Maharajapuram Santhanam

Carnatic Musicians
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kumaran.nadesan
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Post by kumaran.nadesan »

Thanks for the correction Jayaram :)

rajeshnat
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Post by rajeshnat »

kumaran.nadesan wrote:I had the opportunity to hear Maharajapuram Ramachandran in Toronto last year but it wasn't the same :(
Shri Santhanam is one of the all time greatest musician, 90% of the time the cub rAmachandran does not match the tiger santhAnam . But rAmachandran in my opinion sometimes equals or excels little more than his dad too. Some live experiences to support that are

1. Hear his hiranmayeem lakshmeem in lalita and soundararAjam in Brindavana sArangA .IIRC, I have not heard santhanam singing this krithi . Ramachandran is absolute bliss in both.

2. One krithi rAmachandran is very very slightly better than his dad . That krithi is shree vAthapi in sahanA.

3. Few rAga alapanai he equals his dad are kalyAna vasantham . Sometimes he is very interesting in rAga alApanai . I remember one pudi in amrithavarshini , a very different pudi and wonderful it was. That amrithavarshini pudi , I have not heard by santhanam.

4. In Jan this year , he sang a rare krithi in nAttai?/gambeera nAttai ? . The krithi he said was popularized by his grand dad MVI and shree MVI printed a book titled rare krithis of sadguru thyagarAja .That krithi in gambheera nAttai?/nAttai? was rakshatu mAm ?. I have not heard this krithi being rendered by santhanam.

Overall a rich base voice a big plus. I think shri rAmachanran can even sing without mike :) .Incidentally I have heard most of the time him singing dinamani vamsa in harikAmbOdhi and vinAyaka vinAyaka in pancharatna rAgas too often...:(
Last edited by rajeshnat on 09 Oct 2006, 10:20, edited 1 time in total.

arasi
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Post by arasi »

Good points about the cub. You make me want to listen to him (only heard him accompany his dad).
By the way, the tamizh word is piDi not pudi. Imagine the gesture when a piDi is sung. Shaking the fist is an approximation
of the emphasis on the piDi (grab, hold)...:)

Vocalist
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Post by Vocalist »

dinamani vamsha was a favourite of the school, from what i've heard. On the other hand, I don't think either of them are up to scratch in their rendition of Papanasam Sivan's sahAnA piece.

rajeshnat
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Post by rajeshnat »

vocalist,
dinamani vamsa was mainly sung as a submain by SSI or santhanam , but incidentally in the last few years (7 or 8 concerts)that I heard shri rAmachandran , 4 times it was dinamani vamsa and once it was undedi rAmudu in harikAmbOdhi . Incidentally all this was sung as a main krithi.

I didnot understand your statement .
Vocalist wrote:I don't think either of them are up to scratch in their rendition of Papanasam Sivan's sahAnA piece.

Vocalist
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Post by Vocalist »

I've listened to renditions of the sahAnA item by both musicians on more than one occasion - wasn't very impressive at all.

On a separate note, I do like a lot of Santhanam's renditions, but there were times where his 'nasal' style got to the stage of extremely annoying.

rajeshnat
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Post by rajeshnat »

Incidentally shri santhanam did get his best timbre from the year 1986-1987 onwards . There are few recordings that I have heard before those years , the timbre was not as best as what it was from year 1986 onwards. In the year 1986, shri santhanam was 58 years old , that means he had a late peak. That also means lot of musicians take such a long time to reach the peak .I am awaiting to hear the peak of shri rAmachandran.
Last edited by rajeshnat on 10 Oct 2006, 21:59, edited 1 time in total.

chalanata
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Post by chalanata »

one fellow member was directed here to discuss about viswanatha iyer. now what is the comparison of the I generation II generation and III generation singers of the maharajapuram clan?

Vocalist
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Post by Vocalist »

There is no comparison, simple!

rajeshnat
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Post by rajeshnat »

Similiarity or differences , the choice is yours to interpret

In terms of manOdharmam, MVI is the best . I will rate santhanam and ramachandran as little distant second and a very distant third respectively. Proof Of MVI manodharmam is his few recordings that I had a chance to hear were few casettes in sampradAya and there is one recording that I heard IIRC 1958 Music Academy where MVI has taken successively 4 or 5 krithis where he appeared as though he sang in one go for 90 minutes (abhogi varnam + nAttai pancharatna + pantuvarali RNS raghuvara nannu). That kind of uninterrupted succession you notice when SOmu sings tukkadas.

