An article on MDR in today's Express

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 01 Jun 2009, 20:47

I stay at this Forum since I want to. If I didn't I will be the loser. It is therapeutic at my age! In fact I am here from the start (maybe the first registrant after srkris along with our Lakshman). Have I not received my share of 'brickbats' ? (some totally unfair:) ). When coolkarni first packed his bags, many wanted to leave the Forum (out of allegiance (in my case Love

) and he exhorted nobody to leave with him (I would never have anyway

(why? my selfish gene is still active

).
But then what is this Forum without you guys! Every one of you is precious to me (including those who hate my 'forthright' comments!) Though I am at the lowest rung in CM in knowledge or skills, still I stay here because I get entertained (better educated!). The humor and the small-talks (which some 'serious' folks totally resent) which I have with arasi/VK/.. prolong my life!
The only thing that will make me quit is if 'Freedom of speech' (for a decent and dignfied dissent) is curtailed! (and I am glad I am in synch with srkris on that issue!)

Anil
Were it not for the Forum I would have missed your excellent write-up on MDR. I don't visit blogs. Your comment on 'silence' touched a chord in me and thank you for it! I never thought of it subconsciously in the context of MDR. If you don't post in future some of us will be the loser! After all if you value 'Freedom of speech' I do not see any reason for you to get upset! My last word: STAY!

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:07

Cool,
thanks for your feedback in post #46 though I felt slightly let down (1 out of million) when you took a jab at me in your post #29 , but give me feeback on post #46 in person , I want to improve. Thats fine no problems what so ever take it

. With you kind of putting me off with post #29 , I did this . I digged based on anil's post, i think anil is referring to this concert as he has mentioned newyork/new jersey and here there is a shankarabharanam followed by sahana.

http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php? ... quest.html

1. MDR is known to sing with lot of silence, especially sahAna .I think Giripai of MDR is what anil would be referring as one side of his comparison. Can that be compared with Oho kAlame .Oho KAlamE in sahana is always sung little fast where is there silence .That way krithi wise comparison of silence is not apt . But of course still alApana of sahana by sanjay can be compared with MDR. I dont know for sure but I seriously doubt it , I am only talking about silence that Anil is referring , not other attributes that cool is defending sanjay. Sanjay is indeed a fine musician and his repertoire is incredible.

2. On a side note , I gave reasons on why I had posted that jalrAadhichufying .The same term RT has referred as "Even with your disclaimer that the article was not about Sanjay, it did come across as a bit of a drumbeat for him,", perhaps this can go in webster dictionary

. ANil told that it was fair whereas mine was offending.How come I am lost there?

3. When the number is fast like Oho KalamE(no scope of silence) , american lady can surely hold Anil's hand ,how come the silence moved her when Oho KalamE (fast no )was sung ?

All in particular cool ji,
In general no one has referred that I have pride (it is minimal and it may be there I cant deny that). I am not a jalrA(jalrA as in sycophany) but I have certainly favorites .

For brevity I am just posting what Anil posted.
[quote]
Anil Srinivasan
In spring 2006, I heard another master musician sing live in New York. This was somebody I knew personally, and had not heard in a long time. After a brisk introduction in Shankarabharanam, he moved into a heartbreakingly beautiful rendition in Sahana, and once again, the reposeful silences came to the fore. Each note had a purpose, and there was no hint at either gimmickry or superfluousness. IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve often scorned the word "purity"

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:15

My take on bouquets and brickbats is as follows:

Bouquets, while attractive when you receive them, tend to wither away with the passage of time.

Bricks, on the other hand, do cause grief when they are sent your way, but can be used to build a grand building if only you are alert to them.

Of course, I am not referring here to those malicious or mischievous remarks that sometimes come your way. And it does take some wisdom to differentiate between the two kinds.

In this instance, my own feeling is that VKV did not raise his objections out of malice in any way. Those seem to be the words of a senior forum member who perhaps has had the opportunity to listen to some of the great masestros live.

Let's take it in a positive spirit.

ragam-talam
(a rasika who has a fairly large collection of bricks and is thankful for them!)

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 01 Jun 2009, 21:30

Folks!
we have to watchout for R-T, lest he may use the missiles indiscriminately

asrini · Post by **asrini** » 01 Jun 2009, 22:47

rajeshnat - thank you for your clarifications.

Thus emboldened, let me clarify this as best as I can.

