MS Understood: essay in Caravan magazine by TM Krishna.

[keerthi]

Have read in rasikas that MS has sung varnam in Anandabhairavi. Whose is it? Can some one tell me?

If you read this in one of my posts, then I was referring to the Anandabhairavi opus of ShyAma shAstri, that is almost extinct. This one goes 'sAmini rammanave I vELa' and is in ATa tAla, being a shRngAra composition on varadarAja of kANcIpuram. MS and rAdha learnt it, [and even went and sang it once before Vidya Shankar, to seek her stamp of endorsement for their interpretation of the song], but as I found out from Smt. Radha, they never sang it in any concert platform.

We have received the varnam in a somewhat incomplete form, with sAhityam for some of the sections, and absent for some. Also the text is corrupt in many places, and hasn't been much improved by Smt. Vidya Shankar's editorial pen. All these wrinkles aside, it is a grand melodic piece. This varnam has had some prevalence in old Mysore state, with it being part of the repertoire of the scholar-violinist R.R.Keshavamurthy and the musicologist R.SathyanarayaNa. The former may either have got it from the pradarsini, or may have learnt it from Sermandevi subrahmanya sAstri, a student of Subbarama dIkSita, who later lived in Mysore. Among current musicians, Smt. R.N.Srilatha - a sister of the Rudrapatnam brothers knows it.

The one harimau refers to - sAmi nIpai, is a different, nonetheless very beautiful varnam in the same rAga tAla combination. It is going strong, and continues to be performed now and then, being popular from at least three distinct lines - the version taught by TiruppAmburam SwAminatha Pillai, that taught by Dhanammal's grandchildren, and the version sung by SemmanguDi and his disciples. The fecund paramparA of Semangudi's disciples has led to his version being the most sung.

[Aditto]

If you read this in one of my posts, then I was referring to the Anandabhairavi opus of ShyAma shAstri, that is almost extinct

Thanks Keerti garu

I hoped there was some kind of audio recording available.
Apart from that, thanks a lot for the information on that piece of Syama Sastry.

I wonder how many compositions would turn up if we start listing down 'Unsung compositions'. If I had a genie lamp, I would ask for all MS Videos and enough extended life to see it all and die !! I just wish.. I just wish !!

[Aditto]

http://www.sangeethapriya.org/tributes/ ... ithis.html

List of SS Kritis from Sangeetapriya. The varnam is mentioned in the page and as said no available artist.

[SrinathK]

I wonder if @cienu can help us then. Saving a varnam from extinction...

Speaking of which, now that rasikas pages are appearing on google, I was able to get this : http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11230

[Aditto]

The veena artiste's uniqueness stems from her having imbibed classicism from a profound source. Syama Sastri, great grandson of the composer, gave her treasures from his family wealth. Absorption was not easy. "His speech was unclear, he coughed all the time." For days Sastri would not go beyond a single line. Another day had him pouring out 10 compositions. The guru refused to allow any writing down of song or notation, saying, "You're studying Milton. Do you need to write down `Amba Kamakshi?' " The girl had to record her lessons surreptitiously.

Sastri talked about his ancestors of three generations, extraordinary composers all. "When Muthuswami Dikshitar heard Syama Sastri's `Devi Minanetri' sung by his son, he exclaimed that he had never known a more masterly handling of the slow tempo as in its charanam." Another day the guru would tell her that when Syama Sastri sang `Mayamma' at the Bangaru Kamakshi Amman temple, a frenzied listener grabbed the shawl on the idol and draped it around Sastri , seeing the goddess and her devotee as one.

Vidya also learnt `Devi Brova' (Chintamani) in the original setting where the phrases skip and leap in zigzag patterns, reflecting the disturbance in the composer's mind during its creation. "All have smoothed down in modern patanthara," she sighs.

Got the above text when I referred to Sree Vidya Sankar. This is deviating from the actual title, but can someone share her recordings if any ? Especially the Devi Brova in Chintamani

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/vainika-vi ... 493460.ece

[SrinathK]

Oh and I have to add : I shared that tanam clip in post #55 thinking it was one of the last concerts of MS. Well, guess what? I think it was actually from her last concert at the Naganallur Anjaneya Temple. Someone confirm please.

