CD Release of Arasi's compositions - Feb 19th

Rajani · Post by **Rajani** » 21 Feb 2011, 16:52

I am sorry that I forgot to add that the concert was very good, and wonderfully supported by both VVSMurari and our forumite Mannarkoil Balaji.

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 21 Feb 2011, 17:27

Congratulations, Arasi, on the smooth proceedings of CD release.

So are you now commonly known as Arasi outside this forum too?

gardabha_gana · Post by **gardabha_gana** » 21 Feb 2011, 17:47

Arasi m'am - can we have the youtube version of the release function and photos please - and an audio version of the concert!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 21 Feb 2011, 18:32

srikanth,
The name Arasi is not just my rasikas.org id. I have been writing fiction, poetry and songs under that name for a long time and carried it to the forum too.

Still recovering from my trip to Chennai. It has been a busy time for me the past few weeks. With some help, I will put Neela Ramgopal's concert on the forum soon.
I was hoping to see a few more forumites who had told me they would be there. The Nageswarans were missed. Pratyaksham Bala too.
It was gratifying to see many familiar faces in the audience (even with the big cricket match going on!). The ones from the forum who stayed from the beginning to the end were Nick, his wife Sushi, Rajani and Srini. Were there others? Of course, Balaji (mridangam) was there the entire time and played so very well too!
VKV would have been there but something else came up. V.V. Sundaram came, so did his brother V.V.Chellappa. Gayatri Girish came and stayed till the end--I've come to know her as someone who keeps her word. There was a couple of special women who came too as they had written to me and I'm very happy about it

Those who wanted to come but had their own concerts in Chennai and elsewhere were NSG, Suryaprakash, Dr. Narmada, Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam and our own Erode Nagaraj who played for her that day.
I was very happy to meet another composer Nadopasana Srinivasan who gave me a book of his compositions as well.
Thank you all for your kind words, cheer leaders!

Gardabha_gana,
thanks for liking the songs.

Lakshman, will send you the lyrics of the songs and you can kindly post them in the Sahitya section.

Ravi, it would be my pleasure if you can translate them.

maduraimini and life is a song2,
You can find the CD at The Karnatic Music Book Centre at 23-A, Sripuram 1st Street, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014.
Phone: 044-2811 1716 and 2811 3253.
E-mail: [email protected]. Their website: http://www.carnaticbooks.com

gardhaba_gana,
Let me get hold of the CD of the event and then perhaps someone on the forum can help me upload it.

Pratyaksham Bala · Post by **Pratyaksham Bala** » 21 Feb 2011, 18:54

arasi:
Thanks for remembering me.
Happy to note that the function was a grand success. Congratulations!

I had planned to attend the function with my wife. But, it is unfortunate, we could not make it. (Please check your mail.)

Next week we are visiting Chennai again, when we will pick up the CD from the Karnatic Music Book Centre.

srinivasrgvn · Post by **srinivasrgvn** » 21 Feb 2011, 19:16

It was an absolutely wonderful concert by Smt.Neela Ramgopal with some hand picked compositions from the CD - kurai thIrppAn guhan in hamsadhwani, kala kalavena in Anandhabhairavi(with R), inbamAyinum in amruthavarshini(with RS, if I remember correctly), shivanAr nadanam in kharaharapriyA(the main piece with RNST)and the finale - varUvan enRavan in tilang. The accompaniments - both mrudangam and violin were excellent, significantly enhancing the presentation. As usual, Arasi's compositions are a delight to listen to. I especially enjoyed Amrithavarshini and Kharaharapriya(really a must-listen-to piece!).I had a really good time and I wish to convey my gratitude to Arasi, for painstakingly getting my no and inviting me personally, as if though I am some great person!! Thank you so much, if you and Mr.Rajesh had not told me, I would have missed this!!

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 21 Feb 2011, 19:30

arasi wrote:Ravi, it would be my pleasure if you can translate them.

And an honor for me! I will certainly attempt! I am so glad the function and the concert went off well. Now, please put your feet up and catch your breath for a bit.

veenajj · Post by **veenajj** » 21 Feb 2011, 21:50

Great to know that the function was a grand success. Arasiji, you deserve this and much more. Congratulations! Seniors like you inspire us in so many ways. We have been traveling over the past week, got back in town only today, hence could not make it. Hope you are checking your mails, arasiji!!

Jeyaraaj and Jaysri

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 21 Feb 2011, 22:27

rshankar wrote:... Now, please put your feet up and catch your breath for a bit.

Apparently she will be in London quite soon, so catching her breath with the cold, I should think. Brrrr.... !

