Ganesh-Kumaresh - Shanmukhananda Sabha-10.3.2012- Being welcomed by the Sabha

Ganesh-Kumaresh at Shanmukhananda Sabha on 10th March 2012

It appeared as if the evening was dedicated to Shri Thyagaraja Swamigal……At various points, both the brothers were referring to some kritis of the Saint….the main kriti was of the Satguru's only....

The concert which started by 7 pm went almost up to 9.45 pm . It was a clear exhibition of scintillating , clean bow play, typical of their customary high speed style, splendidly accompanied by Shri V.Ramamurthy on the Mridangam and Shri Giridhar Udupa on the Ghatam.. There was no protocol as the accompanists were playing for both the brothers in tandem ! The Thani was extensive. I think , it took almost 25 minutes. !

Starting with a pleasing Nattai varnam, the duo moved to Sahana….

Then Kumaresh played an extensive alapana on Reethi Gowlai and explained the concept of RAGA PRAVAHAM which the brothers have been playing of late . The duo infact had launched during the previous week through Times Music at Mumbai which was inaugurated by Maestro Shri Zakir Hussain ( there was an interview too on Times Now wherein the brothers gave a an explanation on Ragapravaham ).
“ Now , we are going to play an unique composition , a form which we have introduced in carnatic music, or rather we will have to say that this is a reintroduction……because this was the original form of music …..for example, in Reedhi Gowlai….we have many kritis like Nannu vidachi, paripalayamam etc …if it is sung , you understand the meaning and enjoy…when it is played through an instrument, you enjoy while hearing the melody….…so, when it is played , whether it has lyric or not, it is Reedhi gowlai only no ?…..vaarthai irundhaalum illaataalum idhu reedhi gowlai dhaane…. So , why not have a composition which is purely melodic and can be played on the Violin ( or any other instrument ) with all the aesthetics of the instrument in its glory….so, keeping that aspect in mind, we have introduced many compositions in the title raga pravaham….and today, it will be on Reethi Gowlai. "

It was a 7 minute pleasant experience…

A creative artist should be given full freedom to try innovations without disturbing the already established convention…..after all, these 2 have been immensely contributing to carnatic music for more than 30-35 years…going forward, we are bound to witness some thousands of compositions like these which will not be linked to any lyric or kriti but will definitely benefit the future generation in the form of instrumental music melodies…..i view this as a great giant step forward …something to be appreciated………

Next item was Begada ..a fast paced Harinarayana Harinarayana Harinarayana enu manavu , the Purandara Dasar Kriti… Midway, Ganesh also sang the charanam …Vijyana satiyinda phalavaayitu adu gajaraajaninda dore hannaaidu

There was Kalyani alapana by Ganesh which also had the ragapravaham….

As a prelude to the main kriti, a brilliant 15 minute Karaharapriya alapana by Ganesh was followed by Chakkani Raja.. the neraval section had some vocal swaras too by Ganesh…

The concert touched its crescendo when a long sequence of ragas were played continuously … Ganesh spoke …" We become emotional when we talk about Thyagaraja Swamigal for his contribution and for what he has done to carnatic music. We are going to play medley of compositions as a dedication to him. We have taken the ragas composed by Thyagaraja Swamigal , especially the Desaadhi thala kritis which have a structure sounding the same… like for example …..Sitapathe naamanasuna….. Maajanaki chetapattaga… Orajupuchu…..these are compositions which have common ragas….So now, we are going to take the ragas Manoranjani,Sindhuramakriya, Jayanthashri, Kalanidhi, Kapi Narayani , Chenchukhambhoji, Kesari, Chandrayothi, Saraswathi manohari, Hamsanadham , Gambeera vani, Nalinakanthi, Kuntalavarali, Deepakam, Kaikavasi,Nagaswarali, Bhushavali, Margahindholam, Bhairavi and Balamanjari ….and create a medly of composition…we will take a raga, do a pallavi, use another raga for anupallavi and the third one for charanam, make a garland and dedicate to the Saint…."