Which means we have MS from her very first recorded LP to her last concert.

[harimau]

Oh and I have to add : I shared that tanam clip in post #55 thinking it was one of the last concerts of MS. Well, guess what? I think it was actually from her last concert at the Naganallur Anjaneya Temple. Someone confirm please.

Which means we have MS from her very first recorded LP to her last concert.

From her very first 78-rpm "plate" to her last concert

[kolenidhi]

Who is he to even write about that great goddess?

Sometimes, I do get the feeling that it is possible MS is hyped. She never made a mark as an actress and so took up an easier concert singing career, maybe Sadasivam's idea. Again, she couldn't really sing traditional Carnatic very well (unlike pattammal) and finally made her mark with devotional singing, shlokams and bhakthi kritis. Thanks to the duo's closeness with top politicians, she got international and national opportunities.

[munirao2001]

kolenidhi Sir,

Your opinion posted is grossly unfair. MSS Amma as young and immensely talented singer/performer resulted in her selection to act by the directors/producers. Films were devotional, theatrical and musical. Meera was a very big hit and catapulted MSS Amma to Pan India in popularity.
The tendencies and cultivated habit of comparison results in misunderstanding and it is misleading. Her devotional music content was for uninitiated rasikas, a vast majority and a significant numbers of rasikas needs for 'devotional' music. Through her manodharma sangeetham-ragaalapana; tana;compositions-patantara sudhatvam; niraval; pallavi;svarakalpana, both kalpita and kalpana aspects, this great maestro met the needs of discerning and pandita rasikas. Your observation and opinion, shared by many unfortunately, is focused only on the 'rise to popularity' but not on the 'rise to musical qualities' of this great maestro. To answer the opinion, reluctantly, three great maestros-DKP;MSS;MLV achieved popularity, with certain specific aspects and its musical qualities, higher level over the other, each of them.
It is a fact that without successful planning and promotion, Vidwan or Vidushi can not achieve popularity. Indirect, unseen and unheard promotion does not attract the attention and criticism but direct, seen and heard (in MSS Amma's case, her husband and Sri Sadasivam's) attract greatest attention and criticism. The ends, its outcome, its result delivery of pleasure to the rasikas and artistic self achievement, justify the means.

Can we end the misunderstanding and misleading belief with insights?

munirao2001

[varsha]

A video clip that was received very well , here , a decade ( and more ) ago .
http://www.mediafire.com/watch/9zhdezxu ... aight..MPG

[Aditto]

Who is he to even write about that great goddess?

Sometimes, I do get the feeling that it is possible MS is hyped. She never made a mark as an actress and so took up an easier concert singing career, maybe Sadasivam's idea. Again, she couldn't really sing traditional Carnatic very well (unlike pattammal) and finally made her mark with devotional singing, shlokams and bhakthi kritis. Thanks to the duo's closeness with top politicians, she got international and national opportunities.

All these can be answered with a NO.

Srikanth sir, can you please invest some time and publish the results of MS music like you did for her Meera Bhajans and MMI's swarakalapana for Hindolam. Just my idea.

Ramesh Sir mentioned about an Hamsanadam alapana of MS which was recorded in a cassette long back in some memories of Kalki Gardens and MS's music. Unless such instances are listed about MS and recordings are shared, people will comment like this only.

There is this Manirangu of MS, which when played over phone to one of my friends who is a classical singer, she thought it was MLV because of I-do-not-what-it-is !! Might be the swarakalpana or I do not know. There is this concert of MS from early 60s or late 50s where in she sang Vatapi, Rama Nannu Brovara, Ksheerasagara Sayana Vakshatasala, Hemavati of Deekshitar, Rama Rama Guna Seema, RTP in Todi ... That concert is one of the marvelous concerts of MS which was uploaded in Sangeetapriya.

I wish I could myself do something to make people know what MS's music is about. Being a layman, I cannot do anything except searching for her music ( audio and video ) and getting lost in the soulful music without understanding the underlying technicality or complexity !!

When something is told about MS's technical virtuosity in handling a raga or a pallavi or any thing, people are attributing it to the niceness of the musician who said it !! It is like one doing all the nice work and the appreciation going to the person who said the work is nice !!

Regards,
Aditya.

