARMA and party - MOHINIATTAM

ALL ARE CORDIALLY WELCOME

laya VinyAsa - percussion ensemble @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja , Talavadyotsava

2008-07-13T23:26:00.000-07:00

Conferring of Awards by Percussive Arts Centre (founded by Sangeetha Kalarathna Bangalore K. Venkatram) , Organizers of the 5 Day music festival.

1.) Palani Subramanya Pillai Memorial Centenary Award to Smt. D.K.PattamAl

2.) Palghat Maini Iyer Memorial Award to mridangam maestro Sri Madurai T.Srinivasan

3.) Bangalore K. Venkataram Memorial Award to Dr. R. Sathyanarayana

4.) H. Puttachar Memorial Award to Sri N. Vasudev

5.) PAC - CMANA Endowment Prize to Sri B.S. ArunKumar (Courtesy: Carnatic Music Association of North America)

This was followed by laya VinyAsa a TAla VAdya Kucheri by Vrushti (Percussion Ensemble Of Percussive Arts Centre) directed by Anoor Anathakrishna Sharma, B.Krishna (mridangam - shadja), G.Guruprasanna (khanjira), B.S.Arun Kumar (drums), Anoor Anathakrishna Sharma (dolu /thavil), Udayraj Karpur (tabla), B.C.Manjunath (konakkol & mridangam - panchama) with M.K.Pranesh (flute)

The composition was a raga malika in Kalyani, ShankarAbharanam and ShanmukhapriyA and set in Adi Tala. Each of the percussionists was a master in his own right and they played a host of intricate and difficult Laya patterns. Despite so many instruments being played simultaneously, the overall effect was very pleasing to the ears. The concert was an absolute treat for LayA fanatics as rhythm is about complex mathematical calculations. Vidwan Anoor Anathakrishna Sharma proved his mettle as a percussionist and composer.

Vijay Siva @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja , Talavadyotsava

2008-07-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Vijay Siva - vocal
Charulatha Ramanujam - Violin
Arjun Kumar - Mridangam
Guru Prasanna - Kanjiri
B.S.Arun Kumar - Morsing

This concert was part of the 5 day festival organized by Percussive Arts Center Foundation.
We reached the venue a bit late and came to know from a mAmi sitting beside us that we had missed the first couple of songs which were :
1. nAda tanumanisham - Chittaranjani - Adi - Saint ThyAgarAja
2. innum parAmukham eno - begadA

3. karuna judavamma in Ragam PantuvarAli (Adi 2 kalai ) by Shyama Shastri was in progress as we entered the Venue. He sang Neraval & swarams @ marakatAngi panchanadisu rani.

4. Vijay Siva sang a nice Alapanai in Yadukula Kamboji. Since it was a Saturday, I assumed he would sing Dikshithar Navagraha Kriti. He did just that.

After a befitting reply to his AlApanai by Charulatha, he sang
"niLAnjana-samAbhAsam ravi-putram yamAgrajam
chAya-mArtaAnda-sambhutam tam namAmi shanaishcharam"
a Shloka dedicated to Lord Shani from the Navagraha Stotram composed by Veda Vyasa and
divAkara tanujam ( Tala - chatusra ekam) by muthuswAmi dikshitar

5. This was followed by a short and sweet sari evvare - sri ranjani - adi TAlam- Saint thyagarAja

6. kamalAmbikE - tOdi (Maybe he guessed that an avid lover of that ragA was present amongst the audience)- tishra Ekam - muthuswAmi dIkshitar (ragA, neraval & swara @ viyadAdi Bhoota Kirane Vinoda Charane.) My friends from Oracle, Vinod and Sharan were both present and were glad that their names figured in this Kirtanam.

We took a quick break to have bondas (home made taste) , bhajjis and coffee at the Gayana Samaja canteen. I complimented the Mami who runs this canteen for making such wonderful potato bondas.

Excellent Tani Avartanam by ArjunKumar, GuruPrasanna and Arun Kumar. Special mention of Arun Kumar is an excellent Jazz drummer( more on this aspect in my next post) and proved to be equally proficient at playing the Morsing.

7. matada baradeno - khamas - naraharidasa (Bangalore Nagaratnammal popularized this song and many people believe it to be her own composition.)

8. muddugAre yashoda - kurinji - annamAchAryA

9. jab jAnaki nath sahaya kare tab - tulsidAs bhajan in rAg Mishra Khamaj. I have listened to the same by Pt. D.V. Paluskar, one of the doyens of Hindustani classical music. Vijay Siva's rendition was good too and he pronounced Hindi words clearly.

B.Krishna , a good Mridangist and speaker, in his speech mentioned that DK PattamAl and DKJ practiced and perfected each new song at-least 300 times, before presenting them on stage. Their tradition (chastity in renditions, purity of music etc) is being carried on by Vijay Siva.

10. niraimadi - thirupugazh in Hamsanandi which D.K. Jayaraman used to sing often and Vijay Siva followed his Guru's footsteps. ( Sometimes I wonder what happened to Balaji Shankar, another disciple of DKJ who used to sing beautifully and has sunken into oblivion.)

11. Mangalam - Pavamana - sourashtram - Saint ThyAgarAja.

Summing up, an excellent concert by Vijay Siva. The Tani was the highlight of this concert. Charulatha Ramanujam proved yet again that she is a wonderful violin accompanist.

I also met my friend Shri. Balu from Charsur Digital Workstation at the venue. I became an annual member of theirs by paying Rs. 100 and purchased DKJ's renditions of Dikshithar's KamalAmbA NavaVarana Kritis. Am also looking forward to their Paddhati release of one of TMThyagarajan's live concerts at the Semmangudi Birth Centenary celebrations at Bangalore Gayana Samaj, within a couple of weeks.

TN Sheshagoplan @ Fort High School , Ramanavami, 2008

2008-05-13T23:48:00.001-07:00

I saw this mail on the sangeetha priya forum :

"Dear rasikas,
I have uploaded the concert of Sri TNS held yesterday at Sree Ramaseva Mandali, Bangalore.
Date: May 7th 2008
Vocal - T N Seshagopalan
Violin - H K Venkataram
Mridangam - Guruvayur Dorai
Ghatam - M A Krishnamurthy

01 ata tala varnam - kalyAni
02 bhuvinidAsuDanE - srIranjani
03 muddumOmu - sUryakAntam -
04 endukku dayarAdurA - thODi
05 slOkam - rAgamAlikA and shObhane - pantuvarALi
06 nagumOmu galavAni - madhyamAvathi
07 virutham and rAma manthrava - jOnpuri
08 vadana sukhaja - mAnd
09 mangaLam
Location: http://sangeethamshare.org/krishna/TNS-Ramaseva-Mandali/"

Adding my reply to this mail:
Download this concert at your own risk or if if you want to have a hearty laugh.TNS was in worst form and we were forced to walk out of the venue in less than an hour (as did many others in the audience.) I might sound sarcastic but I guess he was trying to set a Guiness Record for maximum times somebody goes off key in a live performance :D .
He sang a virrutam before singing sUryakAntam which had the words "aiyo aiyo" - we joked he was lamenting as he could not tolerate his own music :)
Another close friend of mine on listening to "The Emperor of thodi" 's Alapana remarked Thodi BanTuOdi. (Thodi has come - Run)

Concluding, we did precisely that (My friend Vinu and I literally fled from the venue). I admire the patience of the gentleman who recorded this concert for enduring sheer torture for almost 3 hrs. I'd never have been able to do that.

Neyvelli Santanagoplan @ Fort high School ground , Rmanavami 2008

2008-05-13T23:25:00.001-07:00

Vocal recital by Neyveli Santhanagopalan
Violin - Charulata Ramanujam
Mridangam - K.V.Prasad
Khanjira - B.N.Chandramouli

I've always been a fan of Neyveli Santhanagopalan and regularly watch his music lessons on Jaya TV. He sang just 4 songs during the 2 hrs. I was present at the venue but everyone of them was well sung.
1.) Karunimpa - Sahana Varnam
2.) Meru Samana - Mayamalavagowla -St. Thyagaraja- Adi - Neraval and swarams at "shObhillu kanaka bhUSaNamula"
3.) Niravati SukhadaRavichandrika - St. Thyagaraja - Adi Tala
4.) Meenakshi meMudam Dehi - purvi Kalyani (gamakakriya) Dikshithar - Adi - neraval and swarams at "madhumadamOdita hRdayE sadayE "

Mayamalavagowla and Purvikalyani were extremely beautiful. His was one of the best concerts I heard at Ramaseva Mandali this year

Dr KJ Yesudas @ Fort High School, Ramanavami

2008-05-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

This year's RamaNavami festival at Fort High School commenced with a recital by KJY.

Dr KJ Yesudas - Vocal
Mahadeva Sarma - Violin
Tiruvarur Bakthavatsalam - Mridangam
Radha Krishnan - Ghatam

1. Valachi vacchi - Navaraga malika Varnam
2. Vatapi ganapathim - Hamsadhwani - MD - Aadi (Neraval and Swarams @ pranava swarupa) - nowhere close to his old recording where he has sung Vathapi for an hour and one doesn't get bored for a single minute.
3. Guruvina gulama - Hamsanandi - Purandara Dasa - Adi - This was preceded by a big lecture on Guru Bhakti.
4. Entaveduko - Saraswathi Manohari - St. Thyagaraja - Adi
5.Enanittu mecchisuveno - Dharmati - PD - Aadi (A, S @ Enaniku mechisuveno)
6. Balakanaka - Atana - St. Thyagaraja - Adi
7. Ennalu urake - Subhapantuvarali - St. Thyagaraja - Adi. Very boring and lack lusture interpretation of this pensive ragam in contrast to a vintage MS recording from AIR where she has rendered this kriti beautifully.
8. Sriramam Ravikula - Narayana Gowla - Dikshithar (Thani)
9. Karava mugidanu mukhya praygna - Kanada - Purandara Dasa followed by Enu varava bedali naanu a Kannada song in praise of Ayyapa.
11. Adisaya ragam (Tamil movie song) - Ragamalika (Valachi & Bhairavi)
12. Krishna Nee Begane - Yamuna Kalyani - Vyasaraya
13. Kotta bhagyare Sako sri krishna daya beko - Jaunpuri

Left the venue after this song. Despite his voice being in very good form, Dr. KJY's concert failed to make a lasting impression.

Vijay Shiva @ Fort High school,

2008-05-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

Vijay Siva - Vocal
Vidushi Charulatha Ramanujam-Violin
Vid Neyveli Narayanan - Mridangam
Vid Amrit - Kanjira

17 Apr 2008, Rama Seva Mandali, Fort High school, Bangalore

Song list
1. Chalamela - Darbar Varnam - Adi - Tiruvotriyur thyagayya
2. Sugunamule - Chakravakam - Roopakam - St. Thyagaraja
Neraval @ shrI nAyaka kSimiyincumu and Swarams @ Sundara raghurama (part of pallavi line!)
3. Venkata saila vihara - Hamir Kalyani - Adi - Subbaraya Sastri (Ragam, swara @ pallavi line) Reminded me of his guru DKJ's rendition of the same.
4. Iko Namma swami - Manirangu - Aadi - Purandara Dasa (had listened to DKPattamal's rendition of this song on Amritavarshini, Bangalore's FM Channel for Classical music a couple of days before.) Vijay Shiva stuck to the DKJ/ DKP school's style of rendition.
5. Dakshinamurthe - Shankarabharanam - Misra Jhampa- Muthuswamy Dikshithar(Ragam, Neraval & Swaram at "akshaya suvarNa vaDa vruksha moola sthi- tE") followed by a good tani avartanam by both NN and NA.
6. Etu nammina - Saveri - Aadi - Patnam Subramanya Iyer
7. RTP - Ananda Bhairavi - Misra jaati triputa
Pallavi line - Kamala sadani Kamala vadani kamala dala nayani
Ragamalika swara - Nalinakanti, dhanyasi, kamas
8. sloka - konji konji vaa guhane - kamas - Periaswamy tooran

Vijay Shiva excelled as usual. Almost the entire Carnatic music gang from office was present for this concert. (Vinod, Sharan, Rekha, Swathi and I)

Mumbai Jayashri @ Fort high school

2008-05-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Vocal : Jayashri Ramnath
Violin : Embar Kannan
Mridangam : Poongulam Subrahmanyam
Ghatam : S. Karthik

Venue : Ramanavami celebrations, Sree Rama Seva Mandali, Chamarajpet, Bangalore. 26-04-2008.

1. Deva deva Jagadeeshwara – Poorvikalyani – Adi -Swati Tirunal
2. Raghuveera ranadheera – Huseni – Rupakam – St. Thyagaraja
3. Nannu vidachi – Reetigowla – Mishrachapu – St. Thyagaraja. Soulful rendition of Ritigowlai.
4. Teliyaleru raama – Dhenuka – Adi – Thyagaraja [N, S at ‘Vegalechi neetimunigi bhooti poosi’. ] Racy rendition packed with swarams in a fashion similar to Semmangudi.
5. Shankaraachaaryam – Shankarabharanam – Adi – Subbarama Dikshitar [R,N,S,T] Didn't like her Alapana much as she strayed into Kalyani mutiple times but the kriti was rendered well.
6. Smarane Onde saalade – Malayamaruta – Adi – Purandara Dasa
7. RTP – Brindavani Saranga - left the venue after listening to the Alapana for a while as it was pretty late by then.

Good concert but I liked her music at Chennai during the December season better

Rudrapatnam brothers @ Ramaseva Mandali, Fort High school , 2008

2008-04-17T04:32:00.000-07:00

Vocal Duet - Rudrapatnam Brothers (Sri R N Thyagarajan and Sri R N Tharanathan).

Violin - Sri V V Ravi. (Couldn't recognize him as I have seen photos of his when he was much younger and had black hair)

Mridangam - Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman.

Khanjira - Sri N Amruth.

This was one of the earliest concerts we attended at Ramaseva Mandali this year. Rudrapatnam brothers have been favorites of mine and I have always made it a point to attend their concerts in Bangalore.

01 Tulasidala - Mayamalavagowla- St. Thyagaraja - Rupakam

02 Guruleka Etuvanti - Gowri Manohari- St. Thyagaraja - Jhampa Talam

03 Chanitodi - Harikamboji - St. Thyagaraja -Adi Talam

04 Dhanyudevvado - Malayamarutham - Varada Venkatesha (sounded a lot like Ramapriya to me) Elaborate alapana by the elder of the two brothers followed by VVRavi.

05 Manasa Sri Ramachandruni - Isa Manohari- St. Thyagaraja -Adi Talam

06 Marakatha Mani Varna - Varali - St. Thyagaraja -Adi Talam. Detailed alapana by younger of the two. Neraval and swarams at "vara bhakta suparNa vAhana" followed by a scintillating Thani Avarthanam.

07 Bhakta Jana Palaka - Ananda Bhairavi

Rest of the concert which we missed included these songs.
08 Apudu Manasu - Khamas

09 Uyyala Loogavayya - Neelambari

10 Javali - Kedaragowla

11 Rama Embuva Eradu

12 Thillana - Shankarabharanam

13 Mangalam

An excellent concert on the whole. Liked their Varali the most among all songs we listened to.

Parassala Ponnammal @ Ramaseva Mandali, Fort High school , 2008

2008-04-17T03:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday Morning , 13th April, 2008 -

Vocal - Smt Parassala Ponnammal
Violin - Dr Jyotsna Srikanth

Mridangam - Sri Ravishankar Sharma

Ghatam - Sri Dayananda Mohite

My first impression on seeing Smt. Parassala Ponnammal was of a grandma with a sweet smiling face. She is one of Semmagudi SrinivasIyer's senior disciples and blessed with a rich, deep and sweet voice which belies her age. (She is almost 85) I am of the opinion that vocalists like T.N.Sheshagopalan, whose was the most dismal perfomance at the RamaNavami festival this year(more on that later), ought to listen to veterans like her to know what Shruti Sudhdham is all about. My grandma was an avid fan of her music and used to listen to her performances on AIR regularly.

