Jai Ayodhya Ram! - Vintage MLV concert

1974 Rama Pattabhisheka Concert - Dr. MLV

The world is celebrating the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in the new Ram Mandir built after the Supreme Court verdict. It ends 500 years of a slavish mentality and celebrates the most important incarnation in the Hindu Pantheon, Shri Rama, who stands for Dharma. 

रमन्ते योगिनः यस्मिन् सः is the etymology of the word "Rama". Shri Rama reveals His true nature and form only to the foremost of Yogis. But as the supreme king of all mankind, ruling from Ayodhya, he gives joy to all... of all species and at all stages of evolution! 

The celebratory song जगदानन्दकारक could have been sung only by a saint of the calibre of Sri. Thyagaraja. The entire song, the first of the Pancharathna krithis, celebrates the joyous nature of Shri Rama! No wonder the whole world is in joy as we witness the historic consecration of the Ayodhya Ram temple on 22 January 2024. What better way for the home of Parvathi to celebrate this than by sharing the audio recording of a great concert by the perennial favourite of rasikas, Dr. MLV, held on Shri Rama Pattabhisheka day in 1974 in Parvathi! Vid. MLV displays her virile and imaginative concert style full of cascading Brighas and songs to satiate the Rasika on the occasion of Sri Rama Pattabhisheka!

Come, let us enjoy this wonderful vintage classic of an MLV concert!

Concert Details

Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari and Party, 10 April 1974 at Parvathi Shri Rama Pattabhisheka concert.

Song List

1. Gajavadana - Sriranjani- Papanasam Sivan
2. Jagadanandakaraka - Nata - Thyagaraja
3. Marivere- Lathangi - Patnam Subrahmanya Iyer
4. Neerajakshi Kamakshi - Hindolam - Muthuswami Dikshitar
5. Bagayanayya - Chandrajyoti - Thyagaraja
6. Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Enniro - Vasantha - Purandaradasa
7. Hari Kambhoji Ragam Tanam Pallavi (raga changes - Kanada, Behag)
8. Bhaja Man Ramcharan Sukhadayi - Bhajan -Sindhu Bhairavi - Tulsi Dasa
9. Sundaramurti Mukhyaprana - Jinjhuti - Purandaradasa
10. Shloka on Rama Pattabhisheka- Shahana, Durga, Kalyanavasantha, Mohana followed by Ram Bhajan
11. Mangalam
    
    

A Free Spirit called MLV - 1979 Parvathi Concert

A free spirit called MLV - 1979 Sri Ramanavami at Parvathi

The heritage home of Parvathi is happy to share this concert recording from the Sri Ramanavami festival held in 1979.

M.L. Vasanthakumari - Vocal

A. Kanyakumari - Violin

Tanjore Krishnamurthy Rao - Mridangam

? - Khanjira

Date 15 April 1979

Song List

1. Namami Vighna Vinayaka - Hamsadhwani - Krishnaswamiayya
2. Jaya Jaya Janakikantha - Nata - Purandaradasa
3. Enthara Neethana - Hari Kambhoji - Thyagaraja'
4. Enta Nivina Vintura - Urmika - Pallavi Sesha Iyer
5. Rama Ninne Nammi Nanu - Mohana - Thyagaraja
6. Sridhara Pahi Dayakara- Jayantasri- Vasudevacharya
7. Bhairavi RTP (Tanam Pancha Ghana Ragas) 
8. Yamanelli - Shivaranjani - Purandaradasa
9. Ashtapadi - Mohana, Janasammodini, Sindhu Bhairavi
10. Sharanu Ninage - Durga - Purandaradasa (Charanam = Sindhubhairavi)
11. Mohanakalyani Thillana - Lalgudi Jayaraman
12. Mangalam

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MLV 1970 CONCERT AUDIO

FULL DETAILS OF THE CONCERT HERE

MLV 1971 AUDIO

 FULL DETAILS OF THE CONCERT HERE

MLV 1964 CONCERT AUDIO

 FULL DETAILS IN THIS BLOGPOST

MLV CONCERT APRIL 1, 1972 - AUDIO

AUDIO FILE FOR MLV CONCERT PARVATHI CONCERT April 1, 1972 Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari --- Vocal Smt T.M. Prabhavathi --- Pinpattu Sri Tiruvallur Subrahmanyam --- Violin Sri Tanjavur Krishnamurthy Rao --- Mridangam Sri H.P.Ramachar --- Khanjira. CONCERT DETAILS HERE

Gamanashrama sung by Ganavisharade Dr. M. L. Vasanthakumari

To our community of listeners, we bring again another stellar concert from the redoubtable Dr. MLV. A musician hailing from the classical mould, she combined outstanding creativity with excellent voice control. The result was quite often deeply memorable raga elaborations, rare krithis mined from the repository of compositions going beyond the trinity, and a brisk technique of delivery that gripped the audience from the word go. It is no exaggeration that today, as we listen to fast paced "modernist" Carnatic music, we often recall the GNB bani and the unique place held in our hearts by Dr. MLV.

