Sanjay Subramaniam at Venugopala Swamy temple , Bangalore.

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 11 Jan 2009, 23:54

Vocal : sanjay subramanian
Violin : Varadarajan

Hope someone will write a more elaborate, technical and full review. When I entered the hall at 6pm, it was more or less full
and I left around 815pm when thani started (Travelled from east to west of Blore and back) and the hall was still overflowing and not many
left during thani.

The songlist is partial .... Pls correct me if something is incorrect.

1.Viriboni varnam (@ the right place)
2.?? Forgot the second song , was it suruti
3.Mana Viyala kimcha - Nalinakanti (RS)
4.Eti Janmamu - Varali (R)
5.Anu Dinamu - Begada - (R N@ Kanakanaruchi Nee Rupamu)
6.Evvare Ramaiya (?) - Kangeya Bushani
7.chandragauns (RTP) and thani
.
.
.

The highlights are
1. nalinakanti raga, swaram,
2. Begada alapana and neraval
3. Chandragauns ragam and thanam.

I was reading Sanjay's Blog the other day and he mentioned about Kalayami Raghuramam.
So as soon as he started the begada alapana, I thought he is going to sing that. But he sang
Anu Dinamu , highly popularised by MSS. This song is also my favorite song now a days
And Sanjay didnot sing swarams in the main song and didnot follow with the thani aavarthanam
but quickly moved to RTP.

I am nowdays thoroughly enjoying sanjay's concert. For me the most moving item was
the begada alapana. This is the first time I am listening a full elaboration of this raga from Sanjay
in Live. And the neraval was a satisfactory 8 minutes. Many people have told that he is the best
in Begada (even SSI at one point) and he really impressed the crowd with that alapana. May God
bless him the greatest of health and age.

s_hari · Post by **s_hari** » 12 Jan 2009, 07:37

On Mrudangam was Neyveli Venkatesh and on Morsing was Bangalore Rajasekhar

Second song was venugana loluni in kedaragowlai, he sang swaras also. RTP was in adi 2 kalai, 1/2 aksharam eduppu and pallavi lines "kandena govindana krishnana pundarikakshana" followed by Tani. Post tani, he sang kandena govindana, chinnam chiru kiliye, slokam - kulam tarum selvam tandidum followed by Narayananai tudipai nenje, kanda guha shanmukha and mangalam.

-hari

Svaapana · Post by **Svaapana** » 12 Jan 2009, 08:03

The full list
1. Varnam - Bhairavi
2. Venugana lola - Kedaragowlai(S)
3. Manaviyala - Nalinakanthi, (R, S)
4. Eti Janmamu - Varali (R)
5. Anu Dinamu - Begada - (R N@ Kana Kana Ruchira)
6. Evvare Ramaiya - Kangeya Bushani
7. RTP - Chandrakauns - Pallavi line: Kandena govindana krishnana pundarikaksha - Adi (Tani)
8. Kandena govindana - Chandrakauns
9. Chinnan siru kiliye - Ragamalikai (all the stanzas) (apparently a listner's request)
10. Viruttam - Kulam tharum - Komalangi followed by Hari narayananai also in Komalangi
11 - Kandha guha shanmukha - Jonpuri - sung like a Kavadi sindhu (a composition of Madurai Somasundaram?)
12. Mangalam

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 12 Jan 2009, 11:34

vEnu gAna lOlA's flute sounds were interrupted first by a mute mike and the fussing around by sound men--then by a blast. Sanjay carried on unabashed. With such an ensemble--Varadarajan supporting Sanjay with his usual skill, Neyveli Venkatesh, one of my favorites who can play the mrudangam like a khanjira and vice versa. And Rajashekhar! The very acme of morsing playing! Pity, I missed him at Sanjay's MA concert.The applause after their tani filled the hall.

(Nick, have you heard Rajashekhar? I don't think he plays in Chennai that often).

