TM Krishna on 28th August 2011.
R K.Sriramkumar-Violin
Srimushnam Raja Rao-Mridangam
Purushottam-Kanjira
The concert was at 11 AM. In memory of Veena SeshaNNA. The advantages of attending Sunday 11 AM concert are many, viz.,
-Have lunch and attend the concert. You have to just skip precious afternoon nap. For TMK, it is ok.
-No traffic jam, being Sunday.
-Afternoon concerts are always free.
-You can talk to stalwarts leisurely, if you have close proximity with them.
-If you don’t have AC at home (or want to save Electricity), napping in venue like NGS with full AC, on a Sunday, is like “vaikuntam” !!!
- the concert, if delayed, may continue to be performed for 3 hours since, normally, there is no programme after the concert. The next programme will start at 4 PM, evening session.
The list goes like this
“undedhi rAmudu- Thyagarajar- Swaram in “undedhi”
Thyagaraja palayasumAm- Gowlai-MD (Neraval and swaram in “Guruguha”)
Kriti-GamaAshrama-Seshanna kriti.
Sri rAmam-Narayana Gowla-MD-rAgam, swaram (no neraval)
tAva vibho-Yaman KalyAn (?)
pArukkulle nalla nAdu-baratiyAr
Mangalam kosalendraya-chencurutti, peelu,punnagavarali and nAdanamakriya.
Chencurutti-TillAna
When TMK is performing in front of senior vidwan, he should have started with a varNam or should have rendered a decent main rAga or done some justification in SeshaNNa Kriti, on whose behalf the programme was conducted.
All the three was missing. His NG rAga rendition was not ”A” class, not because of TMK, but because of rAga, he has chosen. Some of the rAga alapanas are like “swimming in well/tank” as SSI says. Some of the rAgas are swimming in sea/river. There is nothing in NG, chosen as main, for more than 5 min. Sriramkumar return was better than TMK.
Better rAga selection would have satisfied our “afternoon soul”. Good to see Sri.Nedanuri got up before he started NG.
I don’t agree artists referring to books/papers while singing the song. TMK referring papers for SeshaNNa kriti and for Barathiyar song. Somtimes comparisons are inevitable. I could not stop thinking of Sanjay rendering “Karashri” kriti at the same venue couple of months back without referring any paper.
GamanAshrama rAga alapana was not fuly justified. There is an RTP of Gamaashrama of Malladi brothers, Sri.Nedanurigaru must have been proud of his disciples after listening to TMK.
I still love going to TMK concert. His neraval in “guruguha” of Gowlai kriti and fast swarAs in Harikambodhi were a real beauty. Of course, the accompaniments, especially the tani of of SMR and Purushotam , was excellent.
Someone was telling this.
Good God Arunkumar was not accompanying in Mridangam, Otherwise, he will give some “Valentines Pallavi” and asked TMK to sing RTP with that pallavi. TMK also would have rendered.
I could not find TN Krishnan, when the concert started. Entered the hall at 11.15 and observed Sri.Nedanuri, Smt.Vijayantimala Bali and sabha secretaries. He must have left early.
Another advantage of afternoon concert is the duration. Even if it started late, it can continue. In NGS, the next programme was 4.30 PM. (That day eve, Ranjani & Gayathri was giving a concert). No need for TMK to shorten his concert.
Ironically, he was talking to some of the listeners half an hour after the concert. He could have rendered RTP (without Arunkumar pallavi !!!) in that time.
Another problem was with TMK –his pronunciation. He started “Undedhi RRRaamudu”. I did not know whether TMK was angry with Lord Rama. As the meaning goes- “It is indeed Rama only”. He did not need to stress the “R”. He should be careful or need to face the wrath of Anchaneya !!!
TMK needs to understand that his rasikas have big appetite for music.
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Friday 19 August 2011
Madurai Mani Iyer and Shammi Kapoor
I read an article in “The Hindu” on 18th August 2011 by Sunil Gavaskar on the Indian Cricket Team’s performance in England. Surprisingly, he started the discussion with Shammi kapoor, a famous Hindi actor, who passed away recently.
He was mentioning the enthusiasm and jubiliation, Shammji created in all his songs, through his dance and body language. He also added – “Even if I got out for a duck and returned to pavilion, by listening to his songs, I felt so happy and forgot my sorrows”.
Talking about Shammi kapoor, with my limited “Hindi songs” knowledge, his fantastic ability to render love songs on screen. The wild, the spontaneous, came through in fast-paced songs. Some of his songs “Aaja Aaja mein hoon pyar tera, Allah, Allah, inkaar tera” and “yahoo” song etc.
I never saw this actor standing upright in any of the songs ?!!!. Actually, thanks to Mohammed Rafi for rendering his golden voice in all his songs.
Who can forget the uninhibited, boundless energy and passion.. the flamboyance. The unfetted, uninhibited lover, who was at his best in comic roles, buffoonery, dancing, jiving, fooling around pretty damsels, came absolutely naturally to him.