In terms of overall mass + class appeal, certainly santhanam is clear one . I had no chance to hear MVI , but since MVI's voice was bordering on recurrring bronchitis(to whatever I have heard) and also his prime disciples SSI and MMI being big jAmbhavan's ,he must have been eclipsed in rasikas mind. Here i would like to bring to your attention that Shri ramachandran is also good , but certainly lot of people under rate him as copy cat of santhanam and sometimes donot make to shri ramachandran concert.

My maternal grandfather who died about 15 years before used to say , it is very difficult for mridangist to play for MVI . He will break anybody's hand , if you hear 1958 MVI Academy concert , rangu Iyengar the mridangist may have broken his hand . Such speed and uninterrupted music.

There is specialization of thyagarAja krithis and there are few krithis of ThyagarAja that only MVI must have sung. Incidentally history says , shri MVI was the first to sing pancharatna krithis in thiruvayaru annual festival which is now a recurrent tradition .

While santhanam's distinction is composing few of his numbers and bringing in yazhpAnam veeramani viruttams was unique . I am assuming few Ragas like kalyAnavasantham, brindavana sAranga ?? were popularized by santhanam ,you can't find any rAga popularity that has been bought either by MVI or ramachandran. mOhanam is one rAga that their school is always famous of.

I have read few anecdotes of MVI in sruthi magazine, wherein he sings for half an hour an alApana in one concert and sings just for 2 minutes in the next concert both appearing excellent, that kind of pendulum swinging manOdharmam is found only with MVI , not in the next generations.

Overall clearly I like santhanam , but I adore and respect MVI because he was instrumental in producing three of my all time favourite musicians MMI (hear seethapathe in khamas by MVI , mmi has the same touch),SSI(hear marubAlka in shriranjani of MVI, where SSI has given the same touch) and santhanam (hear ilalO pranatharthi in atAna,where santhanam has the same touch.)
Last edited by rajeshnat on 25 Oct 2006, 21:23, edited 1 time in total.

chalanata
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Post by chalanata »

VI had a thin voice and tremendous imagination. his immediacy and impatience for the rendtion was unique; these brought about the height of self expression. i've never heard him allowing a complete course by the voilin. he was a real bupathi who did not only have control over the concert but also over his fellow artisits. his pantuvarali is par excellence!
S had the unique way of entering in to your heart silently without your knowledge. he could permeate the whole lot of both all knows and the know nots. his music when reaches a stage keeps the singer the listeners and the song in unison. there was absolately no difference of the singer, to whom singed and the song. such was the melody of his music. his thillanas like the one in basanth bahar in praise of the Paramacharya remain to be surpassed even today in melody devotion and expression.
in a way i feel the unfulfilled work left by VI was completed by S.
it is to be seen how far ramachandran brings about nuances to further the cause of the maharajapurams and CM.

rshankar
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Post by rshankar »

Rajesh,
When you say MSS, I assume you mean Maharajapuram V. Santhanam (MVS)...MS/MSS is usually used for Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi.

Ravi

rajeshnat
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Post by rajeshnat »

ravi
Tx, in my previous post I have replaced MSS ,MSR with santhanam and ramachandran respectively.

arasi
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Post by arasi »

Rajesh and chalanata,
An impressive summing up of three generations of the Maharajapuram family by the two of you. I was too young to remember much of MVI's conerts. All I remember is that I liked his singing. He had a stage presence which I remember very well. Semmangudi in those days was very nasal and looked dull in comparison to his master. Rajesh, I am speaking of good old days and that too from a child's perspective, so don't take offense :)
MVS was no doubt an audience pleaser in that he appealed to the different tastes of his listeners. His powerful voice was an asset and his sense for the lyrics was an added charm. I also remember that in his younger days he wasn't that impressive. After his years in Sri Lanka, he blossomed into the singer we are talking about. He could have gone on, but for his tragic end. His concerts were lively and you didn't mind too much his occasionally switching to bits of shallow rendering of some phrases as though he sang in a false voice! All the MD's kritis that I have heard him sing were in rare ragas and they were enjoyable.
I am looking forward to listening to the youngest in the clan. Haven't been to a concert of his yet.
Last edited by arasi on 26 Oct 2006, 08:30, edited 1 time in total.

srkris
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Post by srkris »

An article on Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer in today's Indian Express newspaper:

Maharajapuram in Tamil cinema
Friday January 12 2007 11:33 IST

Not many are aware that some legendary figures and giants of classical Carnatic music had links with Tamil cinema.

