Ideas & Views

Have uploaded some more carnatic songs (apart from what is hosted here) for listening at esnips website. The links are below. Especially, check out V.S.Narasimhan's carnatic songs set to violin in western quartet. Bombay Jayashri: http://www.esnips.com/web/aarthisbombayjayashri RanjaniGayatri: http://www.esnips.com/web/aarthisranjanigayatri Others: http://www.esnips.com/web/OtherCarnatic

Initially, I was captivated by Smt. Aruna Sairam after hearing her Ksetra-Srirangam album. (one reason is that Srirangam is my native and am raised in srivaishnavite culture). Not totally, because her chanting of pasurams in that album was quite intimidating to my ears. She should have sung the pasurams instead of chanting pasurams like that. Pasurams are never chanted like that. Chathumurai solrathu is different. Pasurams could be chanted in what is called a Sandhai . But not like Odhuvar style as Aruna has done in Ksetra-Srirangam album. After listening to some other songs of hers in Youtube, esp her Vittala Vittala repetition in all her Abhangs, I lost some apetite for her music. I got the illusion that she attracts audiene by compromising standards. But, when I listened to this, I got stunned and stumped. The pasuram followed by Kurai Ondrum Illai touched me very emotionally. I donno if anyone has experienced this before. You are visiting the Temple after many years and perumal

Manickkam Katti Lullaby ------------------- ---------- Tears rolled down as I listened to this "Manickam Katti", totally giving in to my emotions shamelessly. My recent loss has to be cried over and over. I was too moved to control my tears. I needed to release my disappointment as tears, felt absolutely relieved after wiping them. No one can render a lullaby to this extent. How can whatever you felt be described. It can only be felt, allowing the emotions conveyed to be soaked in every nerve and vein. Divine tranquilizer and Goddess Jayashri ! Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA Tillana -------- It is as if her guru Lalgudi Sir composed it only for her to sing it. What a guru! Cudn't write anything. Just listen to this one in Raga Yamankalyani, composed by Sri. Lalgudi Jayaraman. Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA Kannamma ----------------- When I heard this new album 'Kannamma' of

A dying man's diary of childhood dreams and how to live. Read it again with no negative connotations. I read the column on Wall Street Journal (paper edition, not online) by the journalist who attended Randy's last lecture at Carnegie Mellon and who had co-authored this book with Randy's narration. That made me curious to want to read the book. Randy sounded very similar to my personality, a person with a balance of optimism and realism, focused and slightly geeky! (Pardon me if I sounded presumptuous, that's not the idea) Hence I could give it a normal reading, not allowing the words and incidences to move me. Except at one point , I did feel this. Life after having lost my father in my early twenties is tough enough. Growing up without even a concept of Father is going to be miserable for Randy's one year old daughter. My sincere prayers for the family of Randy. Not the kind that cud take too much preachy stuff, few pieces of advice that I wud definitely carry

Been listening to all of RG's albums released thru Rajalakshmi Audio recently. I almost nagged a friend of mine who visited India to buy their albums especially. I am using my accident and disability leave time to listen to them day and night. What can be said about this duo! On the first hearing, it made me drop things from my hand, stop from doing everything else, wide open my eyes towards my music system, and gape in awe. Their sweet honey dew melody and razor sharp synchronization were what struck me first. Then as I listened more and more, their care in planning the concert, their maintaining individual space and creativity during raga alapana and kalpanaswaras deserved notice and respect. How much ever synchronization is achieved in sangathis and mudivus , that much space is also present for each's display of vocal capabilities and imagination. Ranjani's sounded to be a base voice with the right amount of tonal variations and Gayatri's slightly shrille

Old man and his God & Wise and Otherwise: Sudha Murty, who is Mrs. Narayana Murty, is also the Chairman of Infosys Foundation, the charity wing of the mega software firm. The two books she has authored are a collection of narrations from real life experiences of Sudhaji. She comes across a wide spectrum of people during her numerous field trips. Field work refers to the trips she makes to remote rural villages including tribal regions deep inside Karnataka forests when she ventures to make sure the Foundation's funds reach the right person for the right reason. Her contemplations and reflections observed during these and other day-to-day social activities in Bangalore has turned into two touching volumes of valuable reading. Few of her encounters and lessons learned were very elevating to the mundane mind. Thanks to Sudhaji for taking time to write her invaluable experiences in a simple and lucid style.

