Carnatic Music - Programmes on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 06 Jun 2012, 17:51

Chennai has, over the centuries, become a centre for the arts, especially Carnatic music. Chennai has several ancient temples, and most composers have dedicated kritis to these deities. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 06 Jun 2012, 17:51

Vijay Siva is among the top vocalists in the field. He has been performing for many years now. Today he not only represents the DK Jayaraman bani or style but has carved his own niche among the Carnatic audiences through the unique characteristics of his singing. www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 07 Jun 2012, 17:11

Mysore Sadasiva Rao was a 19th century composer belonging to the Tyagaraja sishya parampara through Walajapet Venkatramana Bhagavathar. The song, Tyagaraja Swami Vedalina in Raga Todi, on composer Tyagaraja himself, is one among Sadasiva Rao’s many compositions. Very few are known today; Saketanagaranatha in Harikamboji and Gangadhara in Purvi Kalyani are among the better known ones. Sadasiva did not hail from Mysore but has many interesting connections with Mysore, including that of a pioneer of the Mysore Bani. This Composer Showcase featuring Mysore Sadasiva Rao provides more details about his life and some rare compositions on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 07 Jun 2012, 17:11

Ganesha is the most popular deity among the Hindu pantheon. It is but natural that this God with a human form but an elephant head remains the source of a lot of creative interpretation Indian culture and Carnatic music is no exception. He is the symbol of prosperity, the embodiment of knowledge and the Aadi vandita or the Lord who is worshipped first. Among the many hundred songs and hymns, here is a selection of compositions by various composers on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 08 Jun 2012, 20:31

Most kritis in Carnatic Music are dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses. We have several compositions on Ganesha, Vishnu and his other forms - Rama and Krishna, Devi and her several forms, Subramania or Muruga, and Lord Shiva. This feature presents some kritis on deities or themes that are not so commonly sung about on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 08 Jun 2012, 20:31

There are interesting connections between raga names and places , even particular tribes. There are also interesting connections between certain Carnatic ragas and the melodies of other countries. Vakulabharanam, can be associated with Arabic music. This programme offers a glimpse into this fascinating topic of ragas and places. Listen at www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 09 Jun 2012, 19:37

Carnatic Music originally was widespread over the four southern states of India. The main languages of these regions are Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil. Composers have used these languages for their kritis, apart from, of course, Sanskrit, which has always been a language used for classical, poetic and devotional works. This programme features some songs by composers in languages that they have not commonly used in their compostions. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 09 Jun 2012, 19:38

The Hyderabad Brothers, Seshachari and Raghavachari, present Sri Kantimatim

Raga: Hemavati
Tala: Adi
Composer: Muthuswami Dikshitar

One raga One kriti programme on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 11 Jun 2012, 18:55

Shertalai Ranganatha Sharma is a musician who has a lot going for him in terms of his musical attributes. He has a rich, deep and sonorous voice that is also capable of fine modulations and subtle graces. His music is traditional and at the same time has an easy presence that would appeal to both the connoisseur and the layman. Listen to his concert on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 11 Jun 2012, 18:56

Madhyamavati, is among the more popular ragas in Carnatic music. The swaras of this raga constitute a consonant set and this makes the melody very pleasant to the ear. It is also considered an auspicious raga and concerts seldom end without including a mangalam or a shloka in this raga. This programme presents a selection which includes different types of compositions in the raga and also some rare kritis on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 11 Jun 2012, 18:56

Alapana is the most abstract of improvisational forms in Carnatic music, with no words or underlying rhythm. This is an occasional theme where all the songs have a full-fledged alapana preceding them. This programme has alapanas and songs in ragas Anandabhairavi, Shankarabharanam, Todi and Yadukula Kamboji

askn · Post by **askn** » 13 Jun 2012, 18:24

The Malladi Brothers, Sreeramprasad and Ravikumar, are among the foremost vocal duos in Carnatic music today. Their music has a distinct freshness in both content and approach, and their wide repertoire of compositions and their wonderfully consonant voices contribute immensely to this. Listen to a highlight of their music on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 13 Jun 2012, 18:25

