/* START Google Analytics Code*/ /* END of Google Analytics Code */ A home called "Parvathi": July 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010

Simply Scintillating – Vidwan Trichur V. Ramachandran


Did you recognize him?
This is a picture posted earlier from Lakshmi Shankar's concert in 1970.
The beaming Maestro is seated front row extreme left (in a dark shirt)


We have written in many places, in our earlier postings, about the heady attraction that GNB's persona and music held for Mr. K. Srikantiah. The latter not only had many flourishing meetings with the superstar, but he was a host as well as a part of GNB's entourage in several concerts in India. Most regrettably the precious recordings of GNB's concerts in "Parvathi" have been lost over the years.

The year 1974 also seems significant. We have already featured several splendid concerts held at Parvathi in 1974. Now we give you another brilliant concert – this time in the GNB school- from Vidwan Trichur V. Ramachandran.

After the passing of GNB, many were missing his fast-paced, colourful briga-laden music from a rich male voice that evoked the same feeling. Then came his disciple Trichur Ramachandran. He had the bright personality, rich voice, a typical GNB-style of singing, and treated audiences to rich fare. The Parvathi concert from 1974 was no exception. He was accompanied by none other than Vidwan M. Chandrasekaran and Vidwan Vellore Ramabhadran. Vidwan H.P. Ramachar was on the khanjira. The concert we feature here has a brisk tempo, is extremely pleasing and keeps you on your toes as it were... rapid brigas, excellent repartees, inspired mridangam play, and at several points a feast of dialogue between the vocalist and the violinist. In a way this concert typifies the treat that rasikas came to associate with Parvathi concerts.

A few years ago, Vidwan Ramachandran was honoured in Chennai for completing fifty years of service to music. From the words he spoke that day. his humility oozes out. We quote from The Hindu [http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/01/stories/2006120113660600.htm]:

Mr. Ramachandran said it was important that those who wanted to learn Carnatic music should listen as many concerts of veteran musicians as possible. This was what he learnt from his master, GNB. Describing the period of 1945-60 as the golden period of Carnatic music, he said the exposure, which he got by attending music concerts of stalwarts during the period, laid a strong basis for him to develop himself as a musician.



[ Courtesy: The Hindu ]


The Parvathi Concert

Trichur V Ramachandran---Vocal
M. Chandrasekharan -----Violin
Vellore Ramabhadran ----Mridangam
H.P Ramachar -----Khanjira
at Parvathi on 6-4-1974

01. Nera nammi-Kaanada Ata Tala Varna – Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar *** 02. Pranamamyaham – Gowla – Mysore Vasudevachar *** 03. Rama nannu borvara – Hari Kambhoji – Thyagaraja *** 04. Manasa etulo – Malaya marutha – Thyagaraja *** 05. Baageaayenayya - Chandrajyothi- Thyagaraja *** 06. Paridana Micchite -Bilahari – Patnam Subrahmanya Iyer *** 07.Marugelara-Jayantashri – Thyagaraja*** 08. Ramakatha sudha – Madhyamavathi-Thyagaraja *** 09. Sarasa sama dana-Kapi narayani -Thyagaraja*** 10. Kambhoji Ragam Tanam Pallavi*** 11. Sonnadai Saidida—Ragamalika – Mayuram Vishwanatha Sastri *** 12. Janathi Rama Shloka – Saveri, Shahana,Aananda Bharavi, Saama,, Ninnu pogada tarama – GNB *** 13. Yadava nee baa -Mand- Purandaradasa *** 14.Radha sameta Krishna – Mishra Yaman - traditional *** 15.Dhanashree Tillana – Swathi Thirunal *** 16. Pavamana – Sourashtra – Thyagaraja Mangalam





Saturday, July 3, 2010

A Popular Sister Act : Vidushis C. Saroja & C. Lalitha

Congratulations to the Vidushis
for winning the "Sangeeta Kalanidhi" award for 2010

Parvathi's inner coterie of Rasikas celebrate 'Ganesha Utsavam'
with The Bombay Sisters in 1974
Accompanying them: Vidwans S, Mahadevappa, P.G. Lakshminarayanan, M.A. Krishnamurthy

"Parvathi" hosted a very popular duo, the Bombay Sisters, in 1974. They had inherited the mantle from Radha Jayalakshmi by then and continued to be prolific performers with a variegated discography for over 4 decades.

