The Department of Music at Queen Marys College, an autonomous campus in Chennai is holding on Feb 10 and 11 a seminar on ' Compositions of Tyagaraja' at its campus.

Scholars like Dr. S A K Durga, Dr. Prameela Gurumurthy and Dr. S R Jayasitalakshmi are taking part besides others.

Rasikas and admirers of the late Harishankar are hosting a Remembrance Day in Chennai on Feb.11 evening at Raga Sudha Hall.

An award in the memory of this artiste is to be given to artiste Thanjavur R. Ramamurthy, who will be introduced by ghatam artiste V. Suresh.

Tributes will be paid by Cleveland V V Sundaram and mridangam vidwan V. Kamalakar Rao. There is a concert by T. M. Krishna.

The organiser is Nerkunam S. Sankar. Contact - 98411-35405.

Here is another chamber concert experience you can enjoy if you are still in the December season mood even though January has come by.

This is part of the monthly series held to celebrate Musiri Subramanian and is hosted by his family at a cosy house located in a quiet colony that runs off Musiri Road (Oliver Road) near the Mailai Masala Restaurant.

Time : 10.01 am, Date : Jan.3 (Sunday), Venue : 28/2, Musiri Subramaniam Road, Mylapore.

The Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India is hosting its 22nd Annual Day celebrations Nov. 27, 3 p.m. onwards at Sathguru Gnanananda Hall (Narada Gana Sabha), Alwarpet, Chennai. At the Sadas, Vyjayanthimala Bali and Prof. C V Chandrasekar will be present. Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian is guest of honour. Awards will be given to gurus Jayalakshmi Alva and Mellatur S. Natarajan.

Earliet in the afternoon, there will be demos of items students learnt at various workshops ABHAI held in the past.

MSampradaya presents: "Samvada - A Conversation" with M. S. Gopalakrishnan assisted by Dr. M. Narmada in conversation with violinist Sriram Parasuram.

This event will be held at Raga Sudha Hall (Luz) on 27th November at 6.30 pm.

Music Forum is organizing a special lecture demonstration on Ragam Tanam and Pallavi by pallavi expert Sangita Acharya Chengelpet Ranganathan on the 15th of November, Sunday at Raga Sudha Hall, Luz at 9.30am.

He will be accompanied on the violin by Pakkala Ramadas and on the mridangam by Thanjavur Ramdas.

The session will be interactive and students are welcome to clear their doubts on the subject. The convenor for the program is Dr. Sunder.

Five leading Carnatic music artistes are to be awarded and recognised with the Arsha Kala Bhushanam awards to be given by Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswathi on Nov.5 at the University Hall, Avinashilingam University in Coimbatore.

The annual awards are presented by Aesha Kalarangam, the cultural wing of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam based in Anaikatti in Coimbatore.

This year the awardees are violinist M. S. Gopalakrishnan, flutist N. Ramani, mirdangist Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, clarionet artiste A. K. C. Natarajan and vocalist T. V. Sankaranarayanan.

There is also a three day music fest - on day one, O S Thiagarajan performs, on day two it is S. Sowmya and on day three it is T. M. Krishna.

You can contact the organisers at 91-422-2657001.

Dharani, the arts society based in Kochi in Kerala is hosting its Kalotsav 2009 from Nov.1 to 5 at the Kerala Fine Arts Hall in Ernakulam.

On Nov 1, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble from Bengaluru performs, on Nov.2 is Bharatanatyantym by Sneha Devanandan folowed by Thumri Sangeet by Vidya Rao, on Nov.3, Kathak by Mridula Rao and Bharatanatyam recital by Mythili Prakash, on Nov 4 is Bharatanatyam by young Kirti Ramgopal followed by a flute recital in Hindustani by the wellknown Pandit Ronu Majumdar and on the final evening, Nov 5, Dr Alekhya and her dancers will present a dance ballet in the Kuchipudi style.

The chief guest for the inaugural ceremony is union minister Prof. K V Thomas.

Dancer and guru Shymala Surendran is the chairperson of the fest, P S Sukumaran is the president of Society Dharini and
K S Prakash is convenor of the fest.

Society Dharani
(Subsidiary of Dharani of Performing Arts Trust Regd.)
S.R.M.ROAD,COCIN 682 018, KERALA
Tel : 0484-2401143,
E-mail : societydharani@gmail.com

The big fest in November in Chennai is back. It rolls out on October 30.

Titled Bharat Sangeet Utsav and promoted by Carnatica, the arts organisation based in this south Indian city, the fest has always presented an interesting melange of concerts and featured some big names.

This year the fest begins with a concert featuring 'Chitra Vina' N. Ravi Kiran and pianist Anil Srinivasan. This is for an invited audience.