When I see any of his songs in TV, I will not change the channel and wait for the songs to complete since I always get charged seeing his joy and jubilation in his dance sequences.
I was wondering whether any other person/factor made me enthusiastic/joy or happiness, I could not figure it out that time and left the thought as it is, then came today morning .....
As my morning hours, before I leave for office, are filled with prayers and listening to FM gold where between 7 AM and 8 AM, some carnatic music being played. Today, instead of FM gold, I changed to playing audio cassette of Madurai Mani Iyer (MMI). He was singing “KamalAmba”, a navavarNa kriti of Sri.Murthuswamy Dikshitar in the raga “Bairavi” and it started from the middle. It was soothing and I enjoyed his inimitable style of singing. When the turn of Swara started, as usual, he started his flamboyant “swara” delineation coupled with his inimitable “la la”, he also sang “Raaga” as swaram for a minute. It was spontaneous and wonderful that it made my heart filled up with energy and his soulful music made me ecstatic.
Then, I changed my question like this ? Is there any other person, other than MMI, who is wild, untamed, spontaneous and full of joy and charge the listener full of energy?
The answer was Shammi kapoor.
As MMI made my heart/soul dancing and Shammi made me, physically dancing..
Thank God to give some people who, by their action, give others value of their life.
He was mentioning the enthusiasm and jubiliation, Shammji created in all his songs, through his dance and body language. He also added – “Even if I got out for a duck and returned to pavilion, by listening to his songs, I felt so happy and forgot my sorrows”.
Talking about Shammi kapoor, with my limited “Hindi songs” knowledge, his fantastic ability to render love songs on screen. The wild, the spontaneous, came through in fast-paced songs. Some of his songs “Aaja Aaja mein hoon pyar tera, Allah, Allah, inkaar tera” and “yahoo” song etc.
I never saw this actor standing upright in any of the songs ?!!!. Actually, thanks to Mohammed Rafi for rendering his golden voice in all his songs.
Who can forget the uninhibited, boundless energy and passion.. the flamboyance. The unfetted, uninhibited lover, who was at his best in comic roles, buffoonery, dancing, jiving, fooling around pretty damsels, came absolutely naturally to him.
When I see any of his songs in TV, I will not change the channel and wait for the songs to complete since I always get charged seeing his joy and jubilation in his dance sequences.
I was wondering whether any other person/factor made me enthusiastic/joy or happiness, I could not figure it out that time and left the thought as it is, then came today morning .....
As my morning hours, before I leave for office, are filled with prayers and listening to FM gold where between 7 AM and 8 AM, some carnatic music being played. Today, instead of FM gold, I changed to playing audio cassette of Madurai Mani Iyer (MMI). He was singing “KamalAmba”, a navavarNa kriti of Sri.Murthuswamy Dikshitar in the raga “Bairavi” and it started from the middle. It was soothing and I enjoyed his inimitable style of singing. When the turn of Swara started, as usual, he started his flamboyant “swara” delineation coupled with his inimitable “la la”, he also sang “Raaga” as swaram for a minute. It was spontaneous and wonderful that it made my heart filled up with energy and his soulful music made me ecstatic.
Then, I changed my question like this ? Is there any other person, other than MMI, who is wild, untamed, spontaneous and full of joy and charge the listener full of energy?
The answer was Shammi kapoor.
As MMI made my heart/soul dancing and Shammi made me, physically dancing..
Thank God to give some people who, by their action, give others value of their life.
Thursday 11 August 2011
nAda niranjan- Poojya Swamiji Ravishankar
Experience with Sri.Ravishanker-Nadha Vaibhavam.
It was a memorable sunday. As a person who physically visited that place and enjoyed that serene atmosphere, experience the musical journey and as a father whose daugther was one among 5700, I was, indeed, lucky.
I normally do not go to gatherings like this because Iam allergic to crowd. I enjoy listening to good music by laying on an easy-chair or going to a nearby sabha.
Saturday, my wife who had accompanied my daughter for rehearsal with the same team, thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and insisted me to come on Sunday. So, I was there.
With 5700 musicians. 70% of them was less than 13 years from different schools in Tamil Nadu and other States like Karnataka, Andhra and Maharashtra, including Nagpur and Pune, creating proper logistics for all of them would have been possible only if it had been done by big Group or Government.
But Shri RRS with his sheer delegating power and Grace organised this. See some "impossibles" made simply possible "just like that"
a) 80-90 Pallavan buses arranged to pick the students and parents from the origin to destination and back
b) Krishna sweets provided food for all the students after the conert at their respective place. where they were sitting without unnecessary queue or
commotion.
c) Even bus drivers and assistant were given food.
d) The musicians were given snacks at the entry and also provided green bag to keep their chappals so-no confusion after the show.
e) There was a gap of 20 minutes after the 4th song so that the children can go to wash-room or have some snacks etc. In this meantime Tani avartanams and Shri Ravishankar's speech and honouring the big musicians who attended the programme.