Book Title: Argumentative Indian - Writings On Indian History, Culture and Identity by Professor Amartya Sen I have heard and read a lot about Prof Amartya Sen but have not read any works of him. This book was on my must-read list for some years now after I had read a review in The Hindu. The idea of a book on Indian history and social topics from an Economics Nobel Laureate intrigued me. When I found the book in our public library, I wanted to read at least few pages ,just to know the author. The book is actually a compendium of essays. For more details, please read here . One particular essay was more fulfilling read than others. This was the essay on 'Reason'. Every essay is rich not just with historical facts but the author's views and interpretations . I was simply humbled by how much he knew and how much time and effort he must have spent on learning about our country. My generation hardly does this. I felt a compulsion to study and derive lessons from our country

I have read quite a few books in the last quarter of 2007 but could not manage to write about them. So, here is a quick and short overview or rather just my views. Note: How do I choose the books that I read? I read reviews and also an excerpt of each book from popular websites like NDTV Books , NY Times and also from book sellers and library listings if time permits. Freakonomics : A light-hearted book from an economist and a journalist but with deep in-sights. This book was like Econ 101 for me, an electronics engineer. I started liking and appreciating economics and its effects on societal behavior (or is it the other way?). Crazily drawn discussion and analyzes from two enthusiastic guys. Informative and enlightening. Must read. Blink-The power of thinking without thinking : A much hyped and popular book. I read this because of the hype without reading any review or excerpt. Not a satisfying read for me. I tend to think differently when it comes to matters of Mind and how it

First, here is a link to Sanjay's blogs and podcasts: http://sanjaysub.blogspot.com http://sanjaysub.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=podcasts With the 'Vande Mataram Enbom' for a second song, Sanjay (ji understood) took me by surprise. It was a good reminder of the recent August 15th. After all, the Indian embassy at DC was closed down for Indian Independence Day without even a flag hoisted proudly. It took me 3 songs to actually start enjoying the concert. Even the Ritigowla didn't make any difference to me. Just another rendition with no bhavam . But, when he elaborated Kamalamanohari, I understood the previous 3 songs were only jetlagged. I haven't heard an alapana for kamalamanohari before by anybody and the only song I knew in this raga is Kanchadalayadakshi. I have only heard it being sung as a thukada . The beautiful sancharas of Sanjay brought out the deep inner flavor of the raga - neraval at "raga sashivadanae"- unhindered by the obvious limi

Carnatic Vocal: Sanjay Subramaniam Violin: Nagai Muralidharan Mridangam: K.Arun Prakash Date: Sept 05, 2008 Venue: SSVT, Maryland Here's the list of songs sung: 1. Sami Ninne Kori, Sri raga Varnam 2. Vande Mataram Enbom , Sankarabaranam 3. Nannu vidachi, Ritigowla 4. Kanchadalayadakshi, Kamalamanohari 5. Enathu Manam kavalai enum erul soozhndal, Harikamboji, Papanasam Sivan 6. Gajavadana sammohita veera, Todi, Maharaja Kumara Ettendra (not heard of this name ?) 7. Oho Kalamae un pol evarkku undu indra jalamae, Sahana, Mayuram Vedanayakam Pillai 8. Needhu mahima, Hamsanandi, Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavatar 9. RTP Bahudari: Pallavi: Kandhanadi Avar enakku sondhamadi Valli manaalanadi 10. Kundrin Meedhu Nindru Kanden, Kamas, Bharathidasan 11. slokam: sruthva guna ..... song: Bansiwale Hey Man Moh, Mohanam, Swati Tirunaal 12. kanDu dhanyanAdenO Udipi Krishnana, Behag, Purandaradasar 13. Nijagadasa yadhu nandhanae, Sindubairavi, SriJayadeva 14. Arumo Aaval, Mand, T.K.Kalyanam (Kar

Where do I start and how do I start? I have never been so emotional in a concert. The alapana of Kalyani pulled a drop of tear at the tara sthyai Ni . I could describe only the Kalyani and nothing else. But, are there words? Few weeks ago, I realized (during one of those thinking sessions - don't ask me details) that Language is one of the marvels of man's creative spirits. Nay. Language is a barrier. Music conveys more emotions that no language could. To describe this Kalyani, language fails me. Krishna -vin Kalyani oru penn endral, atthnai amsangaludan sarithiram kandiratha perazhagi-yai eruppal . Kallum karaiyum Kalyani Krishna KalyaNee-yil sethukiya azhagae thaNee Kalyani-yil oru oviyam Adhuvae Krishnavin Kaviyam Krishna(ji) is truly a musician with immense training in researched voice modulation techniques. The way he sang the usually- impossible lower octaves and very tough higher octaves are excellent examples of vocal chord training. The restrained playing of the mridan

Carnatic Vocal concert of Sri. T.M.Krishna Violin: Sriramkumar Mridangam: Arun Prakash April 25, 2008 @ SSVT , Maryland Song list: 1. Intha chalamu jesithae - Begada varnam 2. Kiravani, Varamulosaki, Roopakam, Patnam Subramaniya Iyer 3. Nilambari, Amba Nilayadakshi 4. Kapinarayani, Sarasa samadana 5. Main piece - Kalyani - Kamalambam Bhajare Manasa 6. Ahiri - Amba Maatladhara Maayamma 7. RTP - Sahana - Pallavi in Kanda jaathi Triputa talam: Vadivelani Nidham Potruvom, Vaiyamellam Arul Purindhu Kaakkum Ragamalika of the RTP: Amruthavarshini and Lalitha - Lyrics as well as music composed by the Mridangist Arun Prakash 8. Varali - KaVaVa 9. Viruttam in Ragamalika - Karaharapriya, Sankarabranam, Kamboji, Bilahari, Chalanatai, Atana, Kapi Lyrics of the viruttam was a verse that describes Navarasa starting with Sringaram ...(a piece from Ramayanam) Viruttam followed by: Kapi - Janaki Ramana Dasaratha Nandana of Sri Vanamamalai Jeeyar 10. Yamankalyani - Krishna Nee Beganae 11. Kamas - Tillana