Other highlights include a special on MLV by her sishya Sudha Ragunathan, a lec-dem on Rakti Ragas in Carnatic and Hindustani music by Sriram Parasuram, T M Krishna and his wife, vocalist Sangeeta, singing in tanden and the big one - a sarod concert by Amjad Ali Khan.

This sarod maestro has not performed in Chennai for a long time now.

The fest is on at the Narada Gana Sabha hall, Alwarpet, Chennai. Paid for passes allow rasikas to get special seats. A few rows are open to all.

K N Shashikiran is managing trustee and Ramanathan Iyer is trustee of Carnatica.

The fest schedule is available at www.carnatica.net

The new ABHAI committee starts its activities by organising a Special Laya Workshop by Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, the great mridangam maestro. This will be for senior dancers, dance teachers and also open to mridangam artistes who play for dance. The workshop will be held on August 14 2009, from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. The charges for this special workshop will be Rs. 500. It will be held at ‘Subrahmanyam Hall’, Old no. 5, 4th Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai - 600 020.

For more details contact Priya Murle on 98400 74370.

As part of its music appreciation programme, Chennai-based Mudhra in association with Sri Krishna Gana Sabha will be presenting a lecture-demonstration on “ Compositional Forms in Karnatic Music” by Dr.Radha Bhaskar on 26 July at 6.15p.m at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha premises, T.Nagar, Chennai.

'Isai Payanam Trust' is hosting a music workshop by Charulatha Mani for the benefit of children in the age groups 8 to 12 years and teenagers aged 13 to 17 years.

The contents of the workshop include Classical Music singing, Film Music singing and modulations, voice culture and vocal health, and diction & lyrics. The workshop will also have guest lectures by celebrity singers.

The workshop is to be held on the 1st and 2nd of August 2009 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mini Hall), Mylapore.

Natyarangam (Dance Wing of the Narada Gana Sabha) is hosting its programme for the month of July at the Narada Gana Sabha Mini Hall

On Saturday 18th July - 6 p.m. Bharatanatyam by Vinidhra Mani, disciple of Vidhya Subramanian. At 7.30 p.m. Bharatanatyam by Radica Giri, disciple of A. Lakshman

Music Forum is hosting in Chennai an interesting session on Gopalakrishna Bharathi's songs, on Sunday. July 19 between 9am and 12 noon, at Raga Sudha Hall, Luz Avenue, Mylapore.

The speakers are Dr. S. Sunder and Mala Mohan.

US-based dancers Srinidhi Raghavan and Sahasra Sambamoorthi star in a new dance production called ‘Her Story’. Presented at different venues in the West, it will now be staged in Chennai (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan) on July 18 under the auspices of Karthik Fine Arts.

Artistic director Usha Raghavan says this is an unique Bharatanatyam duet on four women from Indian mythology. It portrays the lives of four women in Indian mythology - Kaikeyi, Devaki, Kannagi, and Andal. Recounting pivotal moments in the lives of these women, the dancers explore how these characters transformed the worlds they lived in through their ability to love unconditionally.

While history has judged these protagonists -- condemning, glorifying, questioning, and revering these women for their actions; however, in "Her Story", the dancers reinterpret these conventional perceptions and portray these epic personalities as women willing to challenge the world for those they love.

Usha says 'Her Story' had its premiere - a sold-out performance - in Manhattan at the prestigious Symphony Space theatre in 2008. When the premiere received rave reviews, the two dancers began receiving offers to bring their show to several theatres across the world. They are now in the middle of this world tour.
So far, they have performed in a number of US cities in the East Coast and in New England as also in the Thagaraya Festival in Chicago. They have also since had shows in Ottawa, London and Manchester before coming to Madras.

The finale of the silver jubilee of Delhi-based Kalaikoodam is a three day event from July 21 onwards and will be held at two venues.

The institution is run by the multi-faceted artiste Komala Varadan.

On Day One, there is a seminar at the India International Centre on 'Towards a Cultural Policy'.

On Day Two and Three, at the Kamani Auditorium, there wil be a Carnatic vocal recital by N. Vijay Siva and a dance recital by Komala Varadan herself respectively.

A function is being organised by Rama Trust, Chennai to pay tributes to late Dr. B. Rajam Iyer on 4th July at Raga Sudha Hall, Mylapore Chennai.

It will be presided over by Pappu Venugopala Rao. The other guests for the function are P.S. Narayanaswamy, M.S.Gopalakrishna and Nandini Ramani.

The valedictory function for the Melaragamalika workshop organised by the Devaganavali Trust will be held on 13th June, 2009 at the Raga Sudha Hall, Luz Avenue, Chennai - 4.

