Madurai Somu

Carnatic Musicians
gobilalitha
Posts: 2056
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 07:12

Post by gobilalitha »

Nageswaran, I am very happy you have become a very active member of the forum. Are you from Bangalore? gobilalitha

S.NAGESWARAN
Posts: 1076
Joined: 11 Feb 2009, 08:54

Post by S.NAGESWARAN »

Gopilalithaji,

Thank you for your encouraging words. I reside at Chennai and visit Bangalore often to be with my first son MR.N.karthik. He resides at J P NAGAR sixth phase.

Regarding being an active member. Perhaps "a new broom sweeps well" proves the proverb to be true. (To be taken in the lighter sense).

However, having listened Carnatic music for nearly 5 decades as a True Rasika of music, I have assimilated lot of information about music, made friends with musicians, and having a friends' circle of many leanered, simple, helpful gentlemen like Coolji. Perhaps my brain is full and wanted to discharge the many good things stored in my memory. It is also a sort of "Malarum Ninaivugal"

coolkarni
Posts: 1729
Joined: 22 Nov 2007, 06:42

Post by coolkarni »

..
Last edited by coolkarni on 27 Nov 2009, 09:28, edited 1 time in total.

ravi2006
Posts: 51
Joined: 01 Dec 2006, 12:09

Post by ravi2006 »

I was just enjoying an RTP of Madurai Somu in dharmavati from Sangeethapriya. During the alapana there is another singer, a student possibly, accompanying him with a very good voice. I wonder if anyone could identify the 2nd singer? There is an endearing moment where Somu touches the tara sthayi dhaivata and remarks to his student "try your level best"!

http://sangeethapriya.org/Downloads/som ... mavati.mp3

gobilalitha
Posts: 2056
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 07:12

Post by gobilalitha »

sri.Kazhugumalai Kandasami used to give vocal support to SOMU in kutcheris , probably you might have heard him gobilalitha
Last edited by gobilalitha on 09 Sep 2009, 07:13, edited 1 time in total.

cpblog
Posts: 233
Joined: 07 Jul 2009, 22:01

Post by cpblog »

Dear Rasikas, inviting you to a 1975 Concert of Madurai Somu with M. Chandrasekharan-Guravayur Dorai-MAK Murthy-H.P. Ramachar-Nagaratnam posted on http://chowdaiahandparvati.blogspot.com/.

In many places in our narration, in various posts, we have been introducing hyperlinks to many famous landmarks and people (example Maharaja's college in the current one narrated by M.V. Krishnaswamy one of its great Alumnis) all of which surrounded where "Parvati" once stood and all of which made Mysore such a great seat of culture and learning. The city which once blossomed under the Wodeyar Maharajas was a city of tranquility, peace and grace all of which is disappearing fast and we are not sure of what it is being replaced with, today. We are hoping that through the music, words and historical accounts of some of these men and women who brought happiness through their art, we can still get a semblance of that era. So, please do read some of the links.

cpblog
Posts: 233
Joined: 07 Jul 2009, 22:01

Re: 1971 Concert of Vidwan Madurai Somu in "Parvathi", Mysur

Post by cpblog »

Dear Rasikas,
It is our pleasure to invite you all again to a "Parvathi" concert of April 5, 1971 with Vidwans Lalgudi Jayaraman on Violin , Palghat Raghu - Mridangam and H.P.Ramachar - Khanjira.
http://chowdaiahandparvati.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

mankuthimma
Posts: 912
Joined: 11 Jul 2010, 13:38

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by mankuthimma »