They had no serious intention or aim of becoming movie stars and yet they did appear in movies. But soon they abandoned ship and, to mix metaphors, took off to greener pastures of their home turf! Some had the desire to appear on screen, but their wishes remained mere dreams.

The glittering list of gems includes many legends of music and contains many surprises.

Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Musiri Subramania Iyer, Thiruvavaduthurai N Rajaratnam Pillai, Mysore T Chowdaiah, S Rajam, S Balachandar, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Palakkad TS Mani Iyer, KV Narayanaswami, Chittoor Subramania Pillai, Kalakkad Ramanarayana Iyer, Thiruvengadu Subramania Pillai, Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, TN Seshagopalan, and yes, Semmangudi R Srinivasa Iyer. Quite a list that! And a male list at that.

The folk myth tale of the low-born farm hand, Nandan, and his unfathomable devotion and bhakti for Lord Nataraja has been a familiar tale among Tamilians. It was written as a musical titled Nandan Charitram by Gopalakrishna Bharathiar ‘circa’, late 18th century.

Bharathiar’s work was a great success and proved immensely popular as Harikatha Kalakshepam. Later, it was made as a hit play and as a silent film in 1923 and 1930.

When cinema began to talk and sing Tamil in 1931, the folktale was made thrice in 1933, 1935 and 1942. In 1935, a version of Nandanar made history at many levels with the famed stage and screen star, musician, and cult figure, KB Sundarambal playing the male role of Nandan.

The 1942 film was produced by the Indian movie mogul, SS Vasan for his Gemini Studios and the well-known classical Carnatic musician, champion of the Thamizh Isai movement and sometime movie star, MM Dhandapani Desikar played Nandan.

The Gemini version was the most successful version of them all.

One of the immortals of Carnatic music, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer made his only appearance in film as the rich Brahmin landowner, Vedhiyar, under whom Nandan worked as his lowly ill-treated farm hand.

A legend in his lifetime, the mercurial maestro of music was a Bohemian and agreed to play the role although the lead role was to be played by a woman, KB Sundarambal.

Indeed, KBS had reservations for she was a lowborn woman while Maharajapuram was a highborn Brahmin! Such class, caste, communal distinctions and prejudices prevailed in top gear in those days. But the great musician did not care for that and he was above such narrow views and tunnel vision attitudes.

He received a fee of Rs 3,000, while KBS got an unheard of salary of Rs 100,000. A mega buck fortune indeed in 1935! The two acting in a film became news per se! Public expectation ran high and moviegoers eagerly awaited the release of the film.

The film was produced by Hassandas Classical Talkies and directed by the noted Hollywood-trained filmmaker Manik Lal Tandon. He made many Tamil films during 1930-1940 and Nandanar was one of them.

A man of much charm, wit and humour, Viswanatha Iyer faced the wrath of his orthodox, rigid, tradition-bound Brahmin community, especially in his hometown of temples, Kumbakonam. But he was one who never batted an eyelid in breaking rules and taboos and kicking at sacred cows and bulls!

(This writer had the pleasure and privilege of knowing the great man well despite the vast difference in age between them and enjoyed his love and affection. He had an inexhaustible fund of ‘blue’ jokes, risqué anecdotes and tales about men and women of his times and chimes.

Sadly, most of them are unprintable even in this Permissive Age! Kalki described him as Maharagapuram (because he sang all ragas so brilliantly) and Sangeetha Bhoop-pathi.

One of Iyer’s titles was Sangeetha Bhoopathi and his penchant for mixing the Hindustani raga Bhoop with the Carnatic raga Mohanam inspired Kalki to give him the amended title!)

