| ||||
| Obit: K. S. Mahadevan, well-known music critic and author
|   | |||
|
Born in 1913 in Tirunelveli, in a family devoted to classical music, KSM was introduced to Carnatic music by his mother in his early years. Later he grew up listening to Carnatic music veterans Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. He studied in P. S. School, Mylapore, Chennai and continued higher studies at Presidency College, Chennai. He shifted to Mumbai and entered Central Government services in 1940. His interest in music took him to the famous organisation Shanmukhananda Sabha. Later he became its secretary. He continued his ties with the sabha's magazine Shanmukha even after his return to Chennai. KSM had authored a book Musings on Music and Musicians on his reminiscences with the musicians. His reviews of music concerts displayed his in-depth knowledge of the art form and accepted as constructive criticism by many performing artistes. He was also a follower of Cricket and surprised people with statistics of the sport and the batting styles of his days.
<<If you knew K. S. Mahadevan well, and wish to share your experiences, please mail them now to editor@kutcheribuzz.com Messages are also welcome>> Message from T.N.Bala I wish to add my message of condolences to the bereaved family members of late Sri.K.S.Mahadevan. I came to know him personally only as late as in the year 2003 when he honoured me with his presence at my musical book release in Chennai that year. Earlier some years ago, he had attended my concert in New York Hindu Temple. I am a very close friend of his son, Ramesh as also his daughter-in-law Srimathi Nirmala, who are both very well versed in Carnatic music. The day is still vivid in my memory, the day in 2003, when we both attended a unique Indian-American concert of 'fusion' in Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan in Mylapore, Chennai. His characteristic disapproval of the treatment and interpretation of the Carnatic ragas at the hands of 'fusion' arts resulting in his abrupt exit from the program spoke volumes of his deep respect for our tradition and his pristine adherence to 'pracheena padhdhathi'! He was surely a beacon and a trailblazer in the canopy of Carnatic music. May his soul rest in piece! T.N.Bala, Phildelphia, Message from M.K.Ramasubramanian - son of Mr.K.S. Mahadevan As a son of Mr.K.S.Mahadevan I admit I am the least objective person to comment on my father.However judging from the broad spectrum of responses and opinions from friends and family,I myself am surprised at the wealth of goodwill my father seems to have generated from the carnatic music crowd in Chennai and beyond. As I go thru his copious notes and collections of books and articles I am amazed at his energy,passion and tenacity towards promoting and encouraging the glorious art form of carnatic Music and Dance. Some of these notes which apparently are the underpinning for his articles could spawn a whole range of theses and dissertations. He epitomised the art of living in his twilight years thro his unflinching determination towards the art form,be it the tireless encouragement of budding musicians struggling to gain traction in a tough competitive environment and did not rest till he succeeded in getting youngsters with talent a breakthro' in their efforts. More importantly, despite my own 6 decades of concert listening and contacts with musicians and the natural cynicisms towards change and experimentation,my father steered clear of such tendencies insisting all the time that tradition and innovation are not mutually incompatible. Early in the fifties, I had my own reservations about Ariyakudi's concert structure,highly-proportioned raga alapana-krithi rendering-swara prasthara pattern which left me a trifle jaded. With no offence to contemporary musicians,I now feel that style was vindicated. I remember long discussions on this issue even till recently-however if I attempted to judge the contemporary musicians' performances by saying they lacked the balance and sense of proportion so essential to display of art, my father used to turn the tables on me by emphasising the wide repertoire of songs of the current musicians and how that variety has added spice to the concerts. he steadfastly believed in balancing positives and negatives--a sense of fairness and balance amply reflected in the various reviews he had written.For man of his age and experience he could never be accused of having a "Fondness for the familiar and the Fear of the unknown". In his later years he was the staunchest warrior fighting the "Classicsm-is-dead" conundrum!! Apart from the usual feelings of loss of parent, I miss him as a true mentor as much as people who knew him say they do. M.K.Ramasubramanian(Ramesh) Message from C. Saroja & C. Lalitha - Bombay Sisters The shocking news of dear Mahadevan mama’s death was conveyed to us by his son Ramesh and daughter- in- law Nirmala here in New York. Our association with mama goes back to our childhood days in Bombay. He judged many music competitions in which both of us participated. He was also associated with Shanmughananda Sangeetha Sabha. Observing our success in many of the competitions, he urged our parents to move to Chennai so that both of us could pursue our dream of a career in music. Following mama’s move to Chennai, we kept close contact with him and Chinnani Mami. He continued to support us in all our endeavours. His knowledge of music was very much evident in his musical reviews. His sudden death has surely created a vacuum in the art critic world. His absence will be sadly missed. Our heartfelt condolences to the members of his family. May his soul rest in peace. C. Saroja & C. Lalitha - Bombay Sisters Message from Savithri Ramanand (New York) - sister of Bombay Sisters I was shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Sri. Mahadevan from his son Sri.Ramesh (New York)before he left for Chennai along with his wife Smt. Nirmala. As the younger sister of Smts. Bombay Sisters I had known Mama from my childhood days. Kindly convey our heartfelt condolences to Mama's family...in particular to Amma (Chinnanimami) My huband, daughter and my son in law also join me in conveying their condolences to the bereaved family... SavithriRamanand ,Ramanand, aarati and Ramakrishnan(New York) Message from Dr. R.Krishnan - Paris, France We note with great regret and feelings of sorrow, the passing away of Sri. K.S. Mahadevan. He was one the great music critics of our times. It is a loss to the Carnatic music world. I cannot forget his sitting in the front row and listening in great attention even in his advanced years of age which instilled in my mind a great reverence for him. May his soul rest in Peace. Our heart felt condolences to his breaved family and to the music lovers. Dr. R.Krishnan Message from 'Kartik' Ramanujam I came to know the news thro internet - Kutcheribuzz website.
Our heart felt condolences to his bereaved family and to the music lovers. D.S.Ramanujam, Secretary, Kartik fine arts. | ||||
KSM as he is affectionately called by his friends, K. S. Mahadevan, a well known writer and music critic passed away in Chennai on Sep. 2. He was 93 years old.