Reviews Worth Reading

Review the latest concerts you have listened to.
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drshrikaanth
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Post by drshrikaanth »

I have started this thread so that all reviews can be posted here. It serves 2 purposes

1- Avoids starting a new thread for each review posted
2-Puts them all conveniently in one thread which helps for future reference.

I have also made this a sticky so it is always accessible and easy to see.

drshrikaanth
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Joined: 26 Mar 2005, 17:01

Post by drshrikaanth »

Let me first begin with another review from yesterday's The Hindu in the Friday review section of the Bangalore edition

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/08/04/stor ... 330300.htm

drshrikaanth
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Joined: 26 Mar 2005, 17:01

Post by drshrikaanth »

The review is about a thematic presentation. vid||R.K.Srikantan is a great musician, an exemplary teacher as well as an eloquent speaker witha fine sense of humour. The review provides an insight into his take on selecting rare compositions from common as well as rare composers, both ancient and contemporary. A very catholic and progressive approach which is all the more surprising given his stature and age.

drshrikaanth
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Post by drshrikaanth »

After reading the review, I nearly cried for not attending this programme. RKS has sung the AndhALi kRti of MD. I have been wnating to hear it for so long. Did anybody attend ad record the programme? Does anybody have any recording of this kRti? Please post it.

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

Post by arasi »

DRS,
Thanks for the article. Listening to RKS's singing is like opening an antique treasure chest. Inexhaustible classical gems are what he offers. Whenever I am in Bangalore, if he happens to sing, I make sure that I don't miss his concert. Few years ago, he sang on two consecutive evenings at Ananya--with some of his disciples too, the raga Saveri. I can still hear it!
Given his age, his voice is powerful, expressive and bhAvA-laden. As I mentioned it somewhere in the Sangetham BB, to see his wife in the audience and see her enjoying his music adds to the pleasure of it all!
The veteran echoes the feelings of many of us. An admixture of the old and the new and the new (rarely heard ones) in the old...

drshrikaanth
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Post by drshrikaanth »

arasi wrote:The veteran echoes the feelings of many of us. An admixture of the old and the new and the new (rarely heard ones) in the old...
Very nicely put Arasi. And we might have even met in Bangalore. Possibly in Aanya itself.

arasi
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Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

Wish we had recognized each other. But how?!!:)

vasanthakokilam
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Post by vasanthakokilam »

In one direction... there is a clue here... http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=255 ;)

arasi
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Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

Vk,
You are right:)

coolkarni

Post by coolkarni »

Some nice thoughts about Critics and Reviews
(from the various works of Oscar Wilde)

The one characteristic of a beautiful form is that one can put into it whatever one wishes ,and see in it whatever one chooses to see ; and the Beauty ,that gives to creation its universal and aesthetic element ,makes the critic a creator in his turn ,and whispers of a thousand different things which were not present in the mind of him who carved the statue or painted the panel ,or graved the gem.
( the critic as an artist)
***
the result of the vulgar specialisation of criticism is an elaborate scientific knowledge of the stage - almost as elaborate as that of the stage carpenter and quite on a par with that of the call-boy-combined with an entire incapacity to realize that a play is a work of art or to receive any artistic impressions at all ( in an interview)
***
..each of the arts has a critic ,as it were ,assigned to it.
The actor is the critic of the drama. ( The critic as an artist)
***
The fine spirit of choice and delicate instinct of selection by which the artist realizes life for us ,and gives to it a momentary perfection
.that spirit of choice ,the subtle tact of omission, is really the critical faculty in one of its most characteristic moods, and one who does not possess this faculty cannot create anything at all in art. (The critic as an artist)
***
.The first step in aesthetic criticism is to realize one's own impressions.
(Pen, Pencil and Poison)
***
Real critics ? Ah ! How perfectly charming they would be !I am always waiting for their arrival. An inaudible school would be nice. (In an interview)
***
Criticism demands infinitely far more cultivation than creation does.
(The critic as an artist)
***
The moment criticism exercises any influence, it ceases to be criticism .The aim of a true critic is to try to chronicle his own moods ,not to try to correct the masterpieces of others. (In an interview)
***
The critic is he who can translate into another manner of a new material his impression of beautiful things. The highest , as the lowest ,form of criticism is a mode of autobiography.(The picture of Dorian Gray)
***
Why should the artist be troubled by the shrill clamour of criticism ?If a mans work is easy to understand an explanation is unnecessary. (The critic as an artist)
***
It is exactly because a man cannot do a thing that he is the proper judge of it. (The critic as an artist)
***
I never reply to my critics. I have far too much time. But I think some day I will give a general answer in the form of a lecture which I shall call "Straight talks to Old men"
***
Amen

kiransurya
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Post by kiransurya »

Coolkarni
Very nice.

