A musical documentary on Aishu Venkataraman

VRV · Post by **VRV** » 23 Feb 2011, 23:56

Dear Friends,

Entertainment Studios, Los Angeles have put together a 6 minute documentary on Aishu Venkataraman and her musical journey. This documentary aired on all "CW" affiliate channels in the US on 2/5/11.

Hope you all enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp6kDSmyaZ8

Vinod Venkataraman

smala · Post by **smala** » 24 Feb 2011, 04:51

Thanks for the upload. Wish the clip had dealt a little on the family - grandparents, parents, guru-teachers and role models who have helped get Aishu to where she is today.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 24 Feb 2011, 18:15

The production staff should be taken out and shot. Slowly. To the accompaniment of bad background music and awful graphics.

But hey, that's not Aishu's fault, and congratulations to her for being the star of the piece. She deserves all the exposure and recognition she can get.

shyama-priya, I would have been happy to have had more of Aishu's own pure music, in different styles from classical to jazz. For a six-minute feature, I think that the tribute-to-family part was about right.

It's great to know Aishu and her dad personally (thanks, of course, to rasikas.org) as well as on-stage. Such a shame I missed all but a very brief chat with them this last December. Apparently she's coming back in the summer.

Thanks Vinod --- and do keep us informed

appu · Post by **appu** » 25 Feb 2011, 07:54

Nick,

Yes you are right, more of Aishu's music would have been appreciated. Aishu's ability to articulate definitely stood out. Great work Aishu and dad.

Aparna

rigveda · Post by **rigveda** » 16 Apr 2011, 06:36

I don't know why this violinist's father is trying to "market" her with all this stuff. She may be a good violinist but her music is gone once she has decided to pursue medicine or what ever. The moment she is admitted to the medical prgramme she will pack up her violin and one day become an "organizer" in CA or where ever she practices. If her father feels she is an "outlier" and a genius in music he would be advised to guide her in that direction. My sympathy to the family

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 16 Apr 2011, 07:34

rigveda, You have to rain on someone's parade, eh? Yeah, I know what you are going to say.. that you are only observing based on what you have seen. How much less mean your post would have been if you did not write that last sentence!!

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 16 Apr 2011, 08:44

Her playing is so average. She has to work a lot on her bowing. Trying to push her at this stage is a decision her parents will regret later.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 16 Apr 2011, 10:34

VRV, I took a quick look at the video, congratulations to you, Aishu V, and the whole family on the interest Aishu has generated!

All, I think it is a simple profile of an interesting person, and its audience is the general public that may not be interested in CM and it was made by people who are probably not musicians. It is an expose of her personality, rather than her music, so I think only congratulations are in order here.

VRV, I think most of us here empathize with your pride and are truly happy you shared that with us and we admire your dedication to her growth.

gee · Post by **gee** » 16 Apr 2011, 11:45

rigveda wrote: She may be a good violinist but her music is gone once she has decided to pursue medicine or what ever. The moment she is admitted to the medical prgramme she will pack up her violin and one day become an "organizer" in CA or where ever she practices. If her father feels she is an "outlier" and a genius in music he would be advised to guide her in that direction.

Hmmm, I would have to respectfully disagree with this. There are several musicians with great competence who have taken up rigorous (at least in my opinion) professions in fields other than music. I'll give you one example: the Toronto Brothers (Ashwin and Rohin Iyer) are both PhD students in engineering. I believe Ashwin is currently a professor (which is a lot of work, especially when having several research projects simultaneously!). My point is, they (and others) have established themselves as promising artists despite their taxing regular professions. There is no reason why Aishu or anyone else can't do the same. Its all about the motivation and willpower to get something done. Of course, I am not saying that its easy...but I am sure that anything is possible with the right mindset. I hope this example suffices. Its better to encourage the admirable goal rather than to criticize it before anything really happens in my opinion.

ramamantra wrote: Her playing is so average. She has to work a lot on her bowing. Trying to push her at this stage is a decision her parents will regret later.

