L.Shankar's Interview for Sun TV.

[Thalaivarda]

Dont know if this was posted already. Plays violin for a couple of mins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eECdGjUmt30


Cheers
Varadarajan.R

[vasanthakokilam]

Thanks very much Varadarajan. Shankar has changed so much in appearance, hasn't he? For some reason, I thought in some angles he looked a bit Mick Jagger'ish !

I learned so much about Shankar in that interview. There was not even time for him to mention his involvement with Mahavishnu.

It would have been appropriate for the interviewers to finish with a line like 'We talked about your involvement with the legends, what we learned today is you are a legend'

[Sundara Rajan]

Yes. I too thought about his Mike Jaggerish looks and his effeminate gestures ! Age has changed him so much, although he is the youngest of the trio. I saw him as an accompanist in Madras in late fifties or early sixties and then in a carnatic solo concert in New York city in November 1990, accompanied by Trichy Sankaran & Zaki Hussain. What a difference in appearance over the years. I would not have recognized him in the street ! It is news to me that he is a more a vocalist than a violinist. Perhaps so in Western bands that I am not familiar with. He did some vocal singing (mahA gaNapathim, if I remember correct ) in his New York concert that did not appeal to me, but followed it with Mohanam and Kapi on the violin only that went well.

[cmlover]

Is it Gowri Manohari that he plays towards the end of the interview?

[mkal]

Thanks for the link. He sure looks a lot different than when I last saw him (concert in 2000-01 with Zakir Hussain and Vikku Vinayakaram). The vocal pieces in some of his albums I have did not appeal to me either. I have read that he spent his early years in Jaffna. Was that their ancestral home? His tamil accent is suggestive of having roots there. The last piece did sound like Gowri Manohari to me as well. Nice to hear that he still gives carnatic concerts occasionally.

[mahavishnu]

The Mick Jaggerish looks are the product of a similar lifestyle :p

Shankar is a true genius. I have loved his music for years. His accompaniment of Madurai Somu in the late 70s at the music academy was an absolute delight. I have followed his music from the Mahavishnu, Shakti era to the present day. His technique, skill and imagination are very special indeed.

Although, I have to admit that the "pop" stuff that he got into in recent years is a bit outside my league of interest. He was in India recently at the behest of his nieces (Lalitha & Nandini); he gave a number of performances. Not much intersection with the venues where the denizens of this forum frequent.

Thanks, Thalaivarda for the post and the link to the interview.

[rajeshnat]

Ramesh-Mahavishnu or anyone else,
In one of the concerts of LS-Ambi in skgs , there was just so much talk about L shankar accompanying PMI in SKGS . DId you hear those concerts in person. Who all has L shankar accompanied- what are his famous concerts?

[mahavishnu]

Rajesh, Shankar has accompanied SSI (a lot), MDR, Santhanam, KVN, Somu, Ramnad Krishnan (his uncle) and even Seshagopalan.
PMI had a special affinity for LS and his brothers. He told my grandfather that they were extremely strong in layam and he actually felt challenged when playing for them.

Being from the Ramnad family, the early opportunities to accompany came rather easily. Then he came to the US in the mid 70s for his doctorate in music at Wesleyan (when Higgins, McLaughlin, Viswa, S Ramanathan and others were around). There are some wonderful recordings of LS with Viswa from this period (Varsha-ji has these too).

By the late 70s he was only playing a few select concerts in India. Mind you, Shankar had already played with McLaughlin and Shakti. It is quite incredible that he came back to Mylapore to play pure CM for a little while.

In the late 70s, Shankar and his brothers played as a rather famous trio. And quite often, PMI accompanied them. If not him it was UKS on a few occasions. In fact, the only time the old fashioned PMI left the country other than in the 1965 concert tour with KVN/LGJ in Edinburgh was to travel to the US with the LS trio.

The brothers went their separate ways (both intellectually and musically, perhaps in other ways too) and that was the last they played together. The last time I heard them live was in 1980 at the erstwhile Nungambakkam Cultural Academy with PMI on Jan 1 at this old Sankaradas auditorium on the other side of Habibullah Road. It was an experience to remember!

[Thalaivarda]

@TTD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAjtK7RXPvs

[uday_shankar]

The Mick Jaggerish looks are the product of a similar lifestyle :p

Ouch! Ramesh, as a lifelong fan of L Shankar like you, I wince sadly at that assessment, whether true or false.

More matter of factly, a lot of such "lifestyle" assessments are often exaggerated by distant observers based on appearance and behavior. The reality is often more sober and often very poignant, lonely and pedestrian. In fact even Mick Jagger's "excesses" may have been exaggerated by the press.