cpblog
Thanks for all your efforts .
Long Long ago I had mentioned in rasikas about my spending a summer with my aunt in of the rooms in Chowdiahs bungalow.The rooms built for his disciples . Then after a couple of years when I visited Mysore , my friend Dr Narahari took me there by surprise ( He had remembered the postings ) and asked me if I knew that place . And believe me , I was so distraught !!
Memories came flooding in. A young Ambareesh would ask me if I would like a ride in an old car parked in that garage . How little I knew about its owner ! That car would not start by itself . The gate would have to be opened and the car rolled down in neutral gear .but that momentum would not suffice . It would now roll on the main road , down right upto Ballal(?) Hotel and only at the bottom of the road would it have enough strength to kick itself to life . I watched movies at some Gayathri theatre or sat and watched Tennis matches being played in a nearby club .
So I can understand the pain in your words . But isnt it the pain in you bringing out such a lovely site which is a work of art in itself . Keep on and May you have the strength to do the utmost .
Oh ! Boy what a bathroom that bungalow had ! Huge pots ( Handey , we call it ) And the never ending baths . I could bathe my entire street in Nungambakkam today with the water I used for myself . Those bansuris to keep the fires underneath going .
Those kings had some style. One must acknowledge. If their Court Musicians could live that way . And what a garden too.
Memories . Memories.
http://www.mediafire.com/?s6s2npj5692jqcp
I am full of Chowdiah Today . Please rename this track as Manakkal - TC - Madurai Krishna Iyengar instead of GNB-TC

Listening to the power behind Manakkals voice , I cant help wondering about the ravages of time

cpblog
Posts: 233
Joined: 07 Jul 2009, 22:01

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by cpblog »

Dear Sri "mankuthimma"('avare') or should we say Respected Sri Coolji?

(1) We have not understood the cause of the morphing in your names, but how can one forget the vignette of your earlier posting on your visit to T. Chowdiah's house (such a rare treat).

(2) Just as a record to all the Rasikas here, the house "Parvathi" that we talk of with music and pictures was the late house of the late Sri K. Puttu Rao and not T.Chowdiah's house. We are only offering a form of 'Tarpanam' to its spirit, through our blog pages. Because of Sri. K. Puttu Rao's fanatic devotion to Carnatic music (besides his other love for law where he became one of Mysuru City's most astute defense lawyers), he and T.Chowdiah became very close and respectful friends. Sri. Puttu Rao was also very munificent where music was concerned and he helped T.Chowdiah start the Ayyanar School of Music. They also shared a common platform in their love for the Bidarama Krishnappa Rama Mandiram in Mysore (You will see the inner beauty of this institution in some beautiful pictures posted on the Internet; Rasikas must also thank Prof. V. Ramarathnam's struggle in later years to raise funds and to restore its once pristine beauty). Having grown up in a house which was home to many of the great doyen's of CM, the father's mantle passed on to the son Sri. K. Srikantiah who drove his passion to the hilt. T. Chowdiah remained a steadfast friend to the family of the house of "Parvathi" till his last breath and the family repaid him with tributes in his honor.

(3) "I am full of Chowdiah Today ". Yes, Sir, we respect those sentiments and we have heard from many an elder from those times tell us that amidst all the crowd noise at Tiruvayyaru, there used to be an anticipatory hush and awe to Chowdiah's name and his majestic stride into the platform followed by thunderous claps as he would draw the very first bow to his 'Gandiva', whose instant effect was almost like an electric current passing through. Many a Vidwan who would accept to perform in Mysore, Coimbatore etc.would arrange their calendars according to Sri T.Chowdiah's availability. He was considered by every one of the great vocalists of his times as a true "Pakkavadhya Chakravarthi" [ Rasikas may also refer to Sri Arasi's comments, Sri. Coolji's many comments and those of others in the forums about TC].

(4) We are not sure what you mean here? We have no clue about this loading:
"http://www.mediafire.com/?s6s2npj5692jqcp Please rename this track as Manakkal - TC - Madurai Krishna Iyengar instead of GNB-TC"

(5) Finally, Moderator? We are talking Chowdiah in a Somu forum! If inappropriate, please feel to transfer this post or advise us.