From naLinakAnti onwards, the concert was a treat. First time I have heard a chandrakauns RTP, followed by my favorite song. Yes, words do matter to me. That is why that chinnanchiru kiLiyE was so moving. While any amount of repeating of this song does not tire one, the inclusion of all verses of the song made it sparkle in Sanjay's handling of it.
Yes, like rajgalan, I was hoping that he would sing kalayAmi. Since anu diamunu is another perennial favorite, no disappointment there.

Why was the hall so brightly lit and the video camera lights almost blinded us (and the performers too, I bet). Taking pictures during RTP and other serious expositions can make it annoying for the artistes. While some complain about a lack of bhakti (dedication?i) in performers, I wonder how they can carry on the way they do without a sense of philosophical resignation (a path to renunciation) ??!!

Rajgalan and swaapana,
Did not get to meet you. S_hari, his son Eashwar, the charming sappri, her mother, and sirsub were there too.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 12 Jan 2009, 11:46

Where is Venugopala Swamy temple in Bangalore.Sanjay can be considered as one of the best begada singer in today's list of musicians.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 12 Jan 2009, 11:48

That leads me to ask if Sanjay had sung 'Sankari Nee' and 'Kadaikkan Vaithu' and if recordings ( commercial or otherwise ) exist.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 12 Jan 2009, 11:52

Rajesh,
The temple is in the heart of Malleswaram.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 12 Jan 2009, 11:57

VK,
You missed THE season. The Bangalore season ain't mean either. Just wondering if your brief visit to Chennai can include one or two concerts in the Karnataka capitol!

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 12 Jan 2009, 13:02

Arasi, that would be wonderful but it looks doubtful if I can make it there.

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 12 Jan 2009, 13:14

The thani was outstanding and received a thumping applause. I could notice the sense of elation
felt by the percussionists when the whole audience clapped -a la US style nearing a minute. Rajashekar's playing of morsing was a revelation to me for the kind of sounds/melody he could produce . Great stuff.
Sanjay's Begada and Chandrakauns raga elaboration was a treat.

Svaapana · Post by **Svaapana** » 12 Jan 2009, 17:03

Arasi wrote "vEnu gAna lOlA's flute sounds were interrupted first by a mute mike"

during this commotion BR came forward with his (working) mike to Sanjay who aptly sang (with a wry smile) swaras at "sogasugAnu pAdaga".

BR is absolutely brilliant. I heard him during the music season at Chennai and also at this same venue last year. On both the occasions he was accompanying Sanjay.

gardabha_gana · Post by **gardabha_gana** » 12 Jan 2009, 19:06

Folks, where can we get the concerts that happen in bangalore. I missed this concert - would have gone had I known it especially in this wonderful koil where I have played as a kid.

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 12 Jan 2009, 20:56

gardabha_gana wrote:Folks, where can we get the concerts that happen in bangalore. I missed this concert - would have gone had I known it especially in this wonderful koil where I have played as a kid.

There was a website about Blore concerts. I had it but now donot have the url. Someone can write it again here.
I was about to miss it, but thanks to Sanjay's blog. He has schedules in his blog about his concert.
It was there in Hindu events, not in TOI.

It is a nice temple. Not originally from this part of the blore, I wanted to use this occassion to go to CTR.
It was crowded, I managed to get a seat and (not so great ) tiffin at CTR (coffee was good) and rushed to the venue.
Malleswaram is a nice place , but now a bit overcrowded.

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 12 Jan 2009, 21:00

arasi wrote:Rajesh,
The temple is in the heart of Malleswaram.

To be precise, 11th cross

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 12 Jan 2009, 22:31

arasi wrote:vEnu gAna lOlA's flute sounds were interrupted first by a mute mike and the fussing around by sound men--then by a blast. Sanjay carried on unabashed. With such an ensemble--Varadarajan supporting Sanjay with his usual skill, Neyveli Venkatesh, one of my favorites who can play the mrudangam like a khanjira and vice versa. And Rajashekhar! The very acme of morsing playing! Pity, I missed him at Sanjay's MA concert.The applause after their tani filled the hall.

(Nick, have you heard Rajashekhar? I don't think he plays in Chennai that often).

