the ARTery - a new art periodical!

[the_ARTery]

Dear rasika friends,

We are proud and happy to announce the launch of a brand new Arts & Culture periodical titled "the ARTery"! Primarily relating to Indian classical arts, this is intended to be a monthly publication. However, there will be three issues during the Chennai Music season - the inaugural issue to be launched today (Dec. 5th), the second between the 15th & 20th of Dec and the third by the end of the month, to capture the unique spirit of one of the world's largest musical congregations. The intent is to present meaningful & relevant content (interviews, features, photographs, quizzes, etc.) in a format that is contemporary and visually appealing.

The inaugural issue is a concise 8-page booklet. It will be for free circulation, as will be all the other issues this season. The first issue features excerpts from a free-wheeling conversation with Maestro TN Krishnan, where we attempt to understand how a 3 yr-old 'fiddle boy' evolved into a living legend. In tune with the season, we feature the first part of a series on Madras - how it evolved into an important seat of music. 'Raga Review' focuses on the rare & rich Narayanagaula. You will also find rich photographs, a young musician's take on the importance of silence in music and most importantly, a little QUIZ with a special prize up-for-grabs.

We will be launching this evening at Chettinad Vidyashram, RA Puram during the course of the Jaya TV Margazhi Utsavam concert of Smt. S. Sowmya. In the subsequent days, copies will also be distributed at various sabhas / musical venues across Chennai. We gratefully acknowledge Subhasree Thanikachalam & VK Manimaran of Maximum Media for the launch platform and Carnatica for distribution support!

An electronic version will also be made avbl online. For a sneak peek, check us out at: https://facebook.com/theartery.in
We look forward to your support and constructive feedback.

the ARTery Team
"Feel the Cultural Pulse!"

[Nick H]

Clever name! Wishing you success.

Just want to remind you, though, that Facebook is not yet The Internet, and having your own website might reach those of us who don't have anything to do with Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and all.

[the_ARTery]

http://www.theartery.in

[Nick H]

"Site under construction"

But glad to know it is on the way. Thanks.

Do please announce when it comes online

[mohan]

Its online! The page-by-page navigation seems to be by a link at the bottom of each page. There are 8 pages.
Content seems interesting and the design is pleasing.
Each page of the site is made up of just one huge graphic image which makes it slow to load (for those with slow connections) and difficult to read on smaller screens and mobile devices. Also, this method means that hyperlinking is not possible. For example, from the first cover/contents page you can't go to the article you want to read. Hopefully a htmp/php design will evolve later.
Also, will be good if we knew the author of each article, just as the photographers have been credited.

Overall, its a nice addition to the available online Carnatic literature.

[the_ARTery]

Thanks for the feedback, Mohan! The current website format is obviously a stop-gap arrangement and a proper implementation will surely be done. And regarding article credits, all the content in the first issue is a collaborative effort of the editorial team mentioned on Pg 2, which is why we did not mention individuals. We will do so whenever there is an exclusive contribution. The photos that have been specifically credited are from voluntary contributors outside the ARTery team. Do keep your feedback flowing and thanks for the support & interest!

[Nick H]

Its online! The page-by-page navigation seems to be by a link at the bottom of each page. There are 8 pages.

That's curious! I still get the "Under Construction" page. F5 or ctrl-F5, cleared cache, it remains stubbornly the same

[mohan]

Nick - it seems to be taken offline again!

[the_ARTery]

Seems to be a problem with the domain registry. We are trying to sort it out... meanwhile this link works: http://www.sensatio.nl/artery

[Nick H]

Thank you.

[the_ARTery]

The second issue of 'the ARTery' is out tonight. Copies will be avbl at the Music Academy & NGS. Tomorrow we will distribute at more major season venues. This issue is bigger, with more features and a selection of photographs from the season. A sneak preview is avbl at: https://www.facebook.com/theartery.in
The website www.theartery.in will also be updated in a short while to reflect the new issue. Thanks for the response to the first issue and we look forward to your comments on this one!

the ARTery team

[Nick H]

Hope to get to see the new issue, but was meaning to say one thing to you regarding the first issue on a design matter: You are designing to be read, not to be looked at: this is text, not wallpaper. Mottled patterns behind type do not make for readability.