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »


drshrikaanth
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Post by drshrikaanth »

Thanks Ravi. It sometimes takes a foreigner to remind many of us of the beauty/greatness in our arts. And is refreshing to know the perspective of someone who is not culturally ingrained to see things the way we do. And at times shocking too :rolleyes:

drshrikaanth
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Post by drshrikaanth »

Here is a review of a concert of the Grande Dame of HM- Gangubai Hangal. It is always invigorating to read about maestros. And in this particular review, touching as well. What a spirit!

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/08/18/stor ... 170300.htm

en kaDan paNi seidu kiDappadE was a line Rangaramanuja Iyengar quoted in his books (kRti maNimAlai). Gangubai is a living example of it. I once saw her interview and was stucky by her unassuming nature. The child in her is remarkable. She reminds one so much of D.K.Pattammal who too has that beatific smile and child-like simplicity.

arasi
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Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

Coolji,
A true artist drinks at the spiritual font of music and brings to us the joy of it. He/she cannot help it. At another level, he/she possesses 'that fine choice and delicate instinct of selection', and as a result, 'that momentary perfection' becomes ours.
Last edited by arasi on 20 Aug 2006, 08:10, edited 1 time in total.

arasi
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Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

Ravi,
Several years ago, in the very same hall I heard Aruna Sairam and a french medieval musician give a performance. I wasn't sure what to expect. It turned out to be enjoyable. The medieval music was soothing (my grandson as an infant would fall asleep easily to it!) and Aruna's singing had depth and feeling.
Kalyani was one of the ragas she sang and a Mayuram Visvanatha Sastry song. Of course, Aruna's speaking was impressive (as usual).
While I cannot brook the mish mash versions of so called Fusion--they are aplenty--I do welcome new experiments which have validity.

arasi
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Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

DRS,
Good old (young) Gangu Bai!

typo: en kADAN (duty, my thing)
Last edited by arasi on 20 Aug 2006, 08:58, edited 1 time in total.

drshrikaanth
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Joined: 26 Mar 2005, 17:01

Post by drshrikaanth »

Yes, Thanks Arasi.

vasanthakokilam
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Post by vasanthakokilam »

rshankar wrote:This was very nice to read!
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/08/18/stor ... 110200.htm
Ravi
You can listen to Robert Wright's 'fusion' cd here..

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/robertwright

Click on Play All Songs.

coolkarni

Post by coolkarni »

DRS
thanks for that great link ....on gangoobai...

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

An elegant tribute:
nadiyinilE varum gItam?
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/08/25/stor ... 920300.htm
Ravi

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

Another well crafted review that makes me wish I had been there!
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/09/01/stor ... 770300.htm

arasi
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Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

Ravi,
Thanks! What a breath of fresh air! I haven't seen her perform so far and I don't want to miss her again. What she says is something to think about. The theme recurs. Performer who is serious about teaching and the future of the arts...

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

Arasi,
She is exquisite - the only word to describe her is chiseled perfection...Don't miss her performance.
Ravi

srkris
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Post by srkris »



arasi
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Post by arasi »

Lakshmanji,
Isn't it nIkEla daya rAdu rAmachandrA in kathana kuthUhalam?
Last edited by arasi on 29 Sep 2006, 10:20, edited 1 time in total.

vasanthakokilam
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Post by vasanthakokilam »

I like M.S. Sheela'a vibrant way of singing. Especially, her voice matches very well the vibrancy inherent in that kathana kuthUhalam piece ( by MV ).

Radhakrishnan
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Post by Radhakrishnan »

arasi,It is nIkEla daya rAdu rAmachandrA.
M.S.Sheela used to sing this often.


arasi
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Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Post by arasi »

VK,
M.S.Sheela is a pro. Yes, her voice is vibrant. Her concerts are always satisfying. She handles a two hour concert of Purandara DAsA's compositions the same way as she would a four hour performance. She follows in her guru's foot steps. Her voice and pleasant deportment are added assets...
Earlier this year in a concert, the violinist paid scant attention to her singing and seemed distracted. Though it must have bothered her, Sheela went on to give an impressive performance. That is why I call her a pro...
Last edited by arasi on 29 Sep 2006, 10:17, edited 1 time in total.

humdinger
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Post by humdinger »

the kadanakuthuhalam krithi rendered by her is available here:
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/c ... artist.52/

venkatpv
Posts: 373
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Post by venkatpv »

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/09/29/stor ... 130300.htm

an interesting bit from this article:

<< In 1964, Vidwan T.R.Subramaniam not only had him sing at his own sabha at Vijayawada, but also pretended to have a sore throat in order to have Ranganathan substitute for himself at a Rajahmundry recital. "Never before - or since - did I get such a crowd. Heads ranged as far as eye could see, all for TRS! By with my gurus' grace, I managed to satisfy them." >>

Vocalist
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Post by Vocalist »

I really liked this article too - I recommend a reading of it too!! Though I can understand why venkatpv pointed that snippet out ;)

vs_manjunath
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Joined: 29 Sep 2006, 19:37

Post by vs_manjunath »

RKS is a great artiste. It's a pleasure to hear his Kalyani and the famous Pallavis like: Uma Hamsagama Brova Thamasama, Dikkeveru Vinuma & Isa Kodanda khandana Dhureena, Janka jA Ramana.