[kvchellappa]

Such people have no idea what they are talking about and we need not take it up. It hurts only when someone who should know gives it an angularity.

[SrinathK]

@munirao sir, A tip, always see a posters' history before replying to a "handle". Some "handles" are only here to blow up the place. MS amma is a legendary name whereas some "handles" are so inept they can't even wear a proper identity in places like this. Even alcohol can't loosen inhibitions like internet anonymity.

[munirao2001]

KVC and SrinathK Sirs,

We are together discussing, sharing and caring for unity with diversity of beliefs and opinions. I care for the identity taken, its sense of mind, its expression, seriously not frivolously. I act and reply to share and contribute to establish the clarity and understanding to the best of my knowledge and ability. I avoid to be dismissive. It is unhelpful and unhealthy for discussions.
In this specific case, is the opinion or even set belief of an individual or set of individuals? No Sir, it is the ill informed and unfounded information and gossip amongst the musicians community and also their seconders, rasikas. Every interested individual should attempt sincerely to dispel the wrong notions and information, end the gossip and end the belief. If we achieve, this is truly humble homage to the great maestro artist with exceptional qualities and contributions of equally great human being in the history of Arts, in the MSSAmma centenary year and its celebration.

munirao2001

[vineyan]

Well said, Mr. Muni Rao. MS had a larger than life image as an individual with her sterling qualities which is not to dismiss her knowledge and mastery over classical music as trivial.
She was also one of the earliest woman artistes to venture into RTP. Later she chose to be more devotional in life which reflected in her music

[vasanthakokilam]

Just like how Einstein could not cut it as a mathematician and downgraded himself to theoretical physicist and then only to make some minor contributions.

[SrinathK]

Since all of you replied to a troll post, I'll tell you what -- Don't answer to trolls. They're sick. Their intention is not to seek clarity but to simply provoke -- which is why I mention looking into their post history. In this case, it is far more than ill informed and ignorant opinion, it is a deliberate mental disease at work. They will not listen to you but just go and pollute other threads.

If anything, it will only show the difference between such lowlife (excuse me for the language, or don't) and someone like MS Amma -- which I think also has to be pointed out.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/yo ... nd-sadists

And that's about as far as I can go before crossing a line -- kids may be reading...

[kolenidhi]

Since all of you replied to a troll post, I'll tell you what -- Don't answer to trolls. They're sick.

Case of troll trolling troll

[Aditto]

Varsha garu or any rasika,

Can you share any recording of MS please which is not so often heard !!

[varsha]

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ag13ibt ... -Thodi.mp3

Like this ? Please let me know

[pattamaa]

Here is kAnada varnam sung by MS Amma - haven't heard her singing this varnam before

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiHNqcWAxq8

[Aditto]

http://www.mediafire.com/listen/ag13ibt ... -Thodi.mp3

Like this ? Please let me know

Yes

Like them only...I have heard that she sang marivere dikkevarayya in shanmukhapriya, ra ra ma inti daka in asaveri, sugunamule cheppukonti , santamu leka .. any recordings?

I might sound selfish or very eager to lay hands on all MS songs, but when it comes to her, I am helpless
Sorry !

[Aditto]

Here is kAnada varnam sung by MS Amma - haven't heard her singing this varnam before

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiHNqcWAxq8

Thanks pattamma garu...Since its upload in sangeethapriya with RTP in Dhanyasi, I have been listening to it as frequently as I can

[SrinathK]

MS Amma was also an incredible force at varnam singing -- the tempos she could reach were downright scary if you were to try and follow it.

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

[Aditto]

MS Amma was also an incredible force at varnam singing -- the tempos she could reach were downright scary if you were to try and follow it.

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

Hi Srikanth Garu,

Please analyze MS music as you did MMI's. I am eagerly waiting for it.

[Aditto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMXmOEl0xZ0

Varnam in Vasanta

[rajeshnat]

Mods
From Varsha post of #120, can you move the links to MS subbulakshmi thread in vidwan and vidushi
http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic ... &start=950

[varsha]

.I have heard that she sang marivere dikkevarayya in shanmukhapriya, ra ra ma inti daka in asaveri, sugunamule cheppukonti , santamu leka .. any recordings?