Our own Vinod Venkataraman (VRV) is intimately familiar with L Shankar and his brother, and one afternoon in Cleveland many years ago he pleasantly straightened me out about some of these assessments that I had made for myself. Subash Chandran the great ghatam maestro, also very familiar with the family has also shared some details which paint a similar, "ordinary" picture.

L Shankar is the greatest virtuoso of Indian violin. Everybody else comes after him in terms of virtuosity.

[mahavishnu]

Uday, point taken. That was just meant to be more sound-bite-ish, so pardon the feline nature of that remark. I love Shankar (as you well know) and I take liberties in talking about him, in a way I wouldn't do to a lesser musician.

That said, I find it interesting that he declares himself a vocalist primarily. I can only think of him as a violin hero first and everything else afterwards. And in his interview, he talks so little about his carnatic roots, perhaps to showcase his pop side that the interviewers seemed to be quite enchanted by.

[cacm]

I knew him very well since mid sixties; He was a gentle highly talented musician & I hope his music is discussed here & unsubstantiated tales of his personal life are avoided..........VKV

[anurangan]

Am new to rasikas.org. I am a great fan of L. Shankar's music. Curious to know if he teaches the violin? Does he have any students?

[uday_shankar]

That said, I find it interesting that he declares himself a vocalist primarily. I can only think of him as a violin hero first and everything else afterwards.

Precisely! Everything else a dim and distant second I daresay ! His "vocals", ugh. It's a sad state of affairs that a musician of his caliber should brand himself as a "vocals" specialist first. It is also a sad commentary on the limited sustainability of the "Indian musical idiom" in a global setting. If anybody effortlessly combined technically perfect (i.e., shruti, laya, bowing, gamakas, etc) Indian music with wonderful western motifs thrown in, in a dazzling virtuosic lava flow, it is L Shankar. Even if his rhythmically complex RTP recordings went over the head of the western folks, I fail to understand how they did not make an adequate impact in terms of the sound alone.

In the above interview, which I have seen before, nothing angers me more than the silly young interviewers talking about their "legends" like Michael Jackson and Mel Gibson. In my mind there if no greater legend than Shankar himself. Little do they know, or are capable of knowing, the caliber of this man! Ironies, ironies...

L Shankar (and his brother L Subramaniam) have comparable, perhaps eve far greater virtuosic gifts than say, a Pandit Ravi Shankar or Zakir Hussain but lack the marketing savvy and the panache of the latter, who was/is astute and suave and could/can shroud musical presentations with an aura of eastern mystique, faux or otherwise, incoseqential buzz words like "love, beauty, peace, Om, etc..." uttered with a gently smothered north Indian accent. The brothers, at least initially, could offer little else apart from bare naked dazzling virtuosity with as much mystique as a bumbling, stuttered introduction in Jaffna accented english can add .

[cacm]

L Shankar (and his brother L Subramaniam) have comparable, perhaps eve far greater virtuosic gifts than say, a Pandit Ravi Shankar or Zakir Hussain but lack the marketing savvy and the panache of the latter, who was/is astute and suave and could/can shroud musical presentations with an aura of eastern mystique, faux or otherwise, incoseqential buzz words like "love, beauty, peace, Om, etc..." uttered with a gently smothered north Indian accent. The brothers, at least initially, could offer little else apart from bare naked dazzling virtuosity with as much mystique as a bumbling, stuttered introduction in Jaffna accented english can add .

I WISH SOME ONE would open a section discussing WHY south Indian Virtuosos DO NOT REACH THE HEIGHTS OF THEIR NORTH INDIAN COUNTERPARTS
. Having known most of them I have my own theory. VKV

[cmlover]

VKV
Start your own thread and share your stories!
You have a wealth of Historical experience...

[cacm]

Dear cmlover, THANKS. I am writing down things regularly in the hope of bringing them out in the form of a book. Will send you a copy once the project is complete. VKV

[vallknowme]

He can stand and play the violin. So can Pazhamaneri Swaminatha Iyer I think. Thats what got me interested in Pazhamaneri. Pazhamaneri, from what I read, can sing and play the violin simultaneously like a rock star.

[cmlover]

Thanks VKV
Your recollections and experiences will be invaluable as CM Memoirs!
Wish you Godspeed...

[uday_shankar]

I WISH SOME ONE would open a section discussing WHY south Indian Virtuosos DO NOT REACH THE HEIGHTS OF THEIR NORTH INDIAN COUNTERPARTS. Having known most of them I have my own theory. VKV

vkv sir, I would love to hear your invaluable insights on this, an order of magnitude more useful than my random musings. Why don't you post them here, however "incomplete" you might feel and/or controversial they might be (this is only rasikas, not the sniping environment of the physical review letters, you know! ). There's no time like now. And don't curb your style, don't hesitate to use CAPITALS, we will endeavor keep the snipers in check .