In this concert, we are treated to elaborate renderings of Madhyamavati and Kharaharapriya. The recording quality is not good in quite a few places. But there is a persuasive argument why we share this concert - there is a brilliant, yes brilliant, rendering of Gamanashrama in the Ragam, Tanam and Pallavi. Dr. MLV is quite at home giving us the rich fare of a rare raga more remembered as the 53rd Melakarta whose Janyas are Purvi Kalyani and Hamsanandi. There are very few compositions in this raga which was called Gamakakriya by the Dikshitar school. There are also only a handful of recordings of RTP in this raga in Carnatic music archives. We could translate literally Gamanashrama to 'tough going'!

The concert has many fine Bhajans, Dasa compositions and ragamalikas. Overall a rich experience that one associated with Dr. MLV in Parvathi concerts.

PARVATHI CONCERT
April 1, 1972

Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari --- Vocal
Smt T.M. Prabhavathi --- Pinpattu
Sri Tiruvallur Subrahmanyam --- Violin
Sri Tanjavur Krishnamurthy Rao --- Mridangam
Sri H.P.Ramachar --- Khanjira.

01_Varnam- Shuddha Todi- Kothavasal Venkatarama Iyer 4:37
02_Srimahaganapathe_Abhogi - N.S. Ramachandran 4:22
03_Swaminatha_Natai_ Muthuswami Dikshitar 7:44
04_Nadupai_Madhyamavathi_ Thyagaraja 19:12
05_Kalayami Raghuramam_Begada_Swathi Thirunal 20:03
06_Mariyadagadayya_Bhairavam_Thyagaraja 5:55
07_Ramaneesamana_Kharaharapriya_Thyagaraja 29:25
10 Gamanashrama RTP ( Kanada Hindola) 43:08
11_Yadavaraya_Ragamalika_Kanakadasa 5:31
12_Yakenirdaya_Ragamalika-Purandaradasa 5:47
13_Abhang_Devaranama 8:11
14_Payoji Maine Ramratan_Mishra Pahadi_Meera Bai 4:35
15_Ragamalika Shloka Mamava Pattabhirama_Manirangu_Dikshitar9:33
16_Barokrishnayya_Ragamalika_Kanakadasa 4:55
17_Mangalam 0:39

IF AUDIO DOESN'T PLAY CLICK HERE.

Music's Lady Virtuoso : M. L. Vasanthakumari

A lady musician, just 26, was conferred the title Sangeeta Vani in Madras in 1954. Her accomplishments were worthy of being recognised at a function graced by some of the greatest music exponents of that era including Rajamanickam Pillai, Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer, T.L. Venkatarama Iyer, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, C. Saraswathi Bai, K. B. Sundarambal, and M.M. Dandapani Desikar; and connoisseurs like Dr. R. Krishnaswami, Dr. U. Krishna Rao and finally the Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari. That lady virtuoso was none other than Dr. M. L. Vasanthakumari or MLV.

[ Courtesy: South Asian Woman's Forum ]

MLV went on to win many more laurels including the Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1977 as the youngest woman recipient till now (49). Among the legion of her fans, her acronym was expanded also as Melody-Laya-Vidwat. MLV was born into a musical family, but during those difficult times, she needed strong encouragement from a musical celebrity like GNB to dare choose a career in music. That she became his most famous disciple is the stuff of legend.

MLV's mother Madras Lalithangi once met a saint visiting from Karnataka who initiated her into the rich treasure of Purandara Dasa kritis. It made such an impact on her that Lalithangi and her guru-husband Mr. Iyer spent all their fortune to bring out a compilation of kritis, “Sri Purandara Mani Malai” during the difficult times of World War II. It was Life's way of honouring the family's unremitting efforts that MLV was conferred a doctorate by Mysore University in 1976 for her contribution to the propagation of Dasa Sahitya.

