VOCAL ARANGETRAM OF KUM. NANDINI SRIDHAR OF USA

[CRama]

The atmosphere in Ragasudha Hall at 6 PM on 29 Aug was that of a Sangeetha Vidwath Sabhai or a marriage in Ravikiran household. The occasion was the vocal arangetram of Kum. Nandini Sridhar of Minneapolis, U.S.A – aged about 14, daughter of Jaya and Sridhar Ramaswamy and student of Sangeeta Samrat Ravikiran for about 8 years. The function was held under the banner of Global International Foundation for Carnatic Music formed by Ravikiran. Nandini, a 9th grader in Wayzata High School had her initial training from Nirmala Rajsekar and later she came under the wings of Ravikiran. She has already received attention in US as a vocalist of promise, winning prizes in several competitions including Cleveland Tyagaraja Festival, Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam, Minneapolis Carnatic Star Contest etc. She was spot selected for the Jaya T.V.Carnatic Music Idol U.S.A. Season 3. Already she had accompanied her Guru on many occasions in U.S. In this debut concert, she was accompanied by seasoned artistes like Nagai Sriram on the Violin, K.V.Prasad on the Mridangam and H.Sivaramakrishnan on the Ghatam. List of songs.

• Saveri varnam.
• Mummada vezha mukhathu vinayakan-Nata-OVK
• Naradamuni-Panthuvarali –T (R,N,S)
• Thyagaraja yoga vaibhavam-Anandabhairavi-MD
• Mariveredik evvaro-Lathangi-PS
• Nannu brochutaku-Thodi-Subbaraya Sastri (R,S)
• Thani
• Thillana-Behag –Ravikiran
• Mangalam

Yes. The venue morphed into a Sangeetha Vidwth Sabhai. A very big galaxy of musicians or personalities connected with music occupied the front seats. Nithyasree Mahadevan and Cleveland Sundaram were the Chief Guests. Ravikiran and Bhargavi Balasubramaniam played the perfect hosts for the function. Other musicians- TVG, Chitraveena Narasimhan, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Mannargudi Easwaran, Charumathi Ramachandran, Dr.Narmada, Sikkil Gurucharan, Dwaram Durga Prasad, our own Madhava Muni Rao etc were there to appreciate the young vidushi’s music and bless her. Any other upcoming singer will get knee jerks to sing in front of these super senior vidwans. But young Nandini sang with repose and calmness which can come only out of vidwat, sadhakam and confidence as if it is her 20th or 30th concert. She has got a very sweet and pliant voice. The Panthuvarali and Thodi alapanas were quite elaborate with the most authentic pidis in place traversing the three octaves with considerable ease. In the Thodi alapana she executed sruti bhedam to Mohanam with precision. All the songs were rendered in the most authentic patantharam. There were variety in talam and melams. The neraval in Narayana nama mulanu and the kalpana swaras which included nadai variations and for the song Nannu brochutaku were quite imaginative and succinct. The debutant young girl deserves special appreciation for taking up weighty songs like Thyagaraja yoga vaibhavam and Nannu brochutaku.

Nithyasree Mahadevan paid rich compliments to Nandini for taking up kriti like Nannu brochutaku and present it with aplomb before this heavy galaxy of vidwans. Cleveland Sundaram, in his address specifically mentioned about the focus and determination that is seen in the students of US which many times do not show in students in Chennai, presumably due to the easy availability of music and teachers in Chennai which sometimes, the students take for granted. TVG and Umayalpuram Sivaraman unanimously praised the sadhakam and confidence level of Nandini and blessed her to conquer new heights in the field of music.

All were lavish in their praise for Ravikiran, whose teaching, direction and guidance shaped up the music of Nandini. Ravikiran is well known for his pursuit for perfection and excellence and Nandini is fortunate that she came under the spell of Ravikiran who has shared his knowledge without inhibition. Ravikiran, in his speech mentioned that he is teaching her through telephone classes and not through skype. He appreciated the strenuous practice put forth by Nandini. He mentioned that a few years ago he advised her on the lines of practice and advised her to send him the log once in a week which Nandini is still adhering to religiously. He said that Nandini puts in a practice of 3-4 hours a day in addition to her studies, which has shaped her music acumen so distinctly. He added that Nandini is a self motivated student. He also mentioned that Nandini has enlarged her manodharmam by listening to the recorded concerts of yester year stalwarts as per his advice.

All the speakers appreciated the care and vision of Jaya and Sridhar Ramaswamy, parents of Nandini who has put enormous efforts, time and money in shaping the musical career of Nandini in a well laid out manner.