Source: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.as ... ek&Topic=0

raghavendrank
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Post by raghavendrank »

I want entire renderings of Maharajapuram Ramachandran/Srinivasan/Santhanam.....
can anyone send the link pl.
Last edited by raghavendrank on 09 Jul 2007, 19:13, edited 1 time in total.

sureshvv
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Post by sureshvv »

Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer is also known for so many "colorful" anecdotes that are told about him. Some of the most hilarious stories I have heard.

MaheshS
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Post by MaheshS »

I have a recording of Santhanam's concert in the 70's with Chalakudi and Guruvayoor Dorai. His nasal voice is very prominent and probably one of the very few concerts of his where Kiravani [Kaligiyunte] is the main.

Have not heard much of Srinivasan or Ramachandran. The one concert I heard [1999 IIRC] was near Srinivsa Satri Hall, Raga Sudha or something like that[?], near that park. It was Ramachandran on some anniversary series. I had to walk out half way thro cos it was a *bad* impression of Santhanam singing. Even the swarams were right out of the Santhanam book. And when he started killing my beloved Mohanam I had no choice but to walk out.

Again, I have not heard much of Viswanatha Iyer but for a couple of recordings. And if you want to know why he was the Bhoop-pathi in both the ways meant, Coolji posted a TWO minute [incomplete] raga alapana of Mohanam, his voice is perfect and the Mohanam itself is fot for gods!!! It's a pity though as the whole recording is not available, Coolji mentioned that he only had two mins and that too luckily as it was in a spool and he only had it by accident. Hear that one. If needs be I can upload it if any one is interested.

divakar
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Post by divakar »

If needs be I can upload it if any one is interested.
can u upload the 2 min mohanam of maharajapuram viswanatha ayyar ? thanks.

sramaswamy
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Post by sramaswamy »

A nice article written by TK Srinivasan on Maharajapuram Santhanam

http://www.karnatik.com/article021.shtml

vijay
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Post by vijay »

Of the Maharajapuram clan, Ramachandran is surprisingly my favourite!

I don't doubt that MVI was a formidable force in his prime but few of the available recordings seem to do justice to his reputation. The one exception is a brief Mohana Rama which is simply awesome and ample evidence of the supreme musician he was.

Could anyone direct me to some of his older recordings (whether available commercially or on the net?). Many of my neighbours in their 80s talk about his spellbinding performances in the area (around Valluvar Kottam). I believe he used to reside in Jambulingam street.

bhaktha
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Post by bhaktha »

Vijay,
Listen to his saramathi on sangeethapriya...link is given below:
http://www.sangeethapriya.org/Downloads ... ima56.html
Such a pristine saramathi...am sure u'll love it!
In fact, the songs in this particular concert are indicative of all his traits that have been discussed so far. If u have the time, do listen to Raghuvara too....What speed and what control! Truly a Bhupathi!
-bhaktha
Last edited by bhaktha on 18 Jul 2007, 11:46, edited 1 time in total.

vijay
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Post by vijay »

Thanks bhaktha - will certainly give it a listen

bala747
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Post by bala747 »

Actually bhaktha I think Mukhari encapsulates the best and worst of MVI in this concert. Listen to the alapana and one will be amazed at the sangathi's that just flow briskly, almost but not crossing the strict boundaries into bhairavi (especially about a minute or two into the alapana) but the Mukhari krithi rendition was beyond terrible. Utterly butchered and he was just spitting the words out and it was left to Santhanam (?) as backup vocalist to carry the song. I preferred MVS's and SSI's version of this krithi to MVI's hatchet job.

unnikrishnan_n
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Post by unnikrishnan_n »

Unfortunate see the discussions about an ever green hero of carnatic music coming to a grinding halt. (sorry for the late joining).

cacm
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Post by cacm »

Dear Rasikas,
I am disappointed tho' not surprised that persons who have heard only TERRIBLE recordings of MVI lack OBJECTIVITY & have heard the worst of him but have the guts to write about him; Suffice it for me at least to repeat what SSI told me about him: BOTH I & MMI used to travel 90 miles by muffasil bus to hear him-took whole day!- his music was unique and unequalled. His concerts towards the end voicenon-existent thegreat LGJ PLAYED & SHOWED what he was trying to convey; IT WAS DIVINE!.......I hope the current persons remove the "chip on their shoulders" & study .,restore the greatness from the past from which todays great artists derive their innovations. vkv

gn.sn42
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Post by gn.sn42 »

vijay wrote:I don't doubt that MVI was a formidable force in his prime but few of the available recordings seem to do justice to his reputation. The one exception is a brief Mohana Rama which is simply awesome and ample evidence of the supreme musician he was.