There were hardly 10-15 people in the audience and I was saddened at the like warm support provided by Bangalore audiences to such a senior artiste. It was their loss anyways as they missed one of the best concerts at the Ramavanami festival.

01 Varnam - Nattaikurinji - Ata Talam

02 Mooladhara Kshetra - Mayamalavagowla - Not sure who the composer is - Adi

03 Bhajare Manasa - Abheri - Mysore Vasudevachar, Adi

04 Ninnu Nera - Pantuvarali - St. Thyagaraja, Roopakam, Neraval and swarams at Veda shastra Purana.

05 Marivere - Ananda Bhairavi -ShyamaShastri , Misra Chapu - Vintage SSI style rendition

06 Anjaneya Raghurama - Saveri - Swathi Tirunal - Adi

07 Thillana - Hamsanandi - Swathi Tirunal? Adi

08 Bhujagasayino Nama Mangalam - Yadukulakamboji -Swathi Tirunal

My friend Shridhar and I turned into photographers and took many snaps on a digital camera handed over by one of Ponnamal's students who was accompanying her. (I forgot to take the email ID / contact details of this aunty as I wanted to procure digital copies of the photos taken by us.) We left the venue with Ponnammal's YadukulaKamboji ringing in our years. I also kept wondering how Ponnammal would have sounded when she was much younger and have resolved to procure vintage recordings of this great artiste.

Ramaseva Mandali Concert Schedule 2008

2008-04-08T02:48:00.000-07:00

07.4.2008	Mon	6.00 - 6.45 P.M.	CHANDRAMANA UGADI Dr. K.J. YESUDAS - MAHADEVA SARMA - TIRUVARUR BHAKTHAVATSALAM - RADHAKRISHNAN
08.4.2008	Tue	9.00 A.M. - 9.30 P.M	CONFERENCE ON RAMANA
09.4.2008	Wed	9.00 A.M. - 9.30 P.M	YACONFERENCE ON RAMAYANA
10.4.2008	Thu	9.00 A.M. - 9.30 P.M.	CONFERENCE ON RAMAYANA
11.4.2008	Fri	5.15-6.15 P.M 6.30-9.30 P.M	POOJA GANESH & PARTY RUDRAPATNAM BROS. - V.V. RAVI - UMAYALAPURAM K. SIVARAMAN - AMRUTH N.
12.4.2008	Sat	5.15-6.15 P.M 6.30-9.30 P.M	ASHWINI KALYAN (VIOLIN-SOLO) & PARTY PECIAL KARNATIC & HINDUSTANI JUGALBANDHI BY PANDIT TEJENDRA MAJUMDAR & DR. MYSORE MANJUNATH - YELLA VENKATESHWARA RAO - RAVINDRA YAVAGAL
13.4.2008	Sun	5.15-6.15 P.M 6.30-9.30 P.M	G. KARTHIK & PARTY BEGUM PARWEEN SULTANA & PARTY
14.4.2008	Mon	5.00-6.30 P.M. 6.45-9.30 P.M.	SREE RAMANAVAMI ‘‘SAPTHA SWARA’’ AWARD PRESENTATION (7 ARTISTES) SMT. PARASALA PONNAMAL (VOCAL), T.K. GOVINDA RAO (VOCAL), MANNAKKAL RANGARAJAN (VOCAL), TRIVANDRUM R. VENKATARAMAN (VEENA), MYSORE MAHADEVAPPA (VIOLIN), H.V. KRISHNA MURTHY (VIOLIN), T.K. MURTHY (MRUDANGUM) DR. KADRI GOPALNATH - KANYA KUMARI - HARI KUMAR - AMRUTH N. - RAJASHEKAR B.
15.4.2008	Tue	5.00-7.00 P.M. 7.15-9.30 P.M	MANASI PRASAD & PARTY PATTABHIRAMA PANDIT - T.K.V. RAMANUJACHARYALU - ARJUN KUMAR - B.N. CHANDRAMOULI
16.4.2008	Wed	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	KAMAKSHMI & MEENAKSHI (VOCAL-DUET) & PARTY R.K. PADMANABHA - PARUR M.A. KRISHNASWAMY - SUDHINDRA. H.S. - SUKANYA RAMGOPAL
17.4.2008	Thu	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M	C. ARVIND ATHREYA & PARTY VIJAY SIVA N. - CHARULATHA RAMANUJAM - NEYVELI NARAYANAN - AMRUTH N.
18.4.2008	Fri	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M	PADMASHREE & GODAMANI (VOCAL-DUET) & PARTY MALLADI BROTHERS (SRIRAM & RAVI) - T.K.V. RAMANUJACHARYALU - K.V. PRASAD - B.N. CHANDRAMOUL
19.4.2008	Sat	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	SURABHI & PARTY MYSORE NAGARAJ & DR. MYSORE MANJUNATH (VIOLIN -DUET) - TIRUVARUR BHAKTHAVATSALAM - VAIKOM GOPALAKRISHNAN
20.4.2008	Sun	9.00-1.00 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	FOUNDER'S DAY (FELICITATION TO SENIOR MUSICIANS & MUSICOLOGISTS) NEDANURI KRISHNAMURTHY - NAGAI MURULIDHARAN - K.V. PRASAD - AMRUTH N. -All are cordially welcome HYDERABAD BROTHERS (RAGHAVACHARY & SESHACHARY) - S. VARADARAJAN - MANNARGUDI EASWARAN - B.R. RAVIKUMAR
21.4.2008	Mon	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	DATTATRI S. (FLUTE) & PARTY T.V. GOPALAKRISHNAN - S. VARADARAJAN - HARIKUMAR - SUKANYA RAMGOPAL
22.4.2008	Tue	5.00-7.00 P.M. 7.15-9.30 P.M.	‘‘CHILD PRODIGY’’ — ANEESH VIDYASHANKAR (VIOLIN-SOLO) & PARTY MAMBALAM SISTERS & PARTY
23.4.2008	Wed	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	SUMUKH SURYA & PARTY SOWMYA S. - USHA RAJAGOPALAN - C. CHELUVARAJ - SRISHAILAM
24.4.2008	Thu	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	SWATHI SRINATH & PARTY DR. T.S. SATHYAVATHI - NALINA MOHAN - K.V. JAYACHANDRA RAO - M.A. KRISHNAMURTHY
25.4.2008	Fri	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	DIVYA GIRIDHAR & PARTY PRAVEEN GODKHINDI (HINDUSTANI FLUTE) - RAJENDRA NAKODE
26.4.2008	Sat	5.15-6.15 P.M 6.30-9.30 P.M.	B.R. SANJAY NAG & PARTY BOMBAY JAYASHREE RAMANATH & PARTY
27.4.2008	Sun	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	SHRUTHI S. KUMAR & PARTY KUMARESH & GANESH (VIOLIN-DUET) - PRAVEEN V. - D. MOHITE
28.4.2008	Mon	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M	BHASKARA S. (FLUTE) & PARTY RANJANI & GAYATHRI - JYOTSNA SRIKANTH - C. CHELUVARAJ - KRISHNAPRASAD
29.4.2008	Tue	5.00-7.00 P.M. 7.15-9.30 P.M.	VANI SATISH - JYOTSNA SRIKANTH - SUDHINDRA. H.S. - SRISHAILAM D. BALAKRISHNA & VAMSHIDHAR (VEENA & FLUTE) - GURUVAYUR DORAI - D. MOHITE
30.4.2008	Wed	6.00-10.00 A.M.	SREERAMA PATTABHISHEKA (PAVAMANA HOMA) - All are cordially welcome
30.4.2008	Wed	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	PANCHAVEENA BY STUDENTS OF SUMATHI RAMACHANDRAN VIDYABHUSHANA - PARUR M.A. KRISHNASWAMY - SUDHINDRA. H.S. - D. MOHITE
01.5.2008	Thu	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	SAI KISHORE & PARTY SHIVAKUMAR SHARMA (SANTOOR) & PARTY
02.5.2008	Fri	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	Y.G. SRILATHA & PARTY PRIYA SISTERS (SHANMUGAPRIYA & HARIPRIYA) & PARTY
03.5.2008	Sat	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	SRINIDHI KOUSHIK K.R. & PARTY T.V. SHANKARANARAYANAN - T.K.V. RAMANUJACHARYALU - K.V. PRASAD - AMRUTH N.
04.5.2008	Sun	8.00-10.00 A.M. 5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	SPECIAL PROGRAMME ANIRUDHA & PARTY U. SHRINIVAS & U. RAJESH (MANDOLIN - DUET) - H.K. VENKATRAM - THANJAVUR GOVINDARAJAN (THAVIL)
05.5.2008	Mon	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	POOJA M. TAYUR & PARTY NEYVELI SANTHANA GOPALAN - CHARULATHA RAMANUJAM - K.V. PRASAD - B.N. CHANDRAMOULI
06.5.2008	Tue	5.00-7.00 P.M. 7.15-9.30 P.M.	SWETHA VENKATESH - PARUR M.A. KRISHNASWAMY - C. CHELUVARAJ SIKKIL GURUCHARAN - PARUR M.A. SUNDARESWARAN - PRAVEEN V. - B.R. RAVIKUMAR
07.5. 2008	Wed	5.00-6.00 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	"PRATHIBHAKANKSHI" AWARD FUNCTION - All are cordially welcome MADURAI T.N. SESHAGOPALAN - H.K. VENKATRAM - GURUVAYUR DORAI - M.A. KRISHNAMURTHY
08.5. 2008	Thu	5.15 - 6.15 P.M. 6.30 - 9.30 P.M.	SHYAMASUNDAR K.N. & PARTY NITHYASREE MAHADEVAN & PARTY
09.5. 2008	Fri	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M.	ANIL MURTHY & PARTY NADABRAHMAN, KALAIMAMANI DR. KUNNAKUDI R. VAIDYANATHAN (VIOLIN - SOLO) & PARTY
10.5.2008	Sat	6.30-9.30 P.M.	KUMARI KANYAKUMARI (70 VIOLINS) & PARTY
11.5.2008	Sun	5.00-6.30 P.M. 7.00-9.30 P.M	"S.V. NARAYANA SWAMY RAO MEMORIAL NATIONAL AWARD FUNCTION" T.N. KRISHNAN & VIJAYALAKSHMI (VIOLIN-DUET) - SATISH KUMAR P. - VAIKOM GOPALAKRISHNAN -All are cordially welcome
12.5. 2008	Mon	5.15-6.15 P.M. 6.30-9.30 P.M	KUM. VINDHYAVALI UPADHYAYA & KUM. SANDHYAVALI UPADHYAYA & PARTY SPECIAL KARNATIC & HINDUSTANI JUGALBANDHI BY ANURADHA MADHUSUDHAN (VEENA) - CHANDRASHEKAR C.N. (VIOLIN) - RAJENDRA NAKODE - C. CHELUVARAJ
13.5. 2008	Tue	6.30-9.30 P.M.	DR. N. RAMANI (FLUTE) - EMBAR S. KANNAN - SRIMUSHNAM V. RAJA RAO - AMRUTH N.
14 .5.2008	Wed	8.00 A.M. 6.30 -9.30 P.M.	VASANTHOTSAVA DR. M. BALAMURALIKRISHNA - MYSORE V. SRIKANTH - YELLA VENKATESHWARA RAO - GIRIDHAR UDUPA

My tribute to Kanekar Uncle ( Pandit Narendra Kanekar)

2008-02-12T21:57:00.000-08:00

My aunt called up today morning to say that Kanekar uncle (thats how I addressed Pt. Narendra Kanekar, doyen of Jaipur and Agra gharana) passed away today at Bombay. Having know him and aunty Kanekar very well for 15 years, it came as a shock to me. My aunt, Dr. Bhanu Raman who was Panditji's disciple for almost 12 years is devastated at the loss of her guru.

Pt. Narendra Kanekar specialized in Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur, three principal Gharanas of Hindustani vocal music. He received his initial grooming in music from Pt. Manohar Barwe of Gwalior Gharana. He later became a disciple of Pt. Dattatraya Vishnu Kane (Kane Bua of Ichchalkaranji) of Agra Gharana. Kanebua was a prime disciple of Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Saheb. Pt. Ratnakar Pai of Jaipur Gharana was his Guru after he moved to Bombay. He was an A grade artiste on AIR and TV. He was blessed with a sweet yet powerful voice . Due to years of rigorous training, his depth and understanding of Hindustani classical music was legendary. He has told us once that after he commenced his training under Pandit Ratnakar Pai, people felt that his singing had lost the Agra gayaki which was his strongest forte. He hence used to present the ragas taught by Pandit Pai to Kanebua and polish and practice them with him the Agra way. His music thus was a wonderful amalgam of Jaipur and Agra gayakis. He has trained many students in the traditional Guru-Shishya discipline over the last few decades. Panditji was a master at singing Jod (Anwat ) ragas. He had a wide repertoire and his concert fare included traditional Jaipur and Agra Bandishes (compositions). I have listened to his brilliant renditions of Lalita Gauri, Bhoop-Nat, Jaita-shree, Nat-Bihag, Basanti-Kedar, Kausi-Kanada and many other rare ragas. Behind his rich and articulate vocalism lay deep feeling coupled with creativity and genius.

I first met Kanekar uncle at my cousin's home when she was his student and he used to come down to teach her music in the evenings. She was his first student in our family. My aunt began learning from him after some time later. During those days Uncle used to sing every Sunday morning at his friend Bhai Mayekar's residence. Bhai is an excellent Tabla player. Pt. Prabhakar Pednekar used to accompany him on the harmonium. My aunt and I used to attend these chamber concerts regularly. The first chamber concert at which he sang RAgas Bhoop, Nat and finally Bhoop-Nat remains etched in my memory as it revealed deeper facets of his Gayaki.We used to request him to sing some raga or the other at evey session and he used to oblige us with a smile. Kanekar uncle was an expert at singing Thumris too. He was a fan of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khansaheb. Prem ki Maar Katar in Raga Sohoni and the famous Bhairavi Thumri Baaju band Khul Khul Jaa were some of his favorites. Those Sunday morning concerts are some of the best ones I have listened to ever. Panditji used to speak English excellently and I used to look forward to chatting with him. Besides being a musician, uncle successfully managed his career in the petroleum industry.He was meticulous not only in his music but in all walks of life. A memorable concert of his was at the Alladiya Khansaheb festival. Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki was to perform and couldn't make it due to ill health. We needed an artiste of Pandit Abhisheki's stature and Kanekar uncle agreed to fill in immediately. He sang a wonderful Miyan Ki Todi and Jounpuri-Bahar in the morning session on the concluding day of the festival. I also recollect his 75 birthday celebration concert in which he sang Nat-Bihag, Dagori and Suha Kanada. His renditions of Ragas like Bhairav, Shivmat-Bhairav and Shree had a meditative quality in them.

I hereby offer my heartfelt condolences Kanekar aunty and his near and dear ones. I pray to God that his soul rest in peace and that God give us ( those who knew Kanekar uncle well and were associated with him) the strength to bear his demise with fortitude. Pandit Kanekar will live on through his music and the legacy of students he has left behind. Kanekar uncle will also live on in our memories as a wonderful human being . I will always cherish the time I have spent with Kanekar Uncle and consider myself fortunate to have shared a warm friendship with him.

R.K. Srikanthan @ NMKRV

2008-02-12T20:14:00.000-08:00

The best concert in this series at NMKRV was by veteran vocalist Sangita Kalanidhi Rudrapatnam K. Srikanthan. Vocal support was provided by his son S. Ramakanth. He was accompanied by Mysore nagaraj on the violin and the guru- shishya duo of Srimushnam Raja Rao and H.S Sudhindra on Mridangams.

