Jaya TV announced Concert Competition

srutilaya · Post by **srutilaya** » 26 Jan 2010, 23:08

Jaya TV had announced an under-25 concert competition with the topper getting a Cleaveland fest slot, album contract etc. It was held on Jan 24 at Chettinad Vidyasram.

How did the contest go? What was the quality of participation?
And the winner was... ?

Would be great to have a posting on this from people who participated / witnessed / got to know the results.

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 27 Jan 2010, 05:14

They have started showing the programme on TV; Today(wednesday) it is supposed to be at 9am I think.

saadhyaa · Post by **saadhyaa** » 27 Jan 2010, 06:30

seems many were refused audience since 'PAAVADAI THAVANI" was a must......!!!!! Alas they should have made it known atleast......

saadhyaa

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 27 Jan 2010, 20:56

The first episode was nice. The anchor is a jolly good fellow and just the right person for the job. (Who is he, by the by?- a singer?)

The judges made their point but could be more precise in their observations.

They say the prizes include a cash award, a slot in Jaya TV's Margazhi Series and an irresistible berth at Cleveland !

But why nobody thought of a supreme chance at the Tiruvaiyaru Aradhana? It would be as serene as the admirable stipulation of the dress code! (Thanks saadhyaa for that scoop!!)

It isn't too late for the offer. But it shall not be a consolation prize.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 27 Jan 2010, 22:20

saadhyaa wrote:seems many were refused audience since 'PAAVADAI THAVANI" was a must......!!!!! Alas they should have made it known atleast......

saadhyaa

probably the organizers were influenzed by the song "Paavaadai thaavaNiyil paartha uruvamaa"

shankarabharanam · Post by **shankarabharanam** » 28 Jan 2010, 09:12

But when is it relayed...

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 28 Jan 2010, 13:27

Saw it this morning around 7 o'clock.

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 29 Jan 2010, 04:59

Evening 05 30 hrs is a repeat telecast of mrg session 07 30 hrs.
Thanjavooran

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 29 Jan 2010, 19:26

No support for my suggestion of a chance for the winner at Tiruvaiyaru ?!
It's not easy to get a slot at the aradhana.
I believe it must be the dream of any upcoming artist.

music_is_life · Post by **music_is_life** » 30 Jan 2010, 01:54

I watched this program for a couple of days. While a very few showed good potential, I was amazed by the general quality of music considering that this was happening in Chennai. Being a frequent visitor to the Cleveland Festival, I would say that the kids here put up a better performace. Self-confidence was uniformly lacking in most of the youngsters. I am not sure whether I can make such a sweeping statement as I am not sure whether all serious music students would have participated in this program. So, ultimately the winner may not really be an 'idol'. Judges, Ganesh and Sowmya were very precise and encouraging the youngsters trying their best to make them feel comfortable. But I felt that they were keeping the bar too low to qualify participants for the second round.

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 30 Jan 2010, 03:50

Sivaramakrishnan wrote:No support for my suggestion of a chance for the winner at Tiruvaiyaru ?!
It's not easy to get a slot at the aradhana.
I believe it must be the dream of any upcoming artist.

How many of the so callled first ranking muscians do attend St's Aradhana @ Thiruvaiyaru? These artistes show much interest only in participating aradhana mela arranged by various sabhas locally with wide coverage of the powerful media under the guidance of PSN. This is really a sorry state of affairs presently.
Thanjavooran

naaree · Post by **naaree** » 30 Jan 2010, 20:37

Sivaramakrishnan wrote:No support for my suggestion of a chance for the winner at Tiruvaiyaru ?!
It's not easy to get a slot at the aradhana.
I believe it must be the dream of any upcoming artist.

Lets see it from the artists perspective.

All expenses paid trip to Tiruvayyaru... vs Cleveland Aradhana

Hmm..tough choice.

NS

Svaapana · Post by **Svaapana** » 31 Jan 2010, 08:52

naaree wrote:
Sivaramakrishnan wrote:No support for my suggestion of a chance for the winner at Tiruvaiyaru ?!
It's not easy to get a slot at the aradhana.
I believe it must be the dream of any upcoming artist.
Lets see it from the artists perspective.

All expenses paid trip to Tiruvayyaru... vs Cleveland Aradhana

Hmm..tough choice.

NS

What if the competition is open to participants from Cleveland!

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 31 Jan 2010, 10:06

Cleveland is city in U.S and participants in U.S may get a chance to participate .......