Lessons learned from the old psychedelic days, when much of the multi-coloured swirly type was completely illegible --- not that we cared at the time, of course...

When it comes to type, the old lessons really are the best!

[the_ARTery]

Thanks for the feedback. That issue has been addressed in this edition... Pls pick up a copy at the academy or any of the major venues tomorrow

[Nick H]

Great!

You must have read my mind!

[the_ARTery]

The third issue of 'the ARTery' (Feb 2012) has been released. Highlights of this issue:

- Banni Bai Centenary Special: a photo feature on the doyenne of Harikatha and reminiscences by her disciple Dr. Premeela Gurumurthy
- A write-up on the Kaveri, South India's lifeline and a cradle of classical arts
- A perspective on competitions, by young vocalist Bharat Sundar
- A look into the lost city of Poompuhar
... and much more!

Copies will be distributed at music events in Chennai. A sneak preview is avbl at: https://www.facebook.com/theartery.in and an e-reader version is at http://www.theartery.in

Thanks for the response to the first two issues and we look forward to your comments on this one!

the ARTery team

[the_ARTery]

Dear Rasika friends,
The ARTery is on the cusp of its first anniversary. The last one year has been a learning curve, but we have been encouraged by the response from art lovers and music patrons to the issues published so far. As part of our mission of curating creativity, The ARTery is pleased to announce our first public event - an exclusive music festival in association with The Hindu, India's national newspaper. Featuring some of the brightest talent in Indian Classical music below the age of 30, the festival titled VOICES OF TOMORROW was envisaged as a celebration of the future. It will be held at Rukmini Arangam, Kalakshetra - one of Chennai's most serene and pristine venues for classical arts. Please join us in encouraging these bright young stars. For rasikas from outside Chennai, there will be a live webcast/audio streamiing and a one-time deferred webcast. Schedule in the next post...

The ARTery team

[the_ARTery]

The ARTery in association with The Hindu proudly presents an exclusive Indian classical music fest, featuring some of the brightest vocalists below 30!

Venue: Rukmini Arangam, Kalakshetra, Chennai - 41

Sat., Nov. 24th 2012
16:30 - R. Karthik Narayanan (Carnatic Vocal), Kovai Chandran (Violin), R. Ram Kumar (Mridangam)
18:10 - Inauguration
18:45 - Aditya Khandwe (Hindustani Vocal), Umakant Puranik (Harmonium), Aditya Srinivasan (Tabla)

Sun., Nov. 25th 2012
16:30 - V. Subashri (Carnatic Vocal), KJ Dileep (Violin), NC Bharadwaj (Mridangam)
18:00 - Talk by Sangita Kalanidhi Smt. R. Vedavalli (Importance of kalapramanam)
18:45 - Aishwarya Vidya Raghunath (Carnatic Vocal), Dr. R. Hemalatha (Violin), J. Vaidyanathan (Mridangam), G. Chandrasekara Sharma (Ghatam)

Mon., Nov. 26th 2012
16:30 - Archana & Aarathi (Carnatic Vocal), KP Nandini (Violin), Kumbhakonam Swaminathan (Mridangam)
18:00 - Talk by Sangita Kalanidhi Prof. T. N. Krishnan (The music of Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar)
18:45 - K Bharat Sundar (Carnatic Vocal), RK Shriramkumar (Violin), Neyveli R. Narayanan (Mridangam), KV Gopalakrishnan (Khanjira)

Tue., Nov. 27th 2012
16:30 - Ashwath Narayanan (Carnatic Vocal), Nagai R Sriram (Violin), B Sivaraman (Mridangam)
18:00 - Talk by Chitravina N. Ravikiran (What is rakti-tvam?)
18:45 - Ramakrishnan Murthy (Carnatic Vocal), Vittal Ramamurthy (Violin), N Manoj Siva (Mridangam), V Anirudh Athreya (Khanjira)

