A Tradition of Recognising Excellence - M. Balamuralikrishna - Parvathi Ramanavami Concert 1971

Parvathi felicitating Maestro M. BalamuraliKrishna 1971

Soon after starting the Ramanavami festival in the 60s, Mr. K. Srikantiah made a concerted effort to attract the best of musicians and felicitated them. Thus it was that in 1971, Vid. M. Balamuralikrishna was handsomely felicitated in the presence of several connoisseurs and musicians. 

We are sharing this concert recording from 1971 as our blog's penultimate tribute to Sri.K.Srikatiah's memory among rasikas and musicians world over for his immense service to the cause of art and Mysore rasikas.

Keenly aware of the occasion then, BMK also performed a stellar concert in the company of the best of artistes, viz. Vid. M. Chandrasekharan, Vid. Umalaypuram Sivaraman and Vid. Vikku Vinayakram. His Chandrika raga alapana, followed by his own composition, was received with many appreciative murmurs. His treatment of Devadi Deva had established his stardom already in Mysore, being applauded by the composer himself! Here, he rendered it with the same gusto. "Chandru" followed the mood and method assiduously. Kharaharapriya was a favourite of Sri. K. Srikantiah and the raga and song would have surely thrilled him. All in all, this concert has the stamp of BMK, full of melody and inventiveness. 

Vid. Umayalpuram Sivaraman,  recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Sangeeta Kalanidhi among several titles, celebrated completing 80 years of performing in concerts very recently, by playing in the Kalahasteeshvara Temple, Kumbhakonam, where he had his arangetram in 1935! Our felicitations to the doyen of percussion art. 

M.Balamuralikrishna --------------- Vocal 
M. Chandrasekharan---------------- Violin
Umayalpuram Sivaraman --------- Mridangam
T.H. Vinayakram ---------------------- Ghatam
Date: 7th April 1971 - held at the Parvathi Ramanavami Pandal

1. Endaro Mahanubhavulu - Sriraga - Thyagaraja
2. Enta Muddo - Bindumalini - Thyagaraja
3. Nee Sati Neeve Ranga - Chandrika - Balamuralikrishna
4. Peridi Ninnu - Kharaharapriya - Thyagaraja
5. Paramapavanamu - Kedaragaula - Balamuralikrishna
6. Devadi Deva - Sunada Vinodini - Mysore Vasudevacharya
7. Tani
8. Jagodaddharana - Kapi - Purandaradasa
9. Naapaali Sreerama - Shankarabharanam - Thyagaraja
10. Ya Ramita - Patdeep - Jayadeva
11. Sita Kalyana - Kurinji - Thyagaraja
12. Thillana - Kadanakuthuhalam - Balamuralikrishna
13. Mangalam - Madhyamavathi -Balamuralikrishna

 

The Importance of Team-work in a Carnatic Concert

Vid. Nedunuri Krishnamurthy – Ramanavami concert 1971 at Parvathi ( Excerpts )

An analysis by Shri R. Sachi

We feature this time the well known Vidwan, Sangita Kalanidhi Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, one among the many stalwarts who have come and performed in Parvathi over six decades. Endowed with a very resonant voice, and presenting a large repertoire in Telugu, Sanskrit and other languages, with chaste diction, with a pleasant, engaging, manodharma, Nedunuri has achieved success with audiences as well as accompanists for a long time.

In this concert from 1971, he is accompanied by Vid.Lalgudi Jayaraman, Vid. Umayalpuram Sivaraman, and Vid. TH Vinayakram. This is a star-studded ensemble and you can surely look forward to some wonderful music, the result of great team-work. After a very emotive Mohana and Nanu Palimpa, we have three very rakthi-filled renditions. There is also a percussion interlude between Umayalpuram and Vinayakram. The whole concert exudes a sense of balance and melody.

The following two excerpts from “An Incurable Romantic”, the authorised biography of Vid. Lalgudi Jayaraman, by Lakshmi Devnath, show what an excellent rapport Nedunuri enjoyed with Lalgudi.

Recently, when Nedunuri was conferred a title by a reputed Sabha in Bangalore, a glowing tribute was paid by Vid. Umayalpuram Sivaraman.

For the past 40-50 years, these three artistes have been shining stars on the Carnatic concert platform.