Respectfully,
- CPBlog Team
(in USA, India, Singapore, Australia)

mankuthimma
Posts: 912
Joined: 11 Jul 2010, 13:38

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by mankuthimma »

CPBlog team
1. Reducing myself to a humble Zero , bit by bit . In any case I no longer stay cool on most of the subjects these days .
Nothing more to the new name .
4.Reading about "we can still get a semblance of that era" I just got carried away by another rare moment with Chowdiah - initially I labelled the track as GNB and later had to modify it , correctly , as Manakkal Rangarjan. Since the tag would continue to show GNB , I thought I should let others know.
5.Yes I agree . These TC related posts can be moved to the Chowdiah thread .
on Second thoughts , Let it stay here . Manakkal and Somu were such great friends.

We shall remain inspired by your efforts to preserve this very rich heritage . Thank you so much.

venkatakailasam
Posts: 4170
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 19:16

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by venkatakailasam »

Shri Raju Asokan has a wonderful collection of Shri Somu's renderings at this link:

http://www.esnips.com/web/MaduraiSomu

perhaps covering the entire renderings of Shri Somu.

venkatakailasam

Suji Ram
Posts: 1529
Joined: 09 Feb 2006, 00:04

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Suji Ram »

http://www.mediafire.com/?s6s2npj5692jqcp
I am full of Chowdiah Today . Please rename this track as Manakkal - TC - Madurai Krishna Iyengar instead of GNB-TC

Listening to the power behind Manakkals voice , I cant help wondering about the ravages of time
This was wonderful....Chowdiah and Manakkal

ah ah! those kalpanaswaras-really the best. That galloping effect........
Thank you

venkatakailasam
Posts: 4170
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 19:16

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by venkatakailasam »

'E'-SWARA-001-Madurai Shri. Somu-O rama entha ruchira-ppoorvi kalyani.flv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksDmif4Wnh8

venkatakailasam

mankuthimma
Posts: 912
Joined: 11 Jul 2010, 13:38

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by mankuthimma »

http://www.mediafire.com/?cq6j1ykk6clr5cb

Venktakailasam
Request you to use this track for mixing and reupload . reethigowla... if you are reading this , this can work as a balm for you . :tmi:

Sreeni Rajarao
Posts: 1283
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 08:19

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Sreeni Rajarao »

mankuthimma sir,
Just a friendly reminder - you promised me more dhanyAsi and if it could be Somu's dhanyAsi, please!

VK RAMAN
Posts: 5009
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 00:29

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by VK RAMAN »

mankuthimma - Thanks for sharing O rAma nI nAmam - class act.

venkatakailasam
Posts: 4170
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 19:16

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by venkatakailasam »

"Request you to use this track for mixing and reupload . reethigowla... if you are reading this , this can work as a balm for you "

mankuthimma Sir,

I am having this with me. As somebody has posted this I, I have not attempted! I will do Mixing to this shortly.
No doubt this will be a balm to us all-rendered so well by Madurai Somu.

venkatakailasam

mankuthimma
Posts: 912
Joined: 11 Jul 2010, 13:38

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by mankuthimma »

thanks
Real video of somu singing this song . Towards the end of his life , but a very forceful picture of what the man was.

http://www.mediafire.com/?y4aijxb4bbrct
not for the faint hearted Somu fan ;(
Last edited by mankuthimma on 10 Dec 2010, 11:16, edited 2 times in total.

fduddy
Posts: 243
Joined: 07 Jun 2010, 18:16

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by fduddy »

Sri Venkatakailasam
I think you should mix for 'enna kavi padinalum' too. The rendering accompanied by Lalgudi !

cpblog
Posts: 233
Joined: 07 Jul 2009, 22:01

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by cpblog »

The musical downpour of Vidwan Madurai Somu in "Parvathi", Mysore as recorded on April 11, 1973
with Vidwans Kazhugumalai Kandaswamy (Vocal Support), Lalgudi Jayaraman (Violin), Palghat Raghu (Mridangam)
and Vinayakram (Ghatam).