I can't really comment on her playing because I am still a student myself (and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to judge others)...but let us assume for a minute that her playing is average. So what? Keep in mind that she is 18 years old. She has many decades ahead of her to hone her skills and improve. But that is besides the point; she plays great and will only improve from here. Anyone who is serious about learning this art will certainly reach new levels as time passes. So is there really a necessity for negativity at this point?

I hope I haven't offended anyone! Don't take it personally, just trying to ease the tension

I do think everyone has a right to voice their opinion...but provided that it is reasonable.

msakella · Post by **msakella** » 16 Apr 2011, 12:51

Unfortunately, even in the flash of the 3rd Ettugada-svara of Natakuranji-varna she played slight indiscipline occurred which could have been averted by an efficient and well-disciplined teacher. amsharma

cienu · Post by **cienu** » 16 Apr 2011, 13:21

ramamantra wrote:She has to work a lot on her bowing.

Her bowing is her biggest asset , coming from the TNK school !
I concur with the sentiments expressed by Ranganayaki. I congratulate VRV & his wife for the dedication they have shown and also to Aishu Venkatraman for her stellar achievements at such a young age.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Apr 2011, 13:46

Are people seriously trying to judge her music by this rather dreadful piece of film? Who knows where the makers got their samples, or how old they are?

I'm quite happy to judge the film itself (and have already, in no uncertain terms) but it seems crazy to base any assessment of Aishu's music on it. As crazy as the judgement of her family by people who have never met them.

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 16 Apr 2011, 15:05

Congratulations to young Aishu and proud parents. Aishu obviously is an extremely accomplished musician and an equally high achiever in other spheres! But most importantly, those extraordinary accomplishments are balanced with an empathy and awareness of real human problems such as AIDS. What more can one ask of a young person ?! There's good reason for all of us to be proud of Aishu and many others of her generation on both sides of the Greenwich meridian.

Sreeni Rajarao · Post by **Sreeni Rajarao** » 16 Apr 2011, 16:36

Rigveda'
Your post #5 above is unreasonable and totally out of line.

Please don't do this to these young kids who are completely worthy of our pride and support.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Apr 2011, 16:54

uday (hey, I know you from somewhere, don't I?

) has struck the right note. I hope she and VRV will continue to share with us in the future --- but I would understand if they feel a little put off.

(coming soon... the "I didn't... I only... Just wanted to say..." post from rigveda.)

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 16 Apr 2011, 19:06

Of course Nick, sorry I've been a little scarce both on and offline lately !
And I've always found the Rig Veda quite unfathomable, , again both on and offline

.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 16 Apr 2011, 19:49

Rigveda - "My sympathy to the family = this is very unlike of the august forum members. We take pride in our children's accomplishments and what is wrong with pursuing violin and medicine? I know cases where doctor's learn violin.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Apr 2011, 20:43

uday_shankar wrote:Of course Nick, sorry I've been a little scarce both on and offline lately !

It was a dig at myself for having appeared to deny knowing you in some other thread.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 16 Apr 2011, 21:09

Vinod, please don't let these curmudgeons influence you in any way.
There is something rigged here. Anytime rigveda posts, ramamantra follows with a statement of agreement. And it is usually about an industrial town in north Ohio.

veeyens3 · Post by **veeyens3** » 16 Apr 2011, 22:37

I had the privilege of attending Sow. Aiswara's Arangetram in Long Beach, CA couple of years back in the august presence of her Mentor Sri T,N Krishnan and resident Instructor Sri T.N Sriram and having the honour of being accompanied on Mridangam by Sri Vellore Ramabhadran , as also a house concert in FullertonCa As common lover of Carnatic music, I found nothing wrong techInique.,I feel, that, even if she takes up medicine for a carrear I am sure, she still can enjoy her mus and use it for rest and recouperation, I am personally aware of the tremondous strain practicioners of medicine undergo in this country. May Sri Rama bless young Aiswarya.While on this subject I cannot but express m displeasure at our habit of shortening beautiful names. Aisawrya is another name Mahalakshmi and I do not see an reason for indulging in "padachedam", mutilation of words.In addition this mutilation connotes altogether a different meaning.We are not texting SMS , which costs us on the basis of number of alphabets.At least in this forum let us not mutilate words. I bless Sow Aisawarya and wish her a happy musical future

