Dinamani’s ‘Isai Vizha Malar’

Midnight Medley

This is an annual New Year eve musical celebration that Carnatica and The Music Academy host at the Academy.It isn’t boisterous or entertaining.And it can swing in many different ways.

Artistes take turns to present a few songs, some traditional , some popular but in true Carnatic style.

The show starts an hour before midnight and runs for about an hour. Admission is free and the mood easy. If there is someone like T. N. Krishnan on stage expect something unique.

The hosts used to serve traditional drinks and eats after it was all over.

Wonder what K. N. Shashikiran has in store for you tonight. Carnatica has been all over the place this season so if the young man is in an expansive mood he may offer a special Indian drink.

New book on GNB to be released today

The GNB Centenary Special - A Narrative Collage, a new book on GNB written by Rupa Gopal is being released this evening ( 26th Dec,) at the Russian Culture Hall, Kasturi Ranga Road ( behind Chola Sheraton Hotel) Rupa says the research started for the book in 2008.

The book contains first hand memories and inputs of people who personally knew GNB, people who recall a great many special details . . .

It contains personal interviews with Lalgudi Jayaraman and Mandolin U Shrinivas, and features by vidushis Charumathi Ramachandran, Sudha Raghunathan and a host of people who treasure a host of GNB-related memories.

Special articles by the author pertinent to GNB are also in the book, along with many rare photos and some popular ones which have been used before. Design and layout have been executed by Rupa Gopal and her daughter Nalina Gopal. The book release function is by invitation.

Celebrated dancer choreographer Malavika Sarukkai receives the first Copy. A special audio-visual titled GNB & I - LALGUDI SPEAKS has been prepared by Rupa Gopal.

This runs for 18mins.

Rupa says that she invited Malavika because the dancer's family knew GNB well and the maestro used to love watching Malavika dance on stage.

A jugalbandhi concert by Mandolin U Shrinivas and Lalgudi GJR Krishnan follows the screening, the concert focusing on GNB compositions and his favourites.

Kalakshetra DVDs

Chief Secretary, Govt. of Tamilnadu, K. S. Sripathi (in photo on left) releases the dance drama DVD on the six-part Ramayana series at the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium on Dec.20.

This event was a part of the 57th annual art festival of Kalakshetra. Radha Burnier, International president, Theosophical Society and first student of Rukmini Devi, S. Mohan, former Supreme Court judge and Chairman of Kalakshetra, Madhu Ambat, cinematographer who led the visual assignment and Leela Samson, director, Kalakshetra Foundation are also in the photo (on the left).

Copies of the first set of DVDs are now on sale on campus.

A few days ago, eParampara also released a new DVD - Bharatanatyam - The Basic Technique - Kalakshetra bani - Vol One - at this campus.

This is the first in a series that attempts to document and present the bani that Rukmini Devi collated and codified.

Mahendra Kumar of eParampara says that the bani is a synthesis of the Pandanallur style, the Devadasi tradition and the ballet style that went to create the unique Kalakshetra bani.

The DVD features clips of students demonstrating the style, style of rendering an adavu, etc. eParampara feels this is a good learning too for dance students.

You can reach the company at 4359 5850 / 51.

New book on MS released

A book on Carnatic music great M. S. Subbulakshmi titled 'Colossus of Carnatic Music' was released at Hamsadhwani sabha in Adyar recently.

The book includes the life history of M. S. Subbulakshmi, articles on the great by eminent personalities. It also contains a photo gallery of the artiste.

Shankar Venkatraman, a company secretary by profession has compiled the book.

It is priced at Rs. 150 and the proceeds of the sale of this book will go towards the Corpus Fund of the Manimandapam project in Orirukkai village near Kancheepuram.

For copies of the book contact the secretary of Hamsadhwani at 24915555, 98409 84038.

Prabhadha Sangeetham

It's a totally different ambience at the Prabhadha Sangeetham in Mylapore .

Leading musicians perform in a divine ambience. This takes place between 5.30 a.m. and 6.30 a.m. everyday.

The place will be filled with traditional Kerala Lamps, sans tube lights, electric fans, mikes and accompaniments.

Musicians perform solo concerts with the Tambura and nothing else.

This event is taking place for the 11th year.

It took place for the first 5 years at Raja Annamalaipuram and for the next 5 years
at Justice Sundaram Road, Mylapore, and is now at the house of
N. Venkataraman, senior advocate at Saraswathi Apartments 14/12, Luz Avenue, 2nd Street, Mylapore.

Concerts are from December 25 to January 13 2010.

More details from Delhi
V. Muthukumar - 9840210892 and Jayashri Venkatarman Ð 9841729112.

A "24 hour non-stop Akanda Lalitha Sahasranama Parayanam' will be held at the same premises between December 31-5.30 a.m. to January 1 2010-5.30 a.m.

Sampradaya's Conversations

Sampradaya, the centre which documents and archives classical and folk music and the
lives and works of all greats has under its new Head, T M Krishna, started the Samvada series of Conversations with maestros.