Could anyone direct me to some of his older recordings (whether available commercially or on the net?). Many of my neighbours in their 80s talk about his spellbinding performances...
vkv43034 wrote:I am disappointed tho' not surprised that persons who have heard only TERRIBLE recordings of MVI lack OBJECTIVITY & have heard the worst of him but have the guts to write about him;

...I hope the current persons remove the "chip on their shoulders" & study .,restore the greatness from the past from which todays great artists derive their innovations. vkv
If vkv43034's post was in response to vijay's, I think it's quite uncalled for. vijay's post is extremely gracious and sincere.

arasi
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Post by arasi »

Neither is Vijay panning MVI nor is VKV defending him or needs to :)

VKV,
Vijay, as gn.sn42 points out, is an extremely gracious and fine-tuned rasikA. He does not for a moment doubt the greatness of MVI. He is the kind of rasikA who makes us feel that after our time, CM will still have plenty of rasikAs and special ones like Vijay and many others that we have on the Rasikas who are half our age in most cases...
Last edited by arasi on 06 Jun 2008, 04:41, edited 1 time in total.

ram
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Post by ram »

rajeshnat wrote:My maternal grandfather who died about 15 years before used to say , it is very difficult for mridangist to play for MVI . He will break anybody's hand , if you hear 1958 MVI Academy concert , rangu Iyengar the mridangist may have broken his hand . Such speed and uninterrupted music.
Rajesh,

Not sure what you mean by breaking a mrudangam artist's hand. Rangu Iyengar was one of the all time greats.

The Music Academy web site http://www.musicacademymadras.in/2007-w ... r1958.html lists Madurai Krishna Iyengar as the mrudangam artist for the concert you are citing.

rajeshnat
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Post by rajeshnat »

ram
MVI was so fast in rendition ,that any mridangist will find it difficult to play continously. That was what I meant by breaking mridangist hand. I got the name wrong , he is not rangu but madurai krishna iyengAr.

rajeshnat
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Post by rajeshnat »

maharAjapuram rAmachandran:
------------------------------------
Few perspectives that I observed over years with maharAjapuram ramachandran.

1. Usually in all concerts we have a sub main and a main. But rAmachandran generally gives atleast first 4 numbers as one submain and the rest three very very close to say 80% of submain. That is his Style . So when you hear just before the start of main , you will atleast have a relative feel that this concert is brimming with music.

Having said that he loses steam for main and very likely the quality slightly(as the last kalyani in shringeri temple concert) or very noticably suffers(like last 2008 seasonof kharaharapriya in academy). After main it is always steady stream of tukkadas they are all aesthetic and exceptionally well done.

2. rAmachandran like his thAthA does not believe in giving violin returns almost every swara or neraval he cuts off quickly the violin before they complete the return. For me initially few years back it was irritating , but nowadays I just like it most of the time as breath continuity and sustained gamakam by vocalist adds a lot of aesthetics and brings more depth. To that extent hats off to him and his thAthA MVI , both are very very gutsy.

3. lalitha choodAmani:
------------------
AN interesting anecdote about 6 years back atleast I attended a concert of maharAjapuram rAmachandran. That was in sastri hall for ariyakudi foundation where mayavaram b rajam iyer presided. BTW that review must be there in titanic site sangeetham.com.

In the first row mAyavaram B Rajam Iyer was seated ,I was seated in the 4th row along with Dr V V Srivatsa (musicologist who is an authority in muttuswami dikshitar). We both coincidentally sat next to each other .

I think after shree mahAgaNapathE in AbhOgi, when I was about to jot down the krithi and rAga ,I was not sure with the composer as to whether it was NS ramachandran or mayuram vishwanAtha Sastri. I asked DR VVS if it is vish sAstri, he said this is by NS rAmachandran. Then I said what a great composition by NS ramachandran.