The resource person for the workshop on the Melaragamalika of Mahavaidyanatha Sivan is R. VEDAVALLI. Vidvan S. RAJAM has consented to preside over the function and give away the Certificates of Participation to the students of the workshop.

Ethnomusicologist Dr. S.A.K. DURGA will deliver the keynote address.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Nilgiris Kendra is hosting a three day arts fest in the hills of Coonoor and Ooty.
The fest is on May 9, 10 and 11.

Sangeetha Sivakumar presents a Carnatic kutcheri on May 9 evening and on 10th, dancers Shijith and Parvathy present a Bharatanatyam concert.
These two events take place at the Providence College campus in Bandishola, Coonoor.

The finale at at the Lawley Institute in Ooty on May 11 evening when S. Aishwarya, great grand daughter of M S Subbulakshmi, presents a Carnatic kutcheri.

Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducts “Kala Poshakam” (Monthly Concert) on Sunday, 8th March, 2009.

Time: 5.00pm, at Narada Gana Sabha, Mini Hall, T.T.K. Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 18.

Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana - Pancharatna Kritis by Smt. Saroja Balasubramaniyam & Disciples.

Bharatanatyam – S. Vidyalakshmi (Guru Smt. Gayatri Balagurunathan),

Mohini Aattam – Smt. Sarmishta Ashok (Guru Smt. Gopika Varma),

Bharatanatyam – (Solo) Rithi Ramji & Janani Ramachandran (Guru Smt. Nagapriya Karthikeyan).

All are welcome in Traditional Attire.

Phone : 9382698811 / 9381038385 / +91-44-24935521

Website :http://www.srimylaporetrio.in

Sree Shanmukhananda Sangeetha Sabha, New Delhi's annual Tyagaraja Festival is being celebrated for four days from 27th February to 2nd March as detailed below:

ANNUAL TYAGARAJA MUSIC FESTIVAL From 27th February to 2nd March, 2009 at A.P.Bhavan Auditorium Ashoka Road, New Delhi.

27.2.2009
Inauguration by JAIRAM RAMESH, Hon. Min. of State for Commerce and Power.

Conferment of the Title "NADA KALANIDHI" on Sri T.N.Krishnan

Solo Violin by Prof T.N.Krishnan,
Sri K.V.Prasad Mridangam
Sri H.Sivaramakrishnan Ghatam

28.2.2009
Sri Maharajapuram Ganesh Viswanathan Vocal
Sri M.Chandramouli Violin
Sri.Padmanabhan Mridangam
Sri H.Sivaramakrishnan Ghatam

Carnatica Brothers
Sri. K.N.Shashikiran & P.Ganesh Vocal
Sri. M.Chandramouli Violin
Sri K.V.Prasad Mridangam
Sri Sivaramakrishnan Ghatam

1.3.2009
Km. K. Dharini Vocal
Km. K.P.Nandini Violin
Sri. K.Padmanabhan Mridangam

Smt. SANGEETHA SIVAKUMAR Vocal
Sri V.V.S.Murari Violin
Sri Shertalai Ananthakrishnan Mridangam

2.3.2009
Smt GAYATRI GIRISH Vocal
Sri. V.V.S.Murari Violin
Sri. Shertalai Ananthakrishnan Mridangam

The second part of the Sabha's Festival devoted to great composers is being held from 20th Mar. to 23rd with P.Uunnikrishnan, Sudha Raghunathan, Sumitra Nitin, Malladi Bros., Saralaya sisters and Pantulu Rama at Delhi Tamil Sangam Auditorium, R.K.Puram.

The Center for Voxology (Director Dr. S .A .K. Durga) will conduct a Workshop on Voice Culture for Singers from February 16 - 20, 2009 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Rendezvous, 4 Brindavan Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600004.

The workshop is designed to help singers improve their voice quality and eradicate tonal impurities.

The workshop will include, besides lectures, demonstrations, counselling sessions and exercises featuring breathing and singing lessons based on scientific principles.

Dr. Durga is an academically qualified Voice Specialist who is known internationally for her expertise in Voice Training. She has a research degree on Voice Culture and has done specialized training from the Voice Forum, New York, USA. She is the author of the widely read treatise on Voice Culture (2nd edition) published by BR Rhythms, New Delhi.

The Workshop is preceded by an evening lecture on Voice Hygiene for singers by Dr. Prakash Bhoominathan, Associate Professor, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sound, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai at 3 p.m. on February 14 2009 at YMIA Hall, Mylapore, Chennai 600004 which is open to all.

February is celebration time at Kalakshetra, Chennai for it is the birthday celebrations of Rukmini Devi Arundale, the founder of the organisation.

This yaer the celebrations are on from Feb. 26 to March 1, 2009.