1. ) Ninnu kori yunnara - Vasantha - Adi Talam - Tacchur SingArAchari.
2. ) As i entered the auditorim, I heard the Alapanai of Saveri in R.K.S's grand voice. The krithi that followed was karikaLabhamukhaM DhuNDhi gaNEshaM - sAvEri - rUpakaM - Muthuswamy Dikshithar
3.)
4.) Kanugona Soukhyamu - NAyaki - Rupaka tAlam - St. Thyagaraja
5.) mAtaHNgi shrI rAjarAjEshvari mAmava - ramAmanOhari - rUpakaM - Muthuswamy Dikshithar
6.) Chalamelara - Margahindolam - Adi tAlam - St. Thyagaraja (I have never heard this song in any concert or recordings before.)
7.) kailAsa nAthEna samrakSitOhaM - kAmbhOji - mishra cApu - Muthuswamy Dikshithar

Sanjay @ NMKRV

2008-02-11T00:32:00.000-08:00

Sanjay sings at NMKRV, Ramalalita Kala Mandira every year to packed audiences . This year was no exception and reached the venue half an hour in advance so that we could get seats in the auditorium. He was accompanied by S.Varadarajan on violin, Arun Prakash on Mridangam and B.Guruprasanna on Khanjira.

1. Pankajakshi - Kambhoji pada varnam - Ramaswamy sivan - Ata tAlam

2. Telisi Rama chandra - purna chandrikA - St. Thyagaraja - Adi tAlam

3. Manasa Yetulo - malayamArutham - St. Thyagaraja - Rupaka tAlam
Neraval and swarams at "kalilo rajasa"

4. Ranjani niranjani - ranjani - GNB - Adi tAlam - One of my favorite rAgas and I thought he'd sing DurmargaChara but

5. Nannu Vidachi - Reethigowla - Thyagaraja - Rupaka tAlam
This was rendered with lot of fervour and devotion and I liked this rendition almost as much as that by Maharajapuram V. Santhanam.

6. ShankarAchAyam - sankarAbharanam - Subbarama Dikshithar -Adi tAlam
Sanjay always includes one major Carnatic Raga like Thodi, Kalyani, Bhairavi, Kamboji, Shankarabharam, etc in his recitals which, in my opinion, is a commendable practice indeed.
The alapanai by S. Varadarajan was extremely well- rendered. Neraval and swarams at " Parama Latha"

7. Chittam irangaden aaya - Sahana -Papanasam Sivan - Rupaka tAlam

8. RTP - Jounpuri - pallavi Yeppo varuvaro enthan kali theera popularized by MMI

Brilliant RTP in Jounpuri - Haven't heard any Carnatic musician sing an elaborate Jounpuri till date (have heard most people relegate it this Raga for small Tukkadas.) Hindustani musicians have, on the other hand, sung detailed Jounpuris - have heard Pandit Kanekar sing wonderful compositions in Jounpuri at a couple of chamber concerts. (I've been racking my brains to recollect a bandish sung by him in Jounpuri Bahar which I heard 10 -11 years ago but haven't been able successful as yet.) While I was anticipating rAgamAlikA swarams, he completed the RTP with the song's anupallavi and last charanam amidst thundering applause.

9. Kandu dhanyna - Behag - Purandaradasa - Rupaka tAlam

10. Engum niraidirukum en deivam - kurunji + kalyani

11. Sloka - bansivale (bhajan) - Mohanam - Swathi Tirunal - Adi tAlam

12. Sindhu bhairavi - Thillana - M.D.Ramanathan - Adi tAlam

13. maname kanamum maravade - bhimplas - papanasam sivan (Film song from tamil movie and immortalized in M.S.Subbalakshmi's golden voice)

14. Mangalam - Sourashtram - St. Thyagaraja

Bangalore Concerts Feb 08

2008-02-07T21:37:00.000-08:00

SRI RAMA LALITHA KALA MANDIRA - SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL - 2008
AT MANGALA MANTAPA, N.M.K.R.V College for Women, 22nd Cross, 3rd Block, Jayanagar, BANGALORE

PROGARAMME AT 05.30 PM ON ALL DAYS

08.02.08 - Kadri Gopalnath -A Kanyakumari - Patri Satishkumar - B Rajasekhar - N Amruth

09.02.08 - T M Krishna - Charulatha Ramanujam - Arjun Kumar - Sukanya Ramgopal

10.02.08 - Sanjay Subramanian - S Varadarajan - Arun Prakash - Guruprasanna

11.02.08 - R K Srikantan - R S Ramanath - Mysore Nagaraj - Srimushnam Rajarao & Sudhindra

12.02.08 - Priya Sisters - M A Krishnaswamy - Patri Satishkumar - Madipakkam Murali

13.02.08 - SUDHA RAGHUNATHAN & Party

Concerts at Ramana Maharshi Academy for the Blind (near Ragigudda Temple)
13.02.08 - Bombay Jayashree & Party

14.02.08 - U SRINIVAS & Party

15.02.08 - R.K.PADMANABHA & Party

Malladi Brothers at BTM Cultural Academy

2008-01-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

The Annual composers festival at BTM cultural Academy normally has packed audiences. This concert by Malladi brothers on Saint Thyagaraja's was no exception.
Having listened to Malladi brothers some days back at Bangalaore Gayana Samaj, I knew this is not a concert to be missed. After a long time, my entire gang of music friends from office (Vinu, Kavi, Sharan, Rekha and I) attended a concert together.

They are wonderful Jodi singers and have learnt music from their father Malladi Suri Babu, Voleti Venkateshwarulu and Nedunuri Krishnamurthy. They are currently receiving advanced training from Dr. Sripada Pinakapani, the famous surgeon musician and guru of stalwarts like Voleti and Nedunuri. R.K.Sreeram Kumar was to accompany them on the violin but couldn't make it at the last moment and was replaced hurriedly by Mysore Shrikanth. The percussion accompanists were Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma on the Mridangam, Giridhar Uduppa on the Ghatam and N.Amruth on Khanjira

01.) Muddu Momu - Suryakantam - Adi

02.) GatigAnu Nanu Chai - Begada - Adi
Missed the first too songs as I was undergoing a training at office and reached the venue late.

As I entered, heard their Durbar Alapanai. While we were guessing whether they would sing Mundu Vena or Yochana, they settled on a rarely heard Kriti Endundi.
03.) Endundi Vedalitivo - Darbar - Triputa

04.) Palintuvo Palimpavo - Kantamani - Adi - Excellent Alapana both sung and played on the violin. This is rarely heard song and sounds like a combination of ChandraJyoti and Kalyani.

05.) Nibhakti Bhagya - Jayamanohari - Rupaka

06.) Sri Raghuvara - Kambhoji - Adi. Exquisite rendering of this Kriti. The Tani by the percussion ensemble was awesome. Giridhar's Ghatam playing deserves to be praised and high-lighted.

07.) Rama Rama Rama Sita - Huseni - Rupaka

08.) Ragamalika Shlokam in praise of Saint ThyagarajaSaveri/ Durga / Thodi / Brindavani Saranga / Kapi follwed by bhajanPAhi Prama Dayalo

09.) Uyyala - Nilambari - Jhampa

10.) Patiki Harati - Surati - Adi

11.) Shlokam in Madhyamavati

One of the best concerts I have heard in a while. Everything about Malladi brothers style of singing is good - their rendering of Kritis, their voices, their sensitive portrayal of Ragas, their grip over Laya. They payed homage to Saint Thyagaraja through this concert of theirs.

TMKrishna @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja

2008-01-21T04:27:00.000-08:00

TMKrishna at Bangalore Gayana Samaja - Aanandaa Music festival.

H.K.Venkatram - Violin, Trichy Sankaran - Mridangam, B.Purushottam - Kanjira

Theme - Muthuswamy Dikshithar kritis

01.) dakSiNAmUrttE vidaLita dAsArttE - shankarAbharaNaM/mishra jhampa

02.) paHncabhUta kiraNAvaLiM candra mauLiM - kiraNAvaLi/khaNDa EkaM

03.) kamalAmbAM bhajarE rE mAnasa - kalyANi/Adi (2 kaLai)

04.) vINApustaka dhAriNIMAshrayE - vEgavAhini/mishra jhampa

05.) vAtApi gaNapatiM bhajEhaM - hamsadhvani/Adi

06.) vINAbhEri vENuvAdyAdi - AbhEri/Adi

07.) rAmacandrabhaktaM bhaja mAnasa - gEya hEjjajji/Adi

08.) shrI subrahmaNyAya namastE namastE - *kAmbhOji/tishra EkaM

I have been panning TMKrishna's performances of late on my blog. But he was in excellent form and sang all compositions of Dikshithar beautifully. I specially need to mention his Sri Subramanyaya Namaste in Kamboji. HKV was not at his performing best while playing Shankarabharanam but his Kamboji Alapana was good. Trichy Shankaran was brilliant in his accompaniment. His playing style is exactly like his illustrous Guru Late Palani Subramania Pillai. Purushottam was in good form too.

Attaching a review by my friend who attended the concert too.
http://aahiri.blogspot.com/2008/01/tm-krishna-gayana-samaja.html

Malladi Brothers @ Bangalore Gayana Samaja

2008-01-21T04:08:00.000-08:00

Malladi Brothers sang at Bangalore Gayana Samaja as part of Aanandaa Music festival. The theme of the festival was on Composers of Carnatic Music and the composer of the day was Maharaja Swathi Tirunal. They were accompanied by Embar Kannan on the violin, Mridangam maestro Trichy Shankaran and Vaikom S. Gopalakrishnan on the Ghatam (each of them being excellent artistes on their respective instruments)

Song List :
1.) Kamboji - Sarasijanabha
2.) Gowlai - KAmajanaka - Adi talam
3.) Arabhi - Narasimha MAmava
4.) Useni - PAhimam brihan nAyike .Though they sang it very well, KVN's version is still the best :-)
5.) Begada - - kalayAmi Raghu RAmam
6.) Pantuvarali - Sarasaksha - Embar's style of playing is so close to that of his guru A. Kanyakumari. One of the best kritis in this concert.Tani was brilliant. The Palani Subramaniam Pillai style of playing on the Toppi was wonderfully executed by his prime disciple Trichy Shankaran.
7.) KaraharapriyA - Satatam pAvaka PAda Sevanam

Left for home during their rendition of karaharapriya. Anybody who attended the concert till it ended can update the same.

On listening to T.Brinda and T. Mukta

2008-01-11T00:09:00.000-08:00

Though I have listened to recordings of plenty of stalwarts since childhood, I never listened to much of Brinda and Mukta. My grandma used to tell me their Vilamba / Chowka KAlam renditions would bore me. I did listen to a few of their recordings off and on but found them drab and could never appreciate their music.

I read many articles on them and their music in the recent issues of Sruti which I bought in Chennai recently. People have talked about the greatness of their music and henced I decided to check out for myself again. Guess their music is like Scotch - one needs to acquire a taste for it. I had a set of some of their famous Padams on my IPod. I decided to listen to these first.

Kuvalakshiro in GauliPantu was the first song I listened to. I have listened to MS sing this song in one of her AIR recitals. She was a very good friend of both Muktha and Brinda and has learnt from Brindamma. I realized that MS's rendition is exactly similar to that by Brinda-Mukta. Only that 2 voices were singing in unison instead of 1. I liked it a lot. The next padam was Mosamaye in Aahiri which was equally mesmerising. I then listened to their version of Kanakanaruchira in Varali followed by ValupuDasa a padam in Varali. One of my all time favorite singers is Dr. R. Vedavalli and she was a disciple of Muktamma. I realized that her mastery over Padams has been inherited from these singers / teachers. Both sisters had long innings as performing artistes and teachers. I then listened to another padam in Ghanta - Neiyamu Kailasam followed by thier famous "Rama Rama" in Bhairavi. I next listened to BrovavammA in Manji () and Ososi in Mukhari. I have been hooked to their music.

I have been listening to them for the last 2 days and have realized that their style is indeed unique - slow, majestic, music calling for amazing lung power and breath control. They had perfected the art of Jodi singing. I found the magic missing in solo concerts by Brindamma. (After they parted pays professionally after singing in unison for 40 years, Brindamma dropped many songs from their repertoire as she felt they would be incomplete without her sister singing along with her. She was right in her analysis.) Singing off this post while listening to Moratopu in Sahana. (PusaDharamu a Padam in Thodi is next in line.)

BTM Music festival details

2008-01-10T01:27:00.000-08:00

Since I had the brochure in Kannada and can't read the same, I got Vivek, my friend and colleague to read out only the names of main artistes yesterday as we were busy at work.
Vinod (who loves listening to the percussionists) wanted details of accompanists too. Hence updating the earlier list courtesy Vivek (again).

21-01-2008 PurandaraDasa - Saralaya Sisters
AnantaPadmanabha-Violin, C.Cheluvaraju - Mridangam, Sukanya Ramgopal - Ghatam, Bhagyalakshmi K - Morsing

22-01-2008 St. Thyagaraja - Malladi Brothers
R.K.Shriram Kumar - Violin, Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma - Mridangam, Giridhar Uduppa - Ghatam, N.Amruth - Khanjira

23-01-2008 Muthuswamy Dikshithar- Ragam Sisters (Chennai)
Nalina Mohan - Violin, Vasudev - Mridangam, Dayanand Mohite - Ghatam, S.V.Sridahr - Morsing

24-01-2008 Mysore Vasudevachar - Rudrapatnam Brothers
Mysore M.Manjunath - Violin, H.S Sudhindra - Mridangam, GS Ramanujam - Ghatam, M. Gururaj - Morsing

25-01-2008 Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar - Hyderabad Sisters
Charulatha Ramanujam,- Violin, K.V Jayachandra Rao - Mridangam, Guruprasanna - Khanjira, SMN Murthy - Ghatam

26-01-2008 Shyama Shastri - O.S.Thyagarajan
H. K.Venkataram - Voilin, A.V.Anand - Mridangam, M.A Krishnaswami - Ghatam, B.N Chandramouli - Khanjira

Composers Festival at BTM Cultural Academy

2008-01-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
The Composers festival at BTM Cultural Academy, (Ramana Maharshi Institute for the Blind, near Ragi Gudda Temple) , Bangalore is commencing on 21st Jan, 2008. All concerts begin at 5.30 PM.

21-01-2008 PurandaraDasa - Saralaya Sisters and Party
22-01-2008 St. Thyagaraja - Malladi Brothers and Party
23-01-2008 Muthuswamy Dikshithar- Ragam Sisters (Chennai) and Party
24-01-2008 Mysore Vasudevachar - Rudrapatnam Brothers and Party
25-01-2008 Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar - Hyderabad Sisters and Party
26-01-2008 Shyama Shastri - O.S.Thyagarajan and Party

27-01-2008 - Thyagaraja Aradhana from 9.30 AM onwards

Requesting one and all to attend the same.

My Chennai Diary - Day-4.

2007-12-30T22:12:00.001-08:00

Sumitra Nitin @ Music Academy
She is the grand daughter of old time veteran Anantalakshmi Sadagopan.I've listened to a few recordings of Smt. Sadagopan and she had a sweet yet powerful voice. Her granddaughter lacks the latter. She was singing without any shruti alignment all the while.(I hope she had a bad throat day and hence was singing off key;thats no excuse as one can sing at a lower pitch and remain aligned to Shruti. )
1.) Ganapate - Kalyani - Dikshithar - Adi
2.) Ritigowla - walked out to pick some more CDs and books
3.) Kamboji - O Rangashayee - Violin Alapanai was well played.