Then there was some number , then maharAjapuram rAmachandran started singing an out of the world lalitA. Then Dr Srivastava just during violin return just whispered into my years , intha rAmachandran pAru eppadi evalavu azhagA lalitA krithi pAdapOrAr (look look see how this maharajapuram rAmachandran is going to sing lalitA) and then hiranmayeem lakshmeem popped out , big round of applause was there. Then in that concert the main was sounderarAjam in br sArangA .Then Dr V V Srivatsa remarked ivalavu nalla dikshitar krithiya pAdarthukku antha rAjam Iyer thAn kAranam and pointed out B.rAjam Iyer(Only because of B.rajam iyer tutoring did ramachandran sing this br saranga so beautifully).

This I thought is a great appreciation by DR VV Srivatsa who being a dikshitar authority feeling like praising ramachandran to an unknown stranger who is me and considering that DR VVS is generally not known to show any favoritism that indeed shows the accomplishment that maha ramachandran has achieved. This kind of little praises which are as impressive as a typical award

Flash forward some time later three or four years before , rAmachandran sang the same lalitA in KGS with neraval"geeta vAdhya" and swaras , voice sAreeram at its best.

At the end of sringeri temple concert I just went and shaked his hands "Sir neenga sangeetha choodAmani mattum illa , neenga lalita choodAmani". Incidentally I had a sound reason to say that he is lalitha choodAmani.

Lalita is one rAga that has not been very explored by early 19th century vidwans like ariyakudi, mmi , semmangudi . Possibly they were in that era where the battle of lalita vs vasantA :) was not closed, so possibly all musicians of that era were not committed to lalitA

I am assuming only DKJ-DKP brought lalitA to maximum limelight . Usually most of us generally think that DKJ's hiranmayeem is the gold standard. Fortunately when you hear rAmachandran you will automatically promote this musician as a gold standard lalitA singer and DKJ only comes second .There is also Smt MS amma singing hiranmayeem in an academy concert which is very good.

But the finest singer of lalitA is indeed maharAjapuram ramachandran, voice reaching that beautiful sareeram is matchless. I had a chance to talk to shri ramachandran after the last sringeri temple concert, he said he picked up br sAranga krithi from mayavaram B rajam iyer , where as lalita it was more an inspiration from DKJ/DKP school.

Note:
-----
There was one time where he did not get lalita perfectly, so I cant guarantee ramachandran to get lalita always perfectly. But nevertheless just hear him sing that you will get a feel of what I have penned before and more importantly connect B.rajamIyer-Dr VVS anecdote. BTW apart from lalita I have noticed he excelling in Arabi and brindavana sAranga , but there are many musicians who excel as much as rAmachandran.

But lalitA he is truly the #1, past and present, shri rAmachandran is "lalithA gold winner".
Last edited by rajeshnat on 15 Dec 2009, 22:06, edited 1 time in total.

cpblog
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Post by cpblog »

Inviting you all to an audio stream from a 1978 concert at "Parvathi", Mysore with Maharajpuram Santhanam-Lalgudi - Ramabhadran - MAK Murthy http://chowdaiahandparvati.blogspot.com/

unnikrishnan_n
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Post by unnikrishnan_n »

The Thulaseevanam Kruthis rendered by Maharajapuram Santhanam are available after a long gap. They have been taken over from AVM and are produced by KOSMIC. The CD is in MP3 format with a big Lord Ayyappa Picture. Please grab before the copies are sold out.

Balummi
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Post by Balummi »

Hasty message submitted cancelled. I was under the impression that " Maharajapuram" refers only to Santhanam in these columns . After going through all the letters I understand that it refers to the entire family of father , son and grandsons . My impression is that the father stands aloft verymuch above the son or grandson . Sri Madurai Mani Iyer used to say with great admiration that Sri Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer was undoubtedly the greatest Vidwan that he had ever listened to! Please forget about the available recordings of him which do not do justice to his greatness
Last edited by Balummi on 12 Dec 2009, 18:16, edited 1 time in total.

ganeshkant
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Post by ganeshkant »

Santhanam's way of singing varnams were quite unique.I haven't seen that kalapramanam with any other artist past or present.Even his sons are unable to effect this.