An Artiste showcase on the multi-talented vocalist duo Carnatica Brothers K N Shashikiran and Ganesh. Their themes and concert presentations are refreshing and impressive to the veteran listener and appealing to a Carnatic music enthusiast. Their voices have a distinct quality and is reflective of their matching creativity and their many years of rigorous training. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 13 Jun 2012, 18:25

The Thanjavur Quartet - Chinniah, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu - were disciples of Muthuswami Dikshitar. They systematized Bharatanatyam, and developed the present repertoire - called Margam. The brothers were honoured in the courts of Thanjavur, Mysore and Travancore. Their descendants continued this tradition of music and dance into the 20th century. Listen to a selection of their compositions on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 13 Jun 2012, 18:25

Rakti Ragas - Phrase oriented ragas that go beyond the scale and the arohana-avarohana. The word ‘rakti’ is the term is used commonly to denote a manner of singing that is of a highly appreciated quality. It carries with it a sense of intense involvement or engagement. Listen to a selection on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 14 Jun 2012, 19:00

Alapana is the most abstract of improvisational forms in Carnatic music, with no words or underlying rhythm. This programme has alapanas and songs in ragas Bilahari, Hamsanaadam and Yadukula Kamboji. Play it on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 14 Jun 2012, 19:01

The trinity of Carnatic music are the three great composers Tyagaraja, Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar. These composers made a colossal contribution through their compositional output and all three were contemporaries who lived in the 18th century. Listen to a selection performed by Ramnad Krishnan, S Balachander and others on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 15 Jun 2012, 17:53

One raga - one kriti programme on www.radioweb.in

Raga Vachaspati - Savita Narasimhan sings Swati Tirunal's composition, Paahi Jagajjanani Santatam

askn · Post by **askn** » 15 Jun 2012, 17:54

There are many musicians who have also contributed to Carnatic Music through their compositions, be it varnams, kritis or tillanas. Many of them did not render their own songs, but they were popularised by disciples. Some musicians used new ragas in their compositions. On this programme, we have songs composed by musicians, in most cases performed by themselves. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 17 Jun 2012, 19:25

Featuring renditions in ragas Hamsadhwani, Sahana, Ritigaula and Sriranjani. Each song has kalpana swaras sung along with it along with an explanation of some of the considerations and rules pertaining to kalpana swaras vis-a-vis the renditions.

askn · Post by **askn** » 17 Jun 2012, 19:25

The Haridasas, who propagated the philosophy (Vedanta) of Madhvacharya, belonged to two groups - the Dasakuta, who conveyed the philosophy of Madhvacharya in simple and lucid Kannada to the masses; and the Vyasakuta, who were required to be proficient in the Vedas and Upanishads. Programme featuring their compositions on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 17 Jun 2012, 19:26

This feature presents some kritis on temples in Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram occupies a unique status as it is one of the few kshetras where all three members of the trinity, Tyagaraja, Muttuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastry have composed. T. Kanchipuram is famed for its temples, representing the Shaivite ,Vaishnavite and Shakti forms of worship. listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 17 Jun 2012, 19:26

The programme features ragas Mohanam, Madhyamavati, Hindolam, Shuddha Saveri and Shuddha Dhanyasi. This list of five audava ragas form a Graha Bhedam set, and changing the tonic note Sa of any of these ragas to any other note will produce the scale of one of the other four ragas. Graha Bhedam is a fascinating concept and also tricky to execute. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 19 Jun 2012, 19:15

. O S Thiagarajan comes from a family where music was a daily activity; his parents are both musicians, and so are his brothers and sister. He was a student at Annamalai University, which was highly respected for its music department, and while there he had the benefit of learning from greats such as Tiger Varadachariar and Tanjavur Ponniah Pillai.
A concert of Tyagaraja kritis by O S Thiagarajan on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 19 Jun 2012, 19:16

Regarded as one of the leading exponents of the Dhanammal school, Rama Ravi has learnt from T Viswanathan, and has also gained considerably from the guidance given by the T Brinda, T Mukta and T Sankaran. Rama Ravi's training as a musicologist has given her deep insight into the grammar of Carnatic music.
an artist highlight on rama Ravi on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 21 Jun 2012, 18:29

Raga Kalyani - Unnikrishnan sings a detailed Kalyani followed by Muthuswami Dikshitar's classic. One raga - one kriti programme on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 21 Jun 2012, 18:30

