Friday, November 25, 2011

Shrimathi Kalyani Sharma conferred Sangeeta Guru Shreshtaa title by Powai Fine Arts

Powai Fine Arts honoured the title as a mark of recognition for the 2 great Tutors of Carnatic Music for their monumental contribution for the development of classical music in Mumbai. Here is an article written by Mrs. Bhanu Kumar in Mulund Powai Times : http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/35/201110152011101415481062967c480f3/Confluence-of-Cognizance.html The program was indeed unique, both in the conception and execution. The performing artistes and teachers who operate in the area of Powai got together to celebrate Devi Navavarna Mahotsavam, hosted by Powai Fine Arts at the SM Shetty School Auditorium on the evening of October 9, in close sequel to Vijayadasami. What better opportunity than this to honour one of the greatest musicians of the area, Kalyani Sharma, a performing Vocalist, Vainika and a teacher by vocation and passion. The evening began with the formal lighting of the lamp and in a deviation from practice the ladies in the audience were called to light the lamp, in the true spirit of Navaratri. Dr Ramakrishnan expressed his happiness in honouring such a meritorious guru and read out the citation. The title of Sangeeta Guru Shreshtaa was conferred upon Kalyani Sharma by PFA and Anantarama Bhagavathar, senior musician from Chembur presented the citation. He congratulated PFA on its efforts and opined that encouragement by way of recognition to local artistes is very important and sabhas in Mumbai should do it. Janaki Krishnamoorthy, senior disciple of Kalyani Sharma paid befitting tribute to her guru while Alamelu Mani, senior singer and contemporary of Kalyani Sharma praised her dedication and shared memories of their melodic journey and joint ventures as musical buddies. Kalyani Sharma in her acceptance speech thanked the organizers. Sidhi Krishnamoorthy, disciple of Sharma explained the significance of the Varnams and the nine chakras. “Gurus together sharing a platform in a program is a rare occurrence and hosting this as a sabha program has happened for the first time in Mumbai,” informs Dr.G Ramakrishnan, President of PFA. Invocation to Ganesha, Dhyana Slokam, nine sequences of Kamakshi Navavarnam composed by Oothukadu Venkata Subbayyar and the final mangalam added up to twelve items in the repertoire. It was a concocted whole using both music and dance to bring out the quintessential bhakti bhava towards Devi. Students of Kalyani mami, along with Mala Shankar and Bala Swaminathan presented the Navavarnams in well synchronized sweetness. The dance gurus of the area, Dr Padmini Radhakrishnan, Dr Suman Badami, Dr Sailaja Desai and Pavitra Bhatt joined in for dance items. Kalyani Navavarnam was the first item when the dancers joined in. “The dancers were so good and matched the excellent choreography. Pavitra Bhatt was the only male dancer and younger than others. Padmini Radhakrishnan, a guru more than a performer looked like the goddess herself,” says Bala Swaminathan. “I would have loved to put up my students as I seldom dance. This was my solo after nearly 25 years. I did Sakhala Loka Nayaki, the seventh Navavarnam in Ragam Arabhi and I had excellent vocal support and the experience was amazing. I really appreciate the efforts of the organizers,” says Dr Padmini Radhakrishnan. “Her presence was very divine and stately. It was a great honour to share the platform with her. The last item the Mangalam was choreographed backstage impromptu just before we entered the stage and we did the Kalinga Narthanam sequence and it came out very well,” says Dr Suman Badami. “We just had a few hours of rehearsal with the orchestra and felt pretty nervous. But singers’ support was so good that we could dance through with ease,” adds Badami.“It is such a nice feeling that gurus can get together and perform on the same stage, putting behind differences in style of dance and competition,” says Dr Sailaja Desai, Kuchipudi exponent and guru from Powai. Pavithra Bhatt, the ever busy dancer could snatch time for the rehearsal and performance and drew an appreciative applause from the viewers. Dr Padma Ramakrishnan, renowned gynecologist from the area waxed into an emotional speech on the qualities of ‘mother’. “The ladies of the music group of Powai took great effort from the decoration to preparation and distribution of prasadam,” says Bala Swaminathan, singer guru from Powai. For the audience the program was an audio visual treat and they carried home not only the transient sweetness of the Laddoo prasadam but the lingering flavour of the programme.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Maharajapuram Ramachandran's concert at Mulund Fine Arts on 22nd October 2011

A review by Smt Bhanu Kumar on Times of India :

Classic Concert








Bhanu Kumar

Posted On Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:57:01 AM





Music lovers of Mulund thoroughly enjoyed the concert



The program was a study in proper concert technique. Maharajapuram Ramachandran, veteran vocalist from Chennai presented a quality concert at the Kalidas Auditorium, Mulund West on October 22 evening. The program was hosted by Mulund Fine Arts Society for the benefit of their members and special invitees.