While this concert is vigorous and the audio effects excellent, it was recorded literally in pouring rain and and in places the music is terminated as the tape could not be restored.

But, please welcome to http://chowdaiahandparvati.blogspot.com/

venkatakailasam
Posts: 4170
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 19:16

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by venkatakailasam »

Muruganai ninaindhu-Ragamalika...


composer..not known....radio recording...

rendered by Madurai Shri Somasundaram.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrbv5-cHVSU

vintageaudio
Posts: 12
Joined: 29 Sep 2010, 23:58

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by vintageaudio »

composed by Anaiyambatti Adisesha Iyer

venkatakailasam
Posts: 4170
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 19:16

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by venkatakailasam »

Thank you...sir..

vintageaudio
Posts: 12
Joined: 29 Sep 2010, 23:58

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by vintageaudio »

correction it is in raga- Shanmugapriya

venkatakailasam
Posts: 4170
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 19:16

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by venkatakailasam »

I am unable to understand as to why such a brilliant Artist that he was, was not awarded Sangeetha Kalanidhi title??

I am providing three of his renditions...All mind blowing!!

Somu 024-Sri-Raja-rajeswari-Khambhoji.mp-.Madurai Somasundaram..

http://mfi.re/listen/zzwddg3g7c8s3g7/So ... mbhoji.mp3

Somu 004-Sambho Sankara Mahadeva-Raga-JadathariPasupathi Sankara_Dhakshayani.mp3...Madurai Somasundaram...

http://mfi.re/listen/dxu3b8na41cd7ay/So ... hayani.mp3

Somu 016-Alangattil Aadum Ayyan-panthuvarali.mp3..Madurai Somasundaram...

http://mfi.re/listen/c96w9myz6y5s2rx/So ... varali.mp3

Pasupathy
Posts: 7868
Joined: 26 Jan 2013, 19:01

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Pasupathy »

Madurai Somu with Lalgudi + C S Murugaboopathi
RTP- Hemavathi


http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=TLnx0 ... f5cGRL7mE

Pasupathy
Posts: 7868
Joined: 26 Jan 2013, 19:01

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Pasupathy »

Madurai Somu with Lalgudi and Karaikkudi Mani
Karaharapriya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywFIs9bA-tk

varsha
Posts: 1978
Joined: 24 Aug 2011, 15:06

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by varsha »

https://archive.org/details/SomuInterview

link comes with another lovely track too in hindolam , from a recently unearthed concert .

mahavishnu
Posts: 3341
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 21:56

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by mahavishnu »

What a treasure! thanks,Varsha-ji.

Sreeni Rajarao
Posts: 1283
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 08:19

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Sreeni Rajarao »

Varsha avare,

Thank you! This is beautiful.
Just yesterday I was thinking how much I enjoy Somu's music as I was listening to one of my favorites, Somu's Dhanyasi

cacm
Posts: 2212
Joined: 08 Apr 2010, 00:07

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by cacm »

varsha wrote:https://archive.org/details/SomuInterview
link comes with another lovely track too in hindolam , from a recently unearthed concert .
Dear Sri Varsha,
We are highly indebted to YOU for the interview as well as the memorable excerpts you are providing......It takes me back to the fifties & the GLORIOUS PERIOD. How do we thank you for this invaluable service? VKV

mahavishnu
Posts: 3341
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 21:56

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by mahavishnu »

Does anyone know what happened to Sri Kazhugumalai Kandasamy, prime disciple of Madurai Somu? Varsha's track got me thinking about him and all web searches seem to come out empty on what happened to him post Somu.

cacm
Posts: 2212
Joined: 08 Apr 2010, 00:07

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by cacm »

TRIED to track him down a few years back unsuccessfully as I wanted to arrange a SOMU REMEMBRANCE FUNCTION IN CHENNAI but was unsuccessful. VKV

Rsachi
Posts: 5039
Joined: 31 Aug 2009, 13:54

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Rsachi »

Sir,
Somu was the darling of Parvathi audiences. We have posted so many of his concerts. Kandaswamy used to sing with a fine timbre and can be heard so clearly in many recordings.
For reasons unknown, both Somu and Radha Jayalakshmi suffer from a lack of continued narrative after such stellar careers.

cacm
Posts: 2212
Joined: 08 Apr 2010, 00:07

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by cacm »

SOMU CANNOT BUT BE THE DARLING OF ANY AUDIENCE BEFORE WHOM HE SANG. I TRIED to bring Somu to North America but he would not cross the ocean. But the real sin is not being given the RECOGNITION he deserved in Madras. Same is somewhat the case with R&J tho' CLEVELAND Aradhana tried to honour them in CLEVELAND OR MADRAS well past they stopped performing. They declined RIGHTFULLY SO in my opinion as they felt they were not given the recognition at the proper time. With ALL THE NUMBER OF SABHAS in MADRAS IT IS ALMOST EQUIVALENT TO CRIME IN MY OPINION.....The ONLY SILVER LINING I see is that today's artists at least are getting some recognition....Heart Breaking. VKV

vs_manjunath
Posts: 1466
Joined: 29 Sep 2006, 19:37

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by vs_manjunath »

Pasupathy wrote:Madurai Somu with Lalgudi and Karaikkudi Mani
Karaharapriya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywFIs9bA-tk
One of the simplest songs of thyagaraja in Kharaharapriya meant to be sung in Chorus ( set to Tisra laghu).......it's amazing how Madurai Somu chisels the song into a full fledged main item in a kutcheri !

vs_manjunath
Posts: 1466
Joined: 29 Sep 2006, 19:37

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by vs_manjunath »

varsha wrote:https://archive.org/details/SomuInterview

link comes with another lovely track too in hindolam , from a recently unearthed concert .
ThX for the u/ls. This way of singing Manasuloni.......the ragam is called VARAMU is it Not ??

kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by kssr »

Heard the fantastic Karaharapriya. Got the feeling of listening to him live. When I was young, I have heard maximum of Sri.Somu's and Dr.BMK's concerts. Lalgudi and Karaikudi Mani are no less in this recording. While showing their intrinsic command of music, how the three interact without reducing the aesthetics and beauty of the rendering is a fascinating listening experience. To get that class of musicians again is almost impossible.

Sincere thanks to Sri.Pasupathy.

Purist
Posts: 430
Joined: 13 May 2008, 16:55

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Purist »

Post #112.. you are right VSM. It is Varamu (shudda hindolam).

Post # 103... Varsha, can u provide the link for the whole concert. The recording captures the natural timbre of Somu..
superb quality. Looks like of l960's. LGJ as his usual, matches whatever Somu delivers. Very keen to listen to the whole
concert :)

varsha
Posts: 1978
Joined: 24 Aug 2011, 15:06

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by varsha »

will do next weekend pl

venkysubrama
Posts: 2
Joined: 12 Dec 2013, 23:57

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by venkysubrama »

Above mentioned concert is available here.
BTW the violinist is not Sri Lalgudi, Mridhangam - Vellore Sri Ramabadran
circa late 70s or early 80s
http://www.sangeethamshare.org/vijayago ... ram-Vocal/

01-Ninnunamminanu-Varnam-Ragam-Udaya Ravichandrika (Sudha Dhanyasi)
02-Panchamatangamukha_Ganapate-.mp3-Ragam-Sivapriya
03-Manasuloni-Ragam-Varamu-T.mp3
04-Jagadeeswara_pahimam-Ragam-Manoranjani
05-Shankarabharanam_Ragam.mp3
06-Swararagasudha-Shankarabharanam-T.mp3
07-Tani.mp3
08-Mariyadagadaya-Bhairavam-T.mp3
09-Vinave_O_Manasa-Vivardhini-T.mp3
10-Pallavi-Keeravani.mp3
11-O_Ramaneenamam-Purvikalyani-Ramadasu.mp3
12-Ninaikada.mp3-Ragam- Rageshree
13-Ennakavipadinalum-Ragam-Neelamani.mp3

Purist
Posts: 430
Joined: 13 May 2008, 16:55

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Purist »

RTP Keeravani is simply out of the world. Not sure if its a truncated version,( doesn't sound so if one observes the continuity) but a very peculiar one. After the raga alapana Somu telescopes to two line Thanam and the violinist latches on to Thanam, there being no violin alapana. Again no violin return for Pallavi but direct move on to ragamalika swaras.Looks like time constraint --something very unusual for Somu. At the begining of RTP, another rare event..Somu speaks in English... an apology saying" Sorry....." (I am not able to discern the words fully to repeat here).

Venkysubaram..thanks a lot for the link. I feel the violinist is none other than LGJ becasue you just cant get anyone to name who can play like this ...mind boggling returns . Moreover the karvai's at various points during alapana, tanam & swaras have LGJ etched all over it. Anyway the music is there to be savoured, a great concert.

Varsha : I hope this is the same concert you were referring to.

vs_manjunath
Posts: 1466
Joined: 29 Sep 2006, 19:37

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by vs_manjunath »

venkysubrama- Thx for the link.
Purist- Yes, it's LGJ only.

varsha
Posts: 1978
Joined: 24 Aug 2011, 15:06

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by varsha »

Varsha : I hope this is the same concert you were referring to.
Yes . Would another upload of same -llg-vr combination , compensate ?
Say something like this ..
https://archive.org/details/somu-llg-vr
Has a brilliant mand , among others.The kind that makes a singer so loveable .
Elsewhere , One can hear Lalgudis voice , in grunts of appreciation .

Enna_Solven
Posts: 827
Joined: 18 Jan 2008, 02:45

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Enna_Solven »

Varshaji, thank you. Essential Somu, including calling out "Gurunatha" after LGJ's return. Where do you get gems like this? Do they grow in your backyard kalpataru? :ymapplause:

varsha
Posts: 1978
Joined: 24 Aug 2011, 15:06

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by varsha »

The world may never know the pains taken by and the value of vintageaudio54 (on youtube) in these efforts .
Not only for Somus concerts but everything worth preserving for future generations.In CM and HM .
I am just a follower of the pied piper of Atlanta.A beneficiary willing to pass it on .

Purist
Posts: 430
Joined: 13 May 2008, 16:55

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Purist »

Varsha..Thanks many for that 'Mand' & 'kalanidhi. Somu's raga sketches weaves magic spell even in tukkada's section.
Raju Ashokan a big fan of Somu , has taken enormous efforts in the collecting vintage music and sharing it thro' his
blog /vintageaudio54 .

varsha
Posts: 1978
Joined: 24 Aug 2011, 15:06

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by varsha »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2ZUlxS ... &index=131
Just in case you may have missed this . RA Senior - An early disciple of Chittoor :)

varsha
Posts: 1978
Joined: 24 Aug 2011, 15:06

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by varsha »

The use of the expression foxtrot in another thread brought images of Vellore Rambhadrans style to mind .
The foxtrot or fox trot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor]
https://archive.org/details/Conc02-llg-vr
Includes a fascinating Raghunayaka . Somehow I get a feeling that there are a few swara patterns very unique to the Chittoor school .
Here he is - VR - dancing with a exuberant mercurial singer .
And a fiddler for collaboration , who is equally mercurial .
One of the earliest recordings , going by the tone of the violin and the raw uninhibited power of the singer .
I can bring up the rest of the concert if there are takers.

Sreeni Rajarao
Posts: 1283
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 08:19

Re: Madurai Somu

Post by Sreeni Rajarao »

varsha wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2ZUlxS ... &index=131
Just in case you may have missed this . RA Senior - An early disciple of Chittoor :)
Wow! Very nice! Thank you!

Post Reply