Lecdem on Veena

veenajj · Post by **veenajj** » 05 May 2009, 07:05

Dear Rasikas,

As you may have read in a post elsewhere in this forum by Kulkarniji, we have been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting a lecdem on Veena in the opening program of the Rasikas.org Veena Festival. In this connection, we request you all to let us know your ideas, the aspects relating to veena that you would want focus on, and what you would like to be said or heard on the lecdem. If you also have song/item requests for our concert that is to follow after the lecdem, it would be our pleasure to work on that as well.

We thank the forum and Kulkarniji for having us participate in this unique event.

Regards,
Jeyaraaj and Jaysri

srinivasrgvn · Post by **srinivasrgvn** » 05 May 2009, 08:16

Hello veenajj,
First of all, I am the happiest person as the Lec-Dem is on "Veena". I am a vainika myself and I feel proud that Veena concerts/lectures are being organised. Veena is nearly extinct nowadays with only few playing/learning. I hope the number increases because of your informative lectures. My suggestions are:

1) A small section should be reserved for highlighting the history of Veena, how all stringed instruments were called Veena in the past, the different types of Veenas- Saraswati, Rudra, etc.
2) The several banis or styles of Veena playing- Karaikudi, Andhra, Tanjore, Kerala and Mysore. It would be highly entertaining if you could play a small alapana in each of these styles - that is, to differentiate the banis. This, I think is very necessary as people don't know about these banis and classifications.
3) A section about the past and present masters of the Veena - maybe starting from Veena Dhanammal and moving on up till the present popular vainikas like you both.
4) A section about why the Veena was used as accompaniment to vocal in the past and why it is not used now.
5) The potential of a Veena - what types of gayaki styles can be incorporated in to the Veena.

There are many more interesting aspects of the Veena. But these just came to my mind, So I told them.
Hope your lec-dem is a success. Where are you planning to hold this? The venue and date?

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 05 May 2009, 08:22

Although I will not have the privilege of being able to attend this lecdem (though we certainly hope for a recording!), srinivasrgvn's second and fourth points are of immense interest to me.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 05 May 2009, 13:59

Just... I am looking forward to it!

Oh! Will you deliver it in Tamil or English? I had forgotten that possible problem!

You must cater to the majority, of course, not to the solitary Brit still shamed by lack of linguistic skill.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 05 May 2009, 20:29

You can listen to the wonderful music part of it, and if you are lucky, they may use quite a bit of english words too. How I miss all the good stuff!

rajeeram · Post by **rajeeram** » 05 May 2009, 21:20

Veena Festival, wonderful concept indeed! Wish you all the success.

I would request a section on Tanam, which is inseparable from the Veena, and different playing techniques linked to Tanam.

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 05 May 2009, 21:49

How I wish I could attend!Good suggestions have been given.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 06 May 2009, 00:28

Absolutely, Arasi; if I don't understand the language, I can listen to the music.

I'd also hate not to support one of Cool's Chennai events: if in Chennai, and fit, I'll attend them!

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 06 May 2009, 06:34

srinivasrgvn · Post by **srinivasrgvn** » 06 May 2009, 08:01

Here are three podcasts on Veena by Raagarasika:
Smt.Vidya has explained beautifully about the Veena, the songs where Veena is mentioned and about Veena Dhanammal. It will be useful:
Episodes 34, 35, 36
website: www.raagarasika.com

keerthi · Post by **keerthi** » 06 May 2009, 23:14

Coolji,

Songs featuring veena prominently -
- VeenapustakadhariNIm - vegavahini - MD
- Mokshamu galadA - (penultimate line of charana) - Saramati
- NAdopasana - (Tantri-laya-svara) - Begada
- SrInarada - kanaDa - thyagaraja -(vedajanita-varaveena-vadana-tattvagnya)

ramakriya · Post by **ramakriya** » 07 May 2009, 00:48

How can we forget vInAvAdya daSagamakariyE in mInAkSHi mEmudam?

My request to J & J :

1. Elaborate dasha gamakas on veena

2. Post a recording

-Ramakriya

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 07 May 2009, 06:31

There can be an introductory varNam by vINai kuppaiyar.

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 07 May 2009, 16:11

regarding srinivasrgvn's post.

it would be nice to hear the difference between the styles.

Kalpakam mami once said she could play 18 different styles of veenai and narrated a story of how once she ended up playing them all to Sri Musiri Iyerval.

musicfan_4201 · Post by **musicfan_4201** » 07 May 2009, 18:02

Lengthy thanam in heavy weight carnatic ragas (Sankarabaranam, Kalyani, Kambhoji .....)

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 08 May 2009, 02:07

J&J,
With all such interesting requests, it would be hard to include them all in your lec-dem! You can't do it all, but I am sure your presentation is going to sparkle, all the same.

veenajj · Post by **veenajj** » 08 May 2009, 19:20

The response has been truly overwhelming! Thank you for your suggestions and wishes.

Arasiji, as you rightly said this is going to be challenging - it will be our endeavour to try and accommodate as many requests as possible (the ones received till now and those that we will receive going forward).

Nick, do not worry, you will be in our focus when we prepare the presentation.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 08 May 2009, 19:59

That is very kind

sama · Post by **sama** » 09 May 2009, 01:00

There are quite a few requests but it will be nice if you can add a few compositions in praise of Goddess Sarasvati.

Carnatic_novice · Post by **Carnatic_novice** » 09 May 2009, 04:39

Please record the event and post it. If you can get Internet access where the lecdem is going to be performed, please consider broadcasting on the web, via services such as highspeedconferencing.com. Of course let us know, if you are going to webcast it.

Wish you all the best.