Shri Ravishankar gave a soothing speech and made one point very clear- "when someone asked me whether it is possible to gave a musical gathering like this, I said why not possible if we have dedication and God's Grace ?". No wonder he succeeded in his attempt.
I could not stop wondering where video clips were shown, conducting a programme in colombo on 21st January, in the disturbed area, where some 28,000 persons were chanting Tevaram. Amazing. A person who conducted his Art of Living in Kashmir and Pakistan, nothing is impossible.
But, having got children togther in a particualr place and make them to sit for 3 hours togehter and conduct a programee requires lot of energy. Remember 1
Lac and odd crowd came to witness the function and no untoward incident or no continuous announcents except 2 (one child missing his mother and one person missing the camera.
Around 10,000 CDS were made with the songs and distributed to as many schools and also uploaded in a particular site so that those who could not get the CDs
can download. Only one rehearsal on the previous held in the same venue and Vijay siva's encouraging words, during the rehearsal. to the children after evey song was a delight to watch. For putting talam, he said "to put on one towel, if no towel, don't put" sort of.
Shri Ravishankar's 13 min yoga and his short speech for corruption free, health-fill India was a must for the crowd.
As Shri G.S.Mani pointed out- "we cannot get the sruti alighed with 4 people, keeping all the people together and singing a sruti-perfect programme
was because of divine's blessings thorugh Shri.Ravishankar. It is very true.
The songs
Sidhi Vinayakam- Dikshitar- Shamnugapriya
Anantamrita- Amritavarshini-Dikshitar
Nagumomu- Abheri
Mudhukare yashodha- Annamacharya
Venkatachala nilayam- Dasar
Ananda nadamAduvar- Neelakanta Sivan etc..
Thanks Almighty for giving me this opportunity...
It was a memorable sunday. As a person who physically visited that place and enjoyed that serene atmosphere, experience the musical journey and as a father whose daugther was one among 5700, I was, indeed, lucky.
I normally do not go to gatherings like this because Iam allergic to crowd. I enjoy listening to good music by laying on an easy-chair or going to a nearby sabha.
Saturday, my wife who had accompanied my daughter for rehearsal with the same team, thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and insisted me to come on Sunday. So, I was there.
With 5700 musicians. 70% of them was less than 13 years from different schools in Tamil Nadu and other States like Karnataka, Andhra and Maharashtra, including Nagpur and Pune, creating proper logistics for all of them would have been possible only if it had been done by big Group or Government.
But Shri RRS with his sheer delegating power and Grace organised this. See some "impossibles" made simply possible "just like that"
a) 80-90 Pallavan buses arranged to pick the students and parents from the origin to destination and back
b) Krishna sweets provided food for all the students after the conert at their respective place. where they were sitting without unnecessary queue or
commotion.
c) Even bus drivers and assistant were given food.
d) The musicians were given snacks at the entry and also provided green bag to keep their chappals so-no confusion after the show.
e) There was a gap of 20 minutes after the 4th song so that the children can go to wash-room or have some snacks etc. In this meantime Tani avartanams and Shri Ravishankar's speech and honouring the big musicians who attended the programme.
Shri Ravishankar gave a soothing speech and made one point very clear- "when someone asked me whether it is possible to gave a musical gathering like this, I said why not possible if we have dedication and God's Grace ?". No wonder he succeeded in his attempt.
I could not stop wondering where video clips were shown, conducting a programme in colombo on 21st January, in the disturbed area, where some 28,000 persons were chanting Tevaram. Amazing. A person who conducted his Art of Living in Kashmir and Pakistan, nothing is impossible.
But, having got children togther in a particualr place and make them to sit for 3 hours togehter and conduct a programee requires lot of energy. Remember 1
Lac and odd crowd came to witness the function and no untoward incident or no continuous announcents except 2 (one child missing his mother and one person missing the camera.
Around 10,000 CDS were made with the songs and distributed to as many schools and also uploaded in a particular site so that those who could not get the CDs
can download. Only one rehearsal on the previous held in the same venue and Vijay siva's encouraging words, during the rehearsal. to the children after evey song was a delight to watch. For putting talam, he said "to put on one towel, if no towel, don't put" sort of.
Shri Ravishankar's 13 min yoga and his short speech for corruption free, health-fill India was a must for the crowd.
As Shri G.S.Mani pointed out- "we cannot get the sruti alighed with 4 people, keeping all the people together and singing a sruti-perfect programme
was because of divine's blessings thorugh Shri.Ravishankar. It is very true.
The songs
Sidhi Vinayakam- Dikshitar- Shamnugapriya
Anantamrita- Amritavarshini-Dikshitar
Nagumomu- Abheri
Mudhukare yashodha- Annamacharya
Venkatachala nilayam- Dasar
Ananda nadamAduvar- Neelakanta Sivan etc..
Thanks Almighty for giving me this opportunity...
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