We read in the “Karnataka Sangita Vishaya Vishwakosha”, by Dr. V. S. Sampathkumaracharya, that Nedunuri was born in East Godavari district in 1927. He comes from a family of musicians. He went to Dr. Pinakapani in 1949 for advanced studies. In his long career spanning more than six decades, apart from being a very respected concert artiste, he has held many teaching positions in several established institutions all over Andhra Pradesh. His lessons on radio and television have helped thousands of music students. He has received the title of Asthana Vidwan from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam for his great contribution to popularising Annamacharya compositions. In fact the song, in Revathi, “Nanati Bratuku” made famous by MSS, was tuned by him. He has also set to music the compositions of Kaivara Yogi Narayana, hailing from a small town in Karnataka.

Come, let us enjoy a vintage concert from the masters.

Concert Excerpt details

Nedunuri Krishnamurthy-Vocal
Lalgudi Jayaraman-Violin
Umayalpuram Sivaraman-Mridangam
TH Vinayakram-Ghatam 6-4-71 at "Parvathi" during Ramanavami.

Song List

01. Mohana Raga *** 02. Nanu Palimpa – Thyagaraja *** 03. Tani Avarthanam *** 04. Challare Ramachandru-Ahiri-Thyagaraja *** 05. Ramamantrava Japiso-Jaunpuri-Purandara Dasa *** 06. Gayathi Vanamali-Durga- Sadashiva Brahmendra ***

2008 - K.K. Murthy Memorial Chowdiah Awards
Nedunuri Krishnamurthy (left) with R. Vishweshwaran
[ Photo Courtesy: The Hindu ]

Music's Bylanes IX: Shri Tattva Nidhi (....continued)

In many places we have alluded to the Mysore Maharajahs as great benefactors of art, culture and of people. We have particularly mentioned his Highness Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar in many contexts.

We have also talked of Durbar Bakshi’s (Palace Secretaries) with whom our host Sri. K. Srikantiah would facilitate many a help from the Palace for some of the great music doyens.

We turn our minds to the great composer Muthiah Bhagavatar in such a context.

As our very many of our Rasikas know, Muthiah Bhagavatar, is one of Carnatic Classical music's most famous twentieth-century composer. He is credited with a mammoth 400 musical compositions and about 20 ragas. He was also known to be a Harikata Vidwan and adept at playing many an instrument. At times, some of the great Carnatic Vidwans including Madurai Mani Iyer, T. Chowdiah, Veena Chitti Babu would play a rare tune to an encore called “English Note”. This too was one of the creations of this great composer.

The rare photograph (above) shows him as a Mysore court musician. During his tenure at the Mysore Palace he was known to have composed 115 kritis in Kannada all in praise of Chamundeshwari Devi, the Ishta Devi of the Maharajas and the protective Mother of the city called Mahishasura-uru (Mysuru as rendered in the native).

[ We are very obliged to Heritage Objects of Mysore for preserving and publishing such photos. Heritage Objects of Mysore can be found on Facebook, with permission. It is to their credit that they have created a virtual museum on the life and times of the great Mysore Kings with some very rare photographic displays and narratives. ]

Ah, is it just Coimbatore ?

The city of Coimbatore in Tamilnadu is also connected in more ways than one with the family of “Parvathi”. As a musical center, it would often find Sri. K. Srikantiah making many a sojourn there for the cause of music along with T. Chowdiah or many an eminent other (things that we have mentioned before).

It was also a city recognized as a home for some cherished sweets, thanks to Messrs. “Krishna Sweets”, whose very fine creations would bring many a famous Carnatic Musician such as an MMI or GNB craving for the same while thinking of a simultaneous performance there.

Somewhere, in the passage of time, it also became a city of “Sambandhi”, as “Parvathi’s” extended family found itself with “in-laws” there.

We show you a rare photograph (below) of Parvathi “Sambandhi”, the late Shri. S.R.Nanjundan of Coimbatore as seen with his late Highness Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar. Throughout his life Mr. Nanjundan would have cause to remember his very close and honorable friendship with H.H. and their families.

Mysore’s famed Parliamentary building, the Vidhana Soudha, even as of today, carries many a tile installed from the Coimbatore factory of Shri S.R. Nanjundan.