I do not think I was either comparing MDR's Giripai with Sanjay's Oho Kalame, neither was I trying to say Sanjay is today's generation's MDR, or any such sweeping generalizations.

Here is how it works. In western classical music, we have a concept called "rubato", which refers to variations in tempo (slight speeding up of the first line and then slowing down the second line, but still keeping within the measure). In rubato playing (or singing) these variations allow the performer to effect subtle emphasis on certain lines while stretching out certain others. In the process, singers/instrumentalists often take pauses between phrases - where the instrumental accompanist can take over. This is one kind of "silence". It is not "nisshabdham", but it is nevertheless as functional.

The other kind of silence, the more literal ones, are the deliberate ones during the alapana. While I can hardly claim to remember the structural content of an alapana rendered 3 years ago, I can remember a sensation that I experienced. To me, it was the same sensation as listening to MDR AT THAT TIME - please note that I put time markers on this - 2005 and 2006 - it was a specific time and phase in my own life, and therefore I responded to the similarity of these silences. That's all. If I listen to Sanjay now, do I still feel the same sensation? Perhaps not. I used that time-context to underscore the musicality of one of today's leading performers. I have so far written about TMK, U Srinivas, Ravikiran, UKS, Unni, Aruna Sairam and Prasanna. Each one of them is close to me personally and musically and I think the fondness for each of their styles and musicality has helped a lot of people access these names, mostly for the first time!( I have a Goan catholic reader who told me that she went and bought 2 CDs of TMK post my piece on him!!). I have received 49 emails from across the country for this piece, outside of this forum - almost all asking where recordings of MDR will be available. Not for them these rather mysterious ponderings, and so I stand somewhat vindicated!

If the piece I had written was a technical critique for Sruti or the MA journal, I would certainly bow down to VKV's superiority on this topic and even decry the inappropriateness of tone, comparison (which it isn't, but then it seems to have been read as such). I would still find the harshness of tone questionable. I have also been through a doctoral education, and know what peer reviewing is - so the lessons on "take it in your stride" aside, seriously - I think we need to look at the picture that my article tried to paint rather than debate the specific ingredients I used to paint it with.

Thanks to a number of people who want me to stay. I am not entirely sure if this is wise as this time is better used in perhaps bringing yet another gem to light, given the great privilege and honour I enjoy as a columnist. I start a new birth year day after tomorrow - so will now focus on that and enjoy becoming a year older, and perhaps wiser!!

.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 01 Jun 2009, 23:12

Happy Birthday Anil!

Alas - if only 'older' always meant 'wiser'!!

Sreeni Rajarao · Post by **Sreeni Rajarao** » 01 Jun 2009, 23:34

Anil Srini,
I do not know you personally but I want to urge you to stay and actively participate in the forum.

We have already lost many friends like DRS (Dr. Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy for those who may not know), RajaChandra sir and Meena(ji) from this forum. This forum should not lose you.

We just have to tolerate some of these aberrations and focus on the wonderful work that is being done on this forum.

Please stay and be active on the forum!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 02 Jun 2009, 03:24

Anil,
Stillness, a rest. This thread, apart from your essay which I thought was meaningful in capturing the heights of musical experience, was also valuable for us forumites to take stock of our own sensibilities. While vidvat, antiquity and great giants of the past are worthy of worship, we should not forget that they should and have inspired present day musicians to rise to great heights and leave a legacy for the coming generations. We don't help by making a habit of knocking them! To find grains of the old repositories in the young is a moving experience for me as I listen to modern musicians.
As CML says it about the seniors, we are still youthful in our zeal for music. Music keeps us young. The forum keeps us young too. We rasikAs are bound by music, whatever our age or background.

Yes, this thread is valuable in another sense--the silence, the pause, helps us to rest our minds from raving and ranting based on our prejudices or preferences.
Without a pause like this, the kind of negative remarks which went against your sensibilities can make us lose a few more valuable members--musicians like you in particular. Though we pride ourselves in thinking that we have several practitioners of music on our forum, we seem to discourage them from active participation by some of our utterings. So, I thank you Anil for this thread. A yom kippur moment for the forumites.

A rough translation of the poem from tamizh:

A Way to 'IT'
---------------

This music takes me far away somewhere...

With apt accompaniment, impeccable structure and imagination
This singer rains rAgam and song, sound and meaning--
It makes me circle around , wings spread out

For me to say it all in a single verse, voicing
All that wells up in a singer in one concert,
Paint a blend of all colors on one canvas...
Is not possible.