Abhishek Raghuram @Music Academy with Mysore Srikanth (Violin) and A. Anand
(Mridangam)
Had read a few good reviews about his and was keen on attending the same. Abhishek has a good voice - very pliable and sweet yet powerful and with a good range. (Reminded me of Musiri's voice at first hearing but later realized its more like Unnikrishnan's voice, the main difference being Unni's is more nasal.)
1.) Nata Bhairavi - racked my brains over identifying this - finally realized its Nat Bhairav (one of the nice ragas played in Call of the Valley). Shri Valli DevasenApate - Papanasam Sivan - Adi. Srikant was in good form and played a nice alapanai in this ragam.
2.) Sringara Murthim - Khamas - Annamacharya - Adi (Tuned by Nedunuri GAru)
3.) KA VA VA - Varali - Sivan
4.) RAmakatha Sudha - Madhyamavati - St. Thyagaraja - Adi.Well sung, Tani by A. Anand another grandson of Palghat Raghu was wonderful.

Hyderabad Brothers - D. Seshachari & D. Raghavachari / Peri Sriramamurthy (Violin) / M. Lakshminarayana Raju (Mridangam)
As decided on the previous day, we went to attend another concert by Hyderabad Brothers.

1.) Evari Bodhana -Abhogi Varnam

2.) Mapala - Asaveri - St. Thyagaraja - Adi

3.) Hamsadhwani- Manasu Karuku DevA- Rupakam

4.) Niravati Sukhada - Ravichandrika - St. Thyagaraja - Adi

5.) Purvi Kalyani - Ninnu Vina - Shyama Shastri - Mishra Chapu - Peri excelled in his Raga elaborations as did the singers

6.) Sadachaleshwaram - BhupAlam - Dikshithar - Adi

7.) Ashtapadi - Yamuna KAlyani

8.) HaridAsulu - Kalyani

9.) Mangalam

I listened to one of the best interpretations of Purvi Kalyani in a long time. I wished I had stayed back at Madras for a day more so that I could listen to Hyderabad brothers at Music Academy. I hope someone uploads their Music Academy concert.

Next time around, we have decided to spend more time at Madras during the December season. Might be a better idea to book a room at Woodlands so that we avoid the commute and attend all the evening concerts too. Had a wonderful Musical time at Chennai.

My Chennai Diary - Day2 Part3 and Day-3

2007-12-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

As we waited outside to reserve good seats for the Sanjay concert, the salesperson at Charsur Digital Works stall whom I had met at Bangalore more than an year back recognized me and told me to avail of their offer of obtaining the full set of their CDs on an Ipod for Rs. 37500 (I had purchased a few Paddhathi CDs last year at Koramangala from this person and I cribbed about their not giving enough discounts this time at the same venue despite being a regular purchaser of their CDs. They have a good collection but their CDs are over-priced.)

Spotted a MAmi who looked exactly like Smt. Vedavalli in the audience. Vinod nicknamed her Bhedavalli - the graha Bheda version of Vedavalli :-) and we had a hearty laugh.

Sanjay Subrahmanyan began his concert at 6.30 to a packed audience. He was accompanied by Nagai Muralidharan (Violin) , Guruvayur Dorai (Mridangam) and E.M. Subramaniam (Ghatam)

1.) Maguva - Ata tala Varnam in Narayanagowla
2.) Kamalamba Bhajare - Ananda Bhairavi, Dikshithar , Rupakam
3.) Bilahari - Good alapanai. The Sanjay / Nagai combination has always been good. Kanukoti Nee , St. Thyagaraja, Adi
4.) Karaharapriya - Exquisite alapana portraying different nuances of this grand Raga. Sendhil Andavan - Papanasam Sivan - Rupakam
5.) Pranatarthi hara - MelaKarta Ragamalika chakram by MahA VaidyanathA Iyer which commences with an invocation to Lord Ganesha in Sri Ragam. Sanjay sang the first two Chakrams - Indu (KanakAngi, RatnAngi, Ganamuthy, Vanaspati, MAnavati, TAnarupi) and Netra (SenApati, Hanumat Thodi, DhenukA, NAtakapriyA, KokilapriyA and Rupavati) . Trust Sanjay to renew old traditions.Stalwarts like Musiri and Mudikondan used to sing this song in public performances. (SSI knew it and taught it to MS though he never sang it himself in any of his kucheris.) A commercial recording of the same by MS is available. MS used to sing 2 chakrams of this song every year at her Music Academy concerts. I hope that Sanjay does that too.

We left the venue while DharmAvati was in progress as it was pretty late by then.

Couldn't attend too many concerts on the third day. We went shopping at T. Nagar in the morning and by the time we were through, it was late afternoon.

Today the venue was NArada Gana Sabha and the artistes were Hyderabad Brothers - D. Seshachari & D. Raghavachari . They were accompanied by Mysore Manjunath (Violin), KAraikudi Mani (Mridangam) and V. Suresh (Ghatam).
1.) NavarAgamAlika Varnam - Valachi Vachi
2.) Dhenuka - Teliyaledu Rama - St. Thyararaja, Adi
3.) Sriranjani- Brocheva Ravare Rama - St. Thyararaja, Rupakam. Good rendition with fast paced swarams
4.) RanganAtuDE - SowrAshTram, Ponniah PiLLai , Rupakam
5.) Dharmavati - detailed Alapana by both brothers. Parandhamavati -Dikshithar
6.) Thodi - Hyderabad brothers excel in singng Thodi and every time their portrayal of this Raga is different. Mysore Manjunath played a brilliant Alapanai too. They sang DAsharathe b St. Thyagaraja in Adi talam. Karaikudi's Tani was excellent as always
7.) Idi samayamura - Saindhavi ? St. T
8.) Padam in Atana
9.) Bhajan in Dhanyasi
10.) Ashtapadi - GAyati Vanamali by Jayadeva - Yaman Kalyani
11.) Mangalam

This concert was so good that we decided to listen to them again at Parthasarathy Sabha the next day. (I like their clear pronunciation of SAhitya and the way their voices blend into each other's.)

Also shopped for plenty of cassettes and CDs at the AVM showroom a few buildings away. Was elated as I managed to get 2 CDs which I had been hunting for since a while - volumes 1 and 4 of AbhyAsagAnam, a set of Varnams by Dr. R. Vedavalli.

My Chennai Diary - Day-2, Part -2.

2007-12-30T22:06:00.000-08:00

Amrutha Venkatesh / S. Karthick (Violin) / Nirmal Narayanan (Mridangam) @ Music Academy

We walked into the auditorium a little late and missed a couple of songs . Amrutha sang Shri Subramanyaya Namaste in Kamboji. My first reaction was "This is a Kriti meant to be rendered only by Stalwarts like Ariyakudi / KVN / Chembai / Vedavalli etc" and I stand by it. I feel at times that I spend too much time listening to (old timers) stalwarts and hence end up panning the current set of singers. Hers is an fairly good voice - which is slightly aggressive. The violinst played offkey multiple times. Nirmal played a good Tani.

Another grudge I bear against most of the current generation is that they don't take time to listen to concerts of stalwarts. Smt. Vedavalli sang a brilliant concert just some time before at the same venue. It would have made sense for Ms. Venkatesh to attend the same. ( Had seen her walk out of Trichur V. Ramachandran's concert which followed hers at Bangalore Gayana Samaj last month.)

2.) Viruttam in Ananda Bhairavi / Saveri and Behag followeed by "Sada namma Hridaya Dalli"
3.) Suruti - RAmachandra Nee Daya

Madurai T. N. S. Krishna / Melakavery Thyagarajan (Violin) / Nellai Balaji (Mridangam) @ Music Academy

1.) BegadA Varnam - Adi Talam
2.) Merusamana - St Thyagaraja - Adi talam - well rendered song
3.) Nice Alapanai in Shanmukhapriya . Marivere - Patnam Subramanya Iyer.
Krishna has a powerful voice and weaves complex swara patterns wit hflair.
4.) Neelambari - Amba Neelayadakshi - Dikshithar. Slow and lilting as Neelambari ought to be sung
5.) Ambavani - Kirvani - Muthiah Bhagavathar - Rupakam
6.) Kalyani - Talli NInnu - Shyama Shastri - Chapu
7.) RTP in Thodi.
Pallavi - MAdhava Maruga, MA Mayil Muruga SharavanabhavA, Adi Vaa, Nee Odi Vaa, Virintodi Vaa
8.) Viruttam in Saveri, malayamArutham, Hameer Kalyani and Madhyamavati
9.) Tillana in Chandrakauns
10.) Mangalam
Enjoyable concert. TNS Krishna is a budding artiste and will surely evolve to be a good performer. His facial contortions make him an ideal candidate for caricature. He clones his father a bit too much to my liking or better put TNSK reminds me of a young TNS.

We wanted to check out Arun Sayeeram next (we are not fans of her music and wanted to gauge the reason for her popularity.) but went to Woodlands instead as we were pretty hungry by then. After satiating ourselves with dosais and kaapi , we went to Parthasarathy Sabha. Sanjay was singing there at 6 but when we reached the venue at aound 5.15 we heard the Alapanai of Hamsanandi. Bought the tickets for Sanjay's concert and entered the venue.

A jugalbandi by Carnatica Brothers and Ramesh Narayan was in progress. They were accompanied by Durai Balasubramaniam (Violin), Tanjore Murugaboopathy (Mridangam), Aravind Chatterjee (Tabla)

This sabha was founded in 1900 and is the oldest music Sabha in Madras. It seems to be caught in a time warp - old auditorium, tall fans, not too great acoustics . Wonderful pictures of Lord Parthasarathy at the venue.

Puriya is the Hindustani equivalent of Hamsanandi , though some people sing Sohoni. Sohoni and Puriya share the same Arohana/ Avarohan but Puriya stresses on Ni and Ma whereas Sohoni stresses on Sa and Ga (the VAdi and SamvAdi swars) . Ramesh is a disciple of Jasraj and his voice is pleasing . He has a wonderful range spanning 3 octaves. His voice is way superior to that of ShashiKiran. Ganesh's voice has a good range and he showed more competency than Shashikiran despite he being a chitra veena player. The music was good but ear shattering due to acoustics being too loud. Same holds true for the percussionists who played well but at higher decibel levels. Liked the bandish "Shyam Sundar" which is a traditional Mewati Gharana composition.

(To continue.)

My Chennai Diary - Day-2, Part -1.

2007-12-30T21:19:00.000-08:00

Vinod, one of my closest friends and colleague at Oracle (also an ardent rasika of Carnatic Music and good singer of old Hindi film songs and Ghazals) landed at Chennai in the morning. We had planned to attend a few good concerts when he was around. We had already finalized on attending Dr. R. Vedavalli's early morning concert at The Music Academy. One of the foremost disciples of late Pallavi exponent Sangita KalAnidhi Mudikondan Venkatrama Iyer, Sangita KalAnidhi R. Vedavalli is a member of the old guard of Carnatic Music. She has trained under Smt. T.Muktamma too. She is a veteran teacher and an equally proficient performing artiste. I like her unhurried,majestic style of singing. Her Ragam Tanam Pallavis are a treat to listen.

1.) Arrived at the venue a little late and missed her Dhanyasi Varnam. Spotted plenty of stalwarts at the concert today - Sangita KalAnidhi T.K.Govinda Rao, Sangita KalAnidhi M. Chandrashekar, MallAdi brothers and Vidushi Neela Ramgopal.

2.) Heard a wonderful alapanai of Kannada as we entered the auditorium. She was accompanied by Charulata Ramanujam on the violin, Neyvelli Narayanan on the Mridangam and Sukanya Ramgopal on the Ghatam. She went on to sing Saketa Niketana by St. Thyagaraja. She has lowered the Kattai(pitch) at which she used to sing earlier but her voice is as powerful.

3.) Vachaspati - Ennadu nee kripaGalgu - Patnam Subramaniam Iyer.

4.) Mukhari - Every time I hear this raga, I remember my grandma's singing the same. People associate this raga with sadness but I remember an interview with R. Vedavalli in which she sang KAru BAru. In this song, Saint Thyagaraja addressing Lord Rama says "Has there been anybody who has reigned over Ayodhya like you, protecting the subjects, exercising supreme authority and securing the happiness and prosperity of one and all." She added that when one listens to this song, one feels elated as that is the Bhava (feeling) the saint has conveyed while extolling Lord Rama's virtues as a King. Her rendition of this song at today's concert was no exception. Also need to mention that Charulata played an excellent alapanai in Mukhari. While listening to Neyvelli Narayanan, one realized that he has perfected the art of Mridangam accompaniment. He is presently a disciple of Vidwan Umayalpuram Shri K. Sivaraman and is the recipient of ‘Best Mridangam Player’ (1995, 1997, 1998) by The Music Academy.

5.) Thodi - Manodharma Sangitam (creative singing) at its very best. Vedavalli's Thodis are always well rendered. And the first recording I had purchased of hers was an RTP in Todi (with an exquisite Tanam in the Ghana Panchaka Raga). She sang Dikshitar's "DakshAyani Abhayambike" the last but one song in his set of AbhayambA Vibhakti Kritis. Fabulous Tani avartanam by Narayanan and Sukanya.

While going through the Souvenir, I realized The Music Academy hands over a list of songs and the artistes need to select some from the list provided. Good practice in a way as listeners can gain better knowledge but spoils the fun of identifying rAgAs as they are being sung.

6.) RTP Kirvani - Striking alapanai and Tanam. Khanda Nadai Triputa Talam.
Pallavi - Shri RAmA AbhirAmA Pari PAhi Sita Sameta.
Ragamaika swarams in Vasanta, Sama and Bihag

7.) Viruttam in KedaraGowlai, Saveri, VarAli and Sindhu Bhairavi

8.) Mangalam

After the concert I jumped on to the stage to meet her; I sought her blessings, told her that I have been a die-hard rasika of hers for 15 years and procured her autograph on a booklet of her achievements (had obtained this when I bought a set of 5 CDs by HMV Sa Re Ga Ma as part of their Golden legends). Ought to preserve this safely.

This is a must have concert and a gentleman named Sridharan Sankaran has uploaded the same at : http://www.sangeethapriya.org/~sridharan/season-2007/R_Vedavalli-MA/. Summarizing, this is one of the best concerts I listened to this season.

(To continue.)

My Chennai-diary - Day-1, Part-2

2007-12-27T22:34:00.000-08:00

There were many stalls outside the auditorium. Bought a few vintage CDs of Dr. Pinakapani and Dr. R.K Srikantan besides a few issues of Sruti Magazine. We went to the canteen attached to The Academy to grab a bite. Each sabha has its own varied fare of south indian delicacies and snacks. Picked a few more CDs by Bombay Jayashree and Sowmya (Dikshithar Advaitaparva kritis and Neelotpalamba Vibhakti Kritis)

Attended Savita NArasimhan's afternoon slot concert for a while. Listened to her SahAna.Sweet voice but lacks depth and hence unsuitable for Carnatic music in my opinion.