The organisation is having two special session this December.

Here are the details -
On 25th December, 2009 - Theme -Musicians and Critics.
Artistes S Sowmya, Neyveli Santhanagopalan and E Gayathri in conversation with Gowri Ramnarayanan,
Seetha Ravi and critic VSV

26th December, 2009 - Theme - Musicians and Rasikas.

R Vedavalli, Sudha Raghunathan and Mannargudi A Eashwaran in conversation with Narasimhan, S Kannan and Bharadwaj

Venue: Sri Parvathi Hall, Eldams Road, Alwarpet.
Time: 10.00 am. Open to all.

Serious conversations on music

Some serious conversations on music has been going on at the redesigned hall in the campus of Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in T. Nagar.

Carnatica joins hands with the sabha to host a package of events here through the day.

'Nerukku Ner' is a tete-a-tete with a established artiste.

The other morning Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna spoke at length on the 'Environment that a young artiste looks for'.

The first session featured Suryaprakash and it was said that he triggered a lively discussion after his presentation.

A platform for young talent has also been provided here in the evenings. Registration is invited.

Clearly, this season is witnessing lots more of talk shows than ever before.

The diehard may say that the lec-dems at the Academy and those at the Natyakala Conference at KGS are the real, serious academic stages.

Not really.

At least, there seem to be more platforms to enter into chats and discussions where rasikas have a bigger role and the artistes are involved.

Chats over coffee are also welcome - fun stuff has to be part of a Fest.

Whatever happened to the cogee chat the the Academy hosted a year ago?

Music Appreciation Meet

Mudhra will conduct a two day Carnatic Music Appreciation programme on 26th and 27th December (10a.m to 4p.m) at Ramakrishna Mission School, Bazullah Road, T.Nagar.

It aims at helping music lovers and students to understand and enjoy music better.

Conducted by musician and musicologist Dr. Radha Bhaskar, the topics to be covered include introduction to different forms of music, fundamentals of Carnatic music, concert format, structure of musical forms sung in concerts, raga and tala structure, role of accompaniments, easy methods to identify ragas, etc.

Registration is open now. Contact – 28264493/ 93821 63330.

Book by veena vidushi Vidya Shankar

There is a book release scheduled on Dec.28 at 4.30 pm at Sanskrit College, Mylapore.

The book is titled Saint Thyagaraja's Divyanama Kirthanas' and it is written by veena vidushi Vidya Shankar. Vocalist T. M. Krishna will receive the first copy from the College's Madhavan.

Select compositions will be sung by Vidya Shankar's students.

The event is open to all, says the vidushi's son, V. S. Sunder. Contact - 2451 6082.

Record oral arts history

There are many significant things that must be done during the 'season'.

One such is to record oral arts history. Recording the concerts of the maestros and the young stars is fine.

But has some effort been made to record all that is said on stage? It is during the season that seniors share loads of stuff. And they will do it if some one can coax them to prepare a nice speech.

The three speeches made at the felicitation function for dancer guru Adyar Lakshman were worthy of being recorded. So was the extempore speech that the guru himself made.

Veena artiste E. Gayathri may not have said what hasn't been said but there was value in her speech too. Perhaps most of what is said at the podium at the Academy is recorded.

The Sangita Kalanidhi designate certainly gave different shades to his speech on the opening evening. At informal recitals, seniors share lots of stuff that can easily contribute to oral history of music and dance.

You never know when and where valuable material is shared by artistes. A great story teller is violin vidwan T N Krishnan. At every concert, he has anecdotes to share. Experiences to narrate.

These oral histories are important for today and for the future. We listen to a lot during the 'season'. So the next time you attend such events, take a recorder along.

The new set of cellphones also do the job. Record.

Wanted: tech-savvy dance student

Are you a smart young dancer or dance student who is also computer savvy?

There is an assignment for you at the annual Natyakala Conference starting next week at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha.

Convenor Ananda Shankar Jayant plans to use all the tech resources she can lay her hands on to share the proceedings far and wide.

She has plans to blog the highlights of all the talks and lec-dems. She needs a volunteer.

Call her 98480 16039.

Carnatic music rasikas meet on Sunday

Diehard Carnatic music rasikas are meeting over coffee and vadas on Sunday, Dec.20, 9.30 a.m.

onwards for a freewheeling session everything about Carnatic music.

The venue is West Mambalam - S. Nageswaran, 12, Srinivasa Street.

Ph. 2474 5544. A violin concert by Aishu Venkataraman from USA will follow.

Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru

So why are ` top artistes featured at the Chennaiyil Thiruvaiyaru Festival that is now on at Kamaraj Hall, Teynampet (on till Dec.25) ?

Because the media buzz that it creates provides artistes the window to reach a large audience. These are not mere kutcheris.

They are TV-tailored shows and they are marketed that way - mega posters and banners across the city, string of sponsors and a TV channel that telecasts edited versions of the shows.