MLV was much loved and honoured in Parvathi. She performed there many times. In 1971 she was honoured along with Mysore V. Doreswamy Iyengar and the function was followed by a brilliant MLV concert. We are privileged to offer that recording here.

[ Mr.M.S.Swaminathan IAS, Divisional Commissioner of Mysore, Presides ]
[ Sangeetha Natak Academy Award Winners felicitated in "Parvathi" 1971 ]
[ Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari and Vidwan Doreswamy Iyengar ]

The concert itself is remarkable on many counts. Following an emphatic rendering of Begada -something rare from a lady vocalist, MLV proceeds with a wonderful Kalyani. There are many moments of explosive creativity in the rendering. The kriti Rama Ni Vadukonduvo is a rarely heard Thyagaraja piece in Trishra Nadai, and it is a feast. Then comes an elaborate Bhairavi RTP. Add to that a Pancharatna kriti and some splendid Devaranamas, and you have a quintessential hallmark concert with the stamp of MLV's musical genius. It is doubly satisfying to feel the camaraderie and virtuous collaboration from the violin and mridangam accompanists. The ensemble's delightful musical journey is akin to a joyous family's travelling in good old times on Chamundi Express from Bangalore to Mysore, savouring every tasty treat and scenic delight on the way. What a blessing indeed!

The Concert
Ramanavami Concert - 8 -4- 1971.

M.L. Vasanthakumari – Vocal
T.M. Prabhavathi – Vocal Support
Tiruvallur Subramanyam – Violin
Tanjavur Krishnamurthy Rao – Mridangam
? - Ghatam



01. Vanajaaksha- Mandari varnam – Mysore Vasudevachar*** 02. Pranamaamyaham- Gowla- Mysore Vasudevachar*** 03. Jagadaanandakaaraka – Naata Pancharatna – Thyagaraja *** 04. Laalisidalu magana – Aarabhi – Purandara dasa *** 05. Shankari neeve – Begade- Subbaraya Shastri *** 06. Raaka Sashivadana - Raga Takka – Thyagaraja *** 07. Rama Ni Vadukonduvo – Kalyani – Thyagaraja *** 08. Mariyaadagaadayya – Bhairavam – Thyagaraja *** 09. Bhairavi RTP + Bauli-Saama-Kiranaavali ragamalika *** 10. Shloka and Yaadavaraaya- Basant Bahar-SindhuBhairavi-Durga –Kanaka Dasa *** 11. Uga Bhoga, Yaake Nirdayanaadeyo – Ragamalika (Bhairav, Kalavati, Bhimplas) – Purandara Dasa *** 12. 12. Vaame Bhoomisuthaa – Shloka – Hamsanandi, Saveri, Shubhapantuvaraali, Suruti *** 13. Dhanashri Tillana – Swathi Thirunal *** 14. Mangalam

CHERISHED MEMORIES OF DR.MLV IN "PARVATHI"

Even after so many years, her name brings a hush in the "Parvathi" household. It is a hush caused by reflection on so many beautiful and personable moments of her having been there. There is even one, that includes her coaxing family members to join her in singing (yes, there are some recordings of that too!).

So we egged on, someone, who was almost like a daughter to her. Here are the words of 'that' daughter, captured solemnly:

"What really can I add to the things that have already been said? She was everything to me! I have but only very fond memories of 'dear MLV aunty'.

When I was a child, she would almost, always , bring me the gift of a beautiful doll, an expensive frock, or some such thing whenever we visited each others homes.

Later on as I grew up and started to sing, after each of her concerts in "Parvati", and as we used to relax, she would invariably ask me to sing old Lata Mangeshkar's songs. She would appreciate them so much, that she would ask me to sing more and more. She would make me feel as if I was on top of the world!

I also cannot forget the affectionate, encouraging and appreciative words that she spoke during my cassette release function.

Personally, I put her in the number one spot amongst carnatic vocalists. What 'shaareera' ! What gamakas! What ease with which she sang! and what creativity!, be it 'alapana', 'neraval', 'swaraprastara' or 'sloka'!

SHE IS SARASWATI TO ME!

I was sitting listening to that very same Karaharapriya which is posted on this blog, when we got the news that she was no more.

Above all, what a fine human being she was! Never spoke a harsh or ill word about anyone. She lived just for the sake of her art.