Still--as the evening sun's artwork says,
'Look! What color play, how many shapes,
How many pigments, oh, what glory!'
It takes me aloft, somewhere...

Is this music that all pervading Allah,
Buddha or that cowherd or shepherd,
Or just that something which is the
Essence of all things?

Whatever--

This music makes me spread wings and
Makes me fly in an unknown world...

Anil,
A very happy birthday and many such moments to you and to your listeners in the years to come...

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 02 Jun 2009, 03:33

[quote=asrin
If the piece I had written was a technical critique for Sruti or the MA journal, I would certainly bow down to VKV's superiority on this topic and even decry the inappropriateness of tone, comparison (which it isn't, but then it seems to have been read as such). I would still find the harshness of tone questionable. I have also been through a doctoral education, and know what peer reviewing is - so the lessons on "take it in your stride" aside, seriously - I think we need to look at the picture that my article tried to paint rather than debate the specific ingredients I used to paint it with.

Dear Sri.Anil Srinivasan,
Please allow me to wish you a very Happy Birthday & many Happy Returns. Also all the best in your very laudable efforts in promoting our music through your work. Thanks also for letting me know about your blog which I definitely will read. I am SURE there will be lots of things I will learn.....

Next I want you to know I am a big fan of your music. I have your cd's with S.G. which I feel are EXCELLENT& INNOVATIVE. As a matter of fact I consider YOU to be the one person who can authoritatively & properly explain the conjunction of Carnatic & Western Classical music. I was present for your concert with GJR& Viji at Music Academy on the occasion of the release of LGJ'S Padavarnam DVDS. Actually I was sitting next to LGJ who expressed his admiration for your playing. I particularly ADMIRED the way in which you managed to bring out in a wistful fashion a certain nostalgia & melody I had considered not possible on the piano......

I wish you would set straight the total phony & fake nature of "Fusion" MUSIC IN chennai & the glowing terms in which it is described in forums like this one.. I do not wish to pursue further my remarks about what you had written here or your article. If you write me your email I will be happy to write you further. Actually several persons had contacted me & discussed your article. I feel myself we improve when others not just blindly praise one's work. At least thats my view. I have found this forum to be a highly unsuitable format for serious & scholarly pursuits.

I got involved because SO MANY LIES & TRASH was being written about the Cleveland Festival. I subsequently found similar stuff was also being written about many great artists & once in a while try to state what I know to be true. In short in the linguo of USA it is mostly TRASH TALK ( LIKE IN SPORTS HERE ESP. IN BASKET BALL). I will end here so others can say what they wish! REGS, VKV

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 02 Jun 2009, 04:10

arasi
while the translation is impeccable, I did not get the feeling that I had while reading the original !
Language matters!
But silence is the universal language which touches everyone (including the American friend which Anil talks about..) and that is the power of MDR music which Sanjay was trying to emulate...

Happy birthday Anil!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 02 Jun 2009, 04:30

CML,
Impeccable does not the sense translate! This is why I call it a rough translation

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 02 Jun 2009, 05:56

asrini · Post by **asrini** » 02 Jun 2009, 07:59

[email protected]

Thank you for the birthday wishes, all

binmux · Post by **binmux** » 02 Jun 2009, 10:27

I am very recent entrant to this forum.

I have this CD of Anil and Sikkil Gurucharan's as well. I especially loved the song 'Asai Mugam maranthu poche" very much. It was very moving to know that the context of that song was the fact Bharathiyar's mom had died at his very early age and he had but one photo of her's that was lying in his house. This photo gets lost and as time flies, as he grew up and he forgot his mom's face completely. This poem was an outpouring from the great poet about his longing/love for his Mom.

SG singing and your playing in Piano were absolutely soul stirring - with the context in my mind all the silences and the slow rendering of the song was breath taking. Hats off.

I have to be frank though that in between for some of the songs I felt a a change of pace could have been more appropriate. May be because I was driving in the car for a long distance and wanted something faster to avoid sleeping

I have not heard much of MDR at all so I have stayed away from this discussion otherwise.

Happy Birthday Anil.

shripathi_g · Post by **shripathi_g** » 02 Jun 2009, 12:50

I'm a great fan of MDR and also like listening to Sanjay a lot, especially live. As a personal opinion, I wouldn't compare their music w.r.t silence since I've not noticed/observed discernible silences in Sanjay's music but with regards to originality of thought both of them stand out from their peers.

