What a spectacular idea. Yes, I am more than happy to extend any help needed to make this idea a success. My youtube series has gained quite a good audience from around the world. So, all the videos we select for this "year-long celebration of the Veena" I can host them off the youtube series. This year-long celebration from the internet provides a great platform and a world-wide audience for those unrecognized jewels that nestle amongst us.
In traditional Normal Veena, the width of the fret board is somewhat small. With such Veenas the No of notes which can be played by pulling the string in one fret position is limited to 3 notes and in extreme cases 4 notes can be played with difficulty (this is the case with artists who want to play in the Gayaki style A la SB SIR’S style)
Sri S.Balachander was not happy with this arrangement for his manodharma music. After pondering over this point for a while. he arranged to make Veena with a wider fret board for his use. With this wider board he was able to play 5 notes comfortably and 7 notes occasionally in one fret position. This has enabled him to play comfortably pulling the string in one fret position to bring in the Gayaki style comfortably.
Sri S.Balachander’s son or his disciples may confirm the statement.
Hello!
So much has been written and spoken about SB sir's magnificent technique and his genius. But not much has been said about his simple and straightforward nature. He visited us in the late 1980's, and came home for a simple brakfast meal. He appreciated that so much! My children were very young then - one was 9 and the other 6. They sang for him, and he appreciated and encouraged them with liberal 'shabaash's!
I remember a concert where Jayanthi accompanied him. Every phrase he played, she would play equally well, too. Till he played a unique phrase that was way above the (then) very young Jayanthi's capabilities. Still, she tried, and he said 'Shabaash for trying'!
He would appreciate every musician, specially amateurs.
I once very hesitatingly asked him for the notation of a kriti, not even expecting a reply - but to my surprise and delight, he sent me the complete detailed notation within days!
He was truly great in every way.
SB's " sujana jIvana" in kamach is a classic. Love to hear once more. Can anyone help to provide links to this song or can I request rasikas to pl. U/L this song by SB. Many thanks in advance.
I am much pleased to read this posting about Veena R Parthasarathy. My daughter who is senior veena student had the wonderful opportunity to be his student for some time.
Please do let me know more about his upcoming concerts.
Request for Mr Coolkarni Sir, Please do let me know when you arrange year long veena concerts. I look forward for this wonderful moment.
Last edited by kumarakshi on 04 May 2009, 13:07, edited 1 time in total.
I came across this precious old National Integration video from Doordarshan (probably from mid 1980s?) which has a fantastic Desh snippet from SB. I have posted this section at:
What a lovely dEsh! Thank you mgkumars. Incidentally I was listening to his raghupathi rAghava rAjArAm some weeks back and it was an extraordinary rendition of seemingly simple composition.
Bilahari - Yes, I found that too from Vintageaudio54 (I think) on youtube - That version is so different from the ones I have heard before....It is great to see so much more information coming up these days on these great legends.
S.NAGESWARAN.
Dear Nageswaran, I am unable to open any of the links, as error message only is coming. Please mail to me the Hindolam piece, as I am a fan of that raga. Regards. KRVramani([email protected])