From naLinakAnti onwards, the concert was a treat. First time I have heard a chandrakauns RTP, followed by my favorite song. Yes, words do matter to me. That is why that chinnanchiru kiLiyE was so moving. While any amount of repeating of this song does not tire one, the inclusion of all verses of the song made it sparkle in Sanjay's handling of it.
Yes, like rajgalan, I was hoping that he would sing kalayAmi. Since anu diamunu is another perennial favorite, no disappointment there.

Why was the hall so brightly lit and the video camera lights almost blinded us (and the performers too, I bet). Taking pictures during RTP and other serious expositions can make it annoying for the artistes. While some complain about a lack of bhakti (dedication?i) in performers, I wonder how they can carry on the way they do without a sense of philosophical resignation (a path to renunciation) ??!!

Rajgalan and swaapana,
Did not get to meet you. S_hari, his son Eashwar, the charming sappri, her mother, and sirsub were there too.

I missed you all. May be we should plan to meet otherwise it is difficult to identify each other. I was probably the only one who left during the thani from the front sitting crowd. Yes, I also thought it was a distraction with photos when the RTP R was on. Actually the photographer took permission from sanjay but I guess sanjay didnot expect photo session. Actaully analysing Sanjay, he looked too cool yesterday. During the mic incident, at one point there were three mics. And the sound man didnot relaise that the shruti box mic is connected to the non working mic, and he trying to take it off. It was a mess. I guess first all our sabhas should get good systems. With all the drama , the krithi was overflowing without any hiccups.

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 12 Jan 2009, 22:43

With the same team, Sanjay performed in Swati sangeethotsavam, Kerala (I guess so) last year. The song
samodham chintayami (suddha Danyasi) in taht concert is loaded by someone in youtube. It is excellent video and audio.
I enjoyed. Very unlikely to get off the web for the obvious reasons.
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=s2uISDexHjQ.

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 12 Jan 2009, 23:26

Rajaglan/Svaapna thanks for the songlist. Yes Sanjay is awesome is Begada - BTW isn't the Niraval line "Kanakanaruchi Nee Rupamu" and not "Kanakana Ruchira"?
Arasi - I heard Rajasekhar for the first time and he is by far the best morsing player I have heard (due apologies to our resident Vidwan!).
VK I am pretty sure he would have sung these songs at some point, esp Kadaikkan. Songs I have heard are

Anudinamu Gavu Maiyya
Nadopasana
Abhmanamennadu
Yarukkum Adangatha Neeli
Thyagarajaya Namasthe
Lokavanachatura
Vallabhanayakasya

I am sure there must be many others

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 13 Jan 2009, 00:46

Vijay, Thanks , you are correct, corrected it.
I have Abhmanamennadu, Vallabhanayakasya, gnanarasamudan (papanasam sivan) all commercial release.
Others I havenot heard.
Anyone has GNB's begada alapana? There is a mention about GNB's MA concert's Begada
nowadays, any idea!

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 14 Jan 2009, 13:49

gardabha_gana wrote:Folks, where can we get the concerts that happen in bangalore. I missed this concert - would have gone had I known it especially in this wonderful koil where I have played as a kid.

Go to ram's abode (http://ramsabode.wordpress.com) and you should be able to see a link.

KSJaishankar · Post by **KSJaishankar** » 14 Jan 2009, 15:14

I agree with all that it was a phenomenal concert! But one has come to expect that from Sanjay

Anyone recorded the concert and willing to share the recording?

girish_a · Post by **girish_a** » 14 Jan 2009, 23:00

Concert in the midst of Malleswaram, Bangalore, a "pure kannadiga" locality, and only one Purandara Dasa composition? Not to sound like a conceited person or start a flame war, but I couldn't help saying this. A lot of people in the audience would have had similar thoughts, I am sure.

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 14 Jan 2009, 23:45

C'mon Girishji, let us give credit to the fact that he included an RTP in a Kannada probably with his audience in mind. As I've said before there were several concerts this season, in the heart of Mylapore, that did not have a single Tamizh piece and I didn't notice their absence at all. In fact it is the "all Tamizh" concerts that I dread sometimes! Of course Sanjay would do well to stock up on Dasar krithis as well.