Speaking about MDR's silence............Second part

annamalai · Post by **annamalai** » 02 Jun 2009, 13:22

While the debate has been heated, IMHO there are some traces of MD Ramanathan (Tiger V) in Sanjay's music. Sanjay's guru KSK was a disciple of Tiger also.

MD Ramanathan has sung some krithis at a clipping pace in his younger days.

Samayamidhe - Kedaram Patnam
Neethumoorthi - Nattaikurunji - Patnam

I do see MDR like phrasing in these ragas in Sanjay's renditions.

Regarding Sahana, in Sanjay's renditions, I find more of Ramnad Krishnan traces - Rama Ikanannu or Emachitivo

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 02 Jun 2009, 14:25

gmohan · Post by **gmohan** » 02 Jun 2009, 19:00

MDR Latangi

http://www.sendspace.com/file/m7n2bv

Had an even faster version, cant find it now.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 02 Jun 2009, 20:09

annamalai wrote:While the debate has been heated, IMHO there are some traces of MD Ramanathan (Tiger V) in Sanjay's music. Sanjay's guru KSK was a disciple of Tiger also.

I agree with you; As a matter of fact I have been impressed by Sanjay's close study& listening of the various musicians from the past- I do not hear enough of current ones- & like Flute Ramani he is one of the few who successfully implements the best aspects from many including his own creative abilities which are considerable....VKV

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 02 Jun 2009, 22:41

VKV
having left TN quite early when MDR had not come to the limelight (as I have done) I wonder whether you have heard him in person that much...

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 02 Jun 2009, 22:42

Anil
Happy birthday to you!!! In your last post , you talk about two kinds of silences
1. rubato, where you have just mentioned that , but however in the context of sanjay-mdr as per your own words there is no mapping there. Kind of appearing little out of context here
2. With respect to other silences where you have said:

The other kind of silence, the more literal ones, are the deliberate ones during the alapana. While I can hardly claim to remember the structural content of an alapana rendered 3 years ago, I can remember a sensation that I experienced. To me, it was the same sensation as listening to MDR AT THAT TIME - please note that I put time markers on this - 2005 and 2006 - it was a specific time and phase in my own life, and therefore I responded to the similarity of these silences. That's all. If I listen to Sanjay now, do I still feel the same sensation?

I would love to hear that alApana one of the days I will get it somebody will have it . As shripathi_g exactly paraphrased discernible silence comparable to MDR is not resonating to me. Of course there are few attributes comparable to MDR and sanjay.

Just one thought about your writing style , you are a man of lots and lots of words ,you seem to write in indian express , claim you are a columnist and when kind of caged and ask an explanation to what you said , you just do bail out saying this is not shruthi article or something like that .

Embrace this forum and get used to lots of great people here . First of all you coming with a original id and posting is a great first step you have done . Thanks for your clarification and have a great birthday and have a great piano session to celebrate it .

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 02 Jun 2009, 23:25

I sort of fail to understand how when a person is reminded of MDR when he/she listened to Sanjay's (or say any contemporary artist) obviously for his/her own reasons - which are by nature personal and subjective, is somehow seen as a "izhivu" (stain) on MDR, or seen as false praise for Sanjay. Arent we creating a mountain out of a molehill?

Arun

asrini · Post by **asrini** » 02 Jun 2009, 23:28

oh me, oh my....rajesh is a tough "nat" to crack, indeed!

Thank you all once again for the birthday wishes - I am drowning in MDR's music, playing Purvikalyani on the piano and occasionally checking for updates on this rather interesting thread

Was I caged? I don't know - as I said - it was an opinion column, not a technical one. Sensations cannot always be explained by the stipulates of structure and pinpointed accuracy, but enough said.

I concede all points and opinions. I still insist that it was an outpouring of love for MDR's music, and perhaps my unconscious linking of his music to Sanjay's was perhaps my way of expressing a thought.

For now, I am enjoying a beautifully languorous bhairavi alapana and feeling thrilled being a year older.

I've got to say - I rather love this forum, at the end of it all. It has kept me on my toes for more than 48 hours now, and not even my PhD qualifiers managed to do that!!

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 02 Jun 2009, 23:40

It has kept me on my toes for more than 48 hours now, and not even my PhD qualifiers managed to do that!!