On Feb. 26 a violin -sitar jugalbandhi by Ustad Shahid Parves Khan on the sitar and Lalgudi G.J.R Krishnan on the violin. They will be accompanied by Ravindra Yavagal on the tabla and Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan on the mridangam will be held.

Andal Charitram, a dance drama by Kalakshetra reportory will be held on Feb. 27.

On Feb. 28,Shantala Shivalingappa will present a Kuchipudi dance recital. Kannappar Kuravanji, another dance drama by Kalakshetra reportory will be held on March 1, 2009.

The programmes will be held at the Bharata Kalakshetra auditorium at 6.30 pm on all the above days.

The fans and disciples of the well known kanjira artiste G. Harishankar have been holding a day of tribute for the artiste since last year. Kalaimamani G. Harishankar Admirers Circle will hold the 2nd year of the remembrance day of the maestro Feb. 11, 2009. Senior konnakkol and mridangam exponent, Trichy Thayumanavan will be honoured on that day.

There will be screening of audio - video clippings of G. Harishankar followed by a Laya Vinyasam by Trichy Thayumanavan on the konnakol, Trichur Narendran on the mridangam, B. S. Purushothaman on the kanjira, Vaikom Gopalakrishnan on the ghatam and A. S.Krishnan on the morsing.

At Ragasudha hall, Luz, Mylapore, Chennai. On Feb. 11. From 6.15 onwards.

Chennai based Bharatiya Sangeetha Vaibhavam Trust holds Akhandam devoted to Carnatic composer and one of the music Trinity Muthuswamy Dikshitar every year. This year the event will be held on Feb. 8 Concerts will be held from 9 am to 9 pm.

At Sivagami Pettachi Auditorium, MCTM School, Alwarpet, Chennai.

Dr. Madhavan, Secretary, Sanskrit College, Chennai will inaugurate the day.

Concerts will start at 9 am with vocal concert by Sikkil Gurucharan, with Sanjeev (Violin), Neyveli Skandasubramaniyam (Mridangam), B.S.Purushottam (Kanjira).

Nadopasana Music Dais will present classical music festival and Sadguru Thyagaraja Aradhana from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2009. At Parvathi Aayi Sabhagruh, Madhvi College, Rajaji Path , opp. Guruvayoorappan Temple, Dombivli (East), Mumbai.

There will be a flute recital by senior vidwan N. Ramani on Jan. 31 at 6.30 pm. He will be accompanied by R. Madhavan on the violin, K. Jayakrishnan on the mridangam, Sreejith on the ghatam amd R. Sakthydharan on the morsing

On Feb. 1, there will unchavrithy at 7.30 am followed by Nritya Archana, a Bharatnatyam feature choreographed by Radhika Nair (Bharatakalalayam, Dombivli)

At 11 am, Pancharatna Keerthana Alapanam by by vidwans and vidushis led by N. Ramani and Shenkottai Harihara Subramanian

At 6.30 pm a vocal concert by Shenkottai Hariharasubramanian will be held. he will be accompanied by Edapally AjithKumar on the violin, Palghat Mahesh Kumar on the mrudangam, Shreejith on the ghatam.

Chennai based Dr. MLV Rasikar Manram organises Pongal Music Festival on the occasion of 80th birth anniversary year for four days from Jan. 11, 2009.

Guruji Kasi Viswanathar of Sri Vedavyasar Thapovanam will be the chief guest of the occasion and Vikraman, Editor, Ilakkiya Peetam will be the guest of honour.

A vocal concert by Trichur Brothers will be held after inauguration on Jan. 11 at 6.45 p.m.

On Jan. 12, Gokul's vocal concert at 5.15 p.m. followed by Subha Ganesan (Dis. of MLV) at 6.45 p.m. will be held.

On Jan. 13, a musical discourse by Mangalam at 5.15 p.m. followed by vocal concert by Subhiksha Rangarajan at 6.45 p.m.

On Jan. 14, vocal concerts by Kuldeep Pai and Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna will be held at 5.15 p.m. and 6.45 p.m respectively.

TACT Academy for Clinical Training in association with the cultural organization Mudhra, will be conducting its annual inter- school 'Info - Quiz on Music' on Jan. 24, 2009 from 9.30 a.m at Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk Garden Road, Chennai.

This quiz will be covering all genres of music and also impart interesting information about the subject through live demonstrations, power point presentations, audio and video clippings. The quiz is open to all students from Class V to IX and each school can send one team comprising of three students.

Other students may also participate as audience and there will be questions and prizes for them too.

Singer Anooradha Sriram will inaugurate the quiz and noted theatre personality S.Ve.Shekher will preside over the valedictory function and distributes the prizes.