Kalpana Mohan · Post by **Kalpana Mohan** » 01 Feb 2010, 10:01

music_is_life wrote:I watched this program for a couple of days. While a very few showed good potential, I was amazed by the general quality of music considering that this was happening in Chennai. Being a frequent visitor to the Cleveland Festival, I would say that the kids here put up a better performace. Self-confidence was uniformly lacking in most of the youngsters. I am not sure whether I can make such a sweeping statement as I am not sure whether all serious music students would have participated in this program. So, ultimately the winner may not really be an 'idol'. Judges, Ganesh and Sowmya were very precise and encouraging the youngsters trying their best to make them feel comfortable. But I felt that they were keeping the bar too low to qualify participants for the second round.

I'm puzzled. Why would the bar be set lower in Chennai, I wonder.

In the competitive world of western classical music, there's a belief that the bar is "lower" for up and coming Caucasians mainly because of the saturation in the field by students of Asian origin.

At Cleveland 2009, a panel of judges (of which Sowmya and TMKrishna were an aggressive, unforgiving part) roasted 14-year-olds so deep and dark that the snow outside Waetjen Hall began to melt.

I'm all for tough judging. But let's at least hold the SAME standards in Chennai that we wish to hold in Cleveland. And let the judges remember that children raised in the United States weather many more storms before they reach a level where a guru puts them up for a competition: conflicting cultures at home versus at school; a much less organic way of learning language and diction; a 'simulated' environment to preserve Indian values/culture.

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 01 Feb 2010, 13:43

Kalpana Mohan wrote:
At Cleveland 2009, a panel of judges (of which Sowmya and TMKrishna were an aggressive, unforgiving part) roasted 14-year-olds so deep and dark that the snow outside Waetjen Hall began to melt.

Sounds interesting!

Can you please elaborate on what the kids were asked?
Kudos to TM Krishna and Sowmya, I think strict judging motivates the kids to learn more and improve their knowledge.

music_is_life · Post by **music_is_life** » 01 Feb 2010, 18:44

I want to clarify my comment "on lowering the bar". Probably the judges wanted to accomodate a few additional particpants in the subsequent rounds to see if that would give them the confidence to bring out their best. I want to reiterate that the Judges are absolutely sincere in their effort to identify the best participant.

rrao13 · Post by **rrao13** » 01 Feb 2010, 21:52

Kalpana Mohan wrote:
music_is_life wrote:I watched this program for a couple of days. While a very few showed good potential, I was amazed by the general quality of music considering that this was happening in Chennai. Being a frequent visitor to the Cleveland Festival, I would say that the kids here put up a better performace. Self-confidence was uniformly lacking in most of the youngsters. I am not sure whether I can make such a sweeping statement as I am not sure whether all serious music students would have participated in this program. So, ultimately the winner may not really be an 'idol'. Judges, Ganesh and Sowmya were very precise and encouraging the youngsters trying their best to make them feel comfortable. But I felt that they were keeping the bar too low to qualify participants for the second round.
I'm puzzled. Why would the bar be set lower in Chennai, I wonder.

In the competitive world of western classical music, there's a belief that the bar is "lower" for up and coming Caucasians mainly because of the saturation in the field by students of Asian origin.

At Cleveland 2009, a panel of judges (of which Sowmya and TMKrishna were an aggressive, unforgiving part) roasted 14-year-olds so deep and dark that the snow outside Waetjen Hall began to melt.

I'm all for tough judging. But let's at least hold the SAME standards in Chennai that we wish to hold in Cleveland. And let the judges remember that children raised in the United States weather many more storms before they reach a level where a guru puts them up for a competition: conflicting cultures at home versus at school; a much less organic way of learning language and diction; a 'simulated' environment to preserve Indian values/culture.

nadhasudha · Post by **nadhasudha** » 01 Feb 2010, 23:08

I do not want to compare the judging between Cleveland and Chennai. However I had a comment to make on the general quality of judging. Judging looks haphazard. For instance in the second round today, one participant who was rendering her item gritting her teeth was in while other participants who were singing open throated were out. In fact one of the judges commented on the open throated singing participant that she needs to sing more open throated. Where was that judge when he/she was voting in for the first participant.

There are 2 aspects to a vocal rendition. One is the music and second is the way the voice is used as an instrument. It did not matter to most of the judges on the panel to look into that voice as an instrument aspect. No matter how good the music is, if the instrument is faulty it is unbearable to hear.

What about voice range, open throated singing, voice modulation ? - why are these aspects not looked upon at all? Why does good music override these aspects in a vocal rendition. In my opinion if good music is weighted at 50%, then good vocal techniques should account for 50%.

