For those of you seeking music, you may find some under 'Audio' (below) or in an index regarding the others under the 'Audio Postings' Label . We will either be embedding some concerts of the Vidwans in the 'Audio Postings'section itself or providing pointers to the appropriate posting in which they could be found
The Star of Mysore and ಮೈಸೂರುಮಿತ್ರ newspapers have more than 70% circulation in the city of culture and royalty. Sri. Ganapathy, its founder-editor, was a long-time friend and associate of Sri. K. Srikantiah. He penned this tribute himself in April 2025, around the Ramanavami festival time.
We regret to report that Sri K. B. Ganapathy himself left us a couple of days back. May his spirit, always ebullient, stay connected with us always!
Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna in the home of Parvathi - 1967
There has never been a more prolific and multifaceted musician in Indian music than Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. As one who composed in all the 72 melakartas as a teenager, as one who conquered Madras audiences while still being an "Outsider", as one who was the only classical male vocalist to make a mark in film music, in light music, as well as in devotional music across languages, and achieve fame and reverence as a vocalist among Hindustani music audiences, he did it all. His appeal to Hindustani audiences was such that he was featured alongside Bhimsen Joshi and Kishori Amonkar! No raga or composer escaped his masterly treatment. What appeared as an effortless ease on the stage was the product of a genius honed to perfection in Nature's bosom.
BMK, as he was affectionately called by Madras audiences, once proudly claimed that no award or honour due to a musician would ever be denied to him. He also claimed he enjoyed eating ice-cream just before a concert!
M. Balamuralikrishna rose meteorically to fame in the 1960s through his innovative approach to Carnatic music and his expanding influence beyond traditional concert settings. By the late 1960s, he was hailed as one of the most famous Carnatic singers, known for his brilliant voice, mastery over multiple instruments, and prolific compositions.
Balamuralikrishna successfully wielded administrative roles, notably as music producer and later programme director for All India Radio (AIR) in Vijayawada and Hyderabad. He launched the influential early morning devotional radio show "Bhakti Ranjani," which became widely popular and was later adopted by other stations. These roles helped him create new audiences for Carnatic music and brought his artistry to a broader public.
In this house concert, conducted at the residence of Sri. K.K. Murthy, the younger brother of Sri. K. Srikantiah, BMK's forte across all these dimensions, is on full display. His own compositions shine with his unique treatment. He sings the songs that he made famous - be it a song of Jayadeva or of any other composer, even in the film world!
The way BMK sings Amrithavarshini, Shanmukhapriya, Kapi...they will linger long in our hearts and minds.
We are posting the last few remaining archive recordings left behind by Sri. K. Srikantiah... with a sense of duty and fulfilment.
Sangeetha Kalanidhi Vid. Sudha Raghunathan - Sri Ramanavami 2007
One of the favourites of the Parvathi audiences, and a celebrated concert artiste for over three decades, Vid. Sudha Raghunathan performed in 2007 at Parvathi to a full house. Unfortunately, the audio we can retrieve is a "hall recording" with significant sound degradation. However, the concert stands as a testament to Vid. Sudha's calibre and concert aesthetics.
We decided to ask Perplexity.AI to list five notable facts about Vid. Sudha. Here is what it told us!!!
Here are the five best things one can say about Vid. Sudha Raghunathan:
One of India’s foremost Carnatic vocalists and a Padma Bhushan awardee: Sudha Raghunathan is widely recognized as one of the leading exponents of Carnatic music, having been honored with some of the country's highest civilian awards including the Padma Bhushan (2015) and Padma Shri (2004).
Recipient of the prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi: She was awarded the Sangeetha Kalanidhi by the Madras Music Academy, a distinction regarded as the highest honor in Carnatic music, and she was among the youngest to receive it, marking a generational transition in the field.
Innovator and global ambassador for Carnatic music: Sudha has evolved a distinctive style, blending tradition with innovation, and has performed at major venues worldwide, including being the only Carnatic musician after M.S. Subbulakshmi to sing at the United Nations. Her repertoire spans over 200 albums and includes forays into film and fusion music.