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 02 Jun 2009, 23:51

arunk wrote:I sort of fail to understand how when a person is reminded of MDR when he/she listened to Sanjay's (or say any contemporary artist) obviously for his/her own reasons - which are by nature personal and subjective, is somehow seen as a "izhivu" (stain) on MDR, or seen as false praise for Sanjay. Arent we creating a mountain out of a molehill?

Arun

We needed you to level that mountain back to the molehill Arun...Long time no see - nice to have you back.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 03 Jun 2009, 03:06

Ah, 'aruN'Odayam! Missed you in many a thread. And with your crosswords too, the quizmongers would vouch.
Ravi is right. You are capable of razing mountains down to size with your enquiring mind--are alsowilling to carve little steps on mountains which are difficult to scale for others

Comparisons or even occasional references to similarities stir up the emotions of intense fans of one musician or the other. Here is something very similar when it comes to our reactions in real life: 'the new baby looks like grandpa A', someone says and if you are from the family of grandpa B, you protest. 'Look at that nose, an exact copy of grandpa B! In no way does he resemble the other grandpa.'
We see what we like to see. We think anything dear to us is unique. Or, stretch it a bit, at least like something else which we also treasure...
It is not that grandpa A is not liked. It is just that B represents something precious.
Rajesh, I understand

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 03 Jun 2009, 03:12

These are subjective opinions, yes. But when you express them in a public forum, then you have to deal with other people's (subjective) opinions too. Why then make a mountain out of that molehill?

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 03 Jun 2009, 03:22

rt - If there 71 posts following my post with majority of them in the same vein as mine, then yes we would have made yet another mountain

Arun

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 03 Jun 2009, 03:25

ragam-talam wrote:These are subjective opinions, yes. But when you express them in a public forum, then you have to deal with other people's (subjective) opinions too. Why then make a mountain out of that molehill?

R-T could not agree more, with the caveat that as long as they are delivered in a civil and non-judgemental fashion, all opinions should be (and for the most part, are) welcomed - many of the (subjective) opinions that create 'storms in tea cups' are delivered in a fashion that is neither..

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 03 Jun 2009, 03:40

Arun
The issue is 'silence'. Can we compare the silence of MDR with its use by Sanjay? Anil has also given an independent assessment from WM perspective. Your expert views so that we may yet learn something from this 'madhu-bindhu-kalaham' (tempest-in-the-teapot)!

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 03 Jun 2009, 03:42

rshankar, by their very nature subjective opinions often tend to be judgemental!

Going by some of the recent 'episodes' here (e.g. the 'harimau' tirade or the more recent prasanna-bashing), it seems many here staunchly defended people's right to post 'offensive' posts.

Somehow in this case I don't see that many lining up in defence, even though the said comments pale in comparison in terms of their vitriol content.

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 03 Jun 2009, 03:53

forget I brought it up. This is starting to quickly become another mountain. I simply asked "have we overreacted?" (as opposed why did we react at all). I wasn't referring to every post aimed at the article either. In any case, if the answer is no, that is fine. If the answer is "maybe/yes, but so what?", well that is fine too.

Arun

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 03 Jun 2009, 04:23

Offered in semi-jest.

Reactions by members vary and that is the reason why different 'offences' result in mountains of different heights.

1) You are an idiot. ( variations: Use your brain to think since it is there for that purpose, your knowledge is shallow)
a) Oh... I sort of suspected that myself.
b) Who are you to call me an idiot? I have spent more years listening to music than you have lived in this world.
c) Complain to the mods and the silly mods try to act like parents and if that does not work, they delete some posts which cause further furore, yet another mountain

2) Your favorite raga, composition, rendition(!) sucks
a) People are hurt and try to convert the member by offering suggestions.
b) You are an idiot, jgyAna sUnyam
c) you have not listened to the right composition, right rendition..

3) Your favorite musician sucks

Usually a big mountain is built for this.

4) This musician is the greatest since sliced bread

You have ulterior motives in promoting the artist

4) You have ulterior motives.

This is what causes the biggest uproar. Being called an idiot is one thing, but questioning personal morals, a big no no.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 03 Jun 2009, 06:41

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 03 Jun 2009, 07:13

Now let us see who is ready to impregnate (spiritually

Anil in the next round

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 03 Jun 2009, 07:20

cmlover wrote:VKV
having left TN quite early when MDR had not come to the limelight (as I have done) I wonder whether you have heard him in person that much...