Continuing with our Wodeyar Kings, we show you His Highness JCW, greeting a young Mr. M.V. Krishnaswamy of Documentary fame (we’ve spoken of him elsewhere in our pages).

Now, how many do we know that can show us such a photo (below) for their Bio data?

" This Mysore-born film maker assisted Roberto Rossellini on the sets of Viaggio in Italia starring Ingrid Bergman and once "made" Satyajit Ray stand in a queue for a cinema ticket...But he makes such facts appear like that serene illumination in the verandah which does not blind your eyes...."

- Sugata Srinivasaraju on M.V. Krishnaswamy

Finally, as we went into print, we heard the heart warming news of a person who made the distinguished PADMA BHUSHAN rolls for 2014.

As all the B&W photographs on this blog reveal, in a rare collection of his much younger days, we are provided with the glimpses of a genius who provided magnificent accompaniment for the greatest of the Carnatic vocalists of those times. This was much earlier to his departure onto a world platform, with the group “Shakti” or with the Grammy.

How do we best like to remember our famous Ghatam Vidwan artist T.H. “Vikku” Vinaykram?

Just as he is shown below.

[ Courtesy: Experience with Mahaperiava ]

Thyagaraja, The Saint Composer

Vid. Maharajapuram Santhanam – 1972 Ramanavami

Text by R. Sachi

We are happy to share with rasikas this concert from 1972 as a part of our Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year 2014. This season is auspicious for Hindus and Christians alike, being a period of prayer and holy celebration. The Margashirsha masa (Margazhi in Tamil) is considered the best month in the Hindu calendar as it instils a mood of prayer and tranquility.

In this concert, Vid. Santhanam has sung a wonderful composition of the saint composer Thyagaraja in Yadukula Kambhoji, a raga most suited to prayer. In the song (part of Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam), Thyagaraja describes his utter anguish at his separation from Lord Rama. His feelings are very similar to those of anguish in the voices of mystics Meera, Andal and Chaitanya. We give below the lyric and translation from The Spiritual Heritage of Thyagaraja (pub. Ramakrishna Math, Chennai)

Concert Details

Ramanavami Concert 1972, Parvathi Mysore, held on 28-3 1972

Vid. Maharajapuram Santhanamm – Vocal
Vid. M.Chandrasekaran ----- violin
Vid. Palghat Raghu ------ Mridangam
Vid. Vikku Vinayakram ------Ghatam.

Song List

01-Gananathaya-Gowla-Ambi Dikshitar*** 02-Telisirama-Purnachandrika-Thyagaraja*** 03-Banturiti-Hamsanadam-Thyagaraja*** 04-Unde Yedi-Harikambhoji-Thyagaraja*** 05-Mohanam-Alapana*** 06-Mohanarama-Mohana-Thyagaraja*** 07-Chelimini Jalajakshu Kante-Yedukulakambhoji-Thyagaraja*** 08-Kandukandu-Mohana-Purandaradasa*** 09-Yochana-Darbar-Thyagaraja*** 10-Ammaravamma-Kalyani*** 11-Sarangamarugane-Ragamalika-Veeramani***

Music is Man’s Ultimate Response to Creation - 2012 Sangeeta Kalanidhi Designate Trichur V. Ramachandran

Mr. K. Srikantiah and the Parvathi family express great happiness and offer felicitations and best wishes to this year’s Sangeetha Kalanidhi designate Vidwan Trichur V. Ramachandran.

The Masters weave their magic - 1972!

L to R: Palghat Raghu, Vikku Vinayakaram,
Trichur V. Ramachandran, Parur M.S. Gopalakrishnan

We have already featured a much-appreciated concert of Vid. Ramachandran held in Parvathi during the 1974 festival.

We now have pleasure in featuring a 1972 concert of his, in the company of two other Sangeetha Kalanidhis, Vid. M. S. Gopalakrishnan and Vid. Palghat R. Raghu. This concert again shows the mesmeric attraction that the GNB bani has, with its verve, tempo and highly colourful repertoire. As if in response to audience requests, Sri TVR has sung in this concert all the GNB trademark compositions, including Ragasudharasa, Darini, Radhasametha Krishna. The accompaniment of Vid. MSG, Vid. Raghu and Vid. Vinayakram make this concert truly special.