Dedicated disciple and torchbearer of a legendary lineage: She is a direct disciple of the legendary Dr. M.L. Vasanthakumari, and has carried forward her guru’s legacy, both musically and in her approach to professionalism, resilience, and stage presence.
Committed philanthropist and educator: Beyond music, Sudha Raghunathan has made significant contributions to society through her Samudhaaya Foundation, supporting numerous social causes including health, education, and disaster relief, and actively promoting music education and outreach.
These qualities underscore her artistic excellence, pioneering spirit, and social commitment, making her a role model in the world of Indian classical music and beyond.
Concert Details
Sudha Raghunathan - Vocal
Mysore V. Srikanth - Violin
C. Cheluvaraj - Mridangam
M.A. Krishnamurthy - Ghatam
Date: 27 March 2007.
Sri Ramanavami Festival conducted at the home of "Parvathi".
Song List
Shloka and Mathe Malayadhwaja - Khamach - Muthiah Bhagavatar
Vatapi Ganapathim - Hamsadhwani - M. Dikshitar
Shloka and Jaya Jaya Janakikantha - Nata - Purandaradasa
with Lalgudi Jayaraman, Vellore Ramabhadran, M.A. Krishnamurthy
Prof. T. R. Subramanyam
Master of his manodharma ( Quote from Sruti Magazine, Nov.2013)
The musical style of TRS was innovative. His performance was always based on robust fundamentals.
Rhythmic dominance did condition his rendition. TRS treaded a path laid and determined by himself. It was at once conventional and unconventional. As a master of many musical forms he indulged in endless experimentation, striving to strike a judicious balance between swara and laya. Subbudu referred to TRS as an embodiment of Tala, Raga and Swara (TRS). TRS was indeed a maestro with a difference, because the impressions of his preceptors pale into insignificance when contrasted with his individualism.
(Unquote)
We are now approaching the last mile of Parvathi concert uploads. This is also the period when we remember the last year without the most gracious presence of Sri. K. Srikantiah in physical terms amongst us. So, we thought it best to share excerpts from a great concert of the redoubtable TRS with stellar accompaniment. The recording we retrieved begins in the middle of a robust Kalyani, with a strike rate worthy of the best of T20 innings. But as the Kalyani proceeds with the Sawaal-Jawaab format with Lalgudi, we realise this is nothing like short and fiery T20 innings. The maestro goes on striking the boundaries in his elaborate swara prasthara. Lalgudi, whom by the way TRS idolised, holds nothing back. This was the glory days of these great musicians and also the best of times at Parvathi festivals!
Concert Details:
T.R.Subramanyam-vocal
Lalgudi Jayaraman - violin
Vellore Ramabhadran - mridangam
M.A.Krishnamurthy - ghatam
30-3-1977 during Sri Ramanavami festival at Parvathi.
For this Finale Post, we have picked up a typical Sanjay concert. This Sangita Kalanidhi has many facets in his concert presentations but we rarely hear of his exploits and spoils outside the concert stage!
We don't have a great quality recording this time although this concert is of relative recency given the Parvathi reputation for posting concerts of vintage of fifty years and more.
The song list is sufficiently evocative. See that range of ragas, composers. The amount of vocal innovation evident in this concert is simply astounding. The repeated and loud applause that greets both vocal and violin solo portions speaks of an enthusiastic and delighted audience that filled the Jaganmohan Palace auditorium that day.
Come the summer of 2024 and we have disputes, debates, controversies and campaigns for all kinds of reasons in all spheres. Even a jolly Darshini type of cafe named after Rameshwaram is not spared from attacks. How peaceful, then, to enjoy a full-fledged concert by the evergreen hero of Parvathi, Vid. K.J. Yesudas!
This is being shared now as a part of the Parvathi Finale. Look at the impressive song list! There are many sound bites from the master singer about the values and styles to be pursued in classical music.
Vajajakshi - Kalyani - Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar
Sri Gananatham - Kanakangi - Thyagaraja
Speech clarifying the rare Kanakangi song
Pavanaguru-Hamsanandi-Lalithadasa
Speech dedicating the concert to Sri. Puttu Rao and family
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.
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