Elixir of my life

If I can have a piece of the unlimited sky – blue/grey or orange or cloudy while going about my daily chores, I feel connected to the Whole. And definitely should consider myself blessed as I have such sight to behold most of the time – either through the kitchen window or the bed room window.

Have any one of you had the experience of listening to music looking out at a star-studded sky or cool blue moon lit sky or still a dark velvety sky with occasional winking lights of an airplane on its regular flight schedule? (This evening, it is a dark sky making me hope for the much awaited rain.) Me and music alone – Ah.., what bliss!

Mornings when I listen to the hardly satisfying one hour programme on the radio, I wonder how I get through the cooking without any disaster. I simply will be floating or tapping my feet/shaking my hips – feeling like Shobana in ‘Nizhal nijamaakirathu’!

The other day it was true blue classical rendition of ragas by Olatti Venkateshwara garu! I was transported to early summer nights in Thiruchi with an occasional breeze and the frogs croaking somehow blending with the late night AIR music concerts. (I miss those days – when in a narrow balcony four of us would settle for night sleep and listen to concerts; Appa would guess the song even when the artist would begin the Aalaap. He would have such a shy and proud smile when we appreciate that!) I dedicated Olattigaru’s performance to his memory.  

Even now I am listening to Abhishek Raghuram – the young dynamite, accompanied by HN Bhaskar, Arjun Kumar and Shree Sunder Kumar. His RTPs are invigorating!  Arjun Kumar’s and Sunder Kumar’s ‘Laya’ sparring is like the Wimbledon finals between Federer and Nadal! (Or you substitute whomever you want to).

Scrolled down the group page and what did I get – none other than the honeyed voice of Gayathri Venkatraghavan!  It is one of those days when like an addict I’ll go on from one to another!  The soft strains of Mohanam slowly is pulling me in. So I sign off here to be one with the Whole.

an uplifting beginning for the day

காலைப்பொழுதில் பனி குறைந்தாலும் அதன் இனிமை மாறாது இருந்ததில் ஒரு சிறு மகிழ்ச்சி! இன்றைய பொழுதில் ஒரு நடராஜனை கண்டு களித்தேன். விட்டு  வரவே  மனதில்லை! அந்த குமிழ் சிரிப்பு கூடவே வந்தது!
"குனித்த புருவமும் கொவ்வை செவ்வாயுற்  குமின் சிரிப்பும் பனித்த சடையும் பவளம் போல் மேனியில் பால் வெண் நீறும் இனித்த முடைய எடுத்த பொற்பாதமும் காணப்பெற்றால் மனித்த பிறவியும் வேண்டுவதே இந்த மாநிலத்தே.."..
அம்பல வாணனை, சபாபதியை, ஆடலரசனை, நடராஜனை "காண வேண்டாமோ!
ஒன்றி இருந்து நினைமின்கள் !    ஆடல் வல்லான் என்னவோ மாயம் தான் செய்கிறான் !

My music journal seems to be in one limbo state or closer home in 'Thirisangu swargam'! Post 15th December, it was a hectic schedule with daily dose of music happening and the inputs just swept me into the vortex of beautiful sounds.
Then it was a time for being immersed in the sounds, replaying them in the mind and reliving the wonderful moments.I rather did not want to break the spell woven around me and nor did I had the desire to move away from the wonderful feeling of communion I had with music, the artists and the 'Rasikas'.

But, I have to close the entries at some point and so here I am going to high light certain impressions and not a daily record.
I often use to wonder why people get drawn to vocal concerts more and why do they shun instrumental music. Is it because carnatic music emphasises lyrics and songs? Feel sad when I see half empty halls for  dedicated and lively performances of violinists, 'Vainikas' and others.
I would not have missed a programme by Ganesh, Kumaresh/ U.Srinivas/Shashank on any account and how delighted I was at the end of these performances!
With Ganesh, Kumaresh, it was like drifting with the gentle flow of a stream, the sound moving all around me and swaying me gently, O, so gently that I forgot the physical self sitting in an auditorium!

அந்த பைரவிக்கு மன்னர்களானால்,   முத்து, இரத்தின மாலைகளை வாரி வழங்கியிருப்பர்.கருணையும் வாத்சலயமும் பொங்கும் அம்மாவின் குளிர்ந்த பார்வை 'மெத்' என்று நம்மை வருடுவது போன்ற உணர்வு, ஓம்காரம் மெல்லக் கிளம்பி மேலெழுந்து சபை முழுதும் நிரப்பியது மாதிரி ஒரு சிலிர்ப்பு என்னுள்ளே ஆனந்த வெள்ளமாக வந்து கண் வழியே தளும்பியது!