It was a typical Carnatic concert with all the requisite features and finesse. A seasoned Vidwan Ramachandran adhered to the norms throughout .Starting the musical evening with a brisk Begada Varnam, he went on to present a Ganpati Keertana in Nattai ragam which had the audience nodding their heads in endorsement. Seetamma Mayamma in ragam Vasanta came next preceding the detailed delineation of Kalyana Vasantham.



Extensive treatment of Shankarabharanam and Ragam Tanam Pallavi in Hamir Kalyani and a garland of various ragas blended into a whole completing the repertoire. The raga vistaras, the swara sessions and other nuances brought out the elements that are proud possessions of Carnatic music.



Admirable violin support by Nagai Murlidharan and Mridangam support by Mannarkudi Easwaran was finely tuned. The thani avartanam played by Easwaran was rendered with amazing aplomb. “It is very important to have rapport with the accompanying artistes. Being very senior players, they were absolutely supportive of the concert,” says Ramachandran.



Tracing his journey of music spanning over 35 years, Ramachandran recalls his training under his illustrious father Maharajapuram Santhanam.“Being the eldest son I had the distinctive advantage of not only learning directly from my father but would sit behind him on stage during concerts and join him whenever he indicated. It was on the spot decision from him asking me to sing an alaap or neraval. It was almost like an internship.



I learnt more on stage than at home. I remember when my father asked me to sit next to him. It was, as mentioned in leading periodical Kalki, a sort of promotion for me followed by a string of Jugalbandi concerts. Then it was time for my solo concerts starting with Krishna Gana Sabha in the year 1978.



With all the advantage of recognition as member of a musical family and acquaintance with leading sabha office bearers, the journey has been full of hard work to sustain the good name. I would always be compared with my genius father and would work towards living up to the high expectations.



This is one way of converting the disadvantage of being compared to distinct advantage by proving yourself,” says Ramachandran. “It was a concert which was not only elevating but an educative one. Younger generation performers should emulate such vidwans for the preservation of music parampara,” says Sita Jayaraman from the committee of Mulund Fine Arts.



“The rasikas in Mulund were amazing. They waited till midnight when the concert got over and were very appreciative,” says the artiste. “I just did not feel like leaving though it was past 11.30 pm. The concert was so absorbing that I did not notice the passing of time,” says Vishnupriya, an ardent fan of music. Ramachandran proved his lineage and musical heritage that has over generations made their village Maharajapuram proud.





CARNATIC MUSIC CONCERTS IN MUMBAI DURING NOVEMBER 2011

Sat Nov 5 7:00pm – 10:00pm Vocal - Shri Sikkil Gurucharan - Chembur Fine Arts

Mon Nov 7  
6:30pm – 9:00pm
- Ganakala Vidya Nilayam


Tue Nov 8 6:00 pm onwards - Vocal - Malladi Brothers - Chinmaya Mission - Powai


6:30pm – 9:00pm
- Ganakala Vidya Nilayam

Wed Nov 96:30pm – 9:00pm
- Ganakala Vidya Nilayam 

      

Thursday No 10
6:30pm – 9:00pm
- Ganakala Vidya Nilayam

 

Sat Nov 12 6:30pm – 9:30pm Vocal - Shri TNSeshagopalan - Shanmukananda Sabha



Sun Nov 20 6:00pm – 8:30pm Vocal - Ms.Sowmya Sridhar - Jasubhai Convention Hall - Shanmukananda



6:00pm – 8:30pm Vocal - Ms. Manasi Prasad - Rasika Ranjani Sabha - Ghatkopar



Sat Nov 26 6:00pm – 8:30pm Vocal - Ms.Sruthi Sairam - Jasubhai Convention Hall - Shanmukananda



Sun Nov 27 6:00pm – 9:00pm Vocal - Ms.Sowmya - Shanmukananda Sabha


Sun Nov 27 6.00 TO 7.30 P.M. VEENA RECITAL by Kum. VIDYANANDI IYER (VEENA)

Sri ROHIT PRASAD : MRIDANGAM

7.45 TO 10.00 P.M. MUSIC CONCERT

Kum. POORNIMA KRISHNAN Vocal /Sri V.BALAKRISHNAN: VIOLIN / Sri RAJESH SRINIVASAN: Mridangam / Sri N.Y. EASWARAN Ganjira