On a side note - I notice in all other systems of singing be it hindustani music, western music, pop music, proper vocal techniques are emphasized much more. Perhaps carnatic musicians are not willing to put in the hard work it takes to sing open throated and therefore are unmindful of crooning, gritting the teeth and who knows what else.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 01 Feb 2010, 23:10

What is vocal technique?

nadhasudha · Post by **nadhasudha** » 01 Feb 2010, 23:45

Proper vocal technique consists of the following

sounds emanating from the nabhi, horizontal breathing, gamakams rendered using the throat and the voice as opposed to using the jaw to create the gamakam effect, no crooning or gritting the teeth, no unnecessary modulation to be in shruti

music_is_life · Post by **music_is_life** » 02 Feb 2010, 06:55

Nadhasudha.. I watched this episode today and let me give my 2 cents... It appeared as if the first participant was singinging with clenched teeth. But amongst the four she clearly deserved to get into the next round. While her alapanai was good, she was not confident with swaram. The second one who did madhamavati ragam began tentatively but she did well as she progressed and brought out the raga essence within the alloted 2 minutes. The judges rightly kept her in the waiting list as she needed little more practice judging on the kalpana swaras for the begada. The third was eliminated and I would have probably eliminated the fourth one too. But the judges surprisingly kept her. For TV show,, in order to sustain viewer interest, you have to compromise and keep a few for subsequent rounds so as to have a grand finale and I think that's OK.

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 02 Feb 2010, 07:24

I wish someome puts this up on youtube so i can see for myself.
I have seen some cleveland senior swaram neraval competition on youtube as well as concert competition. For neraval participants provide a list and the judges pick from that list of 5 ragas. For swaram they only changed the eddupu. I understand that these kids are from america but i wouldnt call it roasting the participants. The fact they they get to provide 5 ragas allows them to prepare and be confident. Maybe there were other things that i didnt see thats why i asked kalpana mohan.

nadhasudha · Post by **nadhasudha** » 02 Feb 2010, 07:47

music_is_life - You are missing my point. While participant 1 might have scored higher in the musical aspect of her rendition which I do not contest, her clenched teeth totally spoiled the rendition. For a vocal performance to be effective, it is not enough if the musical aspects are satisfactory. The vocal aspect needs to be taken into account. I was surprised that in judging a vocal rendition, the judges paid least attention to an aspect which should account for at least 50% of the score.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 02 Feb 2010, 11:25

Finally got to see the show today and was happy to finally see something like this on the air. Kudos to Jaya TV!

My observations:

1. Judges are really good. But they all seem to tilt in the same direction and either unanimously choose or reject a contestant. A little more variety there would be nice - especially when their music is quite different

2. Judges seem to be judging based on more information than is visible to the public. May be the performances get edited and so we do not see the complete picture, but this makes the judgment seem not so fair at times.

3. Judges do not indicate why they reject a contestant eloquently enough. I am sure they are capable of this, so may be they are asked not to. This gives the appearance of non-objectivity.

4. Quite pleased by the talent level. Have attended more than one performance in the city where the artiste seem less talented than the contestants on the show.

5. Show can definitely go on for an hour. Judges make this very interesting.

6. Lakshmi Surya Teja and this other Karunimpa boy were really good. Pity they got eliminated.

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 04 Feb 2010, 04:53

My observations
Why performing artistes like Sriranjani [ d/o NSG] and Bhart sundar participate in this mela?
While all the other judges give their comments in Tamil, Why Gayathri Venkataraghavan alone should speak in English?
Sasi kiran never says ' Yes ' to any contestants and he looks little odd with grim face. May be inspired by Sarath of Asia net . In general comments by the judges are always very soft and pleasing.
Thanjavooran

saadhyaa · Post by **saadhyaa** » 04 Feb 2010, 05:30

yes shri..thanjavooran even i had the same doubt about sriranjini and suchitra (grand daughter of kamala murthy, the bajan fame ) by the way.....Music Mastero Sharath encourages many participants..........and witty on many occasions....

saadhyaa

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 04 Feb 2010, 12:42

thanjavooran wrote: Why performing artistes like Sriranjani [ d/o NSG] and Bhart sundar participate in this mela?

They are not the only ones. There are a few other performers as well, Malavi, Brinda etc.

While all the other judges give their comments in Tamil, Why Gayathri Venkataraghavan alone should speak in English?