Andhali song i have heard. He will definitely sing if u request him in his next concert, whenever u attend.

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

Here is an interesting review:
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/13/stor ... 410800.htm

Ravi

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

Post by rshankar »

A very nice review: Shows Aruna Sayeeram and all the other musicians' versatility and imagination
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/20/stor ... 580700.htm

Ravi

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

Post by rshankar »

Another triumph for Vishaka Hari:

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/20/stor ... 450500.htm

Ravi

mahesh3
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Joined: 06 Feb 2010, 21:32

Post by mahesh3 »

"shows Aruna Sairam's versatility and imagination"

....."Later, singing Oothukadu's Kalinga Narthana Thillana, she playfully turned part of it into a conversational patter with Jamey Haddad's percussion."...


whatever:)

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

I am amazed at the versatility of these artists:
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/11/03/stor ... 190300.htm

Hope this was recorded, especially PSN's group:
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/11/03/stor ... 890700.htm

And Kerala Kalamandalam to become a 'deemed' (whatever that means) university:
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/11/03/stor ... 490300.htm

meena
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Post by meena »

shankar

thanks for posting sree pinakapani article.

jayaram
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Joined: 30 Jun 2006, 03:08

Post by jayaram »

venkatpv wrote:http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/09/29/stor ... 130300.htm

an interesting bit from this article:

<< In 1964, Vidwan T.R.Subramaniam not only had him sing at his own sabha at Vijayawada, but also pretended to have a sore throat in order to have Ranganathan substitute for himself at a Rajahmundry recital. "Never before - or since - did I get such a crowd. Heads ranged as far as eye could see, all for TRS! By with my gurus' grace, I managed to satisfy them." >>
Chingleput Ranganathan - truly a great vidwan. Recordings of his are hard to come by, so I would appreciate it very much if fellow rasikas can u/l his music.

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

Something for everyone: Must have been a wonderful experience!

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/11/17/stor ... 490300.htm

Ravi

sindhu
Posts: 132
Joined: 30 Oct 2006, 15:07

Post by sindhu »

Just curious. Both Sanjay and TMK performed 6.30 pm yesterday in different venues. Anyone heard.

I am told Sanjay's main was Abheri (BhajarE rE mAnasa).

sb

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

The nritta-dominated varnam, `Swami Ninne Kori Naanura' in ragamalika, (Rupakam), a composition of Ponnaiah Pillai, and the tillana in Simhendramadhyamam, (Adi), a composition of Bhagavathulu Seetharama Sharma fared well, while `Krishna Nee Begane Baro' in Yamunakalyani, (misra chapu), a composition of Kanakadasa, was disappointing and without enough depth.
This is from a review in the Hindu -
ninne kori naanura - ninne korinaanu ra or ninne kori unnaanu ra....
krishNA nI bEgane bArO - composer: vyAsarAya - not Kanakadasa AFAIK...

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

So much for Kalakshetra not performing Hindu themes:

http://www.hindu.com/ms/2007/01/05/stor ... 110700.htm

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

Here are some unusually encouraging reviews from The Hindu. After reading the uniformly doom and gloom reviews (with notable exceptions with easily identifiable reasons) in this newspaper, one starts to question reviews that actually appreciate! I wonder if any of 'our' trusted reviewers were there to back these nice comments.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/01/12/stor ... 060700.htm

I have heard Amritha Venkatesh, and I really like her style, but I did not realize she was so young.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/01/12/stor ... 260500.htm

Another nice review. BTW, are these children from Ramji's troupe?

arasi
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Post by arasi »

Ravi,
Wish I had heard them when I was in Chennai...

drshrikaanth
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Post by drshrikaanth »

About the event "Frontiers of speech and music" in Mysore.

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanheral ... 200719.asp

Hopefully, the Star Of Mysore will cover this event.

rshankar
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Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Post by rshankar »

I found this very interesting: I have seen Mallika Sarabhai 'draw' with her feet when she dances, but this sounds like another form of 'driSya kAvyam'! Arasi/others in B'lore - anyone lucky enough to attend?

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/01/19/stor ... 910300.htm

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