[Nick H]

When VKV stops using capitals, it will probably mean he is VERY UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING

And... anyway... life wouldn't be the same without them

[Thalaivarda]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... permPage=1

Was browsing random stuff and found this. Do correct if wrong.

[munirao2001]

VKV Sir
'THE HEIGHTS" you have mentioned, I understand as 'the heights of popularity' but not virtuosity. Simpleton rasika like me think, it is simple. Karnatik Music has primacy for 'religiosity'; Establishments-Government and Institutions are least supportive to the initiatives for growth and development of Karnatik Music; KM with apparently rigidity in form and structure with complicated grammar is difficult to understand and appreciate; Unaesthetic delivery of music; Preference for low profile;Not supportive media; Patrons of art much more willing to commit to HM in comparison with KM; KM maestros learning the art of networking very late; KM maestros did not have vision of global reach of KM and did not dedicate resources for attaining the deserving status in the world music; Professionalism lacking in the KM event management; Not establishing 'connectivity' with the listeners of other genre of world music.

munirao2001

[cacm]

VKV Sir
'THE HEIGHTS" you have mentioned, I understand as 'the heights of popularity' but not virtuosity. Simpleton rasika like me think, it is simple. Karnatik Music has primacy for 'religiosity'; Establishments-Government and Institutions are least supportive to the initiatives for growth and development of Karnatik Music; KM with apparently rigidity in form and structure with complicated grammar is difficult to understand and appreciate; Unaesthetic delivery of music; Preference for low profile;Not supportive media; Patrons of art much more willing to commit to HM in comparison with KM; KM maestros learning the art of networking very late; KM maestros did not have vision of global reach of KM and did not dedicate resources for attaining the deserving status in the world music; Professionalism lacking in the KM event management; Not establishing 'connectivity' with the listeners of other genre of world music.
munirao2001

I TAKE THE OPINION OF Palghat Mani Iyer, Ravi Shankar, Zubin Metha SERIOUSLY apart from my own in using the adjective to L.SHANKAR
in publicly mentioning his Virtuosity; I NEVER AM CONCERNED WITH "HEIGHTS OF POPULARITY". In my mind there should be ZERO DOUBTS REG. HIS TECHNICAL VIRTUOSITY.
The other subjects you have mentioned APPEAR to be IRRELEVENT REG. HIS CAPABILITIES & STATURE. I am not willing to engage in DISCUSSING MORALITY, PIOUSNESS ETC WHILE MYSELF LIVING IN A GLASS HOUSE. REGS, VKV #:-s

[munirao2001]

VKV Sir
The posting is not about L.Shankar's Virtuosity and which is proven and with his own class and niche, he has taken the violin playing techniques to new heights. The techniques of S & S and V, gaining in popularity has inspired many violinists to aim achieving the mastery and immensely have benefited. But to me, sense of proportion of melody and aesthetics has become subservient to the technical wizardry. To get the acceptance and appreciation of Western Maestros and audience, they had to make this choice. Posting is in the context of KM virtuoso and great maestros not reaching the 'heights' in comparison with other genre of classical music, Hindustani music. I have discussed the KM Vs HM attaining the global reach and appreciation. Now read once again and understand my posting.

munirao2001

[cacm]

Dear Sri.Muni rao, It is not just acceptance of Western Maestros & audience. The others are NOT THAT GOOD TECHNICALLY. WE should insist on technical virtuosity as a MINUMUM. Why are we praising LGJ, MSG & TNK?....VKV

[munirao2001]

VKV Sir
Technical mastery acquisition goal of the KM Great Maestros, with the exception of Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu Garu and MSG Sir of that generation was for successfully adopting violin playing-bowing and fingering for gayaka dharmam. With the pioneering efforts of DVN and MSG and exposure to western great maestros in violin, Yehudi Menuhin to begin with and also sensing the opportunities in the western music world, our great maestros did sadhana to acquire the western maestros violin technical mastery, primarily to get their acceptance and also win the audience. The collaboration opportunities also demanded the technical adaptability and adjustments. Gaining mastery in the western technique, they used the technique to add new vista of high octane sound and speed components in KM, as a novelty and gained the rasikas appreciation and acceptance for their offering.
The popularity unfortunately lead to compulsive and obsessive indulgence, greatly affecting the deeper and aesthetic experience of gamaka rich visradhi in KM. Next Gen maestros also following such Great Maestros those applause compelling techniques. This also lead to high octane sound, speed and applause generating technique adaptations by all the musicians, including the vocalists. I am in deep anguish because I have heard LS&LS offering sublime music when they chose to play. I recall my experience of listening to L.Subramanyam's concert for SVBC anniversary celebration at Ravindra Bharati, Secunderabad, telecast live the real part of this great maestro.

TNK/LGJ/MC/VVS/AR and other maestros rejected this development and continued to enthrall the rasikas with chaste, pristine and pure KM with their manodharma. MSG mastering the technique, judiciously used the technique with sense of proportion and balance for melody and aesthetics. LGJR K and Vijayalakshmi have eschewed this technique and strictly adhering to the LGJ Bani. These maestros are of the firm opinion that technical virtuosity and playing has to be subservient to KM with sowkhya bhavam and rasanubhuti.

First the artists are responsible and later the rasikas are responsible for this development (unhealthy for puritan artists and rasikas alike).

munirao2001

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

Folks:PMI has accompanied LS trio.I have some not-so-complimentary thoughts on the LS-PMI connection.
The bros virtually kept PMI out of circulation during his visit to the US -- CMANA folks including myself tried to contact PMI thro LS and were rebuffed citing some contractual clause that forbade public appearances--we did not want a concert-we wanted to honor PMI as he was always reluctant to visit abroad(even for the Edinburgh festival he had to be literally coaxed). PMI had sent word to me thro the late Ramnad Raghavan(RR) that he would like to visit me(he was having troubles of dizziness at that time). I followed up and tried to talk to PMI--each time I was given some excuse or other by one of LS's american disciples.This did not materialise and RR regretted he could not convince LS(his nephew mind you!!).
Subsequently I heard from very reliable sources that PMI regretted his decision (not about accompanying LS) but about his decision to come to the US under such strict contractual conditions.

Personally I attended the only concert in NYC held @ the Earl Hall of the Columbia University with big cathedral-like ceilings.(In all my years of association with Columbia University arranging concerts ,I had never used this hall for CM) The acoustics with the multiple mikes were deafening.(like an echo chamber) PMI tried to get the audio guys to tone the volume down to no avail. On top of it the bros played the varnam in almost 6 kalams as if to test PMI's prowess--it was very taxing for PMI(he was in his late sixties--a couple of years before he died) and in my opinion the bros should have shown more consideration for his age and state of health.
TRR(PMI's son) told my brother that PMI should never have accepted the engagements.

OFCOURSE NONE OF THE ABOVE DETRACTS FROM THE BROS' VIRTUOSITY OR DEXTERITY IN HANDLING THE VIOLIN NOR DO I BEGRUDGE THIER SUCCESS AND APPEAL WITH WESTERN AUDIENCES !!

[cacm]

Dear MKR,
I MUST report on the ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRIO-PMI tour you have mentioned.
1) East West Exchange as well as CMNA BOTH were not willing to arrange the tour & I (THO' A FOUNDER-MEMBER OF BOTH ORGANISATIONS) was forced to locate other sponsors (Americans mostly) who did arrange the tour.
2. As a consequence there was PARTICULAR RESENTMENT- RIGHTLY SO IN MY OPINION- AGAINST anyone associated with either of these organisations on the part of the sponsors.
3. I as an individual WAS ALLOWED to PARTICIPATE AS I managed to arrange many concerts ON MY OWN -NOT PART OF ANY OTHER ORGANISATION- & IN ADDITION WAS ALLOWED TO TAKE CARE OF PMI'S HEALTH PROBLEMS & I DID SO WITH HELP OF MANY OTHERS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.
4. REG 6TH KALAM ETC ACTUALLY PMI MADE A FOOL OF THEM AS he could easily handle the neophytes as he is after all KALIYUGA NANDHI. His age did not come in the way of his playing. In my opinion the trio just hit their head against the "KARUNGAL" WALL, TRYING TO GO AGAINST GRANITE WALL.
5. CMNA ESPECIALLY did not cover itself in glory then in those days as their history started with starting the organisation- I am still a member- more or less saying it would take risks like organising MDR OR MALI but ended up Having Parween Sultana concert as main event defeating the whole idea. E-W-E (I am a founder member of that organisation also) had other problems like EGOS of the Navagrahas- THE MEMBERS LITERALLY WORKING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS- ETC.
I AM ALL ADMIRATION OF THE CLEVELAND ARADHANA GROUP FOR getting over this PERSONAL PETTINESS & organising the BEST REPRESENTATION OF OUR CULTURE& MUSIC FOR THE PAST 37 YEARS- CORRECTLY CALLED THE CLEVELAND MIRACLE- WITH ALL ITS FAULTS&MERITS MOSTLY DUE TO THE ABILITIES & FORESIGHT OF CLEVELAND V.V.SUNDARAM. VKV