The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Lalgudi Jayaraman’s varnams for posterity too, thanks to DVD release

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 13, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Lalgudi Jayaraman’s varnams for posterity too, thanks to DVD release

Staff Reporter

They are grouped into the ragas of Nilambari, Charukesi, Shanmugapriya and Navarasa

— Photo: S.Thanthoni

A BOON FOR LEARNERS: N. Murali, president of The Music Academy, releasing a four DVD pack of lessons and renderings of varnams composed by violinist Lalgudi G. Jayaraman at a function in Chennai on Thursday. Dancer Chitra Vishveswaran, ‘Cleveland’ V.V. Sundaram (right) and K.S. Sudhakar of Swathi Soft Solutions (second from right), are in the picture.

CHENNAI: The musical richness of yesteryears and the prowess of renowned violinist Lalgudi G. Jayaraman were hailed by speakers at the release of ‘Pada varnams,’ a four DVD pack of lessons in and renderings of varnams composed by him on Thursday.

The DVDs were grouped into four raagas—Nilambari, Charukesi, Shanmugapriya and Navarasa (Ragamalika)—and have introduction to the varnams, interactive teachings by Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi and clippings of Mr. Jayaraman’s lecture demonstrations retrieved from the archives of Krishna Gana Sabha.

Releasing the DVDs, N. Murali, president of The Music Academy and Managing Director of The Hindu, said technology played a pivotal role in passing on the legendary compositions to the next generation. The DVDs would be a boon to those who could not get training under Mr. Jayaraman, and his compositions and lecture demonstrations would teach the nuances of self-composed varnams.

Receiving the first copy, dancer Chitra Vishveswaran said the package was a must for every musician and dancer. “The music ‘parampara’ is documented through technology and should be preserved for posterity. Even a quick look at the lessons is bound to enhance the knowledge of musicians.” On the relationship between music and dance, she said dance must become music of the body, which would add a poetic appeal to the movements. Mr. Jayaraman is a great teacher, and the DVDs will provide an authentic version of his compositions.

‘Cleveland’ V.V. Sundaram, who has been organising cultural festivals in the U.S. for three decades, said the varnams, primarily composed for dance, left enough room for ‘bhava’ without compromising on the ‘raaga lakshanam.’

He said celebrated musicians of India regarded Mr. Jayaraman as a gift to the world of Carnatic music.

K.S. Sudhakar of Swathi Soft Solutions, which has brought out the DVDs, spoke.

A live concert of Mr. Jayaraman’s compositions, with Ms. Vijayalakshmi on vocal, Mr. Krishnan on the violin, Anil Srinivasan on the piano and B.S. Purushotam on the kanjira followed.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu