Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

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vainika
Posts: 433
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 11:32

Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by vainika »

I regret to inform that my beloved guru Smt. Kalpakam Swaminathan passed away this morning, April 6, 2011.

Kalpakam teacher had been bed-ridden for the past three months following a fractured hip in December, and was slowly regaining mobility with physiotherapy.

L Ramakrishnan

vgovindan
Posts: 1865
Joined: 07 Nov 2010, 20:01

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by vgovindan »

She is survived by her music.

shankarabharanam
Posts: 296
Joined: 24 Apr 2006, 09:12

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by shankarabharanam »

A great loss to the music fraternity.. I vividly remember my conversation with her when I was working on a paper during my post graduation days in Chennai.. Wonderful person and superb vainika.. May her soul rest in peace.. Condolences to her family and her students

cienu
Posts: 2387
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 11:40

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by cienu »

A great loss to the music world. A wonderful & simple person with child like innocence.

srikant1987
Posts: 2246
Joined: 10 Jun 2007, 12:23

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by srikant1987 »

I was simply not prepared for this, in spite of having heard of her injury ...

I hope her students and other listeners find courage from the knowledge and music they have inherited from her.

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

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by venkatakailasam »

She will live for ever through her music1

Image

Pranayams

venkatakailasam

PUNARVASU
Posts: 2498
Joined: 06 Feb 2010, 05:42

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by PUNARVASU »

Shocking! My one ambition was to attend a concert of hers. Very sad!

CRama
Posts: 2939
Joined: 18 Nov 2009, 16:58

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by CRama »

Very sad. A GREAT musician. I came to know about her only in the recent past. I was fortunate that I heard 3 concerts of her. One concert of Abhayamba Navavarana Kritis held in Krishna Gana Sabha is unforgettable. She had left a wealth of students who have fortunately imbibed her quality and style and commitment. She will still live with us through her music. Recording Companies may try to bring out her concerts commercially so that we all will be benefitted. My respects to the departed soul.

uday_shankar
Posts: 1467
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:37

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by uday_shankar »

This is a very sad moment. Deepest condolences to the family, friends and well-wishers of Kalpagam maami.

Ramnath Iyer
Posts: 72
Joined: 19 Nov 2007, 13:33

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by Ramnath Iyer »

Dear Ramki,
Very sorry to hear about this. A great void that can never be filled. My heartfelt condolences to her family and to all her beloved disciples.
I fondly recall meeting her in her house a few years ago when she treated us with her playing of meenakshi memudam and ragas like chaturangini, sahana and Samantam. She also narrated her formative years including her learning under Kallidaikurichi Ananthakrishna Iyer and her days in Kalakshetra as a veena teacher and so many other anecdotes like appearing in music competitions. A very humble person who was always willing to share her knowledge. All my recordings of her veena music now become even more precious.

jagan
Posts: 157
Joined: 23 Dec 2006, 18:31

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by jagan »

Saraswathi has left for her Abode.

pattamaa
Posts: 749
Joined: 22 Nov 2009, 10:24

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by pattamaa »

I am shocked to hear this sad news. Fortunate enough to attend few of her performances. She was guru to Vid. SRJ also. may her soul rest in peace.

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

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by Sreeni Rajarao »

Very sorry to hear about the demise of Smt. Kalpakam Swaminathan.
Her music was gentle and serene.

Sreeni Rajarao

suma
Posts: 516
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 23:56

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by suma »

May her soul rest in peace. I still remember her performance in cleveland a few years back. It had a rich tonal purity on the Veenai. She will be missed by all.

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

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by mahavishnu »

Sincere condolences. This is a great loss.

rshankar
Posts: 13754
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by rshankar »

My heartfelt condolences to her family, and SiSyas! May her sould rest in peace!

Nick H
Posts: 9379
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 02:03

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by Nick H »

Vainika, condolences and sympathy. There are no adequate words. Your loss must be immeasurable.

Only a few months ago, her stamina on stage seemed limitless.

arasi
Posts: 16774
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by arasi »

Ramki,
To you and to a number of students she has left behind--and to her family and rasikAs who were close to her--hope her musical treasure which she partook with you continues to live on. As Sreeni says, her playing was gentle and serene and will remain in our minds and ears as such.

rajeshnat
Posts: 9906
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by rajeshnat »

So sad to hear ,her music will live for ever. Condolences to her family and sishya parampara

bilahari
Posts: 2631
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 09:02

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by bilahari »

This is devastating news. There are two people I have wanted to listen to live these last two-three years: Trivandrum Venkataraman and Kalpagam Swaminathan. Alas, in both instances, it was not meant to be... I really don't know what to say. Of course condolences to her family, friends, and sishyas are in order. We rasikas are truly, immeasurably poorer for her passing.

gardabha_gana
Posts: 1033
Joined: 24 Dec 2006, 07:44

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by gardabha_gana »

Very saddened to hear the news. I tried to see if she was performing last december - alas I am not amongst the fortunate ones. Her music will live on...

Ashwin
Posts: 226
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 23:48

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by Ashwin »

I am just heartbroken over this sad news. My sincerest condolences to her family and students, particularly Ramki. We all share in your grief - this is indeed a sad day in music.

I had the privilege of meeting Mami for the first time in 2005, and took these photos while she played:

http://individual.utoronto.ca/iyer/P5290025.JPG
http://individual.utoronto.ca/iyer/P5290034.JPG
http://individual.utoronto.ca/iyer/P5290035.JPG
http://individual.utoronto.ca/iyer/P5290046.JPG

Ashwin

rajeeram
Posts: 105
Joined: 02 Sep 2006, 00:04

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by rajeeram »

Very saddened by this news. My heartfelt condolences to her family and disciples.

Kalpakam Mami's passing leaves an unfillable void in the already dwindling group of accomplished Veena Vidwans/Vidushis who were exemplary teachers too.

veenajj
Posts: 125
Joined: 18 Apr 2007, 11:54

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by veenajj »

The veena tapasvini is no more with us. It will not be possible to get over this loss.

Jeyaraaj and Jaysri

srinivasrgvn
Posts: 1013
Joined: 30 Nov 2008, 07:46

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by srinivasrgvn »

Nothing can compensate this loss. A vidhushi like Smt.Kalpakam Swaminathan will never be born again. Her melodious music is still audible to my ears. I had the good fortune of playing the khamAs swarajathi 'sAmbasivA' on veena for her, about ten years ago. I still remember it. I also had the fortune of attending quite a few concerts of hers. Last heard her at Raga Sudha for Bharathiya Sangeetha Vaibhavam. I even attended her 'Samvada' session. Her humility was something that no artist can ever have. She was such a mountain of knowledge, but did not even have the slighest of pride. We will all surely miss her!!

VRV
Posts: 151
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:03

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by VRV »

I never had a chance to listen to her. I missed out on the Cleveland opportunity too. What a sad loss. Prof SRJ spoke so highly of her vidwat and knowledge. My heartfelt condolences.

Vinod Venkataraman

ram
Posts: 705
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:48

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by ram »

Really sad news.

Ramki - Thanks to you, I got to spend a few precious moments with her which I shall cherish my whole life.

ramakriya
Posts: 1876
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 02:05

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by ramakriya »

Yes, truly Saraswathi has left for her abode.

I never had the fortune of attending one of her concerts :(.

I would like to thank all rasikas who have shared their wealth of her recordings for people like me.

A few words about her music - "Gaana vana mayoori: http://hamsanada.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post.html "

-Ramakriya

vainika
Posts: 433
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 11:32

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by vainika »

Here is puraharanandana in hamIr kalyANI rendered by Kalpakam teacher.

sruthi
Posts: 204
Joined: 21 Sep 2010, 19:59

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by sruthi »

Kalpagam mami was truly a living legend. My condolences.

ksrimech
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Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 04:25

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by ksrimech »

The music fraternity will miss her! My heartfelt condolences to all her students.

mohan
Posts: 2806
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 16:52

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by mohan »

Saddened to hear the news of the loss of this great vainika. Consolences to Ramki, her family and other disciples.

kunthalavarali
Posts: 425
Joined: 03 Mar 2010, 01:30

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by kunthalavarali »

Very sad reading the news. Last month I had an opportunity to talk to her and expressed that many of us were eager to listen to her play the veena again. She thought for a while and said "Yes I will" with some apprehension. It was obvious that she did not want to live incapacitated. It was also evident that her playing days were ending and it was hard to see her suffer not playing her divine instrument than the physical pain that she was undergoing. She used to say that vainikas will have no rebirth and there can be no doubt about it in her case. She would have gone back to Koothanur, the place from where she came, to join the Goddess of learning. Her music will live for ever. Many of us have been fortunate to have listened to her wonderful art. The love she had for students should help them carry the great tradition into the future. She had great affections for my wife Ambika(a student for several years) and myself, we will miss her a lot.

Mallikarjunan
Last edited by kunthalavarali on 07 Apr 2011, 08:11, edited 1 time in total.

davalangi
Posts: 90
Joined: 08 Jul 2005, 01:36

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by davalangi »

Deeply saddened by the news :( What can one say about the clarity in her playing, the attention to detail and most importantly the absence of any unnecessary features in her music!! I can't help but remember what my friend (and a great admirer of mAmi) said about her many years back - a musician who knew the lakshaNa extremely well but let it hang lightly on her shoulders AND just let her music speak it. How true!

A recording of mAmi playing shrI sundararAjam in rAmakriya:

http://www.mediafire.com/?fd7rwm9yeozp5o5

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

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by venkatakailasam »

Veenarpana by Smt. Vidya Shankar Smt. Kalpagam Swaminathan & Smt. S. R. Padmavathy

please visit :

http://www.ignca.nic.in/veena_12092009_03.htm

When you get the link, Click on veena festivals and choose the above link.

venkatakailasam

kaumaaram
Posts: 380
Joined: 14 Oct 2005, 17:38

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by kaumaaram »

From the posts already made here, it is clear that all of us are extremely sad, wondering how and when the great loss would be made up. I pray to my Lord Karthikeya for her eternal peace.

viji subramaniam
Posts: 6
Joined: 21 Feb 2011, 10:07

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by viji subramaniam »

I visited her about 3 years back with my uncle, a great fan of hers. She was sitting on the floor with the veena in her hands. She spoke to us very warmly and then suddenly asked--" vaasikkatamaa?" Here warmth and spontaneity, her humility were so touching! We were overwhelmed.

arasi
Posts: 16774
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by arasi »

Viji,
I'm not going to say: that's the old fashioned way, the younger generation perhaps knows music but does not possess the simple ways of the old times, sharing being part of it.
What you say only goes to show the sharing nature of the vINA vidUshi. Love for music is what it's all about and it's not that all young performers are just vendors of music. We have seen the materialistic kind in the past too--which goes to say to us that it all depends on the individual, no matter which century they come from. There may not be simplicity in today's living, but human nature is what it is, and what it has been. The good and the bad and the in between inhabit the world.
I hope more musicians bring to us their experiences with KS as you have.
Her comment; pATTai vITTuDungO while SRJ wondered about the lyrics of a particular varNam only meant that when the composition was musically beautiful, one could ignore the words--especially while playing it on the vINA when one didn't hear the words, anyway! Here, it merely means that you cannot throw such a beautiful 'musical' composition away.

Rajani
Posts: 1193
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:52

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by Rajani »

Saddened to hear this. My heartfelt condolences to her family, by blood and and by music. Especially to her disciples like Ramakrishnan, this must be so difficult to bear. I remember he had once descibed her in his blog as "gAna-vana-mayUrI" ( and on how well the epithet chosen by MD for Gauri, fitted her too). What struck me then was, more than the dexterity with words, the love and sweetness there.

Ranganayaki
Posts: 1760
Joined: 02 Jan 2011, 06:23

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by Ranganayaki »

arasi wrote:Viji,
Her comment; pATTai vITTuDungO while SRJ wondered about the lyrics of a particular varNam only meant that when the composition was musically beautiful, one could ignore the words--especially while playing it on the vINA when one didn't hear the words, anyway! Here, it merely means that you cannot throw such a beautiful 'musical' composition away.
My respectful homage to her.

Arasi, all of your comment was very well said. I'll quote this part in the other thread.

thanjavooran
Posts: 2972
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 04:44

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by thanjavooran »

A great loss to the music world. My condolences.

Thanjavooran 07 04 2011

vasanthakokilam
Posts: 10956
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 00:01

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by vasanthakokilam »

Very sad to hear this news. Condolences to her family, friends and disciples. I did not have the good fortune to attend her concerts live but thanks to contributors here like vainika I had the pleasure of listening to the recordings. I recall one such recording provided by Vainika, where the first few seconds of Begada were so captivating, it was just a single strum and a few swaras. I kept listening to just that portion so many times. A great treasure. Thanks everyone for all the photos and recordings to remember her by.


rbharath
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Joined: 05 Feb 2010, 10:50

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by rbharath »

:(

ajit
Posts: 149
Joined: 06 Jul 2005, 02:42

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by ajit »

Condolences to her family, friends and disciples. Indeed a great loss. Thanks to the
Cleveland Aradhana, I was able to hear her live a few years back. Great artiste.

Sivaramakrishnan
Posts: 1582
Joined: 02 Jan 2010, 08:29

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by Sivaramakrishnan »

Last time I saw Kalpagam Mami was at a chamber concert organised by Veenavaadini, Chennai (sponsored by Jayashree-Jayaraj) about a year ago. The main concert of the evening was by L Ramakrishnan - her disciple - who gave a fine recital. Mami was sitting unassumingly in a corner of the room but intently listening.

Another occasion I listened to her concert was at Ragasudha. A pure style - a 'matter of fact' rendering.

VEENAAVAADANA TATTHWAJNA SRUTIJAATI VISAARADA:
TAALAJNAAPRAYAASENA MOKSHAMAARGAM GAMISHYATI I

arasi
Posts: 16774
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by arasi »

Bharath,
Your sole icon says a lot about your feelings to those of us who know you.

Sivaramakrishnan,
Very apt farewell lines! Yes, wondering how Ramki and other students of hers are dealing with this...

Davalangi and Venkatakailasam,
Appreciate the recordings. Hope we get to hear more of veena concerts in the future. We have our own veena players on the forum. Ramki (Ramakrishnan) of course, J&J, Jayalakshmi Shekar--may be more, I don't know.

arunk
Posts: 3424
Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 21:41

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by arunk »

I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss. Even though I have not seen her live in concerts, I have seen, heard and will continue to cherish the private video recordings of her that I was fortunate to get. Such sweetness in the tone of her veena, such clarity in the gamakas..

Arun

venu sundar
Posts: 158
Joined: 19 Oct 2009, 22:23

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by venu sundar »

Ms. Kalpakam Swaminathan one of the oldest and veteran VEENA Vidwan passed away at Chennai and she was 89 years old.Ms Kalpakam had her early training under the great TL Venkatrama Iyer and she was one of the technically perfect and traditional Veena player!It is a great loss to the Music world particularly the Instrumental Music.Only a few months back we lost Vidhya Shankar another great Veena Vidushi and before that imprint faded we also lost Ms.Kalpakam and it is very difficult to fill the gap created by the great lady with Veena.Ms.Kalpakam was one of the BEST teachers and trained students at the Kalashetra.Ms. Kalpakam was also associated with the Govt,Music College for some time.
Ms Klapakam is no more bust surely live through her melodious music.May her soul rest in eternal peace.The world of Carnatic Music particularly Veena has lost another string now!

vainika
Posts: 433
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 11:32

Re: Smt Kalpakam Swaminathan 1922-2011

Post by vainika »

Prasar Bharati/All India Radio Madras is airing a tribute to Kalpakam Teacher on its FM Gold channel (102.3 MHz) 7-8 am on Sunday April 10, 2011.

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