He was offered an evening slot only in 1967 in KGS when he was 39!

As Subbudu had written

" Santhnam was singing heavy classical music till '80 and no one took notice of him but when he slightly changed his style and started singing exciting tail enders the entire world started speaking about him".

Indeed a true statement.

During 90s he used to ask the rasikas what they want for main and invariably the answer was mohanam and this used to irritate rasikas like me.Neverthless we sat through!

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

Post by CRama »

What ganeshkant has written is true. In seventees Santhanam's music was on his father's style which he changed for more popularity in th eightees. I have got 2-3 concerts before eighty and his soga suga, saramegani etc are mind boggling. He had sung Nalinakanthimathi (ragamalika) with alapanas and swarams in all the ragas..Another concert in the beginning of eighties in Ram Seva Mandali with Lalgudi and Praveen is also mesmerising.Main song- Unnai allal-Kalyani.

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

Post by CRama »

In mail no 61, I have mentioned Nalinakanthimathi- ragamalika. It may please be corrected as Sarangan marugane- Ragamalika.

In the mail no 56, rajeshnat has mentioned as Mayavaram Rajam Iyer. Is it Mayavaram S. Rajam or B.Rajam Iyer. Both are different persons. Any how this mail give me an opportunity to understand Maharajapuram Ramachandran in a bnetter manner. Otherwise I was not listening to his music. Thanks.

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

Post by rajeshnat »

CRama wrote:In mail no 61, I have mentioned Nalinakanthimathi- ragamalika. It may please be corrected as Sarangan marugane- Ragamalika.

In the mail no 56, rajeshnat has mentioned as Mayavaram Rajam Iyer. Is it Mayavaram S. Rajam or B.Rajam Iyer. Both are different persons. Any how this mail give me an opportunity to understand Maharajapuram Ramachandran in a bnetter manner. Otherwise I was not listening to his music. Thanks.
CRama
Do you have ragamaliga with swarams for sArangan maruganE , i have not had a chance to hear any swaras at all for sarangan marugane . Are u sure on that?

In post #56 I have mentioned as mayavaram B rajam Iyer only, though at one place I have just referred him as just mayavaram rajam Iyer . Ramachandran has learnt from mayavaram B rajam Iyer , the disciple of ariyakudi few dikshitar krithis.
Last edited by rajeshnat on 15 Dec 2009, 15:00, edited 1 time in total.

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

Post by CRama »

Rajeshnat, Iam sure I have got Sarangan marugane with swaras atleast in two concerts. If your are in Chennai you contact me 9445070656. I can share with you.

narayan
Posts: 383
Joined: 05 Oct 2008, 07:43

Post by narayan »

rajeshnat wrote: In the first row mAyavaram Rajam Iyer was seated ,I was seated in the 4th row along with Dr Srivastava (musicologist who is an authority in muttuswami dikshitar).
rajeshnat,
I'm pretty sure this would be V.V.Srivatsa the authority on MD and various other matters. Srivastavas are mostly people from eastern U.P. and other far off places.

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

Post by rajeshnat »

narayan wrote:
rajeshnat wrote: In the first row mAyavaram Rajam Iyer was seated ,I was seated in the 4th row along with Dr Srivastava (musicologist who is an authority in muttuswami dikshitar).
rajeshnat,
I'm pretty sure this would be V.V.Srivatsa the authority on MD and various other matters. Srivastavas are mostly people from eastern U.P. and other far off places.
Corrected the post he is only Dr V V Srivatsa

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

Re: Maharajapuram

Post by arasi »

From Sanjay Subrahmanyan's blog, I came to know that he gave a Maharajapuram Santhanam memorial concert at KGS a few days ago. Were there other concerts too? Would be nice to see the song list (s) to know if some of MS's favorites were sung.
Sanjay's recollections about Maharajapuram and his music in his formative years made an interesting read. We do appreciate personal glimpses from contemporary musicians into CM's history and about vidvAns of yesteryears. From posterity's point of view, it is all the more valuable.