YES I HAVE. There are various reasons for it: Two of my classmates were HUGE fans of MDR & one of them has actually published a book in which he has given the correct swaraprastharas & other technical aspects of MDR'S own compositions as he studied with MDR for over 20 years- tho'he is a theoretical physicist-& I have spent lot of time involved in projects like these involving MDR. Every year I used to go to Chennai & attended many many public as well as private concerts as well as visiting him & discussing music with him.....Actually after sponsoring LGJ& RAMANI on their '71 tour I wanted to bring MDR as the next artist.....Needless to say I was not successful.......vkv

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 03 Jun 2009, 07:27

Thanks!
apparently MDR never went abroad!

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 03 Jun 2009, 07:33

cmlover wrote:Thanks!
apparently MDR never went abroad!

TRUE. Its a pity because as you know he was VERY WELL EDUCATED & wished to visit North America especially. In those days as you know-at least in my case as a graduate student, post doc etc- CREDIT CARDS had only 1000 dollar limits! The sponsors of TODAY are far smarter, savvier, & capable than persons like me! ....vkv

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 04 Jun 2009, 01:40

cmlover wrote:Thanks!
apparently MDR never went abroad!

Who amongst the CM maestros of yesteryears had traveled abroad?

The following names come to mind:
- KVN
- Ramnad Krishnan
- S Kalyanaraman
- Santhanam
- DKJ
- Mali
- Vairamangalam
- MS
- MLV

How about the following: GNB (another graduate), DKP, Ariyakudi, Pudukode, ...?

I believe Semmangudi was to travel to the US to receive CMANA award, but didn't. Instead, they went over to Madras and presented him with the award.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 04 Jun 2009, 05:13

SSI refused to cross the ocean!
In your list, barring Ramnad Krishnan and Vairamangalam
everybody else had been abroad...

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 04 Jun 2009, 06:12

CML, Ramnad Krishnan spent a considerable amount of time in the US.
and R-T, DKP has travelled quite a bit as well.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 04 Jun 2009, 06:20

Yes Thanks! Now I remember!

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 04 Jun 2009, 07:14

PL SEE POST #89:
To just continue this- JUST FOR CONTRAST- in the eighties Cleveland Sundaram offered SSI TWO lakhs of rupees for just one concert in USA; He oscillated & finally did not accept! vkv

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 04 Jun 2009, 07:24

He stuck to his principles. I have been told he even refused to visit Singapore!
Crossing the ocean is a sin!

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 04 Jun 2009, 07:35

Wait, didn't this SSI concert happen in NY?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkVEZXvWgT4

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 04 Jun 2009, 07:37

mahavishnu wrote:CML, Ramnad Krishnan spent a considerable amount of time in the US.
and R-T, DKP has travelled quite a bit as well.

In the interest of accuracy Ramnad Krishnan spent less than 6 months in USA of which close a to a month + most weekends were spent in my Manhattan Apartment & the rest at Weslyan University...He could never make the adjustment ( He could not live without betel leaves; We could not get it here in those days ) & we had to find a responsible person to accompany him on the air travel to Chennai till we finally found Rubin Mama who was going for the season!.....The unfortunate part was he offered to let me record his entire repertoire & I did not have a tape recorder at that trime of my life here!.....vkv

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 04 Jun 2009, 07:40

cmlover wrote:SSI refused to cross the ocean!
In your list, barring Ramnad Krishnan and Vairamangalam
everybody else had been abroad...

The same not crossing the ocean business was true of Madurai Somu who could have visited North America too otherwise! vkv

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 04 Jun 2009, 07:51

bilahari wrote:Wait, didn't this SSI concert happen in NY?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkVEZXvWgT4

SSI never came to USA because of "not crossing" the ocean principle....The one person who overcame that principle was "The man who knew Infinity" Ramanujam. I found out how he did it from the Famous TEST Cricketeer Late Great C.R.Rangachari (his wife was relative of Ramanujan) who told me the inside story not found in any books! He also showed me a letter from the one& only Don Bradman!....vkv

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 04 Jun 2009, 11:38

cmlover wrote:SSI refused to cross the ocean!
In your list, barring Ramnad Krishnan and Vairamangalam
everybody else had been abroad...

CML - I believe Vairamangalam did a US tour, possibly in the 80s.

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 04 Jun 2009, 11:43

cmlover wrote:He stuck to his principles. I have been told he even refused to visit Singapore!
Crossing the ocean is a sin!

I read somewhere (on this forum?) that Musiri may have been to Singapore several years ago.
He must have been way ahead of his time (and taboos)!