BTW I was under the impression that Malleswaram has a significant Tamizh population - not that I am too familiar with the area - just happened to have a lot of relatives living there at various points in time. In any case, I like the place a lot...quite a refreshing change from the typical yuppie suburbs in the city. Jogging down Sankey tank in the morning and finishing with hot breakfast at Shanti Sagar was the pleasurable routine of many a morning some years back!

ksrimech · Post by **ksrimech** » 15 Jan 2009, 09:38

rajaglan wrote: Anyone has GNB's begada alapana? There is a mention about GNB's MA concert's Begada nowadays, any idea!

Music Academy 1964. Item #4: kalayAmi raghurAmam (svAti tirunAL mahArAjA). Other items include paripAlaya (kAmavardhini), karikaLabhamukham (sAvEri), dArIni tElusukoNTi (Suddha sAvEri), rAgam tAnam pallavi (kalyANI). GNB has so sung chidambaram hara hara enRu (gOpAlakRSNa bhAratIyAr) with short alapanas.

vijay, Another beautiful song rendered with nice alApanA and swarams (???) is vA murugA vA (spencer vENugOpAl). I have heard MS and DKJ render it with simple alApanA

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 15 Jan 2009, 11:13

Both kannaDa and tamizh speaking people live in Malleswaram. However, Vijay, the tamizh spoken there is mostly not the tamizh you and I speak! There are the so-called tamizh speaking folks (the majority are migrants from Mandya in Karnataka where they had settled a long time ago. In all this, their tamizh has undergone a sea change). Of course, there are other 'tamizh' speaking citizens besides those and kannaDigAs, of course.
I thought that singing a PD kruti prefacing it with a mighty RTP with the pallavi line of the pallavi of the song was quite a major statement. Of course, the locals are pleased when a musician presents a few songs in the local language. It is interesting that singing of tamizh songs are more obvious than songs in other languages. Why? Because we feel that T and MD songs have long been an integral part of a concert? With such riches in tamizh poetry and sAhityams, have they not been neglected as it were in concerts (I mean, even in TN)? Just like tiruppAvai, PD's songshave also been sung as tukkaDa items. It is great to hear a vocalist take up a PD song as a main and sing it. Just as a T kruti, one can be treated as a main. I was very happy Sanjay took up kaNDe na gOvindana as the pallavi line because the neraval filled the hall with PD's voice of wonder in seeing gOvinda, before he launched on the kruti.
Yes, vocalists singing a few songs in the regional language in their concerts is very pleasing to hear...

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 15 Jan 2009, 17:12

Fair points Arasi. Thanks for the info on Malleswaram

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 15 Jan 2009, 22:59

girish_a wrote:Concert in the midst of Malleswaram, Bangalore, a "pure kannadiga" locality, and only one Purandara Dasa composition? Not to sound like a conceited person or start a flame war, but I couldn't help saying this. A lot of people in the audience would have had similar thoughts, I am sure.

I didnot think so. I think it is better to leave it to the artist to sing what they want especially if it is sanjay.
I wanted to hear a begada from him for sometime now, and he finally sang the begada as main in this concert. A surprise.
I actually wanted him to take up a tamil main song. He is very good at it. Last time he sang a purvikalyani tamil song.
But this time it didnot happen.
I also share the memories on Malleswaram similar to what expressed by Vijay. I used to study in IISc and used to come to Malleswaram and
eat some food when the college canteen gets closed. Nice place, healthy eatouts and now it is cramped and crowded with fast food and foreign
brand textiles.

sampath77 · Post by **sampath77** » 16 Jan 2009, 07:25

girish_a

Just curious. Are rasikas from Malleshwaram born with some genetic disorder that renders them incapable of learning Tamil or Sanskrit or Telugu if they really wanted to?

kjrao · Post by **kjrao** » 16 Jan 2009, 07:40

Sampath,

I find your post very offensive though I am not from Malleshwaram !