Mr. Srikantiah recalls meeting Sri TVR first in Vidushi MLV’s house, whom she introduced as training under her with the national scholarship. Sri TVR later came and performed a few times in Parvathi in various festivals.

Mr. Srikantiah turns meditative as he recalls how five generations of musicians have come and sung in this home. To name some: Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer, Mysore Vasudevachar, Chowdiah, Ariyakudi, Musiri, TR Mahalingam, GNB, Alathur Bros., Madurai Mani Iyer, Semmangudi, MSS, DKP, MLV, KVN, MDR, TKR, Sathur, Somu, TVS, TVR, TRS, TSK, Lalgudi, TNS, MSG, TNK, Ramani, Doreswamy Iyengar, Emani, Chittibabu, MC, Mani Iyer, Palani, Raghu, Sivaraman, Ramabhadran, Upendran, Radha Jayalakshmi, Sikkil Sisters, Bombay Sisters, and many current stars like U Shrinivas, Mysore Nagaraj and Manjunath…the list is almost endless.

When we consider these great artistes, and the impact they had on the rasikas, we cannot but recall the famous words of India's Poet Laureate and 1974 Padmabhushan,"DVG"(D.V. Gundappa), in his 1943 opus Mankuthimmana Kagga, describing how music evokes feelings in us as our ultimate response to the wonderful creation around us:

Tune, scale and song; dance and dramatic fine art- all
Awaken from mind's slumber many moods
Expressing our innermost nature. Art is man's commentary
On the Supreme Spirit, oh Mankuthimma!

So again, our heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Vidwan Trichur Ramachandran!

CONCERT DETAILS

Ramanavami Concert March 29, 1972

Vocal: Trichur V. Ramachandran
Violin: M. S. Gopalakrishnan
Mridangam: Palghat R. Raghu
Ghatam : T. H. Vinayakram

Song List

01.Neranammithi – Kanada Varnam – Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar *** 02. Vinayaka Vghnanashaka-Vegavahini-Muthuswami Dikshitar ***03. Paraloka Sadhaname – Purvikalyani-Thyagaraja ***04. Ragasudharasa-Andolika-Thyagaraja ***05. Sada Palaya – Mohana – GNB *** 06. Teliyaleru Rama – Dhenuka – Thyagaraja *** 07. Darini Telisukonti – Suddha Saveri – Thyagaraja *** 08. Ananda Natesha – Todi- Ramaswamy Sivan *** 09. Paramukha melara – Suruti – Thyagaraja (also ascribed to Mannargudi Rajagopala Iyer) *** 10. Shankarabharana raga *** 11.Enduku Peddala-Shankarabharana-Thyagaraja *** 12. Himagiri Tanaye- Shuddha Dhanyasi – Muthiah Bhagavathar ***13. Sarasa sama dana – Kapi Narayani – Thyagaraja *** 14. Shloka – Hamsanandi, Dhanyasi, Begada, Kapi*** 15. Radha Mukha Kamala – Kapi – Papanasam Sivan *** 16. Radha Sametha Krishna – Mishra Yaman – Traditional *** 17. Sitakalyana Vaibhogame – Kurinji- Thyagaraja *** 18. Dhanashri Tillana – Swathi Thirunal *** 19. Mangalam ***

A Musical Downpour called Madurai Somu

Our blog rasikas have already rejoiced in two full concerts we have posted before, of Vidwan Madurai Somasundaram from the '70s. Simply put, come spring and summer, Mysore waited for Somu, or in other words a downpour. And Mysore is known for its early showers around Ramanavami, showers that cool down the whole town and instil a sense of well-being in people. Like the proverbial peacock whose dance heralds rain, Vidwan Somu invariably brought rain with his music at Parvathi. It was perhaps an example of what Karl Jung called synchronocity, the experience of two or more events, that are apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance, that are observed to occur together in a meaningful manner.