The next venue was Krishna Gana Sabha at T.Nagar. We went to pick up my aunt at whose house we were residing in Chennai. She likes Bombay Jayashree's music a lot and had expressed her desire to accompany us for this concert. Krishna Gana Sabha is
another famed venue at Madras. Continued my music shopping outside the sabha and picked up a book on Semmangudi Srinivasier. I came to know that Vainaka Vidwan Rudrapatnam K Suryanarayanan is no more when I spotted a CD titled "late" RK Suryanarayan.
He used to play the Andhra Veena which is smaller than the traditional Saraswati Veena. I used to like his bani (style) a lot and have a few good recordings of his - Mohanam, Gambhira NAtai etc. He was also an excellent composer and has composed many Varnams and Tillanas.
We grabbed a kApi each at the canteen - excellent filter coffee and having it piping hot added to its charm. We had purchased stage tickets and could sit a couple of feet from the performing artistes. The auditorim has a beautiful brass idol of Lord Krishna playing the flute and portraits of maestros, past and present adorn its walls. The chairs are old fashioned and made of cane. This auditorium is smaller than Music Academy and its sound system is not as good either.
Bombay (Mumbai) Jayashree was accompanied by H.N.Bhaskar on the violin, K. Arun Prakash on the Mridangam and K. V. Gopalakrishnan on the Ghatam. The first time I listened to Jayashree was at The Fine Arts Society, Chembur, Bombay with my grandma almost 15 years ago and vividly remember her Bhairavi rendition. (though I can't recollect whether she sang KoluvaiYunnade or BAlaGopAla)

1.) Tatvamariya Tarama - Ritigowla, Papanasam Sivan, Adi
2.) Dharmasamvardhani - Madhamavati - Dikshithar - Adi - short and sweet
3.) Ehi Jagadisha - SAranga - ? ?
4.) I was just recollecting her Bhairavi when she began Koluvai. Was amazed at the coincidence 5.) KedAraGowlai - Nice AlApanai both by BJ and Bhaskar.Some of the best KedaraGowlais I have listened to are those by MS. Saraguna PAlimpa, VenuGAna , VittuVividuDa Seethaiyai etc. Saw MS's daughter Vijaya Rajendran seated in the front row amongst
the audience listening to BJ. Another coincidence today. She sang TulAsi Bilva by Saint Thyagaraja. Neraval and swarams at Bhujamuna Archinchu Karuna To. It was an unhurried rendition and we didn't get bored despite listening to this Raga for an
hour.
6.) KarunAnidhi Thaye - Bowli - Lalgudi - Adi
7.) KalyanaVasantam - RTP -Adi Talam. (I have never listened to her RTPs in any traditional Carnatic ragas like Thodi, Kamboji,Kalyani, Karaharapriya,etc.)
8.) Bihag - Virutam and Kannan thottu thottu pesha varAn
9.) Shivaranjani - Tillana - Adi
10.) Mangalam

I liked her KedaraGowlai best. Kalyanavasantam, Bihag and Shivaranjani were well rendered. On the whole a brilliant concert by Jayashree. (I was mistaken to be a journalist or music critic by a mAmA in the audience and I told him that I am an IT professional. I guess that the notebook I carried, my scribbling away thoughts / comments and identifying each Raga correctly led him to assume the same.)

My Chennai Diary - Day 1, Part 1

2007-12-27T01:35:00.000-08:00

I was in Chennai last weekend for the famous December season. I'll be narrating our musical experiences in the next few posts. We left from Bangalore on 21 st December and reached Madras (aka Chennai) on 22nd morning. I'd taken along printouts of the concert schedules from 22nd to 25th. Had a tough time deciding on which concerts to attend as various Sabhas host concerts of front ranking artistes simultaneously.

The first concert we attended was of Madurai R. Sundar (He is a disciple of T.N.
Seshagopalan and Ananthalakshmi Sadagopan) at Bharat Kalachar. The prime motivation for attending this concert was that he was being accompanied by R.K.ShriramKumar on the violin, Mridangam maestro Trichy Sankaran and B.Purushothaman on the Kanjira.

Struck a conversation with a mAmA at the Venue. I remarked to my mom that I'd prefer listening to Malladi Brothers than TNS and this uncle wanted to know why. I didn't know how to react as I couldn't gauge whether he was a die hard TNS fan or against him. I gave a diplomatic reply and said though TNS is a brilliant singer I like Malladi brothers more as I like Nedunuri's bani (style) more than that of TNS.I also added that I had attended many concerts of TNS at B'lore this year Mama launched a tirade against TNS and talked about his ego/arrogance despite his being a good singer. I said I'd heard that too and that helped me establish a rapport with uncle. He however acknowledged TNS's contribution to Mylapore Fine Arts society. The topic moved on to R. Vedavalli; how she and Mani Krishnaswamy were both awarded Certificates of Merit by The Music Academy at the same time but Vedavali had to wait for 7/8 years after Mani K to receive her Sangita Kalanidhi award. He also talked about Nedunuri and his music which touches ones heart. He also said that Nedunuri had had a heart attack this year and was performing too many concerts this season. Wishing NK a speedy recovery.He has been in my list of all time favorites. My grandma used to like his music a lot too. We have listened his Paddhati CDs on multiple occasions. And the first video I transferred to my Ipod is Nedunuri singing Arakimpave on Thodi.

Song list
1.) Intha Modi - Saranga - Adi
2.) Mahaganapatim - Nattai - Dikshithar - Adi (Liked R.K ShriramKumar's interpretation of the raga a lot)
3.) ShivakAmaSundari - Jaganmohini - GNB? - Rupakam
4.) Kalyani - Pankaja Lochana - Swathi Tirunal - Mishra ChApu. Neraval and swarams at Brindavana Daya .Tani Avartanam was wonderful.

Some observations on Sundar- good singer but strains at times especially in the higher octave (TAr Saptak) and his voice lacks power. I should get rid of this habit of comparing the current voices with those of stalwarts like Chembai or DKJ or KVN. Talking of voices, octogenarian singer Dr. R. Srikanthan is one singer voice belies his age.

Since this was the first time we were in Madras for attending concerts, we had decided to do some Sabha hopping. The next venue was Music Academy. Mom and I spent some time at a book store outside the auditorium. They have a very good collection. Keeping with my old habit of never walking out of a book store empty handed, picked up a book on Oothukadu Venkata Subbaier and a painting of the Trinty by S. Rajam. (His painting adorn the walls of the auditorium at Music Academy too.) Talking of the auditorium named after TTKrishnamachari, it has excellent acoustics with Bose Speaker systems. (Was reminded of Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Sabha) Paintings of Purandaradasa , the Trinity and Swathi Tirunal adorn its walls. There are photographs of TTK and TLVenkatrama Iyer on either side. Outside the auditorium, near the entrance are photographs of all Sangita Kalanidhis. Most of them are Black and white snaps. DKJ and then R. Vedavalli's are the first color photos. KVN doesn't look his usual handsome self in his Sangita Kalanidhi snap and seems pensive.

Getting to Nisha Rajagopal's singing,
1.) DhanyAsi - MeenaLochana - Shyama Shastri
2.) Yochana - Durbar - St. Thyagaraja
3.) Kamboji - Koniyade NApai - St. Thyagaraja. She was alternating brilliant and listless in her singing. My mom felt and I seconded her opinion that Nisha strains herself while singing.

Another thing I fail to understand is why most current singers don't give enough importance to lyrics and the way they ought to pronounced. Chu kkumo laguti pilli instead of Chukku Molagu Tippili my grandma used to say jokingly :-)

And a Carnatic concert in the evening

2007-11-19T19:23:00.001-08:00

The concert festival at Nadasurabhi, Koramangala was almost drawing to its conclusion and Shri Maharajapuram Ramachandran sang on Sunday evening after a felicitation ceremony where Vidwan R.K.Srikanthan was conferred the Sangita Surabhi title by the association. There were speeches by Sri Kamalnath of Gayana Samaja and musicologist Mysore Subramania praising Srikanthan and his music. Dr. Srikanthan gave a short and sweet thanking speech too.

Getting to the concert, Ramachandran was accompanied by H.N Chandrashekhar on the violin, Giridhar Udupa on the Ghatam and V. Praveen on the Mridangam. Ramachandran has a voice almost like that of his late father, Santhanam. Maharajapuram Santhanam's was sweeter and had more timbre.

1.) Gananayaka in Sunadavinodini. Wonderfully sung and I was constantly thinking of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi's Hindol, the Hindustani equivalent of Sunadavinodini.

2.) Jaya Jaya - Naattai - Purandara Dasa

3.) Saranganatham - Gowla - Gopala Krishna Bharati Adi Talam

4.) Tsakalla Ladu - Arabhi - St. Thyagaraja - Adi Talam. This was an SSI favorite :-)

5.) Kamakshi Bangaru - Varali - Shyama Shastri. Detailed alapanai sung and played on the violin. Chandrashekhar was in excellent form. Neraval and swarams at Shyama Krishna Paripalani. Good tani avartanam

6.) Karuna Joodu - Shri Ragam - Shyama Shastri.
It was a Ghanamana concert (pun intended) . He sang all 5 Ghana ragams and did justice to all of them. One rarely gets to hear all five and the kritis he sang in Arabhi, Varali and Shri ragam are rare ones.
7.) Naliankantimati - Ragamalika (Nalinakanti, Bhairavi, Vasanta Bhairavi, Kedaram, SAma, SAveri, LalitA, ShankarAbharanam, SArAmati, Bageshri, Ananda Bhairavi, Saraswati, Nayaki, Hamsadhwani ) popularized by Santanam

8.) RTP in Brindavani Saranga (was simply too good.) Was doubly rejoicing on listening to this raga again the same day- the second time without requesting for the same. Pallavi - NAthan Dinam Nanai Maname Brindavana SAranga Ranganathanai .Adi talam - Ragamalika in BhupKali and JogKauns (Don't know Carnatic equivalents of these ragas)

9.) Kelo Sa charita -Purandara Dasa - Ragamalike

10.) Shanmukham Bhaja - Sindhu Bhairavi - Dayananda Saraswati

11.) Virutham in ragamalika (/, Hamsanandi, Hamir Kalyani, Shuddha Dhanyasi)

12.) Talatu Paatu- Neelambari

13.) Revati - Bho Shiva Bho - Santhanam had promised to sing this bhajan in 100 concerts but couldn't due to his untimely device. Am glad his son is keeping up his father's word

14.) Mangalam
Ramachandran proved that he is the inheritor of the Maharajapuram legacy of his grandfather Vishwanatha Iyer and father Santhanam. On the whole a well planned and executed concert.

A Hindustani concert in the morning

2007-11-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

Read in Hindu that Pandit Vijay Sardeshmukh from Pune would be performing a concert at Bangalore Gayana Samaja. I've heard him many years back at Alladiya Khansaheb festival and didn't want to miss this musical treat. The concert was organized by Hindustani Sangeeta Kalakara Mandali and he was accompanied by Vyasamurti Katti on harmonium and Udayraj Karpor on tabla. The audience were few (hardly 50-75 people).

Panditji is a disciple of Pandit Kumar Gandharva and has a sweet yet powerful voice just like his late Guru. In fact his voice bears a resemblance to that of his guru.

He commenced his concert with Raga Miyan Ki Todi. He sang a bandish in Vilambit Ektaal. His mastery over Ragas and years of ardous Riyaaz were reflected in his singing. He sang a traditional Bandish by Sadarang in Drut Teen Taal and a Tarana too. His sparkling taans over multiple octaves are worth mentioning about. Panditji then sang Raga Deskar. The next song was a bhajan by Saint Namdev in some type of Bhairav. (Aaoi Kalandar Keshava - Bhairav with a folk element, guess it was Behad Bhairav but need to confirm the same from one of Kumarji's recordings.) He was to conclude with Bhiaravi but I interrupted and told him to sing some variety of Sarang as it was already noon by then and the ideal time for singing Sarang. Panditji sweetly obliged and sang 2 compositons in Brindavani Sarang. He also sang a Kabir Bhajan after acceding to another request from the audience. Panditji concluded with a Bhairavi Bhajan by Kabir , Man Bawra Bhaya. Wonderful accompaniment was provided by both Vyasamurti Katti andUdayraj Karpor. I met Panditji after the concert to thank him for singing Brindavani Sarang. Also told him that I remembered the MArwa sung by him almost 10 years back at Bombay. Left the venue with soulful strains of Sindhu Bhairavi still ringing in my years.

TM Krishna @ Nadasurabhi

2007-11-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

Listened to TMK at Nadasurabhi, Koramangala accompanied by H.K.Venkatram on the violin, Cheluvaraju on the Mridangam and Smt. Sukanya Ramgopal on the Ghatam. This concert was the drabbest concert at Nadasurabhi this year.After splendid performances by Prof. T.N.Krishnan, Vijaya Siva, Sowmya and Sanjay(he sang the previous day and was brilliant. Will blog about that in a separate post.) Krishna's concert was lack-lusture.Maybe it was one of those days when Krishna was not in fine fettle.

1.) Varnam - Ninnukori in Mohanam

2.) Nayaki - Nee Bhajana Gana - St. Thyagaraja -Rupakam

3.) Devagandhari - Tulasamma -St. Thyagaraja. This was soung in Vilamba kalam or Chauka kalam by Krishna . He was not able to maintain a constant rhythm and this was evident on listening to the mridangam accompaniment.

4.) Taka - Raka SashivadanA- St. Thyagaraja- ok

5.) Huseni - Shri Kalahastisha - Dikshithar. Nice alapana and this was rendered ok- He forgot the lyrics in between.

6.) Latangi - Aparadhamu - Patnam Subramanyam Iyer. The speed changes between raga renditions are jarring to the ears. He is either too fast or too slow. Krishna should listen to concerts by late maestro Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar to learn and appreciate the beauty of Madhyama Kala singing.

7.) Yaduluka Kamboji. Nice Alapanai by Venkatram. Swarajati Amba Kamakshi by Shyama Shastri. Prouced a soporific effect as I saw multiple people in the audience dozing off.Neraval and swarams at PAvani Sakala Jana Ramani. Nice Tani by Cheluvuraju and Sukanya Ramgopal.

8.) Dhenuka - Teliyaledu Rama - St. Thyagaraja- Adi talam. This was SSI's trademark but TMK didn't sing any swarams. SSI used to embellish this raga with nice swara patterns.

9.) RTP - Mohanm - Adi talam - Pallavi - Namaste Jatadhar Shambho Jita Kama Mohana - Ragamalika swarams in Kamboji, Shankarabharanam and Garudadhwani.

10.) Kamas - Janaro -Padam. He sang this same song at this venue last year. My sincere advice to him is that he leave Padam singing to experts in that genre like Smt. Vedavalli or Sowmya

11.) Jonpuri - Sapasya Kausalya

12.) Tillana - Hamsadhwani -ok - repeat from last year.

13.) Mangalam - Suruti

The views/ opinions reflected here are my own and not meant to cause any offence to die hard TM Krishna fans.

Sowmya @ Koramangala

2007-11-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

I reached the venue a little late on account of a traffic jam outside office. Sowmya was accompanied by Nalina Mohan on the violin and Anoor Anathakrishna Sharma on the mridangam.
My mom had missed the Varnam but was present for the rest of the concert.

1.) Varnam - ? someone who attended this concert from the beginning can leave a comment
2.) Nadasudha Rasam - St. Thyagaraja - Arabhi
3.) Chittam Irangaden Aiya - Mishra Chapu - Papanasam Sivan. I've always liked the Sahanas sung by Sowmya. Heard from mom that this was no exception.
4.) Brovabarama - St. Thyagaraja - Bahudari.
5.) Devi Brova - Chintamani. This Shyama Shastri masterpiece was sung well
6.) Abhogi -As I entered the venue, I could hear her mellifluous Alapanai in this ragam. Going by the no. of songs already rendered, I thought she was planning an RTP in Abhogi. But she sang NeeKurugi by Papanasam Sivan.The neraval and swara improvisations were at Valli Devayani ManavalA.
7.) Dwijawanti - Akhilandeshwari - Muthuswamy Dikshithar - Adi talam. (Had heard a friend sing it beautifully in Vilamba Kalam sometime back during Navaratri. )Sowmya sang it in an unhurried fashion too.
8.) The best part of the concert was the RTP in Bhairavi. The brilliant unfolding of the ragam both by Sowmya and Nalina Mohan were commendable. While singing Tanam Sowmya proved that she is a scholarly musician and one of the brightest female stars of today. The pallavi rendered was "KuvaladaLa Nayana Hare Krishna" with ragamalika swarams in Ananda Bhairavi, Nata Bhairavi, x Bhairavi? and Sindhu Bhairavi. Anoor's Tani avartanam deserves a special mention.
9.) Hindolam - Allu Bandite - Purandara Dasar (thought it was Chandrakauns when she began but realized it was Malkauns a little later)
10.) Bihag - Shri Madhava - Purandara Dasar
11.) Paras - Smarasundaranguni (can a Sowmya concert be complete without a Padam or Javali as she has trained with Padam Queen T. Muktamma)
12.) Tillana - Khamas
13.) Mangalam

An extremely well planned and well executed concert - right choice of songs and Ragas.