Wed., Nov. 28th 2012
16:30 - Aishwarya Shankar (Carnatic Vocal), M Vijay (Violin), Guru Raghavendra (Mridangam)
18:00 - Talk by Dr. Sriram Parasuram (Manodharma in Indian Classical Music)
18:45 - Priya Purushothaman (Hindustani Vocal), Vyasmurthi Katti (Harmonium), Jagadeesh Kurthkoti (Tabla)

There will be a surprise Distinguished Guest to preside over each day's programme and bless the young artistes!

All music lovers welcome! Non-Chennai residents can enjoy a live video webcast of the festival through http://www.theartery.in and The Hindu's website!

[kamavardhani]

Excellent concept and best location! Look fwd to the performances...

[the_ARTery]

[the_ARTery]

Dear rasikas,

Just a reminder that Voices of Tomorrow kicks off at 4.30 pm IST tomorrow at Rukmini Arangam, Kalakshetra. For our non-Chennai friends, there will be a live webcast at http://www.theartery.in, www.thehindu.com/arts/music & www.thehindu.com/chennai. In addition to the video stream, there will be a separate audio-only stream for low-bandwidth users and a separate optimized stream for mobile users. Pls tune in or walk in to the venue (if you are in Chennai) and help us encourage some of the finest young talents in Indian classical music!

Also pleased to announce the latest issue of The ARTery magazine. Avbl in e-reader format at http://www.theartery.in, the issue's highlight is an in-depth look at Amplification in Carnatic Music, one of the hot-button issues in our appreciation of performances...

The ARTery team

[rupavathi]

Good show yesterday. The live webcast had some initial hiccups but stabilized soon enough. The audio-only option was a good idea and steadily avbl throughout. I wasn't too impressed with the first singer Karthik Narayan. Aditya Khandwe was outstanding. Congrats and waiting for today's streaming.

[kamavardhani]

Watched some of the proceedings yesterday; general quality of the broadcast was very good. Young Subashri gave a great concert, Vedavalli mami's lecture was concise and eloquent. Didn't hear Aishwarya raghunath's concert fully to be able to comment. Good work!

[the_ARTery]

Thanks for the feedback! Today's broadcast will start as always at 16:30 IST, with a concert by Ashwath Narayanan, then at 18:00 a talk by Chitravina Ravikiran on "Raktitvam" and at 18:45 a concert by Ramakrishnan Murthy. Pls do join us.

[the_ARTery]

Friends, today is the concluding day of Voices of Tomorrow. Kum. Aishwarya Shankar (dis. of Smt. Suguna Varadachari) at 4.30 pm, a talk by Dr sriram parasuram on Manodharma at 6.00pm and the finale, a Hindustani recital by Smt. Priya Purushothaman from B'lore. Do join us at Kalakshetra or tune into the live webcast at www.theartery.in

We have been greatly encouraged by the response to the webcast/audio streaming. There have been emailed queries about the feasibility of a deferred webcast or video-on-demand. We will certainly have all the proceedings avbl as videos-on-demand for a short period of time (perhaps a week), soon after the event is over. We will inform rasikas here and on our website about the timings and availability.

Thanks again for the overwhelming response to this event!

[the_ARTery]

CLICK HERE for some pictures from Voices of Tomorrow! And we will soon let you know details about the deferred webcast, for those of you in different timezones who asked for it! Stay tuned!

[the_ARTery]

Video-on-demand!! In response to overwhelming demand from those of you unable to watch the live streaming of Voices of Tomorrow from Kalakshetra last week, the videos have been made available for on-demand viewing. These will be available for about a week. Pls do enjoy them by visiting www.theartery.in and clicking on the 'webcast' link!

[the_ARTery]

CLICK HERE for a special issue of The ARTery, with pics from Season 2012. Previous issues can be found HERE.