Svaapana · Post by **Svaapana** » 16 Jan 2009, 08:22

Yes. Not in good taste

sampath77 · Post by **sampath77** » 16 Jan 2009, 08:44

Why is it wrong to ask Girish that question? Surely if songs in a language were required either the musician should have sung in that language or the listener should have learned the musicians language. I am just trying to provoke discussion on why everything ought to be handed in a platter these days! I am a Kannada speaking person who has made an effort to learn and understand Tamil, Sanskrit and Malayalam so that I can appreciate songs better. It is possible. Try it. Dont expect everything on a platter from the artist.

swaroopmv · Post by **swaroopmv** » 16 Jan 2009, 09:18

ksrimech wrote:
Music Academy 1964. Item #4: kalayAmi raghurAmam (svAti tirunAL mahArAjA). Other items include paripAlaya (kAmavardhini), karikaLabhamukham (sAvEri), dArIni tElusukoNTi (Suddha sAvEri), rAgam tAnam pallavi (kalyANI). GNB has so sung chidambaram hara hara enRu (gOpAlakRSNa bhAratIyAr) with short alapanas.

Does anyone have this concert? Can it be uploaded somewhere?

kjrao · Post by **kjrao** » 16 Jan 2009, 10:01

Sampath,

Vijay and Arasi have adequately replied to Girish . What are you going to get in return by provoking ? After all we are discussing music. Let the language also be accordingly pleasant.

By the way, why are you assuming that kannadigas from malleshwaram don't understand other langauges and hence they would like to hear PD's devaranamas ?

girish_a · Post by **girish_a** » 16 Jan 2009, 12:15

Sampath-ji,
As I had mentioned in my post, it wasn't my intention to start a flame war, so I will ignore your allusion to the genetic disorder of the people of Malleswaram.

However, you will probably agree that it is easier to appreciate the "bhava" of a composition if it is in a language you can understand. So, if the vast majority of the audience doesn't understand the meaning of a song, their enjoyment of it would be somewhat incomplete. While one may enjoy the melodic beauty of it, the lack of knowledge of the language will, without a doubt, hinder the listener from experiencing the music in full measure.

For example, when I first heard "Katrinilai varum geetham" and "Eppo Varuvaro", I was completely thrilled, but not understanding a word of either song, and not even knowing which diety these songs invoked, could not go further than their melodic boundaries, and so could not easily assimilate their spiritual aspects.

As to the effort which you say we should make to understand other languages, I agree with you, but how many people, even if they have the will, have the time to do that?

So, my comment was not made with chauvinistic intent, but for the reasons I have stated above. At any rate, this thread is about the concert and not about other issues, so let us let it continue without turning it into a shooting match.

espras · Post by **espras** » 16 Jan 2009, 15:15

Dear Rajaglan,

My grateful thanks to you for the YouTube link you provided (Post # 16) for Sanjay SubramanianÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s rendering of "Samodam Chintayami"

sampath77 · Post by **sampath77** » 16 Jan 2009, 17:16

Dear kjrao

Please do not try to gag me. You are not a cop. If you cannot stand a debate stay out of it. And do not patronise me. I was a kannadiga from Malleshwaram. I understand Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Sanskrit.

Dear girish_a

Thanks for your considered response.

My question is why is it the performers' duty to enlighten and spoon feed? When is someone here going to say, "I wish I understood Tamil so that I could understand 'anu dinamu' better?" I always hear here, "Musician X sang in Spain and there was no single Spanish song". Rubbish. Learn Spanish!

Audience also has a responsibility.

Next we are going to say, "Musician X sang in Usalampetti and there wasn't a single song in bahudari". Where will all of this control on what a musician ought to sing end? The musician sang. Just enjoy it. If you can't enjoy it then learn to enjoy it. It is not the musicians' responsibility alone to spoon feed the audience.

Since you first heard "Katrinilai varum geetham" and "Eppo Varuvaro" did you bother trying to understand the meaning? If you did, good luck to you. If not, why not, I say?

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 16 Jan 2009, 18:43

kjrao · Post by **kjrao** » 17 Jan 2009, 09:32

Sampath,

Glad to know that you know so many different languages. You may help us out when the requests come to translate sahitya and share the bruden with rshankar etc. We will deffinitely appreciate when you put your knowledge to use in this forum for our benefit.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 17 Jan 2009, 10:16

Several vocalists too come to the forum looking for lyrics. Singers and dancers who belong to the forum ask for the meaning too...