Their swara prastharam was like cascade of water with myriad reflections of sunlight and the rhythmic pauses enhanced the music and was suitably answered by the percussionist.
The RTP with their smooth gliding from one raga to the other- traversing in  Abogi, Behag, Ranjani, Hindolam and so on was brisk, fun and captivating!

Shashank's Kiravani RTP and his exposition of 'Hiranmayi in Lalitha were divine.

Like I mentioned, Instrumental music rises above the language and lyrics and with an unrestrained freedom, I let myself be in the enchanting music created by Srinivas. I let go and was one with the music and more than this I do not want to bring it down to the mundane verbal expression.

I could not be there for the entire performance of Geetha Bennet and was sorry about that. When I went in, it was to listen to unhurried sangathis in Kalyani wherein, she lovingly added beautiful finishing touch to the image she had already built. I closed my eyes and could feel the calm and serene presence of her father, Professor Ramanathan. (Way back during my college days, I had seen him teaching or rather guiding T.N Seshagopalan's Veena recital on one on one basis in Madurai music college. I was awestruck by his simplicity and humility  and so moved!)
A lot more wonderful numbers were played by these artists, but I think this brings out my feelings aptly.

My Music Journal- 3

The indomitable Sanjay!

6th December:

From the time, the schedule of MMU has come out, I have marked this day in red and with mounting expectation and started a count down!  If you wonder what all the hype is about, I am coming to that! It is the evening of Sanjay subramaniam’s performance and I had to complete all my work/responsibility in time to attend the concert.

When the stars of classical carnatic music perform, it is like first day-first show of Super star/Kamal/Ajith/vijay movie particularly in the MMU. I should say, it is a great work that Shubashree is doing for the promotion of this music form. I keep seeing many NRIs with their young sons/daughters who aspire to make it big in this field (or should I say the parents aspire and dream for their children?) 

Sanjay is traditional yet innovative and his voice traverses in all octaves effortlessly.  And curious about how he was going to present the theme, ‘Divyaprabandam’ within the structured format, I was happy to start early. People come to the gates of the school around 2.30 pm itself, I think. They patiently wait in the broad and wide corridors, catching up with fellow rasikas and friends. The gate opens at 4.15 pm only and so, I reached there by 4 pm and what do I see? A huge queue snaking around the corridor is what I saw and I had to go round the hall in the corridor to join the queue.

I normally do not get bored for the people around me provide an interesting picture! So, I was not disappointed. All around me, I saw people with sreechurnam in different sizes on their forehead,  Iyengar mamis in their graceful ‘madisars’ walking here and there and mamas reminding ‘நெடியோன்  himself with their personality. I could not connect it to anything till the friendly and chatty lady standing next to me pointed it out! Yes, of course, it was ‘Naalayiram’ that Sanjay was going to sing and Vaishnavites had turned in great numbers. The friendly lady proved to be very communicative and I enjoyed my time with her.

It was a beautiful and poignant moment when I could observe the affection and companionship of an elderly couple with friendship maturing with age in their gesture of holding hands to climb the steps and taking turns to stand in the queue. If nothing else interests you during this waiting, you cannot but be drawn to the paintings- copies certainly- of Ravi Varma.

Hmm….. After the long but interesting wait, the door opened and we filed in. Mind you, there was another kutchery by Manimaran before Sanjay. It is like a package! One has to be patient. A carnatic music kutchery in Chennai is inclusive of all these besides the ‘Sabha canteens, without doubt!

Now to the Star performance!

He had arranged aptly and suitably the ‘பாசுரங்கள் of the 12 ஆழ்வார்கள் that was aesthetic and showed an understanding of the background stories of the ஆழ்வார்கள். பெரியாழ்வாரின் ‘பல்லாண்டு in Nattai provided an impressive start! Sanjay gives voice to Thamizhisai wherever and whenever possible and we could see that he enjoyed this particular occasion immensely.

Yadhukula khambodi brought out the utter devotion of திருப்பாணாழ்வார் in a soft and gentle manner.(‘கொண்டல் வண்ணனை').the next three pieces formed the main pieces in Simmendra Madhyamam, Sama and Bhairavi.

My curiosity was satisfied  in the ‘Simmendra madhyamam’’ piece of ‘மாயா, வாமனனே  by நம்மாழ்வார். Keeping the meaning intact, he used each of these names of the Lord to say’நீ அருளாய்'. He could beautifully work out a pallavi out of these phrases and elaborated the raga with sangathis.