Probably because she can speak the language well. May be recommended by the producers in order to reach a wider audience. Also few contestants are not Tamil speaking (only singing

)

Sasi kiran never says ' Yes ' to any contestants and he looks little odd with grim face.

The producers always need a "bad guy" to boost audience interest and may be Sashi is filling the void

Well... I must say that the show has me hooked. May now have to make it to the final showdown on Saturday.

nivedita · Post by **nivedita** » 04 Feb 2010, 13:19

thanjavooran wrote:My observations
Sasi kiran never says ' Yes ' to any contestants...
Thanjavooran

That just goes to show what a stickler for perfection he is. His students are blessed to have him as guru.

arunsri · Post by **arunsri** » 04 Feb 2010, 13:29

Hello

I have been watching the programme regularly. Based on what we audience see on the programme, I feel the yardstick is not uniform while judging.

"I know you have the capability to do well" is not correct. This means the judge is relying on some past performance(s) to judge and NOT completely on what was sung that day. If that be the case, then everyone should be given that chance.

Based on what was presented on the given day - one participant botched up the swara pattern in a kriti - unable to pick the right swara poruttam. OK fine with it, but when asked to sing a korvai for a song - it was botched up 3 times. In my opinion it is NOT Acceptable.

The same yardstick "I know you have the capability..." was not used for many others.

Also, choice of ragas/kritis [atleast what is shown on TV] is an issue. My personal idea would be one scalar/mELa raga and one rakti ragam - be it was kriti, R, N or S. should be used for judging. My opinion - singing hamsanadam ragam or swaras for dharmavati - traversing up and down the scale is not a big deal, but singing neraval in khamas/Suruti is definitely a bigger deal. Asking someone to sing tanam in kedaragaula was excellent. Not being able to sing the chitta swara in a varnam correctly at this stage is not acceptable, and not knowing jeeva swara of a ragam is also a NO-NO. But they were selected.

My undertanding is - the participants render a lot of stuff in front of the judges - but what is brought out on TV is only a couple of mins of renditions, also, the judgements are based on what all the judges have heard - rather than what we, in our living rooms hear. Hope this is the real situation.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 04 Feb 2010, 23:42

Where is a drawing room in a house? - post above # 30

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 05 Feb 2010, 00:39

It is a British usage to refer to the 'withdrawing room', where guests and visitors can be entertained. In modern indian flat/apartment context, it is that main hall.

music_is_life · Post by **music_is_life** » 05 Feb 2010, 07:18

Chennai forum members, You have an opportunity to be part of selecting the winner! Today they announced that the finals will take place at the Chettinad school (near Ayyappa temple) on Saturday. It's open to all and you can participate in the poll. I look forward to a review from someone who attend this.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 05 Feb 2010, 23:05

It might be interesting indeed --- but my half-sari is at the cleaners just now.

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 06 Feb 2010, 05:09

The narrowed down list of contestants for the grand finale is given below. They are yet to talk about their Guru s
M/s Sriranjani, Abilash, Malavi, Karthik, Niranjana, Brinda Manicka vasakam, Bhavya, Anahitha, Kalpalathika and Bharat sundar. Y'day Abhilash should have performed at Thyagaraja Vidwat Samajam.
Thanjavooran

nadhasudha · Post by **nadhasudha** » 06 Feb 2010, 05:59

I saw a program on TV (i think Podigai) where Anahita sang. In that there was a mention that Shri Ravikiran was her guru. Not sure about other participants' gurus.

Abhilash sang very well in today's program. I enjoyed his hindolam and kharaharapriya. I would be very interested to find out who his guru is.

music_is_life · Post by **music_is_life** » 06 Feb 2010, 09:35

I agree with you Nadhasudha. I enjoyed listening to Abhilash. There is so much of maturity and 'sowkhyam' in his rendition.

cienu · Post by **cienu** » 06 Feb 2010, 11:17

nadhasudha wrote: Abhilash sang very well in today's program. I enjoyed his hindolam and kharaharapriya. I would be very interested to find out who his guru is.

The Guru of Abhilash is Vidwan Sri A.S.Murali, who is in turn a disciple of PSN.

semmu86 · Post by **semmu86** » 06 Feb 2010, 11:28

nadhasudha wrote:I saw a program on TV (i think Podigai) where Anahita sang. In that there was a mention that Shri Ravikiran was her guru. Not sure about other participants' gurus.
.

Kum.Anahita is indeed a disciple of Sr.Ravikiran.. In fact i attended 3-4 concerts of ravikiran last year when she started giving vocal support in ravikiran's chitraveena performances and she does sing really well.