The accompanists played with unbridled enthusiasm and encouragement. Raga sudha hall was full to cheer and bless the young Nandini. Sagar, the younger brother of Nandini who is in class IV is in the line for the next show. At the beginning, he delivered the welcome address with confidence.

With Ravikiran as the mentor coupled with the blessings of many distinguished vidwans and vidushis on this arangetram concert, Nandini will definitely conquer higher peaks in her musical career. ALL THE BEST NANDINI.

[munirao2001]

Accepting the invitation of Sri Chitraveena Ravikiran, I attended this concert. Knowing well the sampradaya established by three legends and doyens in this illustrious family, Sri Narayana Iyyengar, Sri Narasimhan and Sri CNR in teaching with inspiration to pursue KM with total commitment and dedication to the deep classicism, hall mark of their bani.
Kum.Nandini Sridhar has joined other senior students of Sri CNR exhibiting the exceptional talent and sadhana. She will undoubtedly become one of the top performers in the next generation if she pursues the learning and practicing. I will not be surprised if she gets concert opportunity in MA in 2016. With experience and maturity, she will develop the visradhi, bhava prakatana and finer aspects in other delivery aspects of cutcheri.
Owing to my other pressing engagements, I had to exit after hearing the main raga todi alapana.
One could observe the great interest in KM, respect and regards to the Vidwans and Vidushees not only from her parents, but also other elder members of the family.

munirao2001

[Nick H]

If I had not seen the announcement, but just happened to wander (as occasionally happens) into Raga sudha Hall, that evening, it would not have occurred to me ---until the function part of the proceedings--- that I had come to an arangetram. It had the quality and feel of a professional concert.

As I understand it, that is what an arangetram is supposed to be: the debut performance in the profession. Perhaps not so much in Chennai, but in my home country, it has become more of a family function and, although I have never failed to appreciate and enjoy the work and accomplishment of the youngster, it is the minority that really reach the level of 'professional.'

I enjoyed her performance very much. Her voice, as well as being beautiful, is rich and mature. It is difficult to believe she is so young: somehow her voice has developed to be at least twice her age!

Perhaps the most astonishing thing is that, not only is this young student of Ravikiran's an American, living and studying in America, but her learning has been mostly by telephone/internet. Ravikiran praised her self-motivation, which must have been very necessary for someone not spending daily face-to-face time with their Guru. Nandini and Ravikiran have worked wonders together.

I really hope that she does not now disappear from the Chennai scene. I hope that we will have opportunities to see her perform here again.

Thank you to all concerned, but especially to Nandini herself, for an excellent evening.

(I wondered if the Thillana was composed by Ravikiran, but forgot to ask. I'm glad to know that my hunch was right)

[CRama]

Nick, How I missed you!

[SridharxRamaswamy]

Thanks Ramkrishnan, MuniRao ji and Nick for your nice comments and review. Nandini will cherish the same.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Thanks CRama for introducing the promising singer to rasikas. Afterall Ravikiran's disciples have only held the school flag high and soaring!

[Nick H]

Nick, How I missed you!

You were sitting just near me --- but when I looked for you at the end I could not see you!

Thank you for your excellent writeup

[sriram14]

Nandini has developed exceptionally well over the past few years, thanks to the able guidance of her Guru Shri Chitravina N Ravikiran, Her parents and family commitment and perseverance, her brother's motivation and her own Sadhakam.
For those in the Twin Cities area - look forward to the US version of her Arangetram on Saturday October 17th at the Hindu Temple in Maple Grove
She will be accompanied by Shri Raman Iyer from Seattle on the violin, Shri Poovalur Sriji from Dallas on the mridangam and Shri Balaji Chandran from Minneapolis on the Ghatam.
The chief guest for the event is the honorable Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri Trichy Sankaran mama.

[arasi]

For us in NA, our pride in hearing about a youngster's achievement in CM is immense.

An ideal teacher, dedicated student, and encouraging parents...the right combination!

The best to Nandini...

[harimau]

It is too late for me to offer my wishes for a grand success for the function.

Anyway, my blessings to Kumari Nandini.

[Nick H]

All the best for her USA "debut." I am sure it will be as good as the Chennai event.

Do keep us informed of any future Chennai concerts!
(I think I said that before )

[SridharxRamaswamy]

Here is the link to Nandini's Chennai Arangetram Excerpts-Aug 29, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTYM_DMfY_8

[CRama]

Thanks Sridhar.

[SridharxRamaswamy]

Here is the link to Nandini's US Debut event in Minneapolis on Oct 17, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=917aED-N00A