When he   began essaying ‘Sama, it evoked the feeling of  deep longing and bhakti typical of ஆண்டாள். And so, he took up, நாச்சியார் திருமொழி,  மாதவன் என் மணியினை‘.

How do I put into words, his Bhairavi! Looked like he became another தொண்டரடிப்பொடி ஆழ்வார் to melt and immerse in arangan’s beauty. The popular ‘பச்சை மாமலை போல் மேனி in his rendering took such a poignant meaning and pulled the soul to fall at the feet of திருவரங்கன் in complete surrender like the ஆழ்வார்- especially when he took up the line, ஊரிலேன் காணி இல்லேன் for niraval.

Pasuram of Kulasekarer, Thirumangai alwar and the first  three(mudhal alwaars) all were gems. He concluded the programme with திருப்பாணாழ்வாரின் 'ஊனின் மேய ஆவி நீ in surutti.

I cannot but mention the wonderful support by varadarajan and Neyveli Venkatesh. As  always, they worked as a team with the perfect understanding of Sanjay’s flow.  

After all the research, he sincerely must have absorbed the songs and internalized them because he never referred to any notes.

His answers to audience questions call for a separate write up, I guess. So, I end it here.

My Music Journal-2

5th December, Margazhi Maha Utsavam
I looked forward to Sowmya for her intelligent approach and crisp essaying of ragas. I was happy on both counts. And the bonus was the earlier kutcheri by V. Shankaranarayanan, who has a soothing voice and clear diction. Nagai sriram excelled in giving support(violin).
Sowmya shared interesting information about 'Swathi Thirunaal'- he has composed in many languages and many genres like varnam, padam, jaavali and thillana besides kritis. Sowmya, together with Embar Kannan, Neyveli Narayanan and Gopalakrishnan presented an enjoyable aural treat.
During the season, the people, the so called 'rasikas' also present an interesting picture. I like watching the different types- those who come because it is 'in', others who come to listen and enjoy and still others who take notes (perhaps teachers?). Then there are 'regulars, who greet each other, discuss about the artist's performance in another sabha and throw some musical jargon for good measure in their conversation. for most of them, kutcheris are great outings where they can show off their finery.  

Chitra Nagesh's Random Thoughts: My Music journal

Chitra Nagesh's Random Thoughts: My Music journal

My Music journal

As always, had been looking forward to this time of the year to soak in the music that becomes the identity of the city particularly in December. As it is again expected, there were some hitches, too disturbing my plans! All in the game, I guess!

My idea was to make something like a  journal entry as and when I get a chance to listen to an artist. I did record my impressions in the old fashioned way using ‘old faithful’ pen in a note book. The technically advanced means of communication takes its time!

3rd December:

My musical outings for December started with TM Krishna’s concert for the As always, had been looking forward to this time of the year to soak in the music that becomes the identity of the city particularly in December. As it is again expected, there were some hitches, too!

My idea was to make something like a  journal entry as and when I get a chance to listen to an artist. I did record my impressions in the old fashioned way using ‘old faithful’ pen in a note book. The technically advanced means of communication takes its time!

3rd December:

My musical outings for December started with TM Krishna’s concert for the Margazhi Maha utsavam and what a start it was!

When every other artist presents a well researched performance on a specific theme, our artist of the day desired freedom ‘without boundaries’ (I can hear comments like ‘Is it any surprise?’) ‘Maverick’, ‘non conformist’, ‘unconventional’ are some descriptions people use to refer to Krishna’s music.  Either an appreciative sigh or the other extreme of a derisive snort is the response to TMK.

Me? I am interested in the way he creates music and when he answered questions that day he said that his music/performance is his reaction to what music does to him.  And that day, I think, he had a free flowing communication with the ragas to give yet another memorable performance.

The divinity of the compositions of Shyama Shatri never fails to move me! Language becomes immaterial as the meaning, feelings of the poet comes through beautifully in the way the song is set to tunes. That too, if the song is taken by an artist who sincerely tries to reach the heart and soul of the composer, it is an uplifting experience. That was what I experienced with ‘Marivere’  that day. When he went on to linger on the phrase, ‘nammithi, nammithi’ and Meenakshyamma, I was standing before Meenakshyamma.

The soft gliding notes of Shankarabharanam, followed by the magnificent Thodi, pulling along the lilting , teasing tunes of Kalyani with the sonorous and formal Dharbar rounded up the arrangement of ragas for his pallavi,சங்கராபரணனை அழைத்தோடி வாடி கல்யாணி தர்பாருக்கு '. There was a sense of oneness for a brief period with the singer, song and listeners and that filled every cell and accompanied me through all my work for quite some time. If it is not good music, what is?