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/8qaa9m14l16jx/Aditto_1

[CRama]

Thanks varsha for the rare uploads. Ra ra mainti daka, I heard for the first time. Thanks. Sad that it is truncated. Lekana- It is not MSS singing with Semmangudi. It is Trivandrum G.Seethalakshmi. There are a couple of full concerts where GS had accompanied her Guru SSI. Similarly I remember one concert where Seethalakshmi Venkatesan of Bangalore had accompanied SSI. Jana Gana Mana also- first time I have head. Thanks.

[varsha]

Thanks for the inputs. Will correct.

[Aditto]

Thanks Varsha garu Thanks a Lot.

If i am not wrong, there is a concert of SSI at Kalki Garderns with MS, Lekana of Asaveri is there in that concert.

http://www.sangeethamshare.org/gvr/SSI_ ... avami-1967

The one uploaded by Varsha garu and the one in the link @ Sangeetapriya are one and the same !!

I was under the impression that MS sang with SSI in Kalki Gardens !! And this information is mentioned in the concert

Semmangudi Kalki Gardens Rama Navami Concert 1967
Artist: Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Vocal support: M.S. Subbulakshmi
Year: 1967
Violin: Lalgudi G. Jayaraman
Mridangam: Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman

If not, then this must be one of the concerts which CRama garu has mentioned and the tagging is incorrect.

[Aditto]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccxrv89NtDk

What did RV Amma say @ around 40.35? Its about MS Amma and Neraval. Can some one please tell.

[harimau]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccxrv89NtDk

What did RV Amma say @ around 40.35? Its about MS Amma and Neraval. Can some one please tell.

Smt RV said, "There are times when MS can be heard repeating a specific line in the krithi several times, totally lost in the beauty of how that particular line fits the raga bhava, the laya, and the meaning of the lyrics itself. Other musicians of those times have done it too. They didn't perform neraval there but the effect is almost there" or words to that effect.

[kvchellappa]

She also said, 'I am not saying it because it is her centenary year, but because you would have heard it.'
It was a very heart-to-heart talk.
She also mentioned that one must give expression to one's manodharma without bothering about any restriction of when and how long a piece should be sung. She said the creativity of an artist is when (s)he brings a different feel to the same composition each time, rather than the same feel every time. It is interesting to note these in a corner of the mind.
P.S. After posting this I saw that it was under TMK thread.

[Aditto]

Thanks harimau garu and chellappa garu

[kvchellappa]

An instance of how MS felt about her husband when he was not by her side:
The second anecdote eloquently describes getting both autographs in person at different points of time.

Here is a rough translation : " It was MS' concert at the Madras Music Academy. Her husband Sadasivam was sitting in the car outside. I approached and got his autograph. I saw MS Amma at another function. In my autograph book ,I requested hers on the very same page that her husband had signed his. MS Amma intently looked at her husband's handwriting for some time; she then signed her autograph with tears in her eyes. It really moved me."
(From Tribute to MS)

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

One anecdote(personal) re; MSAMMa and autograph:

In 1993,in our family function(my Dad's 80th Birthday),MSAmma and Mama were seated duly surrounded by throngs of admirers. A 12 year old Girl approaches MSAmma for her autograph with a piece of paper(which already had some jottings on it!!!).MSAmma obliges in one of the open spaces on the sheet of paper. The Girl--happy as a lark turns around and when she was about to get away one of her relatives "signals" to the girl to get Mama's autograph as well lest Mama should misunderstand!!!. The girl turns towards Mama and presents the sheet of paper(with MS AMMA's autograph) ,--Mama adds "Yours Obediently T.Sadasivam UNDER MS AMma's autograph much to the amusement of the onlookers!!!

When I was young(about 9 to 10 years old) whenever a visitor came to Kalki Gardens and -- if I happened to be around -- Mama will introduce me to the visitor as the "First person to address him as M.S.Mama"(in those days it was not considered proper etiquette to refer as so-and-so's husband no matter how famous the celebrity may be).

[vineyan]

Have read in rasikas that MS has sung varnam in Anandabhairavi. Whose is it? Can some one tell me?

Thanks varsha garu for the Sankarabharanam

Regards,
Aditya.

I had heard a small truncated version of Anandabhairavi Navavarnam in the Ruben's collection posted in Harward library when it was accessible