Vocal: Sikkil Gurucharan Violin: Nagai Sriram Mridangam: Skanda Subramaniam April 12, 2008, SSVT , Maryland Enthralling, exhilarating, etcetera, etcetera, .........well, exaggerating !! Sonorous voice, humble rendition (borrowing this word from a friend), scholarly choice of krithis, especially Kosalam and Natabairavi, too good a violinist, captivating everyone. What a Padaantharam! On the other hand, it took a few krithis for GC to rev up his confidence level. Could say this from one instance. Though he drove his Mohanam alapana towards Tara sthayi Ga, Ri , he could not push his attempts to strike those chords. So, he ended up in circumlocution for a while. The violinist deserves a special mention. Usually the violinist does not play the entire sequence the vocalist sings. But, Sriram is too smart to let the opportunity slip. He definitely stole the thunder. The concert was simply superb. Needn't and couldn't say more. Here's the list of krithis: 1. Kanada - Ada thala

A link for learning few krithis taught to the Cleveland Tyagaraja Aradhana performers: http://www.aradhana.org/sampradaya/2008/Prahlada%20Bhakti%20Vijayam/index.htm This is very resourceful of the organizing committee to host online and make them available to all learners for free. The lessons are precious especially because they are being taught by accomplished gurus like Smt. Suguna and Sri. P.S.Narayanaswamy.

Vocal concert of Sri. Sreevalsan Menon Violin - Sri. S.K.Narasimhamoorthy Mridangam - Kumari. Rajna Swaminathan March 29, 2008, SSVT , Maryland First, here's the list of songs: 1. Todi Varnam - Eranapai, Adi Talam 2. Atana - Sri maha ganapathim bhaje hum, Adi 3. Jaganmohini - Dayapayo nidhae mampahi, composition of Sadasiva Brahmendrar 4. Kannadagowlai - Sogasujuda tharama, Roopakam 5. Mandari - Ninnujeppa karanamemi manasa 6. Hamirkalyani - Kangeyavasanadhara Padmanabha 7. Varali - Ka Va Va 8. Sankarabaranam - Akshaya linga vibho, Misrachapu Neraval at "nayika sahitha...badari vanamoola" 9. Bairavi - RTP (45 minutes) Pallavi - "Govindanadi Mukundanadi Enak(kku) Avar Sondhamadi" Ragamalika - Behag, Hindolam, Sahana, Patiyar 10. Sankarabaranam - Karuna seivan endhu thamasam krishna, -a composition on Guruvayoorappan 11. Desh Bhajan - Harinarayana Govinda -a composition of his Guru Smt.Rajalakshmi Krishnan 12. Senjurutti - Sri Guruvayoopurae

The concert was scheduled at 5pm but began only at 6pm. And it was 10:30 pm when I drove back home and had dinner. It would be very kind on the organizers if they could schedule the concert at 3pm. The organizers definitely have to work at the timings. The mike system totally failed after the mike tests had been done and the artistes were about to begin. So, the concert was further delayed till the mikes were fixed. Though the screeching initially troubled the artistes and the audience, the mikes were set-to-go after few songs. Such incidences could not be predicted and the organizers have to be commended for their trouble-shooting skills and coordination. If not for them, many people from the front rows would have honestly got up and went to the back rows. It could be because of the poor mikes and lack of feedback for the artiste that the first few songs didn't impress me. Todi varnam especially, flagged the Todi spirit. My mind, the monkey, wouldn't stop from going back to M

Carnatic Vocal Concert by Salem Sriram Feb 3, 2008, Sri Siva Vishnu Temple , Maryland This is not a review of the concert as I am not an expert or knowledgeable enough to write about Carnatic music. With an ear for appreciation, I am sharing my feelings and observations about the concert. Sri. Salem Sriram's concert marked the finale of two weekend celebrations of Sri Tyagaraja Aradhana at Sri Siva Vishnu Temple, Maryland conducted by Sri. Raju Soundararajan and his team of volunteers. Super bowl sunday took a toll on the strength of the audience but whoever stayed back represented a knowledgable core. Wrong choice of concert day for an amazing performer. I have not heard of Salem Sriram before and attended the concert only because I had nothing else to do and there is a carnatic concert happening nearby. I was very skeptical because the previous day's concert of Smt. Kiranavali was unsatisfying. But, during the mike test, Sriram sang few lines of 'Nadhopasana' and that