We think the best way to describe Somu's music is to call it a musical downpour. The way rain builds up, from a patter to a drizzle to a downpour and finally a roar. Music that floods our consciousness like an overflowing Cauvery. Momentarily we forget the raga, the song, the tala, and experience the pure joy of musical expression. His voice may be husky, his words may be indistinct, his phrases may be sporadic. Yet the music takes us to a different plane. We experience this at many places in the current concert (1973). We must warn you that the actual downpour (=rain) that day disrupted the recording many times and therefore you get to hear only a truncated version. There are some gems nevertheless. Evarani, Ragasudharasa, and a lovely Kalyani. Both Lalgudi Jayaraman (a bow that stresses its beauteous presence like Mysore jasmine) and Palghat Raghu (what a stamp of emphatic percussion!) have given superb accompaniment in the concert, and Kalyani brings it all together uniquely. Apparently it was Somu's own composition in Kalyani, wrought in Trishra Nadai, full of evocative words to worship the mother goddess: Paradevathe Sowbhagyavathi Maam Pahi Rajarajeshwari Kalyani Surasevithe Sukumari Gowri Aravinda nayani Atmarupini Karakamali Kamani Katyayani Chamundeshwari Amba Chandrakaladhari Sringerivase Vagaeeshwari Shyamakrishnasodari

The Concert Details Madurai Somasundaram ---- Vocal Kazhugumalai Kandaswamy ----- Vocal Support Lalgudi Jayaraman-------Violin Palghat Raghu-------------Mridangam Vinayakram--------Ghatam On April 11, 1973 at Ramanavami Festival, Parvathi. Song List 01-Mahaganesham-Jaganmohini-TBD-I *** 02-Pranavaswaroopa-Triveni-TBD *** 03-Krupajuchutaku-Chayatharangini-Thyagaraja *** 04-Paradevathe-Kalyani-TBD *** 05-Evarani-Devamruthavarshini- Thyagaraja*** 06-Ragasudharasa-Andolika-Thyagaraja *** 07-Raga-Kharaharapriya-I *** 08-Marudamalai-Darbarikanada-TBD *** 09-Bhajore Bhayya-Desh,Mand-Kabir *** 10-Nadabindu-Jinjhuti-Arunagirinathar *** 11-Elloru Varingal -continued *** 12-Rajarajeshwari Stotra-Ragamalika *** 13-Pavamana-Saurashtram-Thyagaraja ***

(I – Incomplete, TBD – to be determined) ( Please Note: The player does not roll over to the next piece of music. You may have to do it manually by clicking the right arrow )

The Role of Introspection in Carnatic Music – K. V. Narayanaswamy

[ Courtesy: Narada.Org ]

The 2010 December Season is upon us. Venerable newspapers are filled with concert reviews, reports of awards and speeches, as well as scholarly articles and discussions about topics such as the monetization of Carnatic music. We also read with fascination that jet-setting Carnatic music stars are busy tweeting on their smart phones from airport departure lounges. Perhaps that is when they are not appealing to the PM for remedying neglect of classical arts(!). We also hear that some have Facebook pages to shepherd their flock of fans. Of course there is no gainsaying that art cannot exist without an audience. But during a season reminiscent of the Kumbh Mela, it is a delightful task for us to sit back and wonder: What is the role of introspection in Carnatic music? Is Carnatic music only to feed audiences and hence on its way to head-banging rock cult status - a metamorphosis aided by media frenzy, or does it still retain some roots to nourish its avowed inner spiritual quest? Does a Carnatic music artiste introspect in the quest for reaching things beyond mundane success? The concert we feature this time in the sanctified precincts of Parvathi gives some answers. First let us look at the artistes. We have some astounding musicians. They would be called diggajas in Sanskrit. Palghat K.V. Narayanaswamy, Lalgudi G. Jayaraman, Palghat R. Raghu and T. H. Vinayak Ram. We don’t need to preface their names with titles or honorifics. Simply put, they are the lords of their art. They have given more than six decades of musical largesse to millions of ears. A piece of history: when Raghu, born in Burma, went as a very young man seeking discipleship to Palghat Mani Iyer, Mani Iyer was teaching mridangam accompaniment to a varnam being rendered by another student- KVN. Thus began their famous life-long association as fellow travellers in Carnatic music. And that self-same eternal effulgence of a varnam in Bhairavi sung on that day is the one that begins this concert, with the same musicians. And Raghu's unique way of enhancing KVN's music is the stuff of legends. Another piece of history: a newcomer Lalgudi Jayaraman performed first in Madras Music Academy when he provided violin accompaniment to another rising star: KVN. This was in 1948 and launched Lalgudi’s career (his first fan after that concert was GNB). These same two-some regale us with Ananda Bhairavi, Thodi and Bilahari here in this concert. You will remember their renditions for a long time. So KVN-LGJ-PRR. What a Trio indeed, ladies and gentlemen! But let us come back to the question of introspection. In this concert, we have a series of introspections by Carnatic composers. Music uniquely aids meditation. Hence it is called food for the soul. Carnatic music as a performing art is basically not demonstrative. It is introspective. And Carnatic music is replete with lovely krithis, all in the mould of introspections and conversations with God. It is fascinating to just think about the lyrical import of each song in this concert :

