The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Notes of praise mark close look into violinist’s ‘laya’ prowess

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Notes of praise mark close look into violinist’s ‘laya’ prowess

Staff Reporter

A lecture-cum-demonstration by disciples held

CHENNAI: Musicians, students of music, musicologists and listeners got together to have a peek into violin maestro Lalgudi G. Jayaraman’s laya prowess here on Friday.

Titled ‘Lalgudi – Laya vision’, the lecture-cum-demonstration organised by Sampradaya focussed on the legendary musician’s laya (sense of rhythm or timing in music), which manifested in his music, whether he wore the hat of an accompanist, soloist or composer.

Introducing the theme, president of Sampradaya and noted musician Alleppey Venkatesan said that as a very young accompanist Mr.Jayaraman would give fitting replies to intellectual challenges thrown by the main artistes.

“And mind you, the artistes he was accompanying were all giants,” he said.

Stunning grasp

Recalling the speed of Mr. Jayaraman’s stunning grasp and unbelievable reproduction of a pallavi set to Simhanandana talam in a lecture-cum- demonstration of Mudikondan Venkatrama Iyer, Mr. Venkatesan said: “That was a stupendous achievement.”

Ensuring stability in kalapramanam (pace), particularly while handling a languorous pace, is a mighty challenge. “And that is where he stands apart.

Pace

He could maintain the pace beautifully, no matter how slow or fast it was,” he said.

Placement accuracy

His playing also stood apart in terms of placement accuracy, where each unit of a particular rhythmic cycle fell in its place with a great degree of precision, he added.

“One would think sarvalagu playing would be child’s play for such an artist. However, to play after someone like Sri Madurai Mani Iyer who has sung an avarthanam (one cycle) of sarvalagu swaras in Kanada and make an impact is very difficult. But he could cover himself with glory even then,” he said.

Speaking at the event, N. Murali, managing director, The Hindu, and president, The Music Academy, said Mr. Jayaraman’s contribution to Carnatic music was immeasurable.

“He did not use technique to show off his prowess,” he said.

Mr. Murali said one of the most-cherished moments for the Music Academy in the last three years was when Mr. Jayaraman was honoured there in March. “I consider it a blessing to be associated with this function featuring one of the living legends and one of the all-time greats of Carnatic music,” he said.

A lecture-cum-demonstration by disciples of Mr. Jayaraman, Lalgudi G. J. R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, followed.

They played, used audio samples and interspersed them with interesting comments to bring out Mr. Jayaraman’s perspective on laya.

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