Udayalur Kalyanaraman -Water for parched souls

smala · Post by **smala** » 20 Jul 2009, 23:11

I stumbled on some amazing videos on Alangudi Radha Kalyanam utsavam.....what are the recordings available from this absolutely Divine blessed artist. I have never heard ANY carnatic artist sing Purandhara Dasar kirtana in this way.........my instincts tell me this is how Dasar must have sung them............Even those with little familiarity of Kannada language should find it easy to grasp the words with their meanings (a lot of cross-over words, if you are Tamil) -- such is the blessed power of Sri Kalyanaraman's singing that leaves you -- well, devastated ! -- no exaggeration here......................http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKIsjJMV ... re=related ............ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUXgvg7MCAQ............PLEASE share your experiences, if you have had the fortune to hear him in person. Jai Sri Radhekrishna, this is a lifetime experience........here's a start....

Read ....www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/09/.. ... 450700.htm

gopalk · Post by **gopalk** » 22 Jul 2009, 15:01

Most of the albums by bhagavathar are available on Celextel online. His bhajan programs are awesome. You can find out his next program details from the Orkut group - http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community.aspx?cmm=10806528

-
Gopal

visaalam · Post by **visaalam** » 26 Jul 2009, 19:54

Yesterday at Rathnagireeswarar temple, Beasant Nagar, Udayalur rendered sampradaya bhajan for 2 hours.

As usual, it was water for parched souls. The programme was well attended.

The drawback was the mrudangist who usually accompanies Udayalur.

While his stroke play and his knowledge of the renderings was very good, it appears he will be never be satisfied with the volume level of mrudangam. Though the mrudangam sound was clearly masking the vocalist's voice and was too audible, he asked for more and more volume level. At one stage, Udayalur signalled towards the PA guy to decrease the volume level of mrudangam and the PA person obliged. Perhaps the mrudangist did not notice this, he blasted the PA guy for reducing his volume level and created a big scene. He started blowing his own trumphet about his experience. Udayalur diplomatically avoided further escalation of situation by quickly starting a new item.

This mrudangist has to understand that however talented he is, people have gathered to listen to Udayalur. vidyA dadAti vinayam. That quality was missing in this mrudangist.

Future organisers should take a note of this and impress upon Udayalur to reign in on this mrudangist and ensure that mrudangam sound level doesn't trigger migrane for audience

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 26 Jul 2009, 20:49

pakkavAdyam should be pakkavAdyam and not domineer the main artist

laks1972 · Post by **laks1972** » 27 Jul 2009, 13:35

I too attended the programme described by visaalam. It was arranged as part of 2 daya Parvati Kalyanam conducted at the temple.

Mrudangist was demonstrating all his mastery over the instrument, though it was not relishable due to his desire to have very high amplification for his instrument.

Also his style of playing was very intrusive. Hope Sri Kalyanaraman makes a note of this for future programmes.

smala · Post by **smala** » 29 Jul 2009, 10:44

Sri Kalyanaraman appears to be very dedicated with utmost humility, according respect to every member in his team from what I see, hear and read -- the more I watch the Alangudi Radha Kalyanam utsavam the more I am impressed -- beyond his amazingly unique captivating singing. He has created a trust that supports all performing bhagavathars and team members (and their families) -- a thoughtful smart move considerate of the welfare of his team as he launches his mission. This itself changes the terms of engagement, unlike regular Carnatic musicians where each is left to her/his own.

In reviving the Bhajana sampradaya and elevating Carnatic krithis back to the devotional platform -- most importantly, making it accessible to the common person -- he has done an extra-ordinary service, imho. Carnatic music is great when heard in kachcheries but more often than not tends to be elitist and somewhat exclusive in its appeal, not quite within the comfort zone or purview of the average person who can appreciate and enjoy music but not necessarily relate to all its form, technical aspects. Further, by narrating the krithis while he sings with clarity in diction, enunciation, bringing the lyrics to the fore (eg. Purandara dasar krithi.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzolwvEHyHk&NR=1)..... Sri KR emotes with the audience, roping in everybody. Just listen from 9.25 to the truncated end, you'll know what I mean.

Off the net......."He has an excellent accompanying artists team with him which comprises of Sethalapati Balasubramainium on Vocal support, Picchumani bhagvathar on the same, Babu Rajashekar on Mridangam & Rajesh on Harmonium."........

This is not to be read as criticism of the great Carnatic tradition itself - just some thoughts on how it has evolved today, a bit far removed from access of the lay person.

shyamala

gopalk · Post by **gopalk** » 29 Jul 2009, 12:41

visaalam wrote:Yesterday at Rathnagireeswarar temple, Beasant Nagar, Udayalur rendered sampradaya bhajan for 2 hours.

As usual, it was water for parched souls. The programme was well attended.

The drawback was the mrudangist who usually accompanies Udayalur.

I do know Babu personally. My guess - after attending many of their programs - is that they would not have received feedback on the monitor while the volume would have been higher for the audience. In fact I have seen Babu repeatedly telling that the volume for the audience should be reduced.

laks1972 · Post by **laks1972** » 29 Jul 2009, 23:03

gopalk wrote:I do know Babu personally. My guess - after attending many of their programs - is that they would not have received feedback on the monitor while the volume would have been higher for the audience. In fact I have seen Babu repeatedly telling that the volume for the audience should be reduced.

Unfortunately that was not the case. I was sitting right behind the mrudangist and I was able to get very good feedback. There were two speakers kept for feedback.

Irrespective of whether he got adequate feedback or not, creating a scene by shouting at the PA guy for no fault of his was totally uncalled for and was sadly lacking in stage manners. "I have been playing for 35 years, I know what the sound level should be" is not the way an artist talks on the stage.

If you know him personally, I suggest that these discussions are brought to his notice so that he shows some vinayam on the stage.

Today I also came to know that one of the members of audience has called and conveyed his feedback about the mrudangist to Sri Kalyanaraman. Hope Sri Kalyanaraman passes it on.

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 29 Jul 2009, 23:37

shyama-priya wrote:I Please share your experiences, if you have had the fortune to hear him in person. Jai Sri Radhekrishna.....here's a start... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUXgvg7MCAQ

Thanks. Simply superb and soul stirring. I am reminded of the first time I heard him. It was a local concert where I had help setup. Being jaded, I thought a bhajan concert wouldnt be my cup of tea (i.e. compared to a regular concert). I wanted to just wait for the first few minutes to make sure things were ok and take leave from the organizer. His first 10-15 seconds of the starting viruttam/bhajan just stopped me in my tracks. I was simply stunned at the clarity and bhavam. Needless to say, I stayed for the whole concert, bought some CDs and headed back. In many ways, this was way more satisfying than most concerts I have attended.

Arun

smala · Post by **smala** » 29 Jul 2009, 23:54

Thanks. Simply superb and soul stirring............ bought some CDs and headed back. In many ways, this was way more satisfying than most concerts I have attended.

Arun

Please can you provide names/publisher of the CDs - I would LOVE to have them.....

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 29 Jul 2009, 23:59

I have to dig them up - IIRC, it was through the trust (kanchi periyava?) - this was on narayana teertha's tarangam

Arun

gopalk · Post by **gopalk** » 30 Jul 2009, 11:22

shyama-priya wrote:
Please can you provide names/publisher of the CDs - I would LOVE to have them.....

https://www.celextel.com/dakshinabharat ... -4104.html

You can find others from this link. Most of the audio cd / cassette should be available from Giri Trading or Amudham. Please send me a message in case you have any difficulty in finding these.