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 17 Apr 2011, 01:56

Aishu is finely tuned (not just her instrument) and her playing and personality reflect her maturity. I would cheer on a young woman like her no matter where she came from or what kind of music she plays.
It's strange that when I heard her, the first thing which impressed me most was her bowing! How well she has managed to learn it from TNK, I exclaimed to someone sitting next to me.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 17 Apr 2011, 02:01

Well said, and well put (reflecting your maturity?

), with noble words too from veeyens3.

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 17 Apr 2011, 07:35

Stop feeding trolls, people...

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 17 Apr 2011, 09:13

The best of the bowing belongs to the Lalgudi style. Even MSG style comes later. Forget tnk in bowing aspects.

Taking up a western instrument like violin, the emphasis shld be on bowing and fingering techniques. She wld have done better to take up vina or some other indian instrument so that her flaws will not be noticed by the western ear. btw, its not this docu alone. I have heard her playing in person and recording. She is simply hyped.

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 17 Apr 2011, 11:33

ramamantra,

While Carnatic Music is an independently evolved tradition from any form of Western music, there are some values such as clarity (we know it as azhuttam) and shruti shuddham (they know it as spectral fidelity, or pitch adherence) that are common to both. That is why they are both widely called music.

A Carnatic musician should strive to produce good (Carnatic) music, not music that is as unlike Western Classical music (or any other musical form) as can be.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 17 Apr 2011, 14:05

ramamantra, your remarks make no sense at all (=nonsense, to put it bluntly!) apart from the fact that you are absolutely entitled to have, and to state, your personal opinion of any artist --- as are we all, and as, on a music forum, we do.

Taking up a western instrument like violin, the emphasis should be on bowing and fingering techniques.

Probably why she has studied violin under a western classical teacher. In fact, I understand that it was the very reason that TNK himself asked her to do so. Perhaps you were ignorant of this?

...her flaws will not be noticed by the western ear.

since when did this "western ear" come into the conversation? Who cares about the western ear? Only you perhaps. In context, a nonsense.

I have heard her playing in person and recording. She is simply hyped.

As I say, you are entitled to your opinion. I'm sure there are quite a few of us here who could name people considered great, for whom we have no time at all. That is our right. But "Hyped?" Where is she hyped? She, along with the other musicians who have made it that far, gets to play a few concerts in Chennai each year. Those performances are part of her career path, and are no more hyped than those of any of her peers. Another nonsense.

Stop feeding trolls, people...

Good idea. Lets abandon this thread, and lets abandon those who are just too mean and bitter-hearted to accept a young girl's success, even one who is a fellow member of this forum, with simple pleasure.

I'm sure there is room for constructive criticism of Aishu, but now that this thread has become poisonous I don't think it is any place for it.

From me... no more troll feeding.

sruthi · Post by **sruthi** » 17 Apr 2011, 15:22

Here is an early recording from 2006: http://youtu.be/PcmAlkzIFWs

I only wish Aishu resists the temptation of fusion, jazz etc and sticks to carnatic music. All the best.

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 17 Apr 2011, 15:40

Nick! if you have any opinion, state it. Don't feed on others' opinions. Don't make this habit of pouncing on others' independent opinions. I don't think anyone has given you the right to attack people who express their opinions in this forum. Stop doing a self-appointed 'policing' act. If you cannot tolerate a contrary opinion, it is your problem. You seem to have forgotten the basics of a discussion!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 17 Apr 2011, 16:48

Nick! if you have any opinion, state it

Done. See above. Bits you said, followed by bits I had to say. That, I think, is what is called "conversation".