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 21 Feb 2011, 22:36

srinivasrgvn wrote:It was an absolutely wonderful concert by Smt.Neela Ramgopal with some hand picked compositions from the CD - kurai thIrppAn guhan in hamsadhwani, kala kalavena in Anandhabhairavi(with R), inbamAyinum in amruthavarshini(with RS, if I remember correctly), shivanAr nadanam in kharaharapriyA(the main piece with RNST)and the finale - varUvan enRavan in tilang. The accompaniments - both mrudangam and violin were excellent, significantly enhancing the presentation. As usual, Arasi's compositions are a delight to listen to. I especially enjoyed Amrithavarshini and Kharaharapriya(really a must-listen-to piece!).I had a really good time and I wish to convey my gratitude to Arasi, for painstakingly getting my no and inviting me personally, as if though I am some great person!! Thank you so much, if you and Mr.Rajesh had not told me, I would have missed this!!

Srinivasrgvn
Glad that you attended . Interestingly long time back before your hiatus , you asked arasi if she has a composition in kharaharapriya ,now you got one. I could not attend I am out of country on an official trip. Why dont you buy the CD and review the CD bit later in that thread of yours.
BTW welcome back to the forum

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 21 Feb 2011, 22:40

Thanks srinivasrgvn
We miss you at the Forum. Do join us whenever you can. Look forward to your scintillating review of the CD.
... and from you too Rajesh (n absentia)..

arasi
now you are entitled to a well deserved rest. It is up to us to start relishing your compositions. Grateful to Shankar for offering to translate...

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 21 Feb 2011, 23:17

Arasi, it is great to hear that the CD release function and the concert went off very well. Congratulations!

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 22 Feb 2011, 01:30

Grateful to Shankar for offering to translate... - Out of curiosity, I believe when the author of the song is still living, translation by someone other than the author may not fully reflect the author's intent. am I wrong?

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 22 Feb 2011, 02:30

VK RAMAN wrote:Grateful to Shankar for offering to translate... - Out of curiosity, I believe when the author of the song is still living, translation by someone other than the author may not fully reflect the author's intent. am I wrong?

I intend to get Arasi's views before making the translations 'public' for that very reason.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 22 Feb 2011, 02:57

Thank you Ravi

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 22 Feb 2011, 05:06

Congratulations on the successful release, Arasi! And kudos to the rasika cheerleaders who attended. Now take some rest!

srinivasrgvn · Post by **srinivasrgvn** » 22 Feb 2011, 09:26

Srinivasrgvn
Glad that you attended . Interestingly long time back before your hiatus , you asked arasi if she has a composition in kharaharapriya ,now you got one. I could not attend I am out of country on an official trip. Why dont you buy the CD and review the CD bit later in that thread of yours.
BTW welcome back to the forum

Yes, I vividly remember me asking Arasi if she composed in kharaharapriya. She has really made everyone happy by this beautiful song - 'shivanAr nadanam'. Even the Anandhabhairavi piece - 'kala kalavena' is mind blowing.
And, I did ask her where you were as I could not find you, and she told me that you were abroad. Hope your trip goes on well and you come back soon, and listen to this wonderful new album. Yes, I have started listening to the compositions. Already listened to 'kalakalavena' a few times. Humming it often!!

And, I can't promise that I will come often to the forum. But I will try my best.

srinivasrgvn · Post by **srinivasrgvn** » 22 Feb 2011, 09:29

CML, Even I miss you all, especially you. Due to various reasons, I am unable to frequently visit but I will surely do, whenever I can. And, yes, I will surely try to write a small review, I have asked Arasi's permission too!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 22 Feb 2011, 09:57

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.
Yes, I was and am tired and need a bit of a rest but I'm leaving India in a week's time which means lot of things to attend to.
In all this, I have missed mentioning a few things. Most of all:
attending this seniors event was a star of the past in CM, vidushi Ananthalakshmi Sadagopan--my out of the forum cheerleader and aunt! Her enthusiasm and support despite her poor health is something to experience.

Another person who was present that day is that well known and appreciated, but little known person Kannan, the kachEri kaiyyEDu man with a smile on his face.
J&J were the very first among my musical friends to write to me to say they were performing in the Middle East on the 19th. I know they would have been there at Raga Sudha that day had they been in town.

Uday left on his trip that day too, otherwise he would have been there with RAdhika, I think. Coming from him, a thumbs up sign (which he gave me for vaLLi nAyakanE at JS's concert) would have been great.

VKR,
Yes, I would have translated them myself but when it comes to songs, Ravi is the best among us to do that. To my knowledge, he's one with Sol nayam.There are no copyright laws about translating a living composer either, I don't think

Pratyaksham Bala (another one with Sol nayam),
Sorry to hear about the family news. I know you and your wife would have been there otherwise.