TNK @ Koramangala

2007-11-14T22:22:00.000-08:00

The Kormangala Sangeeta Sabha concerts have commenced and listened to Prof. TNK 2 days back. Was a wonderful concert and since my friend has reviewed it so well already, adding a link to the same
http://monsoonshowers.blogspot.com/2007/11/tnk-nadasurabhi.html

Just wanted to add a couple of lines to what has been written. Was amazed by Prof. TNK's virtuosity and more so by his ability to play for almost 2 and half hours despite being an octogenarian. He has been giving public performances for 70 years. The blessings of his father Veena Narayana Iyer and all the stalwarts Prof. TNK has accompanied are with him. I liked the RTP in Begada a lot and his Sindhu Bhairavi. (Was reminded of Smt. N. Rajamji's playing "Mat ja jogi" the Bhajan popularized by her Guru, Sangeet Martanda Pt. Omkarnath Thakur. Having listened to Rajamji on multiple occasions in Bombay and knowing her personally, felt that their humility and total devotion to the cause of music is another reason why their music is so pure and touches one's heart.)

Another Wonderful Concert by Rudrapatnam Brothers

2007-11-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

I attended a concert by Rudrapatnam Brothers at Devagiri Sangita Sabha over the weekend. It was organized by the Suswaralaya School of Music. They were accompanied by Mridangam Maestro Umayalpuram K Shivaraman , Mysore Nagaraj on the violin and Sundaraman on the Khanjira. They commenced their concert with the Kalyani varnam Vanajakshi in Ata Talam. UKS's mridangam playing added to the beauty of this Varnam. The brothers moved on to Mayamalavagowlai and sang Meru Samana (wonderful neraval and swarams as Kanakabhushana Mula Sobillu). They then sang a rare Dikshithar kirtanam Rudra Kopa Jata in Rudrapriya. (Haven't heard this raga much and could just gauge that it was a Janyam of Karaharapriya. Confirmed the raga after getting home and referring to TKG's book on Dikshithar). The next item was Raga Bilahari. The younger of them, RK.Taranathan rendered a detailed alapanai and Mysore Nagaraj followed suit. They sang St. Thyagaraja's Toli Janmamu. The icing on the cake was their Thodi .It was elder brother RK Thyagarajan's turn to sing the alapana. Mysore Nagaraj's playing was exquisite. (He did full justice to the grandeur of Thodi). The brothers sang a rarely heard Thyagaraja kirtanam Dachu Kovalena in Jhampa talam. (I was reminded of Alathur Brothers as "Dachu Kovalena" was a favorite of theirs. Umayalpuram Sir reminisced about them in his speech too.) Listened to a wonderful Tani by UKS and Sundar. He plays so effortlessly and seems to just tap the Mridangam lightly. The brothers then sang the Shyama Shastri masterpiece Parvati Ninnu Nera in Kalgada. Mridangam Vidwan Srimushnam Raja Rao gave a speech praising the concert and also mentioned about an old tradition of singing Ragam Tanam Pallavi in the same raga as the Varnam. Umayalpuram gave a short and witty speech in English and Tamil (was impressed by his vocabulary and style of narrating.). Hence we got to hear Kalyani yet again after the speeches ended. UKS then requested them to sing a javali in KedaraGowlai and they complied. They concluded with a Purandara Dasa Kirtanam in Ananda Bhairavi and Mangalam. This was a truly wonderful concert as I mentioned in the title of this post and we left with our hearts contented at listening to such sweet and soothing music.

Concert schedules of 2 Music festivals in Bangalore

2007-11-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

Nadasurabhi Cultural Association, Koramangala, Bangalore, as part of its 14th annual music festival, is organizing a week long cultural festival between 13th and 19th November, 07.
Artistes include :
13th Nov, 07 Prof. T.N. Krishnan's violin solo,
14th Nov, 07 Vijay Siva,
15th Nov, 07 S. Sowmya,
16th Nov, 07Sanjay Subrahmanyan,
17th Nov, 07T.M. Krishna,
18th Nov, 07 Maharajapuram Ramachandran and
a dance solo by Manasi Prasad followed by 'aaraar Aasaipadaar', a documentary on Carnatic music featuring Sanjay Subrahmanyan on the final day.

The concerts are free for all music lovers.
Venue: Conference Hall, St.John's Hospital Campus,
Above Bank of Baroda,
Opp. Reddy Janasangha College, 100 Feet Road, 3rd block, Koramangala, Bangalore,34.
All programs start at 6.00 p.m.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M.A.Narasimhachar Music Foundation's 6th Annual Music Festival
Venue - Bangalore Gayana Samaj Hall, K.R.Road.Bangalore
23th November - Flute Jugalbandi - Praveen Godkhindi and Pranesh
24th November - Sangita Kalanidhi Madurai T.N.Sheshagopalan and party
25th November - Dr. Kadri Gopalnath and party
Entry free for all music lovers and all programs start at 6.00 p.m.

On listening to an MS concert - part 1

2007-10-24T02:57:00.000-07:00

Was listening to an MS concert today from the earlier 60s. The accompanists are unknown and Smt. Radha is not singing with her mom. Trying a different style of writing; am listing the concert songs and interspersing them with my comments.

01.) Era nApai - Varnam – tODI – Patnam Subramaniam Iyer
Wonderful as always – listened to another rendering of Era nApai by MS in a compilation of Varnams released by HMV recently

02.) vAtApi gaNapatim – hamsadhwani – Mutthuswamy Dikshithar
Racy rendition – nice swara combinations (This song sung elaborately by KJ Yesudas will still remain my favorite Hamsadhwani.)

03.) rAmA nannu brOvarA – harikAmbOdhi -
Liked the neraval and detailed elaboration as compared to the one of hers at UN which is a quicker version.

04.) hari nArAyaNa – kEdAram- Purandaradasa
Never heard this song before. Trust MS amma to do absolute justice to even an unheard of Kriti.

05.) vAcAma gOcaramE – kaikavAsi- Thyagaraja
Another rarely heard song in a rare Raga. (These days singers rarely attempt such Kritis :-( which is rather tragic.

06.) srI kAntimatIm - hEmAvati - Mutthuswamy Dikshithar
Raagas like Hemavati / Kirvani / Vachaspati have always acquired a special sheen in MS's voice. This rendition of one of Dikshithar's masterpieces was no exception. The kriti was rendered beautifully with a nice round of neraval and svarams at "Shuka Shounaka".

07.) kshIra sAgara Sayana – mAyAmALavagowlai-
All morning ragas (Mayamalavagowla / Saveri / Nadanamakriya/ Revagupti/ Bhoopalam /) sound wonderful when MS sings them. This is a composition by Mysore Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar and I've listened to the same raga sung and played on the Veena by Madurai Shanmukhavadivu in an old RPM record. MS's melodious rendition reminded me of her mother. Some vidwan rightly remarked that "MS carries a Veena in her throat"

08.) rAma rAma guNasImA – simhEndra madhyamam-Swati Tirunal
Sung with elaborate alapana (almost similar her famous Carnegie hall concert.)

Obsessive Compulsive Asaveri Listening Disorder ?

2007-10-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

I seem to suffering from OCALD (My sister who is a doctor and practicing psychiatrist while discussing her cases talks about OCD wherein people continue to do the same thing again and again.) In my case I have been hooked on to listening to Ragam Asaveri since last week. Developed a liking for this Ragam after listening maestro Veena Balchander's Dikshithar Kirtanam "Chandram Bhaja Manasa". Balchander, supported by a couple of his disciples, has rendered this song both vocally and on the veena. I have a vintage recording of M.S. Subbalakshmi singing this song self accompanied on the Veena (at Kalki Gardnes). I also seached Sangitapriya and found renditions of this song by Brindamma , DK Pattammal and Sowmya.

Some more on the details on Asaveri. It is a janyam of HanumatThodi .In its Arohanam, Ga and Ni are omitted. In Avarohanam, all the seven swaras are included. Hence, its Jati is Audava-Sampoorna. It is an early morning raga which is very pleasant to hear. It is an ancient raga and finds place in Sangitha Ratnakara. This raga portrays Karuna rasa.

Arohanam: Sa, Ri1, Ma1, Pa, Dha1, SA*
Avarohanam: SA*, Ni2, SA*, Pa, Dha1, Ma1, Pa, Ri1, Ga2, Ri1, Sa

Compostions in Asaveri
Ones I have
Tamasimchaka,Krithi,Adi,Patnam Subramania Iyer
Chandran bhajamanasa,Krithi,Matya,Muthuswami Dikshitar
Kumaraswaminam,Krithi,Adi,Muthuswami Dikshitar
Lekhana ninnu,Krithi,Adi,Thyagaraja
Saranam saranam,Krithi,Adi,Periaswami Thooran
Mam palavelasita,Krithi,Adi,Thyagaraja
Ranga Sri Ranga,Krithi,Adi,Ambujam Krishna
Rara Mayintidaka,Krithi,Adi,Thyagaraja
Dasaradha nandana,Krithi,Adi,Thyagaraja
Sri kanchi nayike,Krithi,Rupaka,Annaswamy Sastri

Ones I don't
Ayyan tiruvadi,Krithi,Adi,Periayaswami Thooran
Bhagavan samayoyam,Krithi,Adi,Swati Tirunal
Enda nalillum,Krithi,Misra Chapu,Vedanayakom Pillai
Janakaja sametha,Krithi,Rupaka,Thyagaraja
Kadaikannal,Krithi,Adi,Arunachala Kavi
Katchiyudane,Krithi,Adi,Arunachala Kavi
Naatapulani,Krithi,Adi,Bhadrachala Ramadas
Nammakane mosabodhu,Krithi,Rupaka,Thyagaraja
Nandatmajananda,Krithi,Misra Chapu,Bhadrachala Ramadas
Pahi pankajanabha,Krithi,Adi,Swati Tirunal
Palaya Madhava,Krithi,Adi,Swati Tirunal
Pappattil,Krithi,Adi,Lalithadasar
Rama naa manavi,Krithi,Rupaka,Bhadrachala Ramadas
Samayumu telisi,Krithi,Misra Chapu,Thyagaraja
Sarivedalina,Krithi,Adi,Thyagaraja
Sri Ramachandra,Krithi,Adi,Gopalakrishna Bharathi
Ye panika,Krithi,Adi,Thyagaraja
Arunasincha,Padam,Triputa,Kshetragna
Entaho vallabha,Padam,Adi,Irayimman Thambhi
Kalamozhi mama,Padam,Triputa,Swati Tirunal
Yedu kinta,Padam,Eka,Krishnamacharyar
Yedukku vinnil,Padam,Triputa,Kavikunjara Bharathi
Yemandu bettiro,Padam,Triputa,Kshetragna
Yenduku paga seehenu,Padam,Misra Chapu,Kshetragna

Getting back to other renditions, found a recording of Dikshithar's KumaraSwami by Sanjay Subramaniam. (It is rarely sung as compared to ChandramBhaja and Sanjay has sung this with gusto and done full justice to the composition.) I guess that this raga was a favorite of DKP and DKJ. Got hold of DKP's "Mapala velasi" by St, Thyagaraja and a Tirupugazhu. DKJ has sung multiple compositions "RaRaMayinti" , varnam "Tamasimcha" and "Mapala Velasi". Writing about Asaveri and not mentioning KVN's renditions would be sinful :-) He has sung "Ra Ra Mayinti" on multiple occasions in his masterly and sweet voice. His "Sharanam Sharanam" is a personal favorite. I have been listening to Semmangudi Srinivasiyer's "Lekana" almost every day as it is a crisp and racy rendition by the maestro. Another veteran whose Asaveri I've liked a lot is that of Sangita Kalanidhi R.K.Srikanthan's. I got this from a live concert of his which my grandma and I purchased a couple of years ago. Nedunuri's kirtanams in Asaveri deserve a special mention too.

Guess I will go on and on about Asaveri as you have gauged from the title. So thats it on this post.

Another archive CD - Surshree Kesarbai Kerkar

2007-10-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

While searching for a particular CD from my collection, I spotted another rare gem of a CD. An archive of Surshree Kesarbai Kerkar. She was one of the best female singers of her time and a disciple of Khansaheb Alladiya Khan, the founder of Jairpur-Atrauli school of music. She had a rich and powerful voice but yet sounds mellifluous. I like her uncanny ability to portray the entire beauty of a Raga within a minute of beginning the same and her wonderful taans - the result of rigorous practice for years on end.

The list of accompanists is unknown. This CD contained some ragas which are treasures of the Jaipur Gharana.
Khambavati
Kafi Kanada (Jod or Anvat Ragas were a speciality of this school of music and this raga is an amalgam of Kafi and Nayaki Kanada both pleasing ragas by themselves ) and
Gauri. (more on Kesarbai's Lalita Gauri some other time)

The CD also includes a few light classical thumris in Des , Kafi and Bhairavi.

The recording contains a lot of disturbance and the volume of the music is low. All these minor faults / aberrations can be ignored when one listens to the magic woven by Kesarbai :-)

Chowdiah's AIR archive CD

2007-10-13T03:14:00.001-07:00

I had purchased this CD almost an year back and had listened to it once then. I lent it to a couple of select friends to listen to and got it back recently (I am very possessive about my collection and don't normally lend my cassettes or CDs, exceptions being an exclusive category of music crazy people like myself.) I listened to it today morning and was captivated by Chowdiah's music prowess. The tonal quality of the SaptaTandi - seven stringed violin invented by this musical genius from Mysore - is unique. Some info from the sleeve notes attached "Chowdiah's innovation created a revolution and stalwarts of the day like Mysore Vasudevachar, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Maharajapuram VishwanathaIyer, Musiri and GNB longed to have hin for violin accompaniment as he would inspire them to give forth their best." Chowdiah was equally comfortable playing solo as accompanying great masters of his time.
The song list in this collection is as follows:
1.) Vanajakshi varnam in Kalyani
2.) Merusamana in Mayamalavagowla
3.) Nannupalimpa in Mohanam
4.) Enduku Dayaradu in Thodi and
5.) Smarajanaka in Behag.
Being a die hard fan of ragam Thodi, I liked that Thyagaraja kirtanam the best .The collection manages to focus on Chowdiah's virtuosity and on the unique character of his 7 stringed violin.