Smt. Saroja and Smt. Lalitha, also known as the Bombay Sisters, hail from Palghat area and spent their formative years in Bombay- hence the eponym. The sisters had their initiation into Carnatic Music from their elder sister, Smt. Sethu Mahadevan and later learnt from Shri. Chellamani Baghavathar. Further on, the Government of India Cultural Scholarship brought them to Madras for higher studies in Carnatic Music at the Central College of Carnatic Music, Adyar, under the direct tutelage of late Shri. Musiri Subramania Iyer. They continued their training in Carnatic Music from Shri. T.K. Govinda Rao, the primary disciple of Shri. Musiri Iyer.

The Bombay Sisters won the Sangeetha Rathna T. Chowdiah Memorial Award in 1996.

In this featured concert, the sisters have regaled the Parvathi rasikas with a wide repertoire of songs not often heard in Carnatic music. The Purandara Dasa songs shine in a new light in the different ragas. The ashtapadi in Darbari Kanada is brilliant. The violin and mridangam accompaniment rise to the occasion very well. Another rich feast indeed.


Concert Details

Bombay Sisters (C.Saroja and C. Lalitha) ---Vocal
S.Mahadevappa -------Violin
P.G.Lakshminarayan ---Mridangam
M.A.Krishnamurthy ----Ghatam
on September 20, 1974 at Parvathi during Ganesha Festival.



[ 01. Geetavadya-Natakapriya-Tanjavur Sankara Iyer***02. Srirama Padama- Amrithavahini – Thyagaraja*** 03.Meevalla –Kapi – Thyagaraja *** 04. Yadava Nee Baa –Shanmukhapriya- Purandara dasa *** 05. Akhilandeshwari- Dwijavanti- Muthuswami Dikshitar *** 06. Kaliyugavaradan- Brindavana saranga – Periyasami Thooran*** 07. Innudayabarade – Kalyanavasantha – Purandara Dasa*** 08. Narajanma Bandaga –Kharaharapriya – Purandara dasa *** 09. Acharavillada Nalige – Shahana-Purandara dasa *** 10. Hari Chitta – Jonpuri-Purandara Dasa*** 11. Baro Krishnayya – Ragamalika – Kanaka Dasa*** 12. Nandananda – Ragamailka – Narayana Thirtha*** 13. Ab Mein Nacho – Yaman – Surdas*** 14. Beet Gaye Din – Yaman – Kabir*** 15. Payoji Maine – Piloo – Meera Bai*** 16. Saa Virahe – Darbari Kanada – Jayadeva*** 17. Rati Sukha Saare – Madhuvanti – Jayadeva*** 18. Thillana – Jinjhuti – Mysore Veene Sheshanna*** ]


Musings from the Past
(From the music magazine Sruthi August 2003)

The Percussive Arts Center (PAC) 22nd annual Thaalavadyothsava from May 27-31 2003 in Bangalore

Rani Satish, Minister for Culture, Karnataka Govt presenting the
Palghat Mani-K.Puttu Rao Award to "Vikku" Vinayakram in 2003.
Also seen are Dr.A.H. Rama Rao (President,National Education Society) and Dr. V.V. Srivatsa, Chennai Musicologist


“The valedictory function on the 31st was marked by the presentation of the K. Puttu Rao Memorial Palghat Mani Award and the title of Sangeetha Kalaa Shiromani to Ghata maestro T.H. Vinayakram. He received a citation and the award which comprises of 10,000 rupees, from Rani Satish, Minister for Kannada & Culture, Govt. of Karnataka, who lauded the services of the Percussive Arts Center in the promotion of percussive arts and artists.

She recalled the services of K. Puttu Rao as a legal luminary and the contribution of K.K. Murthy in shaping the monumental Chowdiah Memorial Hall.

Dr. V.V. Srivatsa, scholar from Chennai, delivered the valedictory address. He also presented certificates and prizes to the winners of the competitions held in percussion instruments. The award function was followed by a music ensemble led by ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram. The participants included Sukanya Ramgopal, V. Umashankar, D.V. Venkatasubramanian (all ghata), N. Rajraman (ghata and gettu vadyam), A. Ganeshan (morsing) and Umamahesh Vinayakram (vocal support)”
,