Rajesh,
I do know that you were hanging around Raga Sudha in spirit that evening

Bharath,
Missed you too...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 22 Feb 2011, 10:15

Srini,
You are one of a kind, so this special post for just you. Thanks

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Feb 2011, 00:15

Here are some photographs of the function that Arasi asked me to upload. Concert download links to follow.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 23 Feb 2011, 02:44

Arasi/VK - thank you. Beautiful and vibrant, just like the compositions!
Arasi - I am truly honored and humbled!
Hope the remainder of your holiday is just as fulfiling as this part was; safe travels and a happy homecoming! I hope the East Coast warms up to welcome you!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 23 Feb 2011, 03:06

Happy memories...

and I must get a haircut :$

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 23 Feb 2011, 03:17

Congrats Arasi!! Look forward to hearing your CD--Nirmala and myself would have loved to have been there--your mention of Anathalakshmi Mami's presence did not surprise me-- I do not know whether you know this or not-- mami has been a favorite in our family for over 60 years right from the trivandrum days--a rare and amazing combination of Vidwath and modesty--obviously the poetic strains are in the DNA!!!

After your return to US if you happen to visit NY please let me know!!Perhaps you could teach myself and Nirmala some of the songs!

Keep up the good work and God bless you!! Looking forward to your posts notwithstanding the fact that I myself have been lax in my posts!! Need to revive the Semmangudi/ and MSS threads.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Feb 2011, 03:30

Here are the links to the 5 songs from the concert.

Download links: http://www.mediafire.com/arasi_neelaramgopal

To listen without downloading:

1. Kurai-theerpaan ( hamsadwani )
http://www.esnips.com/doc/10e62cc8-6920 ... hamsadwani

2. Kala-kalavena (anandabhairavi )
http://www.esnips.com/doc/1f803891-f6e5 ... dabhairavi

3. Inbamayinum (Amrithavarshini)

Alapana
http://www.esnips.com/doc/25ad831d-098b ... a-varshini

Song
http://www.esnips.com/doc/a80945eb-d7de ... havarshini

4. Sivanar-Nadanam (Kharaharapriya)

Alapana
http://www.esnips.com/doc/af6b2a00-c19c ... ---Alapana

Song plus thani
http://www.esnips.com/doc/d528bbcc-3487 ... aharapriya

5. Varuven-endravan (Thilang)
http://www.esnips.com/doc/b31f0e6d-3b20 ... an-Thilang

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 23 Feb 2011, 06:09

Nice photos;VK ,thanks for uploading the songs.Will listen to them.
Arasiji, I am so happy for you. Hope the songs for the 3rd CD are ready.

veeyens3 · Post by **veeyens3** » 23 Feb 2011, 07:30

When I tried to listen to Song No 5 in tilang I get Amritavrshini. ?

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Feb 2011, 09:01

Thanks veeyens. It is fixed now. Please try again.

smala · Post by **smala** » 23 Feb 2011, 09:22

Is the shivaNar song not available for upload?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 23 Feb 2011, 09:47

I will check if SivanAr naDanam kaNDEn was sent.

VK,
Thanks as always to you for helping me. I think K sent you a few other pictures( of TNK speaking and the picture with Ananthalakshmi Sadagopan). There are pictures of Rajani, Srini and others which we will send you.

CML,the super cheerleader and a dear friend,
I'm sure you are happy. Being away from India most of the year is not conducive to projects like this and you were (and are) there always to keep me going

Ravi,
Yes doc. Will try to follow your orders which reflect your concern too. If only I had a genie to do all the winding up here and to get me ready for my travels! The best tonic awaits me in London (two grandsons) and the when I get home, the older one there being another potion

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Feb 2011, 10:36

>I think K sent you a few other pictures( of TNK speaking and the picture with Ananthalakshmi Sadagopan)

Oops.. I missed three photos. I have added them now to the photo post. Please refresh the page to see the added ones.

If I am still missing any, please let me know.

cienu · Post by **cienu** » 23 Feb 2011, 11:51

Lovely pictures ! Thank you !

smala · Post by **smala** » 23 Feb 2011, 12:39

Captions with names of persons in the pics would help ppl like me

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 23 Feb 2011, 14:02

s-p,
Both of us women--Neela and me--in different blues. TNK and Indra Parthasarathy (in yellow kurta) are easy to recognize. Balaji, Nadopasana Srinivasan the composer in the group photo with my husband Krishnan. Nick needs no labeling since we see him every time we go to Rasikas.org!
VK,
Thanks for a few more pictures. Will send a few more soon. The kharaharapriya one too.