Neyvelli Santanagoplan at Ragigudda Temple

2007-10-13T01:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday , we attended a concert by Neyelli Santanagopalan at Ragigudda temple under the aegis of Kanikapuri Vaidika Sabha . He was accompanied by H Chandrasekhar on the violin, Arjun Kumar on the mridangam and Amrut on the Kanjira. Missed the first couple of songs due to traffic along the way :( (Navaragamalika Varnam and Mayamalavagowla) While entering the temple premises, heard the Alapanai of Dhanyasi Ragam. He sang the rare Dikshithar kirtanam Paradevatam (have heard only MLV render this song). The neraval and swarams captured the essence of Dhanyasi ragam. The percussionists though good were too loud at times. He then sang Annapurne Vishalakshi in Sama (had listened to the same by KVN a couple of days back and had discussed with a friend that no one can sing this song like KVN. Still stand by that :-) . The main piece for the concert was Kalyani. The alapanai was brilliantly rendered. Neyvelli seemed to have a bad throat day but that didn't hamper his singing a bit. He effortlessly traversed to the mandra saptakam and sang in a low pitch for a while. I narrowed down on 3 compositions - one by each of the trinity -Shyama Shastri's Talli Ninnu, Dikshitar's Kamalamba Bhajare and St. Thyaraja's Amma Ravamma. He chose Kamalamba Bhajare. This is a soulful composition by Dikshithar. Neraval and swara improvisations were on the starting line itself.
Tani avartanam on the Mridangam was ear shattering but played well. Liked Amrut's Kanjira playing a lot. The concluding pieces were a PurandaraDasa compositon in Durbari Kanada, a Tillana in Purvi (another KVN favourite) and Mangalam. A good concert on the whole and thoroughly enjoyed it

Vintage KVN concerts

2007-10-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

Listened to 2 full fledged kucheris(concerts) by my all time favourite singer Sangita Kalanidhi Pallakad K.V. Narayanaswamy. Both of them were recorded live at Jamshedpur and were almost 10 years apart.
Jamshedpur - KVN 1972
01.) Vanajakshi - Kalyani
02.) Sidhi Vinayakam - Chamaram - Dikshithar
03.) Endaro Mananu - Sri - Thyagaraja
04.) Entara - Harikamboji - Thyagaraja
05.) Raghuvara Nannu - Pantuvarali - Thyagaraja
06.) Karaharapriya - Pakkala Nilabadi - Thyagaraja
07.) Orajupaju - KannadaGowla - Thyagaraja
08.) Shankarabharanam - Eduta Nilichite - Thyagaraja
09.) Sumasayaka - Kapi - Swathi Tirunal
10.) Karunanidhiye Taye - Bowli -
11.) NatamAdi - Kamboji -
12.) Neekelanayana - Nagaswaravali ?
13.) RTP - Dhanyasi
14.) Ragamalika - Virutham - Khamas + AnandaBhairavi + Nattakurinji + Sindhu Bhairavi + Jonpuri
15.) Aliveni - Kurunji -
16.) Chittam Eppadiyo - Nadanamakriya
17.) Yamuna Kalyani -krishna nee
18.) Jagaddodharana - Kaapi
19.) Sindhu Bhairavi bhajan
20.) Mangalam

The choice of ragas baffled me. One rarely gets to hear HariKamboji , Kamboji , Karaharapriya and Kapi in the same concert. These are pretty similar sounding ragas and to sing them all in the same concert calls for great mastery and dexterity. And KVN being the wonderful maestro he was, has done full justice to all of them. The duration of the concert is almost 4 hours and yet one longs for more of KVN's music at the end of the concert. Hats off to the great singer.

Jamshedpur - KVN 1982
01.) Varnam - NeraNammiti - Kanada - Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar?
02.) Mayamalavagowla - TulasiDala - St. Thyagaraja
03.) Karnataka behag - Nenduveda - St. Thyagaraja
04.) Pantuvarali - Sarasaksha - Swathi Tirunal
05.) Sama - Annapurne - Muthuswamy Dikshithar
06.) Bhairavi - Koluvaiyunnade - St. Thyagaraja
07.) Chatur-raga RTP - Shankarabharanam/ Thodi / Kalyani / Durbar
08.) Karaharapriya - Shlokam
09.) Dwijawanti - Malayalam Bhajan
10.) Yaman Kalyani - Krishna Nee
11.) Vande mataram - Ragamalika
12.) Jonpuri - Eppovaruvaro
13.) Tillana - Poornachandrika ?
14.) Mangalam

Liked this concert for multiple reasons. Hadn't listened to KVN's Koluvai in Bhairavi before though I have a recording of the same by his guru Sangita Kalanidhi Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyergar. The Chatur Ragamalika Ragam tanam pallavi sounds different in every live recording of KVN. The violin accompaniment is by Pithapuram (near Salem) Srinivasan (hope I got the same of the place right.) and he is an awesome player. He was a disciple of Mysore Chowdiah and the tonal quality of his violin resembles that of his guru. It also contains traditional KVN fare - Karaharapriya , Pantuvarali , Krishna nee etc. The voice of the maestro has not changed much despite a gap of 10 years.

Am thankful to the kind Samaritans who took the pains to record these concerts then and post them online for the benefit of Carnatic music lovers and the cause of music at large.

Musings on watching a KVN video

2007-10-09T00:07:00.000-07:00

I procured a video recording of one of my all time favorite singers Sangita Kalanidhi Pallakad KV Narayanaswamy recently. Firstly, sincere thanks to the gentleman who took the pains to record and upload the same. KVN is accompanied by UK Shivaraman on the Mridangam and T. Veeraraghavan on the violin and vocally supported by Smt. Padma Narayanaswamy. I never had an opportunity to listen to KVN in a live concert and this recording partly fulfilled that dream of mine. The recording commences with St. Thyagaraja's masterpiece Sogusuga Mridanga talamu in Ragam Sriranjani. I've listened to this kriti rendered by different maestros multiple times, but rate KVN's rating as the best one so far. The slow pace at which he has sung the kriti adds to the beauty of the raga. This is followed by Ranjani, the kriti being Dattatreya. (A friend of mine , another die hard fan of KVN, remarked that only a true maestro KVN could switch context from Sriranjani to Ranjani in a jiffy and I fully agree.) Every thing about this Ranjani was enchanting. KVN's swarams, TV's violin accompaniment and the tani played by UKS. KVN concludes with a Javali in Khamas. I have already watched it about 10 times and am sure I won't tire of watching it even a hundred times. I can attribute this to the magic of KVN's music.

Sowmya at Malleshwaram

2007-10-07T21:39:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I posted anything on my blog. Got busy with work and didn't get time to attend any live concerts.While going through the Hindu on Saturday 6th Oct. 07, I spotted that a concert of S. Sowmya was being held at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat as part of a festival to celebrate Vidwan RK Venkatramana Shastry's birth centenary. One of my aunts who is part of my musical network to keep track of good concerts happening in B'lore called me up to confirm the same. Sowmya was accompanied by Charulata Ramanujam on violin, Krishna on the mridangam and MA Krishnamurthy on the ghatam. We reached the venue a little late and missed the varnam.(Learnt later that it was Eranapai in Thodi) Since the auditorium was full, we occupied seats on the podium. Sowmya sang Raga Mayamalavagowlai - Tulasidala Mulache by St. Thyagaraja. This was followed my another masterpeice of Saint Thyagaraj - Evasudha in Ragam Sahana. The alapanai both sung and played on the violin was tastefully rendered. The song I liked best was Brovavamma in Manji that followed next.(Guess it was a combination of the vilamba kala exposition in Mishra Chapu talam, the grandeur of this composition by Shyama Shastri and the fact that Manji is very pleasing to the ear coupled with Sowmya's scholarly presentation of the same.) After a slow Manji it was a fast paced Vijayashri composition -VaraNarada Narayana. The racy neravals and kalpna swaras at Prakatambuga was worth mentioning about (I had always thought only Chembai could do justice to this raga with his Katri swarams.). Sowmya chose Hari Kamboji as the main piece for the day.(Not many people attempt such a feat .I was confused for a while as I felt it was Kamboji and yet knew it sounded slightly different.)While Charulata was playing alapana on the violin there was a power failure but she continued uninterruptedly.Fortunaltely the auditorium had a generator backup. The kirtanam sung was Dinamani Vamsa by St. Thyagaraja. The Tani avartanam which lasted for 15 minutes was superb. MAK proved his mastery over the Ghatam. Sowmya concluded her concert with a Dasaru pada in Chandrakauns, Kavadi Chindu, Tillana in Mandari(not cent per cent sure -as it sound a lot like Basant and Pantuvarali too but was neither) and Mangalam.

Another thing which made my day was the CD shop at the venue. I managed to procure a vintage Navaratri Mandapam concert by Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. R.K.Srikanthan accompanied by 2 other jambavans (stalwarts) Palaghat Mani Iyer and Lalgudi G Jayaraman on the mridangam and violin respectively. Will post my views on this soon as I am still listening to these.

Degradation of poeple's tastes in film music ?

2007-08-19T23:39:00.000-07:00

I had been to Chennai (Madras) over the weekend. I have been trying to procure the CD of a movie titled Sringaram - The Dance of Love ( As the name indicates, the movie is based on the Bharatnatyam system of dance) since a while. The music for this movie has been composed by Violin virtuoso Shri Lalgudi G Jayaraman. It is his first attempt at composing music for films and I read that he won the National Award for Best composer for this movie. That strengthened my resolve to get a copy of this CD. My first bet was Landmark, a wonderful book shop chain which also stocks CDs (picked up a few books on music - The Spiritual Heritage of St. Thyagaraja, The Madras Quartet by Indira Menon and Great masters of Hindustani Music by Mohan Nadkarni - a music critic for Times of India for many decades.). The registry at their help desk indicated that they were not aware that a movie of this name existed. I then decided to try my luck at music shops in T Nagar, the cultural hub of Chennai. (The hordes shopping out there seem to indicate that people of Chennai are suffering from Obsessive Compulsive shopping Disorder.) Getting back to my CD hunt, went to a few shops but the reply was standard, "we don't have it the CD you are trying to procure". One of the shop keepers explained that this CD didn't sell and they were forced to return all the copies to Carnatica (the producers of this CD.) It is rather pitiable that a movie with such wonderful music by one of the best Carnatic music violinists has been rejected by the masses.(The songs have been rendered by good singers and instrumentalists like Sowmya, Bombay jayashree, Lalgudi and his children, Injikudi brothers - nadaswaram.) Is it that the quality of film music has degraded to such an extent that people can't appreciate good music? Or is it that usage of classical music in films is no longer appreciated? (Taj Mahal a Hindi film released a couple of years back with music by Naushad met with a similar fate.) I hope this trend is again a passing phase and the general masses in India are able to revive their interest in film music based on classical music. It is deplorable that when the rest of the world is appreciating Indian classical music, most people in our country are turning a deaf ear to such wonderful music.

BANGALORE GAYANA SAMAJA - Music Conf and concert schedule

2007-07-24T23:55:00.000-07:00

THE BANGALORE GAYANA SAMAJA, K.R.ROAD, BANGALORE 560 004
THIRTY NINTH MUSIC CONFERENCE
EVENING CONCERTS

SUNDAY 5th AUGUST to SUNDAY 12th AUGUST 2007 DAILY FROM 6 PM
SUNDAY 5th AUGUST 2007
Sri. S SHASHANK Flute
Violin
Sri. SATISH KUMAR Mrudangam

MONDAY 6th AUGUST 2007
Sri. NEYVELI SANTHANAGOPALAN Vocal
Sri. V. V. RAVI Violin
Sri. V. PRAVEEN Mrudangam
Sri. M.A.KRISHNA MURTHY Ghatam

TUESDAY 7th AUGUST 2007
Smt. M. S. SHEELA Vocal
Sri. C.N.CHANDRASEKHAR Violin
Sri. A.ANANTHAKRISHNA SHARMA Mrudangam
Sri. GURUPRASANNA Khanjira

WEDNESDAY 8th AUGUST 2007 at 6 PM
Pt. SATISH VYAS Santoor
Pt. RAVINDRA YAVAGAL Tabla
WEDNESDAY 8th AUGUST 2007 at 7-45 PM
Dr. RAJEEV TARANATH Sarod
Pt. UDAYA RAJ KARPOOR Tabla

THURSDAY 9th AUGUST 2007
Sri. VIJAY SIVA Vocal
Sri. R. K. SRIRAMKUMAR Violin
Sri. NEYVELI NARAYANAN Mrudangam
Sri. SRISHYLAN Ghatam

FRIDAY 10th AUGUST 2007
Sri. MYSORE M. NAGARAJ
Dr. MYSORE M. MANJUNATH Violin Duet
Sri. SREEMUSHNAM RAJA RAO Mrudangam
Sri. G..S.RAMANUJAM Ghatam

SATURDAY 11th AUGUST 2007
Sri. SANJAY SUBRAMANIAN Vocal
Sri. M. R. GOPINATH Violin
Sri. ARUN PRAKASH Mrudangam
Sri. GIRIDHAR UDUPA Ghatam

SUNDAY 12th AUGUST 2007
Sriyuts MALLADI BROTHERS
(Sriram Kumar & Ravi Prakash) Vocal Duet
Sri. EMBAR KANNAN Violin
Sri. MANNARGUDI EASWARAN Mrudangam
Sri. N, AMRITH Khanjira

Phones: 26506049 /41208643 sitharam47@gmail.com
Tickets (Season)will be available after 20 th July 07 at the Samaja office

Rudrapatnam Brothers @ Banasankari Fine Arts

2007-07-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (15th July,07) we attended a vocal recital by Rudrapatnam brothers Dr. R.N.Thyagarajan and R.N.Taranathan. Was a wonderful performance on the whole. They have voices which each easily blend into each other's. Giridhar Udupa was on the Ghatam (didn't catch the names of the Violin and Mridanam accompanists. The latter was a girl from US.)

Song list:
1.) Viriboni Varnam (Bhairavi /Ata Talam)
2.) Jayajaya janaki (Nattai/ Purandaradasa / KhandaChapu)
3.) Marivere (Ananda Bhairavi / Shyama Shastri / Chapu)
4.) Sobillu Saptaswara ( Jaganmohini / Thyagaraja /Rupaka)
5.) Lavanya Rama (Purna Shadjam / Thyagaraja /Rupaka)
6.) Kantimati (Hevamati / Mutthuswami Dikshithar / Adi)

The Hemavati alapana was scintilating. The kriti was rendered beautifully with a nice round of neraval and svarams at 'dyaSTOttara sahasra kalashAbhiSEkAmOdAmsurahitAm'.

Had to leave the concert venue before the concert ended as it was pretty late by the time the tani avartanam ended.

My grandma and Carnatic music

2007-06-21T01:33:00.000-07:00

I lost my maternal grandma recently and have been wanting to blog about her and her love for Carnatic since a while. Everytime I get started with these posts, I'd get too emotional and stop.Finally I've decided to complete this post. (Will publish another post on her as a wonderful human being later).

My grandma Smt. Alamelu Raman, was a walking talking encyclopedia of Carnatic Music and a good singer. She had learnt music in school and imbibed all that was being taught to her cousins. She has remnisced that her grandpa used to often remark "Alamelu is a genius -she just listens to a song a couple of times and is able to reproduce it so wonderfully". She kept her yearning for music alive as long as she was alive. Music was and remained was one of her life-lines. She used to learn music over the radio, making meticulous notes from Voleti Venkateshwarulu's "Learn to Sing" on All India Radio. She also learnt a kot of kirtanams from Manakkal Brothers when my mother and aunt were leaning music from them. (She remembered each and every sangati taught to them though my mom and aunt had forgotten a few). My mother and aunts remember her singing St. Jayadeva's Ashtapadis with my thatha who was fond of music too. She ensured that all her children and grandchildren learnt music in some form or the other.

I remember listening to her Tiradavalayatu Pillai as a kid. This was a special favourite of grandma. She used to take me along for concerts at Bbay and ensured that I got exposed to music by stalwarts such as ARI, SSI,CVB, MS, KVN, Santhanam, MLV, DKJ and DKP. She had her own set of favourite singers - Nedunuri Krishnamurthy / Voleti/ Alathur Brothers / Kumar Gandharva / Bhimsen Joshi / KL Saigal etc We had joint ownership over our huge collection of Carnatic music and I always used to take a along a set of CDs from Bangalore and exchange them with her set in Bombay.

Even a few days before she passed away she sang a wonderful set of songs. My aunt Dr. Bhanu and I were the only audience. (This list included ShrimahAganapatiravakumara, NArada gAnalolA, Anandamritakarshini, SarasijanAbhasodari, SamajavaragamanA, a marathi Natya Sangeet- JayaGangebhagirathi etc). She also called up my sister in Pune as she couldn't recollect some lines of a Saveri varnam. Our only regret is that we didn't record her swansong concert.

