Prince Rama Varma,Green Park Hotel,Hyderabad-2 April,2011

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 05 Apr 2011, 02:57

Thus spake the queen of grace herself (Arasi).

I found this discussion to be utterly fascinating. A most enjoyable thread. In many ways, this thread is a microcosm of the spate of mulitple emotions that is rasikas.org.

Ranganayaki: Glad to hear that you managed to catch Ganesh-Kumaresh in DC. You should have seen the range of emotions that went through this forum during the discussion of one of their aradhana performances from a few years ago.

And yes, Patri Satish Kumar is a ball of fire. One of the most talented mridangists on the concert circuit today.

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 05 Apr 2011, 09:46

Yes, Patri Sateesh is a brilliant guy. Sometimes I feel he is the current ans from south India to Zakir Hussain.

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 06 Apr 2011, 02:42

Ranganayaki,

Here's a link to something you might like..

(Since you like French music)

http://ramavarma.yolasite.com/mozart.php

Regards.

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 06 Apr 2011, 02:47

I am not sure why these "smilies" look like we are laughing when we are only smiling!!!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Apr 2011, 04:21

Sindhu,
About the smile--You are right. The old one we had 'was' a smile. This one is a tad derisive to my eyes. That's why I resort to

as much as possible...

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 06 Apr 2011, 05:19

Yeah, these smilies are odd. But, arasi, the one you use looks like a wry smile!

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 06 Apr 2011, 06:41

sindhu29 wrote:Ranganayaki,

Here's a link to something you might like.. (Since you like French music)

http://ramavarma.yolasite.com/mozart.php

Regards.

Sindhu, you seem to refer to French music, but I got a write up by Rama Varma and there is quite a lot about Mozart, but I don't see anything about French music/songs.

I love the list of Mozart numbers he has put up, all of them, especially the Nacht Musik, but I would add his Horn Concertos.. #s 1,2,3,4.. I highly recommend them, they are such delightful tunes. Also his 5 Contredanses. These are 5 very quick pieces which together last just about 5 minutes. These will make a great introduction to his genius without tiring the new listener. I might as well give you a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNHcbminbp4

I love Mozart because it is such musical perfection, it is so catchy and so obvious, you never hear a piece and feel it is unfamiliar. He seems to make the piece go right where you would expect it and yet you are incapable imagining ahead of time the big picture that the music creates and it remains fresh when you hear it. I don't know how much sense this makes, but I simply adore Mozart.

I'm going to read what he has written now.. In any case, thanks for this link to Prince Rama Varma's thoughts.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Apr 2011, 07:02

Bilahari,
Yes, not a perfect one either. Well, da vinci tried to paint one and it ended up being enigmatic, did it not? I have to make do with the wry one until the smilies people perfect their 'art'

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 06 Apr 2011, 07:31

Yes,

looks more genuine than

which looks plastic and derisive.

We could also substitute

with =) to get the original stick figure itself.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Apr 2011, 08:48

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Apr 2011, 08:52

srikant,
Yes, plastic too!
I tried =). It does not turn into an icon though. So I say

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 06 Apr 2011, 18:22

Ranganayaki,

I know there is nothing about French music in there, but I took the risk of assuming that since you like French music, you might have a liking for Western classical music in general and hence, posted that.

I came across that last night and thought you might like it. There are a lot more wonderful articles on that website. I did not know Varma till very recently and was pleasantly surprised that he is a good writer too.

Thank you for the link. It was very very soulful and melodious!

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 06 Apr 2011, 18:32

rajeshnat wrote:sindhu
By any chance can we get the sample of those french nos that he sang , is that there in you tube (asking what shri rama verma sang)

Rajeshnat,
Here are the links that you had asked on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3UCDGoL ... ety_mode=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2wmKcBm ... ety_mode=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WvXpgLt ... ety_mode=1

I am not sure if there are better versions, but I thought these were good.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 06 Apr 2011, 18:58

sindhu29 wrote:Ranganayaki,

I know there is nothing about French music in there, but I took the risk of assuming that since you like French music, you might have a liking for Western classical music in general and hence, posted that. I came across that last night and thought you might like it. There are a lot more wonderful articles on that website. I did not know Varma till very recently and was pleasantly surprised that he is a good writer too. Thank you for the link. It was very very soulful and melodious!

Ok, I get it.. yes, I do enjoy Western classical music and as I said before in this thread, I really enjoy Mozart. I don't know if you are old enough to have enjoyed the movie Amadeus when it came out, but I watched it at least a dozen times at home. Do watch that one. It is all about Mozart's life - quick version, and doesn't have all the details that Rama Varma's story has, but it has the all the grandes lignes. Lovely music, and lovely snippets of Operas like the Marriage of Figaro, the Magic Flute..

Soulful - I guess it is, but I would also call the music on the link I sent you lively, frisky, fun.