From violinist Kanyakumari to Mahathi to Valayapatti A R Subramaniam, over 50 artistes are featured.

Which sapad is the best?

Watch out for the big, big rush for sapad on Sunday. Every sabha canteen will be swamped by families seeking the best sapad in town. Word has got around the neighbourhood of the sapad spread and people are making their choices.

Foodies say the toss is between the canteen at the Academy (Rs.90) and the one at Narada Gana Sabha ( photo on left).

Another set are plumping for the new counter and dining area at Krishna Gana Sabha where Sri Krishna Sweets has the best of south Indian food on offer.

Early birds will get the best.

Do you think a 'sapad' - kutcheri ticket combo could work?

Chat sessions with artistes at restaurant

The chat sessions with artistes event is back this 'season'.

This is a Carnatica promotion. It is to be held at Sangeetha's Fine Dining restaurant in Raja Annamalaipuram. (It is located at the far end of C. P. Ramaswamy Road, beyond the Billroth Hospitals).

Every evening, at 4 p.m. star artistes chat with rasikas over an hour and coffee.

Star artistes talk about their art

Brhaddvani, an organization committed to world music and research founded by Dr. Karaikudi Subramanian is holding a 3-day music festival titled “Universe of Sound” from December 18 to 20, 2009 at M Ct. M International School, Mylapore.

Aruna Sairam, Ravi Kiran and Trichy Sankaran will discuss their music and art under thematic subjects and talking to them will be artistes from abroad.

There will be performances by young artistes.

And the coffee place 'Peepul' will be open to rasikas.

Music Fest at Sri Parthasarathy Temple

Kalaachaara Marumalarchi and HR and CE department of the Govt. of Tamilnadu is conducting at Sri Parthasarathy Temple a music festival.

Kalachaara Marumalarchi aims to bring concerts back to the temples of South India. It was formed by T M Krishna and Sangeetha Sivakumar.

The current series is on from the 14 to 17 December and the details of the performing artistes are given below.

Schedule

14th 6.30 pm Ganesh and Kumaresh – Violin Duet

15th 6.30 pm S. Sowmya – Vocal

16th 6.30 pm O. S. Thiagarajan – Vocal

Issai Mazhalai Fest features teenagers

Issai Mazhalai is well known. The music business that Ramjhi runs in Chennia which focuses only on teens.

Now, for the 'season' the Mangaldeep Second Margazhi Carnatic Music Festival featuring the Issai Mazhalai children will take place in Mylapore.

Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna inaugurates the festival at 4.30 p.m on the 15th December at the Baharatiya Vidya Bhavan Mini hall.

All the top teens of the group will perform and the best are being honoured with titles at the inauguration.

Look how the 'season' has changed - there is space even for sub-teens and they are not amateurs in the real sense.

For MS rasikas . . .

If you are a MS fan then this event may interest you.

Vasantha Memorial Trust, Ashok Nagar, as part of its on going 'Endrendum MS' series, has organised a special programme called' Pancha-varnam" - a recital, where children from 5 city schools will present varnams in Bhairavi, Kalyani, Vasantha, Todi and Shankarabharanam as a homage to the legend who has popularised these varnams.

This event is held to mark the 5th Remembrance day of MS, on 11th Dec.

In addition each school would give a small presentation on the life of M.S. Subbulakshmi and details of varnam & raga. The best performing school will be given a trophy.

The program is also open to all those who desire to pay homage to the queen of music. They can sing along with students or play the varnams with their musical instruments.

This event is on at Vasantha Memorial Cancer Centre situated at No.33, 35th St., Opp JFA showroom, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 83. The admission is free and further details are available at 24717871, 24717877 or 98940-89370 / 9.

Chamber Concerts

Balaganamrutham is holding a Chamber Carnatic music concert of Bangalore R.A. Ramamani, supported by Kalyani Shankar on violin and Tanjore Kumar on mridangam, in memory of his wife Dhanalakshmi, on Sunday the 13th December at 1-C, Indrani Ammal Street, Off. P.S. Sivaswami, Mylapore, Chennai-4. All are welcome.

Balaganamrutham has been holding such concerts for many years now.

'Margazhi Raagam' featuring Bombay Jayashri and T. M. Krishna now as DVD

India's first Carnatic concert film titled 'Margazhi Raagam - Bombay Jayashri and T. M. Krishna in Concert' was released last December.

Now, for 'season 2009' it is being released as a collector’s edition DVD autographed by both the artistes.

The release is on Dec.6 at Cafe Ashwita on Dr Radhakrishnan Salai (phone - 2847 6063 - located in a lane near EV Kalyani Hospital). US Consul General Andrew Simkin and film maker Mani Ratnam are guests at the function.

This DVD is being packaged in a colourful booklet with pictures of the concert and of the making of the film.

The book will also contain lyrics of each song.

The director has also included a note on making of this film and the visual treatment of each song.

The film was shot in 5.1 sound and employed the best and the latest technologies.

The DVD will be on sale from Dec.6 evening.

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