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ARTBEAT
Memorial award
Sri Thanjavur Sankara Iyer was awarded the Bharatiya Sangeetha Vaibhavam
Trust's M.S. Subbulakshmi Memorial Award, at a special function held at
Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium. The day itself happened to be MS's birthday.
The chief guest on the occasion was Sri N. Murali, president, The Music
Academy. and The other guests of honour were Professor T.R. Subramaniam and
Sri Atma. Professor TRS said Sankara Iyer distinguished himself as a Uthama
Vaaggeyakarar, as he had the combined ability to compose, notate and sing
compositions and he is really a musician's musician. Accepting the award,
Sri Sankara Iyer recalled what Professor TRS had said about Carnatic music
being the numero uno in the world of music and mentioned that it is
necessary that such a kind of attained status should be maintained forever
by our efforts. The event was followed by a concert by Sanjay Subramaniam
accompanied by Kumbakonam Kumabkonam Gopinath (violin), Arun Prakash
(mridangam) and Guruprasad (ghatam).
Woman composer
On a cloudy but cool Sunday morning , "Saashwatham," a fusion album as the
jacket called it, was released at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha. Young Saashwathi
Anand was the composer of the collection which was produced by AGI Music of
Malaysia. Saashwathi, a disciple of Lalgudi Jayaraman, is the granddaughter
of the late Yagnaraman, former secretary of the Krishna Gana Sabha. Anand
Moorthy husband of the composer welcomed the moderate gathering. which
included writer Sivasankari and Doordarshan A Natarajan. Agilan Lechaman,
Chairman AGI Music Malaysia, stressed that people should go beyond film and
devotional albums and start supporting other types of music. Film
director/cinematographer Rajiv Menon released the album. Said that no one
can "second guess" the audience and that the album has broken new grounds in
its conception. Film music composer, Ramesh Vinayakam, pointed out that
there have been few women composers and he was happy to welcome Saashwathi
into the world of composing. Sudha Raghunathan, who felicitated Saashwathi
said she was amazed at the passion the composer had for music, even as a
young child when she used to attend her concerts at the Sabha. She turned
emotional as she recalled the service of Yagnaraman, the late secretary of
Krishna Gana Sabha and Saashwathi's grandfather. feeling the absence of the
Sabha's former General Secratary R Yagnaraman who also happens to be the
paternal grand father of Saashwathi and believed that he would Bless her
from the heaven. It was yet another Carnatic musician, Aruna Sairam received
the album. She reiterated that Guru Bhakthi alone will carry one to greater
heights and also stressed the importance of the support of the husbands for
women to come up and shine in any field. All the speakers that day paid rich
tributes to Violin maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman was present to bless his
disciple. A few songs from the CD were played on the occasion. between
speeches of the special invitees. TV anchor and actor Vijai Adhiraj steered
the show with wit and humour. his compered the show very well with his
subtle jokes. The lyricists for the album Brinda Jayaraman and Indhu Balaji
were honoured. Saashwathi proposed the vote of thanks.
Couplets in CD
Thamizh Maiyam released an Audio CD, "Vazhum Valluvam - Aram -1," containing
60 couplets from Thirukkural rendered musically. The launch of the CD, held
recently at Anna University, showcased a dance performance by Avignya. where
the songs were re-created in visual form. form to convey their meaning. One
was particularly impressed by the postures for 'Katradhanalaya Payanenkol'
and 'Piravipperunkadal Neendhuvar.' The CD opens with nagaswaram music and
the first canto, 'Kadavul Vazhthu' is rendered by Karthik and Kalpana and a
chorus team. The chapter Meyyunardhal begins with a chitta swaram of sorts
in Anandha Bhairavai followed by Rithigowlai, Kaanada, Karnaranjani and
Bhagyashree, rendered by Mumbai Jayashree. Each chittaswaram is followed by
a couple of kurals. Aruna Sairam's sings "Yadhenin", the first kural from
"Thuravu" where her voice by its nature fits that of a seer of Valluvar's
stature. She renders the other kurals also with an equal force. The
background music provided for this segment reminded one of the many western
styles and the patterned style characteristic of Isaignani Ilayaraja. The
music and orchestration for this CD has been done by Jesurajan. Sowmya has
rendered ten couplets from "Neethar Perumai." with deftly handled music with
the ragam Hamsanadham in play. The rise and fall at Seyarkariya Seyvar
Periyar(rise), Siriyar (fall) suit and emphaise the lyrics with good
impact..O S Arun while rendering "Thavam" is able to capture and create the
necessary mood while singing the kurals. Srinivas' couplets from
"Aruludaimai" have imaginative swaras to preface the kural "Arul Illarku".
The female accompanying voice in this track has been omitted to be
mentioned.
The kurals rendered by Jayashree are needlessly repeated in the same format
by a choir as the seventh item. Another chapter may have been included
instead. The CD is professionally got up with the couplets printed on the
sleeve, though in fine font. And may be - Thiruvalluvar's saintly portrait
could have adorned the face cover of the CD. The music at some odd places
tends to overshadow the lyrics. Rev. Jagath Casper Raj, Managing Trustee
made a fervent appeal to the public to make this CD (Rs. 60) a gift item and
thereby spread the message of Valluvar far and wide. An appeal worth
endorsing and implementing in good faith. (The price of the CD is Rs.60/-)
ANJANA RAJAN
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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