Rajeshnat and others who have listened to the links (to songs other than the Fernande ) that I've posted on this thread or to Sindhu's please give me your impressions. I am especially interested in your impressions of "Plaisir d'Amour" as sung by Nana Mouskouri, one of my links. I haven't yet tried Sindhu's links, and I am not sure yet which version she has posted.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 06 Apr 2011, 20:51

"Plaisir d'Amour" as sung by Nana Mouskouri

What us Brits call a Blast from the Past. I don't know if I found the same link (I just did a quick google). I was surprised at the beauty of the singing. Really lovely.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 07 Apr 2011, 04:10

Ranganayaki wrote: Rajeshnat and others who have listened to the links (to songs other than the Fernande ) that I've posted on this thread or to Sindhu's please give me your impressions. I am especially interested in your impressions of "Plaisir d'Amour" as sung by Nana Mouskouri, one of my links. I haven't yet tried Sindhu's links, and I am not sure yet which version she has posted.

ranganAyaki
Since you specifically asked my opinion I listened to all three with sindhu's links, among the three the Plaisir d'amour appears to the better one as it shows some sign of take off ^^^ . Overall I feel the other two is very very --> stagnated <-- , appears as one of my engineering semester class, super bore.

IF I was there in the crowd like revanth , at the end of these 3 french numbers, I would have passed the chit for this song, especially a neraval in the line "kAthilE kEttadum kathai pOl Anadhu"

, must have been the best bhAvam line to describe the earlier 3 songs . After all we all agree that Music is universal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0PIhl4L ... re=related

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 07 Apr 2011, 07:45

Thank you, Rajesh, nice response! I enjoyed it, and Chandrababu brought me a long smile, because of you

!

Nick, I'm so glad you enjoyed the song! Obviously I agree with you and not Rajesh

..

"Blast from the past" is a familiar expression to us Indians too! You are not allowed to claim it for the British

!!

I was at a Salman Rushdie appearance recently and the discussion turned to his use of the English language, and he commented that English is just that kind of language, there are so MANY kinds of English and the saddest thing for the Brits is that you can no longer claim ownership of it! That's basically the sentiment of everyone over the world, I think.. I remember learning with surprise when I was in 2nd grade that English was a foreign language! It took years to sink in..

Just an aside!

narayan · Post by **narayan** » 07 Apr 2011, 09:26

Very nice discussion indeed, with lots of interesting meanders. One point where I agree with Sindhu, Nick and some others is to refer to the singer as Varma, Rama Varma or RV. What's with the "Prince"?! It's a title, I would imagine? Would welcome correction if needed. The "official" website http://ramavarma.yolasite.com/ does say Prince ..., but it also has a Garfield comic strip on the home page, so I would imagine he is OK with a more informal appellation in these discussions. Have heard and seen enough (on you tube and the like, only) to make me look for a chance to hear the man in person.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Apr 2011, 12:19

Ranganayaki, re English Language: we started it!

(Just joking... of course there are many incarnations of it, these days, with American, India, etc, being recognised as independent. Big subject. The thing to be happy about is that we can communicate

)

What's with the "Prince"?! It's a title, I would imagine?

Prince Rama Varma: yes, of the Travancore Royal Family, descendent of Swathi Thirunal. Next in line for the "throne," I think, for what that's worth these days. So far as being informal in concerned, he is a very modest individual who would rather be known as a musician than a prince --- so no need, indeed, for the title, when we refer to him.

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 07 Apr 2011, 12:56

Nick wrote:Next in line for the "throne," I think, for what that's worth these days.

If we are to believe what rbharath says. He says that the oldest of the king's sisters' sons becomes the next king (either that or the oldest son of the oldest sister). But I have absolutely no idea who the king is and whether he has any sisters.

So "princes" in that kingdom remain princes for their life, usually.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Apr 2011, 14:01

No expert on Kerala rules of succession --- but I believe that Rama Varma's is through his mother. His father is Chemprol raja.

That's all I know :$

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 07 Apr 2011, 14:57

narayan wrote:Very nice discussion indeed, with lots of interesting meanders. One point where I agree with Sindhu, Nick and some others is to refer to the singer as Varma, Rama Varma or RV. What's with the "Prince"?! It's a title, I would imagine? Would welcome correction if needed. The "official" website http://ramavarma.yolasite.com/ does say Prince ..., but it also has a Garfield comic strip on the home page, so I would imagine he is OK with a more informal appellation in these discussions. Have heard and seen enough (on you tube and the like, only) to make me look for a chance to hear the man in person.

Narayan,

You're right. I know a few people closely associated with organizing this recent concert and the one thing they found striking was Varma's donw-to-earth nature and simplicity, I heard. While there is nothing extraoridinary about being simple or modest, it is quite heart-warming to hear that someone who has always been addressed as "Prince" has no airs about him whatsoever.Hence, I am sure he would be more than happy to hear us address him as Varma. Like Nick said, I guess the title has something to do with him being from the royal family of Travancore. And yes, I liked the Garfield strip very much on the website. (I am a huge Garfield fan!)