1. Shobhillu Saptaswara : Oh mind, meditate on the beauty of the seven notes that will lift you to the divine through your body: navel-heart-throat (Mainpura-Anahata-Vishuddhi chakras, Kundalini Yoga) 2. Manasa Guruguha : Oh mind, meditate on the divine, do not waste your precious human journey with outward distractions, surrender to your guru! 3. Entanuchu Sairintunu - Oh Rama, meditated upon by sages! Won’t You condescend to come near me even now? 4. Dasharathi - Oh Rama, how can I repay your debt? You have given me musical fame, and you’ve also given me the wisdom that liberates! 5. Sri Chamundeshwari: Oh Goddess of the (Chamundi) Hill, your divine deeds are worshipped by gods and mystics. I seek your grace! 6. Maataa Raamo, Jaanaati Raama – Rama, you're my mother, father, and everything – oh, for your glories! 7. Yake Bandi Jeeva – Oh soul, why did you give up the communion with God and take birth in this world of wretched goings-on? 8. Kandu Dhanyanaade – I have been blessed with the vision of the Lord! 9. Vanga Kadal – The last pasuram in Andal’s Thiruppavai wherein she describes the liberating power of loving worship of the mighty Lord who set up the churning of the sea.

If you think that we are reading some abstruse but unintended meaning into this concert repertoire, think again. K.V. Narayanaswamy was singularly meditative in his music. His interview and profile linked here are ample proof of a rare man who sought a higher realm through music. The Parvathi Concert Ramanavami Festival 1 April 1974 Palghat K.V. Narayanaswamy - Vocal Lalgudi G. Jayaraman – Violin Palghat R. Raghu – Mridangam T. H. Vinayak Ram - Ghatam Song List 01. Viriboni – Atatala Varnam – Bhairavi – Pachimiriyam Adiappaiya *** 02. Shobhillu Saptaswara – Jaganmohini – Thyagaraja*** 03. Manasa Guruguha – Ananda Bhairavi – Muthuswami Dikshithar*** 04. Entanuchu Sairinchunu – Yadukula Kambhoji – Thyagaraja*** 05. Dasharathi – Thodi – Thyagaraja *** 06. Sri Chamundeshwari – Bilahari – Mysore Vasudevachar *** 07. Maataa Ramo – Shloka – Kapi- Traditional *** 08. Jaanaati Raama – Shloka – Dwijavanti, Sindhu Bhairavi - Traditional *** 09. Yake Bandi Jeeva – Sindhu Bhairavi- Dasarapada *** 10. Kandu Dhanyanade – Behag – Kamalesha Dasa*** 11. Vanga Kadal – Suruti- Andal Thiruppavai***

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)”

,

Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna: “Mandiramu... manamandiramu”

A proceeding of Nov 29, 2009 in Bangalore Chowdiah Memorial Hall

The two Vidwans felicitated together - Kadri Gopalnath and 'Guru' Dr. M. Balamurlikrishna [ Photo: Courtesy Samath Kumar G.P. http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/30/stories/2009113053660400.htm ]

"I accept this as prasadam from Mysore T Chowdaiah and KK Murthy."