If you don't like the conversational replies you get, fine... but it looks pretty much like conversation to me, so perhaps its you who forgot what it is?

Yes, I often lack the self-control not to get drawn into stupid rows on this forum. I'm not going to contribute further to this one. Enjoy your conversation.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 17 Apr 2011, 20:37

ramamantra, having a discussion is about stating one's independent opinions alright but it is equally about reacting to other people's opinions. That is what happens in almost all the threads in this forum.

veeyens3 · Post by **veeyens3** » 18 Apr 2011, 03:41

She may not be a yehudi menuin, nor a Lalgudi J ayaraman but she is our own Aiswarya, a star in her own rights, Let us join together in encouraging her to greater heights instead of fighting over semantics. May Sri Rama bless you all

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 18 Apr 2011, 08:19

I am pained a young artist is being discussed so much killing her enthusiasm .Let us have human feelings of not hurting young talents.

I am also surprised that so many posts are made at this thread while threads of young artists from India have no takers and are ignored.

venkatakailasam

rigveda · Post by **rigveda** » 18 Apr 2011, 09:12

I think this violinist should hang up the violin and pay more attention to the stethoscope. Once she becomes a doctor and makes lot of money which is what her parents want her to do, she can announce that she will play free accompaniment for any visiting artists from India. There are so many IT violinists and mridangists in the US who are just doing that and are acclaimed as serious performers. She will then be flooded with offers by artists from India. They will accept any one as long as they don't have to share the pittance they get from the organizers. Since this artist in question is free and also good, the poor audience who pays to attend these concerts will get something worthwhile in return. Let us keep honorifics like genius and outlier away for a while. No offense meant but this is her best path.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 18 Apr 2011, 09:23

btw, why all this enthusiasm to give such unsolicited advice? And even when taken at face value as advice for a 'generic second generation NRI violinist',( instead of Aishu ), the first sentence does not make logical sense with respect to how you develop your thesis!!

May be all these posts should be moved to a separate thread titled 'Unsolicited advice to budding NRI violinists' and leave Aishu out of it...This is getting very silly to talk about these things in this thread.

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 18 Apr 2011, 10:05

vasanthakokilam wrote:ramamantra, having a discussion is about stating one's independent opinions alright but it is equally about reacting to other people's opinions. That is what happens in almost all the threads in this forum.

vk, how you react to others' opinions also matters. The manner in which so-called decent people here react is so wild. Add to it, the cherry on top, the Britisher, Nick. He seems to speak so condescendingly, given his 'whatever authority' on Carnatic music.

A Carnatic forum also, i guess, needs to be as classical and subtle as the music is supposed to be, isn't it?

I feel, my opinion is quite valid. Playing violin without any type of excellence in any way and promoting just bcoz one is an nri doesn't really make sense. It is like promoting the next-door neighbor who also plays violin.

I know a lot of young children who play so excellently well. A few months ago, there was a youtube link here, in this forum, about a little boy from andhra. I was thoroughly astounded to hear him play. Hats off to that genius. But I don't see people like him getting popular or promoted. Nobody would bother to pounce on any contrary views, if any, about him!

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air.... (Gray, Elegy....)

anonymityatlast · Post by **anonymityatlast** » 18 Apr 2011, 10:17

ramamantra wrote:A Carnatic forum also, i guess, needs to be as classical and subtle as the music is supposed to be, isn't it?

Absolutely, ramamantra! And

The best of the bowing belongs to the Lalgudi style. Even MSG style comes later. Forget tnk in bowing aspects

is the pinnacle of subtlety and classicism!

ramamantra wrote:A few months ago, there was a youtube link here, in this forum, about a little boy from andhra. I was thoroughly astounded to hear him play. Hats off to that genius.