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

1979 Santhanam Concert from "Parvati" Mysore

Post by cpblog »

Dear Rasikas,

We welcome you to a Vidwan Maharajpuram Santhanam concert of April 5, 1979 at Parvathi, Mysore during Ramanavami. Accompanying him are Vidwans Lalgudi Jayaraman, Vellore Ramabhadran and M.A.Krishnamurthy.
http://chowdaiahandparvati.blogspot.com/

Regards,

CPBlog team

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

Re: Maharajapuram Santhanam

Post by varsha »

I have heard legendary stories of Santhanam making it to the first show of movies on friday at krishnaveni theatre . They must have been true , since he was the first to hypnotise a larger audience . He must have got the inspiration to reach out to larger numbers there .
Some proof of this is here , in his rendering of a hindi bhajan . He must have admired Khurshid . Her rendering of the classic - aiy channd chup na janna ..... ( hey moon , dont you hide behind the clouds ) forms the second part of this mixed track . The inspiration from the Kolkattan Music of the 30s and 40s is unmistakeably present.
http://www.mediafire.com/?18bcmwvyf4v5533
enjoy !!

Krazy4music
Posts: 17
Joined: 18 Aug 2010, 19:04

Re: Maharajapuram Santhanam

Post by Krazy4music »

Incredible!!Thanks so much Varsha....

sreebeecane
Posts: 145
Joined: 03 Nov 2011, 22:10

Re:

Post by sreebeecane »

I heard his concert in Chicago a couple of years ago. Was extremely impressive reminiscent of his father. He was accompanied by Sandeep Bharadwaj on the violin who accompanied Shri Ramachandran superbly. And, the way he encouraged the young vidwan was extremely impressive.

Any opinions on Ganesh Vishwanathan - grandson of Shri Santhanam? I heard him on Jaya TV last and I haven't seen very many reviews either in The Hindu or on this forum.

--------
rajeshnat wrote: Then there was some number , then maharAjapuram rAmachandran started singing an out of the world lalitA. Then Dr Srivastava just during violin return just whispered into my years , intha rAmachandran pAru eppadi evalavu azhagA lalitA krithi pAdapOrAr (look look see how this
Saar saar, Dr. Srivatsa-va poyi Dr. Srivastava pannitele. :)

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

Re: Maharajapuram Santhanam

Post by venkatakailasam »

pahi pahi sharade-Kalyani...

Composer...Andavan pitchai...Would like to hear as many times as possible...

REndered by Maharajapuram Shri. Santhanam... 49mts concert..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwmmxs2uV_4

MaamiAtHeart
Posts: 66
Joined: 28 Dec 2011, 23:03

Re: Maharajapuram Santhanam

Post by MaamiAtHeart »

I was looking to read about the great Vidwan Maharajapuram Santhanam and this thread left me thirsting for more. If i could bother the moderators, would it be possible to rename this thread as the Maharajapuram legacy or something like that? Because this thread focuses a lot on MVI and his grandson. A great maestro like Santhanam deserves a full blown thread IMHO. Also, it is possible that some rasikas in this forum would have interacted personally with him and it would be wonderful if they could share their experiences. Even if critics dismissed him as a "mass hero", his fans absolutely loved his incredibly beautiful bhakthi soaked renditions. I have listened to absolutely pristine Vasantha, Amrithavarshini, Maya malava gowla etc from him. There is a group rendition of the pancharathna krithis with him leading the chorus. Absolutely wonderful. And need i even mention the famous tukkadas and thillanas? His tragic demise was an immense blow for Carnatic music. I remember that day; it was like losing a member of our own family. He inspired that much love in the hearts of his listeners. During his last december season, my parents attended his concert at NGS. He sang Meenakshi memudham and my mother talks about his neraval at Madhurapuri nilaye till this day. I remember how incredibly happy my parents were when they returned home that evening. If anyone has that song, could you please share it?

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

Re: Maharajapuram Santhanam

Post by vasanthakokilam »

>A great maestro like Santhanam deserves a full blown thread IMHO

Definitely. And this is the thread for that. There are some detours to related ( and sometimes unrelated ) topics. That is par for the course. So any further discussion on Maharajapuram Santhanam can take place in this thread.

MaamiAtHeart
Posts: 66
Joined: 28 Dec 2011, 23:03

Re: Maharajapuram Santhanam

Post by MaamiAtHeart »

Ok! I really hope this thread is revived. BTW, what is the acronym for Maharajapuram Santhanam?

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