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 17 Jan 2009, 14:41

Samapth 77 wrote: ...I wish I understood Tamil so that I could understand 'anu dinamu' better?"

Anu dinamu is a composition in Telugu of Patnam Subramania Iyer.

Music per se has no language. Do we not enjoy a nadaswaram/flute/veena recital (without language)
as much a vocal, particularly the musical nuances. If one dwells deeply the question 'knowledge
of language leads to better music appreciation' it will look hollow. Its only the 'comfort' of a known
language that makes one feel so. Music is something beyond this and not bound by language.

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 17 Jan 2009, 15:08

I agree - especially true for classical/art music, IMO - I have listened to and enjoyed CM for over ten years without understanding much of the lyrics! OTOH although I can relate to the lyrics in HM, my listening is tilted in favour of CM.

kannama · Post by **kannama** » 17 Jan 2009, 18:47

I agree with sampath77. He has made an excellent point which needs addressing. I feel our musicians pamper our listeners too much. Linsteners need to get off their backsides and do some work themselves.

preposterous · Post by **preposterous** » 18 Jan 2009, 20:31

Purist wrote:Samapth 77 wrote: ...I wish I understood Tamil so that I could understand 'anu dinamu' better?"

Anu dinamu is a composition in Telugu of Patnam Subramania Iyer.

Music per se has no language. Do we not enjoy a nadaswaram/flute/veena recital (without language)
as much a vocal, particularly the musical nuances. If one dwells deeply the question 'knowledge
of language leads to better music appreciation' it will look hollow. Its only the 'comfort' of a known
language that makes one feel so. Music is something beyond this and not bound by language.

In his lecture, during the season @ Parthasarathy sabha, Sri Neyveli Santhanagoplan mentioned:
Quote 'We should not be saying Tamil Isai etc... but should say Isai Tamil...' Unquote
Isai is more important

Prep's view: Isai (CM) comes first before language. Does it hold good for bhakthi too? Isai before bhakthi

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 18 Jan 2009, 20:58

To emulate NSG: iSai bakti! iSaiyum oru vida baktiyE (music is also a bhakti mArgam).

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 20 Jan 2009, 16:53

vijay wrote:I agree - especially true for classical/art music, IMO - I have listened to and enjoyed CM for over ten years without understanding much of the lyrics! OTOH although I can relate to the lyrics in HM, my listening is tilted in favour of CM.

I also agree. I have done some homework at times when I like the song very much especially when i have to hum the song.
But since we mug without knowing the meaning, except the first line of pallavi and neraval line, most lines are forgotten.
Though this need not be the case for people who learnt CM.

kapali · Post by **kapali** » 03 Aug 2009, 03:16

The language controversy is the favourite hunting ground and sustenance of politiciance to which the gullible and innocent common man falls an easy prey .
This is the bane of our country today. Perhaps Carnatic music is a great unifying factor for languages and a fitting protective cover against the politician's sinister methods of selfish vote bank catching tactics. When a music rasika gets engrossed in a sublime rendering of Nannupalimpa, Brocheva evarura,Nadupai, Thiruvadi charanam or Tillai Sabapadhikku, Meenakshi memudam, Krishna nee beganabaro or Jagadodhaarana
how can one ever think or bother about in what languages the singer sings or does not sing.when a Chowdiah can captivate audiences in Tamil Nadu for decades , MMI withPSP can move audiences in Karnataka while a Balamurali, SSI or Dwaram can entrance audiences in Kerala .

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 03 Aug 2009, 14:59

Purist wrote:

Anu dinamu is a composition in Telugu of Patnam Subramania Iyer.

You sure? Thought it was Poochi.

keerthi · Post by **keerthi** » 03 Aug 2009, 15:07

Anudinamunu kavumayya is by pUchi srInivasayyangAr (the AdivEnkaTEsvara in pallavi may be misleading)

Abhimanamennadu galgu is by PaTNam subrahmaNya ayyar.