Correct me, but you did NOT do ONE thing to promote the boy, or even to react to that thread. His name is Kamal Kiran. You don't seem to even bother to remember that. You could have reacted pleasantly to that thread since you liked his playing too!

gee · Post by **gee** » 18 Apr 2011, 10:20

lol did anyone even bother reading anything that i wrote?

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 18 Apr 2011, 10:53

is the pinnacle of subtlety and classicism!

hahahahahahahahaha!!!! Brilliant !

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 18 Apr 2011, 11:21

People can only write and not read or watch because this is a forum which allows trash writings.
Is this a thread to write about lalgudi and MSG ??

venkatakailasam

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 18 Apr 2011, 11:35

ramamantra wrote:the Britisher, Nick. He seems to speak so condescendingly]

I don't deny it. Seemed appropriate. Still does. Here's some more...

rigveda wrote:No offense meant

Just... you can't help it, eh?

gee wrote:lol did anyone even bother reading anything that i wrote?

Certainly I did, I'm sure others did too.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 19 Apr 2011, 01:40

Gee,
No wonder your post got obscured in all the mud slinging! I am sure the hoitytoity brit

didn't mean to group you with the rest

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 19 Apr 2011, 02:50

Indeed no, arasi. I was glad to be directed back to that post.

appu · Post by **appu** » 19 Apr 2011, 03:03

Arasi,

The mud slinging is by two misguided souls in this forum. Like you said Aishu is very well tuned mind, body and soul. Our resident Brit (Nick) had a right to be agitated and rightfully stood his ground.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 19 Apr 2011, 07:05

Indeed, Appu.
As for the brit, I can joke around with him and he knows me well enough not to mind that. Oh, if anything, Nick is quite the opposite of hoity toity

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 19 Apr 2011, 11:36

Hahahaha...

Appu, the elephant trumpeting Average Ash and promotors
Jalra Anonymity using "hit and run" strategy
Wild Kick & Co hounding out lone Ramamartyr !

rigveda · Post by **rigveda** » 20 Apr 2011, 04:51

Look people. I have nothing against this violinist. I did peruse some of her youtube clippings. She has inculcated the TNK style reasonably well. The point is is, if she is a musical genius why not take the plunge and go after that? Why go after the beaten to death track of medical school and Ivy League syndrome? The best comparison is L.Subramaniam. He was a qualified doctor but his talents were in violin and he came to UCLA to get a PhD in music and threw the white coat into trash. We know where he stands in terms of violin as far as Carnatic music is concerned. I guess mridangist Rohan Krishnamurthy might be a close second. I don't know him personally, but his background seems to mirror that of Subramaniam such that these two have the musical genius and they pursued it not hindered by parental pressures and pressures from the immigrant Indians for whom success means a big house, a fancy car and oneupmanship in social gatherings such as Cleveland Aradhana.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 20 Apr 2011, 05:07

"immigrant Indians for whom success means a big house, a fancy car and oneupmanship" what is wrong with that? what is wrong being a doctor and violinist? I just wonder! We all have our own definition of success why impose that on others.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 20 Apr 2011, 06:03

>Why go after the beaten to death track of medical school and Ivy League syndrome?

"beaten to death"? Ha! Tell that to the 99.9% of the people who want to go after that beaten to death path but could not get in.

Why do you feel such a strong need to provide unsolicited advice to a stranger and especially in such strong terms? And why are you dragging Rohan into this mix unnecessarily, especially when you do not know him or the circumstances under which he planned and chose his educational career? ( rhetorical questions, no need to answer )

ramamantra · Post by **ramamantra** » 20 Apr 2011, 07:45

Hi rig, i agree with you. She better pursue either medicine or music. If she pursues both, it may be counter productive

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 20 Apr 2011, 09:05

The thread is getting quite mean spirited.. I think everything that can be said has been said.. Closing the thread...