These few words of mine are just MY VERY HUMBLE OBEISANCE to this great soul... "

- Mysore Prabha

AUDIO DOESN'T PLAY? CLICK HERE

Remembering 'Gana Saraswathi' Dr.M.L. Vasanthakumari in “Parvathi”

Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari acknowledging felicitations
as Vidwan Doreswamy Iyengar shows appreciation and Mr. K. Shrikantiah muses!

We will get to 'Gana Saraswathi' Dr. MLV’s concert, all in good time.

Before that, we have a certain remembrance and a certain thanks to render on this Saraswathi Puja Day 2010.

We believe, that the common usage of the word 'ambiance' probably occurred somewhere in the early 70's when technology started to assume a greater impact. As sound quality through instruments became enhanced, as every human indulgence began to be hailed as a sign of creativity, as architects and interior decorators began to render furniture and plants with plastic, as shimmering effects of cascading waterfalls in hotel foyers became a vogue and as nightlife extended and discos came alive through the extravaganza of electric bulbs, the word ‘ambiance’ became synonymous with human activities only with the ego.

There was no quarter given to express any supplication to a higher power.

The Eagles swoop down on "Parvathi"

Actress Hema Malini and Indian Cabinet Minister S.M. Krishna
with Mysore's Who's Who in 1972

To the denizens of Mysore city, however, and particularly to members in 'Parvathi', 'ambiance' meant a whole lot more. A desire to be neat and orderly with cleanliness being hailed next to godliness seemed to come naturally, and along with that came respect of Nature in the holistic order followed by respect to Gods main propitiates, the musicians, the poets, the priests and the 'Harikatha' story tellers.

It was not uncommon to see the long lengths of "Parvathi's" concrete driveways being washed thoroughly, the ‘Rangoli’ being laid out in big and colorful welcomes , every natural plant laid out in pots befitting its size and displayed neatly alongside driveways and curbs, every tree (fruit bearing, flower bearing or otherwise) having its correct share of manure or natural vitamins with of course an appropriate share of water; orchard pomegranates and other varied fruit protected with a cloth cover till they ripened with just an adequate amount left open for nature’s hungry squirrels to feed upon, including ( as long as the matriarch was alive) enough milk every morning in front of the 'Dattatreya' tree for the local serpent to turn away from its carnivorous ways into one of becoming a vegetarian protector.


Behind every act, however, lay the strict watchfulness of Parvathi’s chief members; first, that of the grand-sire Shri K. Puttu Rao till 1959 and then for a long time when the baton went into the hands of the son K. Srikantiah. Even, if one shifted their attention to the other brother K.K. Murthy’s residence in Malleswaram, Bangalore, one would not be remiss in noticing the same penchant for the very same things.

In fact the gardens would impress Sri. Lalgudi Jayaraman so much that when he stayed overnight on his visits to Parvathi for concerts, he would get up early in the morning and walk bare-foot on the front lawn for 30-40 minutes, looking at the lawn and believing that it was good for both his eye sight and the stabilization of his body-heat.

As you go over these few slides of Parvathi , as you witness the stone slabs where N. Ramani may have been lost in his own reverie under the Champaka tree, or as Semmangudi might have shared the finer points of his music with Mr. K. Srikantiah , or as you go over the slide of the corner room with its grilled windows from where Shri. K. Puttu Rao (during his later years) would bellow to one and all of how “all respect for elders had died” (he had witnessed Mysore Vasudevachar struggling with the silvered iron front gates and nobody had come to the help of such a revered soul!), we want you to turn your attention to the final picture (slide and below), the one with the two faces.

These faces belong to the brothers Sri Madiah and Sri Basaviah, who came to Parvathi when very young and stayed on for a long time to render those beautiful creations with cues from Sri. Srikantiah. Needless to say, theirs was a labor of love as the gardens started to be singled out for trophies and praise from the horticultural society. In some ways, the vibrations and all around goodwill from “Parvathi” too, helped. In later years, the brothers came to be fixed on decent appointments at Mysore's famed National Institute of Engineering (famed alma mater of Sri. Narayana Murthy of Infosys and India’s spinning wizard EAS Prasanna), As is the dream of every parent for their children to always do better than them, Sri Madiah's elder son got admitted in the same engineering institution and from where he passed out with distinction. He continued on to his post-graduation and currently serves in an enviable position in a multinational company.

Our continued best wishes to all of them, wherever they might be today.

