Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer (SSI) strode Carnatic music like a colossus. However, none in his family followed in his footsteps. His eldest daughter, Santha Kasy Aiyar, explains, “My father was categorically against his family pursuing music professionally. He felt musicians were perceived as lower in the social ladder than those formally…
Last December, violinist Sangita Kalanidhi A. Kanyakumari began a thematic series to showcase Thyagaraja’s Ekaika rAgam-s – those in which only one kriti is thought to exist. She began on Friday, December 13th, 2019 with E dAri sancarintura in the rAgam Srutiranjani. She had envisioned it purely as a three-week…
If one has to be recognised in Carnatic music, one just HAS to relocate to Chennai, it is said. There can be no substitute for listening to live concerts is also oft-heard. This respected violinist, however, has put paid to both the above statements. Charulatha Ramanujam is appreciated not only…
A consummate performer rarely makes a good teacher, each requiring different skill sets. Imparting knowledge to those far less conversant requires assessing and customizing instruction for each student, simultaneously motivating and pushing and, above all, zero insecurity to demystify what seems opaque and frequently shrouded. Lalgudi Jayaraman, whose 90th birth…
This artiste was extremely clear that music was what he wanted to pursue and would have discontinued his studies after 12th Grade, had his Guru not persuaded him to complete his degree. “I had stubbornly refused to listen to my parents,” says L. Ramakrishnan who can be seen accompanying practically…
“It is not the violin which brings the tone. It is the artiste and his artistry which can make even a violin that does not sound very good sound beautiful.” – Kala Ramnath Ms. Kala Ramnath is the feature of this 32nd, and final, episode of the Quarantunes podcast. Ken…
United States-based Carnatic violinist Sri. Rajeev Mukundan began violin lessons from Sri. N Govindarajan and has been under the guidance of Sangita Kalanidhi Kum. A Kanyakumari for over a decade now. An A Graded artiste from All India Radio, Sri. Rajeev has traveled extensively on concerts, performed with his Guru…
Though popularly known as a Carnatic violinist, Sri. RK Shriramkumar is trained in vocal music too and is Guru to several leading Carnatic performers and aspiring performers, and mentor to even more. In this podcast, he expresses his belief about the power of faith to tide us through these unprecedented…
“Not having concerts does not affect me – it means it is time to increase repertoire……” – Dr. R Hemalatha In this episode of Quarantunes, we hear from Carnatic violinist and researcher Dr. R Hemalatha. Dr. Hemalatha accompanies leading artistes and is known for her deep knowledge of the music,…
“We only hope that… art doesn’t suffer. We don’t want to lose good artistes or good art because of these concerns.” – Amritha Murali Kum. Amritha Murali‘s high technical competency in the art form is blanketed with life and soul. She says that though uncertainty is an indelible facet of…