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 23 Feb 2011, 17:21

I hope I have the permission for this:

E'-SWARA- 001-Kurai-theerpaan-hamsadwani.Smt. Neela Ramgopal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Avd7DEQKv8

venkatakailasam

veeyens3 · Post by **veeyens3** » 23 Feb 2011, 21:14

Thanks V.K when I heard the song my mind travelled back many years to "Inru pOi nAlai vA' in Sampoorna Ramayanam

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 23 Feb 2011, 21:40

venkatakailasam wrote:E'-SWARA- 001-Kurai-theerpaan-hamsadwani.Smt. Neela Ramgopal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Avd7DEQKv8

Beautiful imagery - Sri Venkatakailasam! Thank you.
Arasi - I loved the dramatic 'varuvAn' part (3:41-3:50) - similar to the impact of Smt. MSS' singing 'nAlu puram nOkki nADi nAn' in 'mAlaipozhudinilE'! Lovely!!

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 23 Feb 2011, 21:42

Brilliant Vkailasam!
What a beautiful selection of graphics! You have brought to life Neelas scintillating rendering of Arasi's lyrics.
Hats off!
Did you get trained in Video editing at Hollywood

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 23 Feb 2011, 22:44

Arasi
We need the posting of the lyrics as such to fully enjoy Neela's renditions that Vk has posted. Some words are muffled and not audible.
No hurry but just pointing out...
Have a nice time in London in the company of the little ones before you return Home which is now getting warm and cosy..
There must be a NA outlet (and possibly a London outlet) for the CDs...

Thanks for those nice pictures. Hope the audio of the speeches will be available..

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 23 Feb 2011, 23:11

Venkatakailasam,
Thank you for such a moving montage! Murugan's images are simply adorable.

CML,
Lakshman has most of the lyrics now. Ravi will translate them for those who do not understand the words.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 23 Feb 2011, 23:18

Here are the lyrics of one song:

hamsadhvani. Adi

P: kuRai tIrppAn guhan, konjum mozhi pEsi--en (kuRai tIrppAn)
AP: maRaindiruppAn, maruL koNDE alaindAl
maRu kaNam muRuvalODarugil vandE kuzhaivAn--en (kuRai tIrppAn))
C: varuvAn, vandaruL karam taruvAn kaDum iruLilum oLiyAit tigazhvAn,
inba mugam kATTi ennODizhaivAn innaruL mazhai pozhivAn--en (kuRai tIrppAn)

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 23 Feb 2011, 23:36

arasi,

so far I have had time to listen to one song - the anandabhairavi. I loved it - the lyrics and the tune.

Arun

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 24 Feb 2011, 00:04

Thanks Lakshman
What a beautiful lyric and what a melodious rendering by Neela!
Now let us wait for the equally liively translation by Shankar for all to relish ...
Incidentally this song is quite appropriate for a bhAvam-rich choreographing as a superb dance item.

smala · Post by **smala** » 24 Feb 2011, 00:07

The Abhishekam clip alone - panchAmritam, pAl, sandaNam - followed by deepArAdhanai, was worth it for me. Where/which utsavam is this being done ?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Feb 2011, 00:30

s-p,
That was my favorite part too

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 24 Feb 2011, 03:22

kEdAram. Adi

P: vandAi, vandE aruL tandAi--nI (vandAi)
--chidambaranE (vandAi)
A: SentAmaraip padam paNindE magizhndEn SindaiyelAm niRaindAi SivanE!--nI (vandAi)
C: teriyAdavaraiyum terindE kAttiDum puram eritta aranE! annai magizh ISanE!
aRiya vaittE manam teLiya vaittE eLiyavarkkum aruLum varanE!--nI (vandAi)

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 24 Feb 2011, 03:38

amrutavarshiNi. Adi

P: inbamAyinum tunbamadanilum enRum unai eNNum varam tA, tA! (inbamAyinum)
A: nanRE un vazhi naDandiDa--vAn veLiyilum, ivvulagilum unaik kaNDE (inbamAyinum)
C: alaippilum Salippilum agam uzhalAdu alai mEl alai pAyum aluvalgaL palavilum
nilaiyAm undan nAmam onRE ninaindun Seyal purinden manam niRaivuRa aruL tA!

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 24 Feb 2011, 03:39

Thanks Lakshman

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 24 Feb 2011, 03:53

Suddha dhanyasi. rUpakam

P: vandE tuNai tandE enaik KAkkum kandanE!--uDAn (vandE)
A: Sindai aLLum SendilAnE! sondam vERu vENDilEnE!
sundarane! sumukane!--enRum (vandE)

C: sumukanE! eLiyOrkkum aruLum muruganE! sukamE un ninaivE
eLidE unnaruLE! vallamai deivamE, vElanE! viraindE--(vandE)

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 24 Feb 2011, 06:14

Thank you all for the good words. Pranams to SAI.

Thanks are due to Arasi..not for the nice composition..not for the good arrangements at the function.

But for not making it commercial and making it freely available to all.

I have received a few mails already for the lyrics appreciating it.

I think this is the way to reach larger viewers -other than those in her elite circle.

venkatakailasam