As rightly mentioned by Ganesh, it was like a beautiful journey… in around 20 minutes, we were made to hear 20 ragas in cascade following pallavi / anupallavi / charanam order …they were also played in different speeds …..breathtaking moments…

Then, Ganesh sang a nice Behaag composition … Aazimazai kanna ….un thiru aravinda malaradi charanam.. while Kumaresh played the support . This must be their own.

Sindhubhairavi thillana was the penultimate one….

The concluding part had Bagya Lakshmi baramma and Harivarasanam together

The audience gave a standing ovation at the end. All through the concert , there were frequent responses from the large crowd present !

To take a leaf out of their website, it was virtuosity, perfect layam and novel innovations soaked in the grammar of Carnatic music on the violin .

Master Karthik - Winner - Junior category-Jaya TV - Carnatic idol 2012

A very happy moment to cherish for our Mumbai Carnatic Music Forum which is giving opportunities for budding talent in Mumbai. Master Karthik is one of the young aspirants who religiously participates in all the concerts and takes notes with dedication. The kind of commitment that he shows is something admirable and  he very well deserves the title .  Hats off to Gokul Chandramouli, Karthik's Guru who has given all the basics of music ....

Shri Pudukode Padmanabhan honoured at Balaji Mandir - Charkop-26.2.2012

Thyagaraja Aradhana-Balaji Mandir-Charkop-26.2.2012-Shri Pudukode Padmanabhan - Pancharatna kriti

Thyagaraja Aradhana-Balaji Mandir-Charkop-26.2.2012-Shri Pudukode Padmanabhan and disciples -Kritis

Thyagaraja Aradhana at Balaji Mandir - Charkop-26.2.2012- Shri Pudukode Padmanabhan and disciples

Carnatic music concerts in Mumbai during March 2012

3.3.12 - 6.30 pm - Shyama Shastri and Subbaraya Shastri day celebrations-Shanmukananda

10.3.12 - 6.30 pm - Shri Ganesh-Kumaresh - accompanied by Shri V.Ramamurthy , Mridangam and Shri Giridar Udupa , Ghatam - Shanmukananda

17.3.12- 4.00 pm - Vocal - Vijayalakshmi Subramanian - Chembur Fine Arts
6.30 pm- Vocal - O.S.Thyagarajan - Chembur Fine Arts

24.3.12 - 6.30 pm - Ms. Keertana Vaidyanathan - Vocal -Shanmukananda

25.3.12- 6.30 pm - Ms. Shreya Devanath- Violin solo-Shanmukananda

29.3.12  7 pm - Shri Lalgudi G.J.R.Krishnan and Smt Vijayalakshmi - Violin Duet - Nehru Centre- organised by Dhakshinayan - Banyan Tree

29.3.12-  9 pm - Shri T.M.Krishna - Vocal - Nehru centre - Organised by Dhakshinayanan - Banyan Tree

30.3.12- 7 pm- Shri Umayalpuram Sivaraman- Mridigangam solo - Nehru centre - Organised by Dhakshinayanan - Banyan Tree

31.3.12 - 6.30 pm - Patnam Subramania Iyer, Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar, Muthaiah Bhagavathar, Mysore Vasudevachar & other Contemporary Composers Day-Shanmukananda

31.3.12 - 6.30 pm - Lifetime achievement award being given to Shri Umayalpuram Sivaraman  at Powai Fine Arts, followed by Unique Mridangam Solo by UKS. This  Unique Mridangam programme has been shifted to 1st April 2012 as given below :


Due to an unprecedented response and registration for our Workshop "Face to Face with the Legend ", we have been compelled to change the venue for the same to S M Shetty School Auditorium, Powai between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Sunday April 1, 2012.

There is no Registration Fee for the workshop. All are welcome