Many little towns and villages in South India have become well known primarily because of their association with musicians. Traditionally, people's names in South India include the name of the place the person hails from. In the case of several Carnatic musicians, the name of their town or village has often become synonymous with their given names - Semmangudi, Ariyakudi, Chembai, Lalgudi, Musiri - for instance. This feature looks at a fewplaces that are closely associated with some of our well-known musicians on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 21 Jun 2012, 18:32

Given the mainly devotional nature of carnatic kritis, the songs are usually odes to the composer's favourite deity. However, these composers also created songs on other deities and this feature presents some compositions that are not on the ishta devata of the composer. listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 21 Jun 2012, 18:33

T V Gopalakrishnan can go by various descriptions - Carnatic vocalist, Hindustani musician, mridangist, violinist, voice culture expert, teacher, to name a few. Starting off with Carnatic vocal and mridangam, he later added violin and Hindustani vocal to his portfolio. His areas of musical interest activity have straddled classical music on one side and film and pop music on the other, and his associations with these genres have been diverse. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 23 Jun 2012, 18:08

This programme plays compositions of the Trinity of Carnatic music composers. The focus this time is on compositions set to Mishra Chapu tala. If the sprightly flow of Tyagaraja's Kharaharapriya raga kriti, Pakkala Nilabadi, evokes a certain beauty, then so does the majestic flow of Dikshitar's composition in Shankarabharanam, Akshaya Linga Vibho, and the serene feel of Syama Sastri's Bhairavi raga Swarajati, Amba Kamakshi. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 23 Jun 2012, 18:09

The Instrumental Hour - One hour of a selection of instrumental music. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 23 Jun 2012, 18:09

Sikkil Gurucharan has been under the tutelage Vaigal S Gnanaskandan and is currently being mentored by B Krishnamurthy. Apart from steadily going up the ranks of Carnatic musicians, Gurucharan has also been associated with successful experimental projects such as his vocal-piano duo performances with pianist Anil Srinivasan which have received rave reviews. A highlight of his music on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 23 Jun 2012, 18:12

Sriram V is an author and historian, with a passion for Carnatic Music, and all things 'Heritage'.
He was always fond of history, and inheriting a large collection of books from his grandfather fuelled this passion. He gives lectures on personalities in Carnatic Music at the TAG centre in Chennai. These talks are extremely informative and evocative, with doses of his characteristic humour. From this series rose the idea of a book - a compilation of biographies of 20 great exponents of Carnatic Music - Carnatic Summer, released in December 2004. After this, he has also released a book on Bangalore Nagarathnamma titled The Devadasi and the Saint. A profile with interview snippets on Sriram V on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 25 Jun 2012, 20:53

You can hear Purvikalyani clothed in the catchy rhythm of a Tiruppugazh on the one hand and in a slow rendition with a meditative feel on the other hand. The latter has the soothing sound of the keys of the piano blending itself into the melody. With the emotions it evokes being as varied as the Adbhuta and Shanta rasas, the raga has a very distinct charm. With many rare songs and unique renditions, this two-part programme takes a comprehensive look at raga Purvikalyani. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 25 Jun 2012, 20:53

Maharajapuram Santhanam captured audience imagination like no one did before him. He was the quintessential performer, and as many people have vouched, knew his audience inside out. Santhanam popularised several songs like Sadaa Nin Paadame Gathi, Bho Shambo (Revati), Madhura Madhura (Bageshri), Sri Chakra Raja (Ragamalika), and Nalinakaanthimathim (Ragamalika), among others. This feature presents some of his popular songs, mostly performed together by his son and grandson, Srinivasan and Ganesh Viswanathan, respectively. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 25 Jun 2012, 20:54

M D Ramanathan was a student of the great Tiger Varadachariar, but he was essentially his own musician. Very early on, he decided what his music was going to be, and that there would be no compromises. His music was for himself, and the fact that it appealed to - and continues to appeal to - the cognoscenti, is testament to his sincerity and to his greatness. Listen to concert by MDR on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 27 Jun 2012, 19:57