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 06 Feb 2010, 12:09

No wonder master Abhilash was spot selected (as also the only one for that honour).

His kalapramanum is perfect and I was very glad that here was a boy who would give
'saukhyam' its due place. I wish he will continue to evovle in the same mould and not
get into too much 'kannaku' & high decibel singing. Wishing him all the best

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Feb 2010, 19:06

Purist,
I like your 'not getting into too much kaNakku and high decibel singing'

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 06 Feb 2010, 23:12

High decibel singing?

Oh! I'm all for it! Too many youngsters believe that all they have to do is murmur and the amplifier will take care of the sound. But volume, of course, must not be at the expense of quality. Some proper voice training, and we might be able to do away with the microphone!

aDANA · Post by **aDANA** » 07 Feb 2010, 06:06

thanjavooran wrote:My observations
Why performing artistes like Sriranjani [ d/o NSG] and Bhart sundar participate in this mela?

Sasi kiran never says ' Yes ' to any contestants and he looks little odd with grim face. May be inspired by Sarath of Asia net .
Thanjavooran

Well not only U need to know WHO THEY ARE. its well open to public.. Nice exposure .... So its not anybody's business to ask WHY THEY PARTICIPATED.. They still are youngsters and not PERFORMING ARTISTES as such..

And regarding Sasi kiran's comments.. He is qualified enough to sit there as a judge and thats why he is there.. And thats his personal opininon to vote somebody IN or OUT..

suma · Post by **suma** » 07 Feb 2010, 07:24

just heard that bharat sundar won this competition.
Congratulations Bharat Sundar.

tkb · Post by **tkb** » 07 Feb 2010, 08:36

congrats to Bharat Sundar and also to all the other participants for their efforts.

Divya Gopalan · Post by **Divya Gopalan** » 07 Feb 2010, 09:13

Congrats Bharath Sundar and all the other participants!

Purist wrote: I wish he will continue to evovle in the same mould and not
get into too much 'kannaku' & high decibel singing. Wishing him all the best

As long as sowkyam is not compromised, kanakku is not a bad thing in my opinion. After all a CM concert can cater to the needs of diverse audience only when all the elements are presented in good proportions. CM is probably the only system of music where arithmetic plays plays a significant role. So why give up that uniqueness? Having said that, kanukkus for the sake of kanakkus with repetitive uninteresting patterns can compromise on the quality and should be avoided.

Lalgudi's ability to touch the heart while stimulating a person's intellect is probably one of the reasons for his success.

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 07 Feb 2010, 09:38

It was wonderful evening. The hall was full. There was a galaxy of top musicians including Sri Balamurali krishna, Smt Vedavalli, Sri & Smt Trichur Ramachandran, Smt Bhushani Kalyanaraman, Sri Maharajapuram Ramachandran, Smt Gayathri Girish, Sri V Subramanyam and many others.

There were two rounds, In the first round 6 of the 12 were selected for the final round.

The first round had participants singing in a group of 4 or 5 (grouped on the sruti). They had to sing swaras for a raga selected by the judges in turns and then sing a viruttam.

In the second round the participants had to sing a part of a varnam, a nereval/swaras , a part of a RTP and a part of a thillana. The judges excelled in this round asking the contestants to improvise on the spot. Smt Padma Shankar and Sri Trivandrum Balaji provided support on violin and mrudangam

Bharat was the winner followed by Abilash and Sriranjani.

Abilash won the the rasikas choice award and Bharat won another prize for stage presence. Anahita won everyone's heart with an excellent performance and was unlucky to miss out the top 3 slots.

I have a feeling that Abilash and Anahita might have lost the top slot because they were too young.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Feb 2010, 16:26

I'm glad you were there and reporting for us.

Konnakol, simply, should not be intrusive. If the music is good, it may be entirely unnoticed by those who do not wish to notice it.

Whether it is in the thani or the swaras, the greatest challenge is not to bring a calculation to a successful conclusion, but to turn that calculation into music.

nadhasudha · Post by **nadhasudha** » 07 Feb 2010, 18:25

Thanks semmu86 and cienu for that piece of information.

Thanks also to rajumds for the report on the finals.

Congratulations to Bharat Sundar and also to Abhilash. I am now looking forward to seeing the finals telecast here in NA on Jaya TV.

appu · Post by **appu** » 07 Feb 2010, 21:06

If anyone knows the date and time of the finals telecast, please post. I really would like to watch the finals.