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 07 Apr 2011, 15:05

Ranganayaki wrote: I don't know if you are old enough to have enjoyed the movie Amadeus when it came out, but I watched it at least a dozen times at home. Do watch that one. It is all about Mozart's life - quick version, and doesn't have all the details that Rama Varma's story has, but it has the all the grandes lignes. Lovely music, and lovely snippets of Operas like the Marriage of Figaro, the Magic Flute..

I haven't wached the movie. Will do so. A dozen times??! WOW! I am sure it's one hell of a movie. I like the Clarinet concertos there on Youtube a lot, by the way.

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 07 Apr 2011, 15:08

Nick H wrote: (Just joking... of course there are many incarnations of it, these days, with American, India, etc, being recognised as independent. Big subject. The thing to be happy about is that we can communicate )

A friend who had been to the US recently came back saying that the Americans don't speak American English, they speak American!

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 07 Apr 2011, 19:07

sindhu29 wrote:I haven't wached the movie. Will do so. A dozen times??! WOW! I am sure it's one hell of a movie. I like the Clarinet concertos there on Youtube a lot, by the way.

Yeah, over a couple of years.. I think the movie came out in 1985 or so.. I'd watch it if I felt like a movie, and had nothing else to watch, or if I REALLY wanted someone I liked to watch it..

Which piece of Mozart is not to love!! But my most beloved pieces of his music I can't tire of are his horn concertos, I don't know why.. They give me an impression of meditation, calmness, sweetness of personality, vast expanses of countryside/quiet mountains..

PLEASE listen to these two links for the two movements of Mozart's Horn Concerto # 1. It's my favo(u)rite of the four. This is #1, but it is said to have been the last of the horn concertos to have been composed and was supposedly finished by his student, but I am not sensitive enough to know where M stops and the student's work starts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtgWoeS_xbw (movement 1 - Allegro)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wsLPSs4 ... re=related (movement 2 - Rondo)

Pl. do give me your comments.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 07 Apr 2011, 19:28

Nick H wrote:Ranganayaki, re English Language: we started it!

Yes, the credit definitely goes to the Brits there! And Nick, to be honest, my heart is with the British version and I'm sure I would enjoy all the various kinds of accents you have in your country! I love Madras' colorful street Tamil too

I understand you've lived in India for a long time.. Have you developed a tinge of Indian accent to your English at all?

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Apr 2011, 21:07

I don't know: you'd have to ask those who listen to me. I don't think so ... but I have certainly developed more than a smattering of "Indian English" and, in some cases, forgotten which is which.

I make no progress with Tamil, though :$

It's only been about six years, by the way. A "long time" to some, a mere moment or two to others!

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 08 Apr 2011, 21:45

Ranganayaki, thank you soooo much for the horn concerto links. I simply loved them!!!

Sivaramakrishnan · Post by **Sivaramakrishnan** » 10 Apr 2011, 15:42

I would very much like to invite the response from Prince Rama Varma - a person of conviction, courage and determination - to the discussion going on in the thread.

I know him personally and seen him deal with matters very objectively.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 11 Apr 2011, 08:40

Sivaramakrishnan, I think several of us were hoping for just what you suggest: they wondered what the artist(s) would have to say about all this. Please do draw his attention to the fact that the entire discussion has been positive and there have been no flames at all with regard to this concert. The discussion has been completely friendly, both in tone here, and towards the singer. I am especially proud of that, considering how easily some discussions on hot topics go awry.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 11 Apr 2011, 08:49

Ranganayaki wrote:My original posting had a few more smilies here and there, but I meant to SMILE but these smilies look like laughs and my posting felt as bawdy as the topic I was writing about, and I've removed most of them.

I wouldn't have bothered with this sentence, now that everything has been quite clear to all who participated in the discussion, but in the light of Sivaramakrishnan's comment, I want to say that by "topic" in my quote above, I was not referring to the topic of the thread itself, but the subject dealt with in a big part of the previous posting, which was the "naughty" song by Georges Brassens and the explanation of its lyrics.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 11 Apr 2011, 22:46

sindhu29 wrote:Ranganayaki, thank you soooo much for the horn concerto links. I simply loved them!!!

Sindhu, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. They are lovely, aren't they! Has anyone else listened to these horn concertos yet?

OOps.. 12th April: I forgot what links I'd posted.. not "these horn concertos" but this horn concerto.. I only posted two links to two movements of just one concerto.

sindhu29 · Post by **sindhu29** » 02 Jun 2011, 15:37

Hi Ranganayaki,

Check out the French songs sung by Rama Varma:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQoR_T7l ... ety_mode=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAoB6xiz ... ety_mode=1

I found them on youtube and thought it would be nice to post the links here as they were the songs that led to such a long discussion!

rasikas.org

Prince Rama Varma,Green Park Hotel,Hyderabad-2 April,2011

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