Raga Purvikalyani - Part 2
The programme looks at the different hues of the raga Purvikalyani through an array of compositions. With the emotions it evokes being as varied as the Adbhuta and Shanta rasas, the raga has a very distinct charm. With many rare songs and unique renditions, this two-part programme takes a comprehensive look at raga Purvikalyani. listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 27 Jun 2012, 19:57

Kalpakam Swaminathan's veena technique follows the Thanjavur style, characterized by its gamakas, and gayaki mode of playing. Kalpakam Swaminathan acquired a vast repertoire of Muthuswami Dikshitar kritis, through her association with Kallidaikurichi Ananthakrishna Iyer and T L Venkatarama Iyer. Listen on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 27 Jun 2012, 19:57

One raga one kriti
Raga Mohanam - Neela Ramgopal sings Tiruvarur Ramaswamy Pillai's composition, Jagadeeshwari on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 27 Jun 2012, 19:58

One hour of music by the young violinist and student of A Kanyakumari - V Sanjeev on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 29 Jun 2012, 19:35

Lord Shiva is represented in various forms like Dakshinamurti - the great guru; Pashupati - the lord of all living beings; Ardhanarishwara - the merged form of Shiva and Shakti; Bhikshatana - the divine mendicant; and Gangadhara - the one who bears the full force of the river Ganga. This two-part feature presents compositions on some of the aspects of Lord Shiva as represented in Carnatic music compositions on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 29 Jun 2012, 19:36

RTP in Shankarabharanam - The Malladi Brothers sing a ragam tanam pallavi in the 29th melakarta raga
The Pallavi on this programme, by the Malladi Brothers, Sreeramprasad and Ravi Kumar, is in raga Shankarabharanam and set in Mishra Jati Rupaka tala, with a count of nine (2 + 7).

askn · Post by **askn** » 29 Jun 2012, 19:36

Tala is the framework of time for a composition, just like raga is the framework for melody. Carnatic music literature mentions 108 classical talas. Composer Muthuswami Dikshitar has set many compositions to rare talas like eka and jhampa. This programme looks at some rare talas on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 01 Jul 2012, 18:40

T R Subramanyam is known for his effortless singing style that shows shades of G N Balasubramaniam and Ramnad Krishnan. He was a student of Musiri Subramania Iyer T R Subramanyam is an acknowledged master of the pallavi and also for his experimentation within the boundaries of tradition, especially with concert paddhati and technical aspects of raga and tala. Listen to his concert on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 01 Jul 2012, 18:41

Kalpana swarams as part of Manodharma sangeetham are a real test to grade an artiste in various parameters like swara shuddhi, adherence to laya, raga jnaana, and most importantly the creativity the artiste brings to the music. Kalpana swaras, when rendered competently with able accompaniment, are beautiful expositions that bring the artiste’s proficiency to the fore. This is a selection of kritis being sung with swara elaborations on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 01 Jul 2012, 18:42

Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar was a musician, a composer, a charismatic exponent of Harikatha and a seasoned punster. He was one of the most prolific of the post-Trinity composers, and had to his credit almost 400 musical compositions, which included many different types of varnams as well as kritis and tillanas. Listen to a selection of his compositions & renditions on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 03 Jul 2012, 19:27

The lives of the Carnatic Music Trinity, the saint composers, musicians, and other composers are well known and written about. However, there are several others who have contributed to Carnatic music, like Ramaswamy Dikshitar, Toomu Narasimha Dasa, and Tirupati Narayanaswamy, whose stories are relatively unknown. This feature presents a few of these composers and their compositions on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 03 Jul 2012, 19:28

A tribute to the Trinity, who have given the depth, form, structure and sophistication that we now associate with Carnatic Music. A special feature showcasing popular compositions of the Trinity sung by various artistes on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 03 Jul 2012, 19:28

Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam is a musician and researcher with the aptitude to go off the beaten track. Apart from giving concerts, Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam is keenly interested and involved in music research and documentation of rare compositions. Listen to a highlight on www.radioweb.in

askn · Post by **askn** » 03 Jul 2012, 19:28

Carnatic musicians are not just known by their individual merit but also identified by the Guru under whom they have trained. Here is a selection on the musician composers belonging to the ShishyaParampara of Tyagaraja on www.radioweb.in