I will remain indebted to My Grandma. forever for inculcating in me a love for Carnatic music. I am sure she will be listening to her favourites in heaven and regaling other music lovers with her wonderful songs.

On Flute Shashank's performance

2007-04-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

On 25th April (07), We attended a concert by famous flautist Master Shashank. Reached the venue with Great expectations as it has been good listening to Shashank live. The concert began almost 30 minutes behind schedule which is a rarity at Rama Bhajana Seva Mandali. Shashank began with an Ata Tala Kanada Varnam (after providing the audience with a Hobson's Choice of the same). The Latangi he played after that was very elaborate. He was alternately brilliant and lack lusture. The Saramati that followed was equally detailed and he managed to put a few people in the audience to sleep (saw a couple of them seated in the same row as us itself.) The Hindustani influence of Pandit Jasraj with whom Shashank is learning now became highly evident. I have nothing against Hindustani music or Panditji but when people begin to mix both styles, the end effect somehow doesn't sound appealing. I've heard violin maestro N. Rajamji play both styles; but when she plays Raga Bageshri it is purely in the Hindustani style of late Pandit Omkarnath Thakur and when she plays Thodi the influence of her father Veena Narayana Iyer and other stalwarts like Musiri is clearly discernable. The same hold true with Violin maestro Sangita Kalanidhi MS Gopalakrishnan. Shashank ought to take a few tips from these great people. I guess I have been too scathing in my review and it could have been just one of those days when he was not upto the mark. I have listened to Shashank earlier and have plenty of his recordings. I sincerely hope he gets to back to playing as he used to in days of yore.

I also picked up a 3 CD concert of Ariyakudi Ramanujam Iyergar (with TNK amd PMI) from the stall near the main gate at the venue. Yet to listen to the same; will blog about that later.

Listening to Vijay Shiva's concert

2007-04-26T23:13:00.000-07:00

On 18th April (07), I attended a concert by Shri Vijay Siva. Reached the venue a little late as we went directly from office. Vijay was singing the Thyagaraja Kirtanam "Entaninne " in Mukhari. This was followed by the Begada kirtanam 'Abhimanamendu' - Ragam Saveri was taken up by Vijay and RK Sriramkumar next with detailed Aalapanai. I was hoping he would sing DKJ's favourite Thyagaraja Kirtanam in Savei - Rama Bana but what follwed was the Dikshithar masterpiece - 'Shri Rajagopala'I listened to the Ragam and Tanam in Kanada and then left as we had to get home in order to reach office on time the next day. Sangeeta Kalanidhi DKJ must have been all smiles in heaven listening to two of his best disciples.

U.Srinivas and U Rajesh at Ramabhajana Seva Mandali -07

2007-04-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

Yet another post describing yet another concert I attended. The artist of the day (14th April,07)Mandolin U Srinivas. I've listened to him solo on many occasions) but this was the first time I listened to him with his younger brother (and disciple) U Rajesh. They began the concert with the Thodi Varnam Eranapai followed by VaraVallabha in Hamsadhwani (the speedy notes played towards the end of this kirtanam deserve special mention.) The next set of compositions were Saint Thyagaraja's Raghuvara in Pantuvarali, St. PurandaraDasa's composition in Hindolam (wasn't able to decipher which) and the Dikshithar masterpiece Param Dhamavati in Dharmavati. Both Srinivas and Rajesh played this Ragam in an elaborate manner. H.K.Venkatraman's violin support was simply too good and recieved a round of well deserved applause. They played a few more Thyagaraja compositions - a rare one in Kotipriya (I guess I've gotten the name right - the ragam is a janyam of Mayamalavagowla mela) and the evergreen Nannupalimpa in Mohanam. We left the concert venue after the Taniavartanam ended. On the whole a good concert, but I wished at times that U Rajesh control the volume of his mandolin while playing. The Thavil accompanist was too loud and his playing dampened the joy of listening at times. U Srinivas was in splendid form. The Ghatam accompanist provided wonderful support and excelled during the Taniavartanam.

Here too, I also got to meet up a few of my musical buddies after a long time. One of them gave me a video recording of M.S.Subbalakshmi's last live concert. I also picked up a 3 CD concert of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer from the stall near the main gate at the venue.

My musings on Dwaram's AIR archive CD

2007-04-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

I listened to a radio recording of Violin Maestro Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu released by All India Radio from their archives. He has been accompanied on the violin by his daughter Dwaram Mangathayaru in this recital.

Attaching a snippet from the sleeve notes on the CD - "Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu, was well known for his deft handling of complex ragas. Though a traditionalist at heart, even as he adhered to the orthodox Carnatic style, he was receptive to fresh ideas. He won many laurels and great praise for his exquisite handling of violin."

The concert began with the Dikshithar masterpiece "Vathapi Ganapathim" in Hamsadhwami. This was followed by Subbaraya Shastri's "Janani Ninnuvina". The next three Kirtanams were Thyagaraja masterprices - Durmaga Charadhamulanu in Ranjani (the swara improvisations were mind-blowing), Brovabarama in Bahuari and Kshirasagara in Devagandhari.

I hope AIR releases more recordings of the Violin Virtuoso as they are a real treat to listen to :-)

An evening at Alladiya Khansaheb Music festival

2007-04-13T01:34:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was able to attend some of the concerts 30th Annual Music Festival held at Mumbai as a musical tribute to Ustad Khansaheb Alladiya Khan, the doyen vocalist and founder of Jaipur Atrauli Gharana of music. This school has provided many wonderful gems such as Smt. Kesarbai Kerkar, Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur, Smt. Mogubai Kurdikar and her daughter Kishori Amonkar, Pt. Nivrtibua Sarnaik, Ustad Azmat Hussain Khan etc.

I got to listen to a vocal recital by Pandit Sudhit Pote from Kolhapur and a sitar recital by Smt. Shaswati Ghosh. Panditji commenced his recital with Raga Bhimpalasi-Dhanashree. (I missed the announcement and racked my brains during the initial half to figure out the raga. This being a JOD(combination) raga proved to be a Herculean task.) This was followed by Raga Gauri from Bhairav Thaat and not the one from Marwa Thaat that is more commonly rendered by the Jaipur school.
Smt. Shaswati Ghosh was born in a musical family and initiated into Sitar played by her parents. She is also a disciple of Padma Vibhushan Sitar and Surbahar player Mata Annapurna Devi and a graded artist of AIR(Daughter of Ustad Allaudin khan Baba and former wife of Pandit Ravi Shankar. Mata Annapurna Devi is a musical genius and many stalwarts like Pt. Chaurasia, Pt. Nityanand Haldipur, Pt. Pradeep Barot are her disciples.) Shaswatiji isplayed a beautiful Yaman followed by Raga Jaijaiwanti.

Another plus was I got to meet a few of my old friends. Since my aunt and I have been attending this festival since the last 15 years we have plenty of fellow music lover friends. The organizer Shri. DR Khadke who has conducting this festival since the last 30 years is now in his early nineties and he made an appeal (as he does every year) to people from younger generations to come forward and assist him in his endeavours. I sincerely hope and pray that people respond to his plea and this festival continues for ever and ever.

A small tribute to Muktamma

2007-03-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

T Mukta, of the famed Brinda-Mukta duo of jugalbandi singers and the only surviving grandchild of Veena Dhannamal passed away on Sunday. She was an authority on Padams and Javalis, Shyama Shastri and Dikshithar Kirtanams, a patient and loving teacher and the torchbearer of the much-adored Dhanammal bani (style) of music.

May her soul rest in peace. I am sure she'll be singing in heaven with her sisters T.Brinda and T.Abhiramasundari on the violin. Or they might be having a Sangeet-mehfil (music session) with the entire Dhannamal family participating. Its only the Gods and demigods who can listen to these concerts live. We mortals have to content ourselves with the few available recordings of these Gandharvas of music.

Adding this link with a well written article on her.
http://carnatica.net/nvr/edit-nov2004-mukta.htm

TSK yesterday and MMI today

2007-03-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

I blogged about the power of TSK 's music yesterday;today it was another stalwart's turn to keep me spellbound. I continued playing the same mp3 CD I mentioned about. Listened to part of a live concert by MMI. The concert commenced with the Thyagaraja Krithi- Telisi Ramachandra in PoornaChandrika Ragam.This was followed by a Dikshithar masterpiece Angarakamashrayamyaham in Suruti and Nijamarmamu in Umabharanam (another MMI favourite which he used to render in a lot of his concerts and thus popularised.) But the best part of the concert was yet to follow. Another MMI favourite - Mohanam. I have heard his Papanasam Kriti Kapali before and assumed during the aalapanai that this would be another rendition of the same. However the composition that followed was Saint Thyagaraja's Mohana rama. I have decided (though it might be difficult to implement) not to listen to old-timers of Carnatic music if I need to be in office early.

69th Sreerama Navami Celebrations - Fort High School Grounds, Bangalore Details

2007-03-07T05:04:00.000-08:00

27-March-2007, 6:45 PM - Kadri Gopalnath, A.Kanyakumari, B.Harikumar, N.Amruth, B.Rajasekhar
28-March-2007, 6:30 PM - K.J Yesudas, Mahadeva Sharma, B.Harikumar, T.K Radhakrishnan 29-March-2007, 6:30 PM - Suma Sudhindra (Veena), Shubhendra Rao (Sitar), Anoor Ananthakrishna Sharma, Ravindra Yavagal
30-March-2007, 6:30 PM - Dr.N.Ramani (Flute), Nagai Muraleedharan, K.V Prasad, N.Amruth 31-March-2007, 6:30 PM - Sanjay Subrahmanyan, Nagai Muraleedharan, Guruvayur Dorai, M.A Krishnamoorthy
01-April-2007, 9:00 AM - A.Kanyakumari (Violin), K.V Prasad, N.Amruth, B.Rajasekhar
01-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Hyderabad Brothers, Mysore Shrikanth, D.S.R Murthy, D.Mohite 02-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Vidyabhooshana, M.A Krishnaswami, K.V Jayachandra Rao, B.N Chandramouli
03-April-2007, 6:30 PM - S.Sowmya, Embar S.Kannan, H.S Sudhindra, Sukanya Ramgopal
04-April-2007, 7:15 PM - T.N.S Krishna, Jyothsna Shrikanth, M.T Rajakesari, Shrishailam
05-April-2007, 7:15 PM - Vijayalakshmi Subrahmanyam, Usha Rajagopal, M.T Rajakesari, Guruprasanna
06-April-2007, 6:30 PM - O.S Thyagarajan, T.K.V Ramanujacharulu, Umayalpuram K.Sivaraman, D.Mohite
07-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Ranjini & Gayathri, Nalina Mohan, H.S Sudhindra, Sukanya Ramgopal
08-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Gundecha Brothers (Hindustani Drupad Style Vocal)
09-April-2007, 6:30 PM - M.S Sheela, Nalina Mohan, C.Cheluvaraju, B.R Ravikumar
10-April-2007, 7:15 PM - Pantula Rama, M.S.N Murthy, C.Cheluvaraju, A.S.N Swamy
11-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Anuradha Madhusudanan (Veena), C.Cheluvaraju, D.Mohite
12-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Trichur V.Ramachandran, Mysore M.Nagaraj, Mannargudi Easwaran, M.A Krishnamoorthy
13-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Nityasree Mahadevan
14-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Mysore M.Nagaraj & Mysore M.Manjunath (Violin Duet), Thiruvaroor Bhakthavalsalam, B.N Chandramouli
15-April-2007, 6:30 PM - U.Srinivas & U.Rajesh (Mandolin Duet), H.K Venkitaram, Thanjavur Govindarajan, S.V Ramani
16-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Bangalore S.Shankar, Parur M.A.Krishnanswamy, C.Cheluvaraj, M.A.Krishnamurth y
17-April-2007, 5:00 PM - Manda Sudharini, Charulatha Ramanujam, M.T Rajakesari, Krishna Prasad 17-April-2007, 7:15 PM - Sikkil Gurucharan,H. K.Venkataram, Praveen V, Sreeshailam
18-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Vijay Siva.N, R.K.ShriramKumar, Manoj Siva, B.R.Ravikumar
19-April-2007, 6:30 PM - T.V.Shankaranarayan an, Nagai Sriram, B.Harikumar, Alathur Rajaganesh
20-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Lalgudi.G.J. R.Krishnan & Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi( Violin Duet) Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, D.Mohite
21-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Priya Sisters(Shanmukhapr iya & Haripriya) & Party
22-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Kunnakudi R.Vaidyananthan( Vioiln Solo) & Party
23-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Bombay Sisters (C.Saroja & C.Lalitha), Charulatha Ramanujam, K.R Ganesh, Sukanya Ramgopal
24-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Sudha Raghunathan & Party
25-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Shashank.S (Flute), Embar S.Kannan, Sathish Kumar, N.Amruth
26-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Neyveli Santhanagopalan, V.V Ravi, Thiruvarur Bhakthavalsalam, N.Amruth
27-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Madurai T.N Sheshagopalan, S.Varadarajan, K.V Prasad, Giridhar Uduppa
28-April-2007, 6:30 PM - Mysore Manjunath (Violin) & Vishwamohan Bhat (Mohanaveena) , Sathish Kumar
29-April-2007, 5:00 PM - Malladi Brothers, Embar S.Kannan, K.V Prasad, Giridhar Uduppa 30-April-2007, 6:30 PM - N.Ravikiran (Chitraveena) , Akkarai Subbalakshmi, Thiruvaroor Bhakthavalsalam, Vaikom Gopalakrishnan
01-May-2007, 6:30 PM - Bharathanatyam By Shobhana (Film Actress) & Party
02-May-2007, 6:30 PM - Kathak & Bharathanatyam By Nirupama & Rajendra
03-May-2007, 5:00 PM - Ragavaibhavam (80 artists) lead by Kunnakudi R.vaidyanathan

My hunt for T. Balasaraswati's recording

2007-03-07T02:04:00.000-08:00

I have been hunting for a recording of "Krishna Nee Begane baro" by Balasaraswati ever since a grand uncle of mine remarked (about 10 years ago) that only 2 musicians can claim to have done full justice to this song. One is KVN and the other the legendary dancer Balasaraswati. I had a few recordings of the song by KVN but none by Balasaraswati. A close friend and colleague of mine, Vinod, who is an avid music lover sent me the following link and told me to listen to MDR's Kalyani.
http://www.sawf.org/newedit/edit01282002/musicarts1.asp I then found that this link contained a link to T.Balasaraswati and T.Vishwanathan's "Krishna Nee Begane baro" . After listening to this, I fully agree with my grand uncle. It was an amazing rendition indeed.

Another record I have been hunting for since the last 15 years is a jugal-bandi of Raga Basant Bahar by Hirabai Barodekar and Saraswatibai Rane. I hope to get it someday someplace just as I got to listen to Balasaraswati.

The Magic of TSKalyanaraman's Music

2007-03-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

I had decided that I would come to office early today as I had some tasks to complete today. That however was not to be and I came in an hour later than I had planned to. I was listening to an MP3 CD containing recordings by Shri T.S.Kalyanaraman (he was one of the seniormost disciples of GNB) .His brilliant rendition of a Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Ragam Shubhapantuvarali ensured that I stay glued to my seat at home; I couldn't move till this pallavi concluded. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is the only other artist (this is my personal opinion) who has woven such magic in his Miyan Ki Todi -the Hindustani equivalent of Shubhapantuvarali.

MyFirstBlog

2007-01-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

This happens to be my first shot at blogging. I have always been proud of the fact that I possess a good vocabulary but putting my thoughts onto a blog may not be that simple. Guess I just need to get my creative juices flowing :-) I am an avid lover of Indian classical music and hence have chosen my nickname to be Thodi -one of the most majestic ragas of Carnatic music.