- Dr. Balamurli Krishna on Nov 29, 2009,

on receiving the K.K. Murthy Memorial T. Chowdiah Awards

"Terming the T. Chowdiah award as more a blessing than an award, Dr. Balamuralikrishna sang “Mandiramu... manamandiramu”, a Telugu song composed by himself, in honour of the renowned violinist the late Chowdiah and lover of music and architect of the T. Chowdiah Memorial Hall in the city, the late K. K. Murthy....] [Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/30/stories/2009113053660400.htm]

The evening began with a Vedagosha by Pt Balu Shastry and party, followed by an invocation by Suchethan Rangaswamy. Governor HR Bharadwaj, who was the chief guest, presented a cash prize of Rs1 lakh and a miniature violin each to the two pundits.
On receiving the award, Balamuralikrishna said, "I accept this as prasadam from Mysore T Chowdaiah and KK Murthy." He even rendered Mandiramu Manamandiramu composed by him when the hall was inaugurated.
[Courtesy: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_music-fest-climaxes_1318230]

A Proceeding of May 31, 2005 at the Chowdiah memorial Hall "in the name of the father"

Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi (L) giving the "K Puttu Rao Memorial Palghat Mani Iyer" award to legendary singer Dr M Balamuralikrishna (R) in Bangalore.

[Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/gallery/0320/032001.htm ]

The story begins, much... much earlier, in "Parvathi" (music included)

Vintage 1965 in "Parvathi" : M.Balamurlikrishna with M.S. Gopalakrishnan and T.V. Gopalakrishnan

[01-Saraguna-Todi Varnam-Balamuralikrishna; 02-Vandenishamaham-Hamsadhwani-Vasudevachar; 03-Thamralochani-Lathangi-Balamuralikrishna; 04-Emi Neramu-Shankarabharanam-Thyagaraja; 05-Nagumomu-Abheri-Thyagaraja; 06-Mere mana anat kahan sukh pave -Jaijaivanti- Hindi-Surdas; 07-Pibareramarasam- Ahir Bhairav-Sadashiva Brahmendra ; 08-Jamuna kinare-Misra Piloo-Swati Tirunal; 09-Naina bhaye-Shivaranjani-Surdas; 10-Shrithakamala-Ashtapadi-Jinjhuti-Jayadeva; 11-Thillana-Brindavana Saranga-Balamuralikrishna; 12-Pavamana-Mangalam-Thyagaraja;]

Remembering Dec 3 as Vidwan Maharajapuram Santhanam Day, Each Year

In remembering Maharajapuram Santhanam's great compositions and the great 'bhakti' in his singing, we are reminded simultaneously in thinking of the Lord Murugan (who was the 'self' in several of his compositions) and of the great Seer of Kanchi, Chandrasekhar Saraswati Swamigal for whom he had a very great devotion. Maharajapuram Santhanam was a very honored guest in "Parvathi" and was accompanied in his concerts by the greatest Vidwans of his times. In 1972 he was joined by M.Chandrasekharan (violin) and Palghat Raghu (mridangam). 1977 saw him featured with Chandrasekharan (again) along with Guruvayur Dorai (Mridangam) and Ramachar (Kanjira). The next year 1978 saw him with Lalgudi (Violin), Vellore Ramabhadran (Mridangam) and M.A.Krishnamurthy (Ghatam). He completed the hat trick in 1979 again with Lalgudi, Ramabhadran and MAK and such was his draw that he went on to perform at the same venue for the next four years; 1980 (MC-VR-Ramachar), 1981 (Lalgudi, VR, MAK), 1982 (Lalgudi, VR) and 1983 ( V. Thyagarajan, Tanjore Upendran) .

[Palghat Raghu - Maharajapuram Santhanam - M. Chandrasekharan - Vikku Vinayakaram at "Parvathi", Mysore, March 28, 1972 ]

The Concert April 18, 1978 at "Parvathi" Maharajapuram Santhanam ---Vocal Lalgudi Jayaraman --- Violin Vellore Ramabhadran --- Mridangam M.A.K Murthy --- Ghatam 

Song List

 01. Brochevarevare - Sriranjani; 02. Rararaghuveera - Atana; 03. Saramegaani - Pantvarali; 04_Enthanerchina - Shuddadhanyasi; 05. Theliyaleru - Dhenuka; 06. Najeevadhara - Bilahari; 07. UrakeGalguna - Sahana; 08. Thungatheeravirajam - Ragamalika; 9.  Bansiwale - Mohanakalayani;10. Sreechakraraja - Ragamalika; 11. Tathwameruga - Garudadhawani; 12. Thillana; 13. Mangalam.