THE CONCERT
M.L.Vasanthakumari ---- VocalPrabhavati ----- Co singer
Subrahmanyam ----Violin
Tanjavur Krishnamurthy Rao --- Mridangam
On September 17,1964 during the Gowri-Ganesh Festival in "Parvathi"

[1. Ragasudharasa-(Andolika); 2. Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Karaharapriya 3. Sloka and 'Jogi mat jaa'(Sindubhairavi) 4. Sundara Mooruti-( Janjooti) 5. Krishna nee begane baaro-(Yaman Kalyani) 6.Paarkadal alai mele-(Ragamalika) 7. Jnanavu Krutayugadalli-(Ragamalika) 8. Pavamana ]

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1970 - A Watershed Year

[Photo Courtesy: Academy of Music, Bangalore]

President of India A.P.J.Abdul Kalam at the Chowdiah Memorial 25th year Jubilee
honoring eminent musician Pandit Shivkumar Sharma

[Left to right: President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Chief Minister Karnataka N. Dharam Singh, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Music Academy President K.K. Murthy (who invited the President), Karnataka Governor T. N. Chaturvedi and Transport Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge.]

[Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/22/stories/2005112220680300.htm]

We have hinted, in many of our earlier postings of how 1970 was the ‘watershed’ year in the Chowdiah Memorials coming up.

The popular newspaper The Hindu, in attempting to capture the same sentiment on the 25th anniversary celebration of the Memorial in 2005, wrote inline “As he walked one morning in a park, K.K. Murthy, former chairman of the BDA ruminated over M.L. Vasanthakumari's concert he had heard the previous evening at the Ramanavami music festival. "I remember the concert went on till midnight and it was heaven," recalls this working president of the Academy of Music, an independent registered body that administers the Memorial Hall.”
K. K. Murthy’s words "the previous evening" related to April 15, 1970, the evening in “Parvathi”, Mysore, honoring the memory of T. Chowdiah.

The Mysore event had been inaugurated by Karnataka Governor Dharmavira (a very popular Governor in India) along with Karnataka Industries Minister Rajasekhar Murthy, who by then had both become close friends to the house of “Parvathi”. T. Chowdiah’s violin was on display to the thronging crowds of his native town and the joyousness of the occasion coupled with ML Vasanthakumari’s music, her eulogizing Chowdiah and the aftermath of dinner with those that mattered culminated in the ‘Sankalpa’ that there must be a fitting memorial to the memory of such a great stalwart of Carnatic Music.

But, as the earlier Hindu article also pointed out, this was an act easier said than done! As the son of the man who spearheaded the project K.K. Murthy recalls in a posted video on the blog , the bank balance was but an astronomical figure of only Rs. 500! ($10 in today’s conversion).

What followed, is something for the history pages to decide, as we leave you here with some connecting pictures, a full concert by Vidushi MLV and her speech, all for your enjoyment.

Minister Rajasekhar Murthy addresses, while an attentive Governor Dharma Vira listens

An evening of 'trupthi' with Vidushi ML Vasanthakumari and party

[ 01_Jagadanandakaraka_Nattai;02_Manasu Nilpa_Abhogi;03_Saketanagaranatha_Hari Kambhoji; 04_Bhagayanayya_Chandrajyothi;05_Eduta nilachite_Sankarabharanam; 06_Mariyadagadayya_Bhairavam; 07_RTP_Shanmukhapriya;08_Yake Nirdaya_Ragamalika; 09-Shloka, Amrutahuni goad, Baliyamanege,Baro Krishnayya_Ragamalika; 10_Pavamana Mangalam_Saurashtra; ]

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Leading by example? Academy of Music President K.K. Murthy occupies a front row listening to MLV.

That 'rapt attention' would pay dividends later!

Some others too with a rapt attention on MLV!

Prof. H.S.K. Iyengar, India's great novelist R.K. Narayan and Agaram Rangaiah, Editor "Sadhvi".

Ah, even a Governor eats with his hands when the dinner is in "Parvathi"!

Minister Rajasekhar Murthy, K. Srikantiah, Governor Dharma Vira, K.K. Murthy

Finally, remembering the man who came to the support of a Memorial !

Advocate Srikantiah's family at home to Chief Minister Gundu Rao and Mrs. Varalakshmi Rao

Academy President Murthy ,too, remembers in gratitude!

Felicitating Mrs. Varalakshmi Rao with Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh