Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena @ Columbus Ohio - Dhvani Columbus and Otterbein University
Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena concert performed by Smt Nirmala Rajasekar, accompanied by Sri VVS Murari (violin) and Sri Tanjavur Muruga Boopathi (mridangam) was phenomenal.
This was a special concert arranged by Dhvani Columbus in association with the Otterbein University. Please see link below
http://www.otterbein.edu/News/2016/03/0 ... h-invasion
Smt Nirmala started the concert with the introduction of 2000 year old "Saraswathi Veena". The history of Veena Carnatic music and the way it is played in comparison to western scales and what the gamakams aka oscillations in western terms mean to the carnatic tradition were well explained.
She brought spring to the concert hall by starting a Varnam in Kadanakuthuhalam by Shri Mysore Vasudevachar, raising the spirits, happiness and joy among the audience. This rousing start was evident in the happy expressions on audience' faces. This was followed by salutations to Lord Ganesha in Dikshitar's Malahari composition Panchamathanga, very pleasant and calm. The kalpana swarams she played make one think of the vast scope and potential of this ragam, which is familiar more through the beautiful four pillari Geethams. The audience was made aware of this potential in this very well etched section.
Unlike many other Veena artists, Nirmala Rajasekar has a unique style in which she succinctly explains the meaning of the lines of the compositions she performs. Such was the composition Vazhi Marai Thirukkudha in Natakuranji when she narrated the story of Nandanar. I learned later that this composition was requested by a non Indian audience member before she began the concert (it seems he had heard her perform this some years ago). She took us into the beauty of this composition by Shri Gopalakrishna Bharathi in which she played a short neraval as well.
The main piece for the concert was an RTP - Pallavi line being "Sakala Ulagir Kellam Devi Neeye Thunai; Unadhu Karunaikk Alavillaye" which she performed in raga Keeravani 2 kali Adi Thalam. The Ragam and Tanam were well elaborated and the RTP was wholesome and awesome. The whole "Ananta" - the entire Universe has been "shown" to the audience with her magical playing reminding one of the Sama Veda and its soothing Music.
Other compositions in the concert included Srirama srirama by Sri Thyagaraja in Sahana, and Purandara Dasa's Ragi Tandiro in Chakravakam were exquisitely rendered. Anything so wonderful has to end on a note of goodwill and blessing. The concert concluded with Thyagaraja Swmay's Pavamaana.
*********************************************************************************
The Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena, resonated to even greater distances the next day at the Dayton Hindu Temple.
This concert at the Lord Balaji temple started with a Varnam- karunimpa in Sahana, followed by Siddhi Vinayakam in Shanmukhapriya by Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Following this came the grand composition in praise of Lord Venkateshwara Sri Venkata Gireesha malokaye in Surutti ragam. This was preceded by a classic alapana of the ragam by both Smt.Nirmala and Sri Murari.
Tyagaraja's Sarasa samadana was lovely. The main raga for the evening was Shankarabharam, The Raga Alapana was detailed and elaborate befitting the grand raga, This was followed by a ragamalika thanam in which Smt.Nirmala elaborated on Kanada and Saraswathi while Sri Murari responded with Kalyani and Ranjani. The Papanasam Sivan krithi Mahalakshmi Jaganmatha in Misra Chapu thalam had a detailed neraval section for the lines 'Parkadal tharum Kripakari Parindhu vandennai Aadhari'. The Thani Avarthanam that followed the kalpana swarams was mind blowing. One could hear the neraval lines ring crystal clean in Sri Murgaboopathi's tender strokes. What can be spoken about this entire suite of Shankarabharanam, simply spell bound.
The post main section included Chinnanchiru Kiliye chinnamma by Bharathiyaar which was a listeners request. Tribute to Shri Annamcharya was given through the lilting Lalitha piece Jayalakshmi Varalakshmi in rupaka thalam, the immortal MS number Dasana Madiko in Nadanamakriya followed and the concert ended with Shri Bhadrachala Ramadas mangalam 'Ramachandraya Janaka'.
The way in which Sri Murari accompanied Smt Nirmala was exemplary and admirable. His tonal quality was very aesthetic and pleasing.
The brilliant percussion section by Sri Boopathi, was praiseworthy. He literally made Mridangam "Sing" the sahityam. Thani avarthanam was sparkling and exciting. His creative mathematical combinations combined with wonderful right /left balance exhibit his high level skill and depth ...simply superb!!
Smt Nirmala made it into everyone's heart in the concert hall(s) by playing the "Sounds" of the Saraswathi Veena !!! A rare treat for the Ohio audiences indeed. Thanks and kudos to both the organizers for bringing this team to our area.
Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena
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rajeshnat
- Posts: 10144
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04
Re: Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena -Nirmala Rajasekar
It is veena-the lyrics will not be heard at all , but I like her creativity in this line connecting of the finest keeravni krithi devi neeye thunai and the emotive and expressive raga keeravani . Her guru is veena vidushi kalpagam swaminathan and I believe she also had a stint with one and only extraordinary Tiruvidaimarudhar Rajagopalan Subrahmanyam. (Attn Puchhas)May I know who composed this pallavi line was it composed by her or kalpagam mami or is it by any chance by her illustrious guru (TRS)puchhas wrote: The main piece for the concert was an RTP - Pallavi line being "Sakala Ulagir Kellam Devi Neeye Thunai; Unadhu Karunaikk Alavillaye" which she performed in raga Keeravani 2 kali Adi Thalam. The Ragam and Tanam were well elaborated and the RTP was wholesome and awesome. The whole "Ananta" - the entire Universe has been "shown" to the audience with her magical playing reminding one of the Sama Veda and its soothing Music.
I have heard her recording of hers last year-she is a fantastic vainika - unfortunately I have not heard her yet live. I also see her helping chennai in floods and collecting money. Looking forward to hear her saraswati veena - (hopefully that day when i hear her play she should take the saraswati veena and not electronic veena)
Mods
Add her name also in the title please so that google indexes and we can do a future search like what I have done.
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puchhas
- Posts: 4
- Joined: 12 Apr 2015, 02:18
Nirmala Rajasekar - Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena - March 12th and 13th 2016
Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena @ Columbus Ohio - Dhvani Columbus and Otterbein University
Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena concert performed by Smt Nirmala Rajasekar, accompanied by Sri VVS Murari (violin) and Sri Tanjavur Muruga Boopathi (mridangam) was phenomenal.
This was a special concert arranged by Dhvani Columbus in association with the Otterbein University. Please see link below
http://www.otterbein.edu/News/2016/03/0 ... h-invasion
Smt Nirmala started the concert with the introduction of 2000 year old "Saraswathi Veena". The history of Veena Carnatic music and the way it is played in comparison to western scales and what the gamakams aka oscillations in western terms mean to the carnatic tradition were well explained.
She brought spring to the concert hall by starting a Varnam in Kadanakuthuhalam by Shri Mysore Vasudevachar, raising the spirits, happiness and joy among the audience. This rousing start was evident in the happy expressions on audience' faces. This was followed by salutations to Lord Ganesha in Dikshitar's Malahari composition Panchamathanga, very pleasant and calm. The kalpana swarams she played make one think of the vast scope and potential of this ragam, which is familiar more through the beautiful four pillari Geethams. The audience was made aware of this potential in this very well etched section.
Unlike many other Veena artists, Nirmala Rajasekar has a unique style in which she succinctly explains the meaning of the lines of the compositions she performs. Such was the composition Vazhi Marai Thirukkudha in Natakuranji when she narrated the story of Nandanar. I learned later that this composition was requested by a non Indian audience member before she began the concert (it seems he had heard her perform this some years ago). She took us into the beauty of this composition by Shri Gopalakrishna Bharathi in which she played a short neraval as well.
The main piece for the concert was an RTP - Pallavi line being "Sakala Ulagir Kellam Devi Neeye Thunai; Unadhu Karunaikk Alavillaye" which she performed in raga Keeravani 2 kali Adi Thalam. The Ragam and Tanam were well elaborated and the RTP was wholesome and awesome. The whole "Ananta" - the entire Universe has been "shown" to the audience with her magical playing reminding one of the Sama Veda and its soothing Music.
Other compositions in the concert included Srirama srirama by Sri Thyagaraja in Sahana, and Purandara Dasa's Ragi Tandiro in Chakravakam were exquisitely rendered. Anything so wonderful has to end on a note of goodwill and blessing. The concert concluded with Thyagaraja Swmay's Pavamaana.
*********************************************************************************
The Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena, resonated to even greater distances the next day at the Dayton Hindu Temple.
This concert at the Lord Balaji temple started with a Varnam- karunimpa in Sahana, followed by Siddhi Vinayakam in Shanmukhapriya by Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Following this came the grand composition in praise of Lord Venkateshwara Sri Venkata Gireesha malokaye in Surutti ragam. This was preceded by a classic alapana of the ragam by both Smt.Nirmala and Sri Murari.
Tyagaraja's Sarasa samadana was lovely. The main raga for the evening was Shankarabharam, The Raga Alapana was detailed and elaborate befitting the grand raga, This was followed by a ragamalika thanam in which Smt.Nirmala elaborated on Kanada and Saraswathi while Sri Murari responded with Kalyani and Ranjani. The Papanasam Sivan krithi Mahalakshmi Jaganmatha in Misra Chapu thalam had a detailed neraval section for the lines 'Parkadal tharum Kripakari Parindhu vandennai Aadhari'. The Thani Avarthanam that followed the kalpana swarams was mind blowing. One could hear the neraval lines ring crystal clean in Sri Murgaboopathi's tender strokes. What can be spoken about this entire suite of Shankarabharanam, simply spell bound.
The post main section included Chinnanchiru Kiliye chinnamma by Bharathiyaar which was a listeners request. Tribute to Shri Annamcharya was given through the lilting Lalitha piece Jayalakshmi Varalakshmi in rupaka thalam, the immortal MS number Dasana Madiko in Nadanamakriya followed and the concert ended with Shri Bhadrachala Ramadas mangalam 'Ramachandraya Janaka'.
The way in which Sri Murari accompanied Smt Nirmala was exemplary and admirable. His tonal quality was very aesthetic and pleasing.
The brilliant percussion section by Sri Boopathi, was praiseworthy. He literally made Mridangam "Sing" the sahityam. Thani avarthanam was sparkling and exciting. His creative mathematical combinations combined with wonderful right /left balance exhibit his high level skill and depth ...simply superb!!
Smt Nirmala made it into everyone's heart in the concert hall(s) by playing the "Sounds" of the Saraswathi Veena !!! A rare treat for the Ohio audiences indeed. Thanks and kudos to both the organizers for bringing this team to our area.[/quote]
Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena concert performed by Smt Nirmala Rajasekar, accompanied by Sri VVS Murari (violin) and Sri Tanjavur Muruga Boopathi (mridangam) was phenomenal.
This was a special concert arranged by Dhvani Columbus in association with the Otterbein University. Please see link below
http://www.otterbein.edu/News/2016/03/0 ... h-invasion
Smt Nirmala started the concert with the introduction of 2000 year old "Saraswathi Veena". The history of Veena Carnatic music and the way it is played in comparison to western scales and what the gamakams aka oscillations in western terms mean to the carnatic tradition were well explained.
She brought spring to the concert hall by starting a Varnam in Kadanakuthuhalam by Shri Mysore Vasudevachar, raising the spirits, happiness and joy among the audience. This rousing start was evident in the happy expressions on audience' faces. This was followed by salutations to Lord Ganesha in Dikshitar's Malahari composition Panchamathanga, very pleasant and calm. The kalpana swarams she played make one think of the vast scope and potential of this ragam, which is familiar more through the beautiful four pillari Geethams. The audience was made aware of this potential in this very well etched section.
Unlike many other Veena artists, Nirmala Rajasekar has a unique style in which she succinctly explains the meaning of the lines of the compositions she performs. Such was the composition Vazhi Marai Thirukkudha in Natakuranji when she narrated the story of Nandanar. I learned later that this composition was requested by a non Indian audience member before she began the concert (it seems he had heard her perform this some years ago). She took us into the beauty of this composition by Shri Gopalakrishna Bharathi in which she played a short neraval as well.
The main piece for the concert was an RTP - Pallavi line being "Sakala Ulagir Kellam Devi Neeye Thunai; Unadhu Karunaikk Alavillaye" which she performed in raga Keeravani 2 kali Adi Thalam. The Ragam and Tanam were well elaborated and the RTP was wholesome and awesome. The whole "Ananta" - the entire Universe has been "shown" to the audience with her magical playing reminding one of the Sama Veda and its soothing Music.
Other compositions in the concert included Srirama srirama by Sri Thyagaraja in Sahana, and Purandara Dasa's Ragi Tandiro in Chakravakam were exquisitely rendered. Anything so wonderful has to end on a note of goodwill and blessing. The concert concluded with Thyagaraja Swmay's Pavamaana.
*********************************************************************************
The Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena, resonated to even greater distances the next day at the Dayton Hindu Temple.
This concert at the Lord Balaji temple started with a Varnam- karunimpa in Sahana, followed by Siddhi Vinayakam in Shanmukhapriya by Shri Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Following this came the grand composition in praise of Lord Venkateshwara Sri Venkata Gireesha malokaye in Surutti ragam. This was preceded by a classic alapana of the ragam by both Smt.Nirmala and Sri Murari.
Tyagaraja's Sarasa samadana was lovely. The main raga for the evening was Shankarabharam, The Raga Alapana was detailed and elaborate befitting the grand raga, This was followed by a ragamalika thanam in which Smt.Nirmala elaborated on Kanada and Saraswathi while Sri Murari responded with Kalyani and Ranjani. The Papanasam Sivan krithi Mahalakshmi Jaganmatha in Misra Chapu thalam had a detailed neraval section for the lines 'Parkadal tharum Kripakari Parindhu vandennai Aadhari'. The Thani Avarthanam that followed the kalpana swarams was mind blowing. One could hear the neraval lines ring crystal clean in Sri Murgaboopathi's tender strokes. What can be spoken about this entire suite of Shankarabharanam, simply spell bound.
The post main section included Chinnanchiru Kiliye chinnamma by Bharathiyaar which was a listeners request. Tribute to Shri Annamcharya was given through the lilting Lalitha piece Jayalakshmi Varalakshmi in rupaka thalam, the immortal MS number Dasana Madiko in Nadanamakriya followed and the concert ended with Shri Bhadrachala Ramadas mangalam 'Ramachandraya Janaka'.
The way in which Sri Murari accompanied Smt Nirmala was exemplary and admirable. His tonal quality was very aesthetic and pleasing.
The brilliant percussion section by Sri Boopathi, was praiseworthy. He literally made Mridangam "Sing" the sahityam. Thani avarthanam was sparkling and exciting. His creative mathematical combinations combined with wonderful right /left balance exhibit his high level skill and depth ...simply superb!!
Smt Nirmala made it into everyone's heart in the concert hall(s) by playing the "Sounds" of the Saraswathi Veena !!! A rare treat for the Ohio audiences indeed. Thanks and kudos to both the organizers for bringing this team to our area.[/quote]
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puchhas
- Posts: 4
- Joined: 12 Apr 2015, 02:18
Nirmala Rajasekar - Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena - March 12th and 13th 2016
Dear rajeshnat,
She herself has composed the pallavi
not by any of her gurus...
I don't see an option to change the title ...any idea how to do it ? I tried to do it and it posted the entire review as a "reply" ....
Thanks
She herself has composed the pallavi
not by any of her gurus...I don't see an option to change the title ...any idea how to do it ? I tried to do it and it posted the entire review as a "reply" ....
Thanks
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Sreeni Rajarao
- Posts: 1290
- Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 08:19
Re: Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena
Rajesh,
Some additional information about Smt Nirmala's Guru-s .........
From the official website: nirmalarajasekar.com
Nirmala Rajasekar began her training in Veena at age 6 in Chennai from well known practitioners such as Sri Deva Kottai Narayana Iyengar and Smt. Kamala Aswathama. After moving to Bangalore, she learned at the Gana Mandira School in Basavangudi Smt. G Chennama and Smt. E. P. Alamelu.
She began her career as a soloist at age 13. Later in Chennai, she was guided by the revered veena vidushi the late Smt.Kalpakam Swaminathan. Nirmala has trained with her for nearly 30 years.Her vocal Gurus are Sri B.Sitarama Sarma and Prof T.R. Subramanyam.
And from my collection, a picture of Smt G Chennamma from the mid-1970s here:
Some additional information about Smt Nirmala's Guru-s .........
From the official website: nirmalarajasekar.com
Nirmala Rajasekar began her training in Veena at age 6 in Chennai from well known practitioners such as Sri Deva Kottai Narayana Iyengar and Smt. Kamala Aswathama. After moving to Bangalore, she learned at the Gana Mandira School in Basavangudi Smt. G Chennama and Smt. E. P. Alamelu.
She began her career as a soloist at age 13. Later in Chennai, she was guided by the revered veena vidushi the late Smt.Kalpakam Swaminathan. Nirmala has trained with her for nearly 30 years.Her vocal Gurus are Sri B.Sitarama Sarma and Prof T.R. Subramanyam.
And from my collection, a picture of Smt G Chennamma from the mid-1970s here:
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rajeshnat
- Posts: 10144
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04
Re: Nirmala Rajasekar - Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena - March 12th and 13th 2016
Wonderful - I know many TRS students can compose pallavispuchhas wrote:Dear rajeshnat,
She herself has composed the pallavi
I don't see an option to change the title ...any idea how to do it ? I tried to do it and it posted the entire review as a "reply" ....
Thanks
. Till i ask and you explicitly say we would not know. YOu can reedit the post within 24 hour windows. Mods - please change the title Nirmala Rajasekar - Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena - March 12th and 13th 2016
Last edited by rajeshnat on 20 Mar 2016, 14:39, edited 2 times in total.
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rajeshnat
- Posts: 10144
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04
Re: Sounds of the Saraswathi Veena
SreeniSreeni Rajarao wrote:Rajesh,
Some additional information about Smt Nirmala's Guru-s .........
From the official website: nirmalarajasekar.com
Nirmala Rajasekar began her training in Veena at age 6 in Chennai from well known practitioners such as Sri Deva Kottai Narayana Iyengar and Smt. Kamala Aswathama. After moving to Bangalore, she learned at the Gana Mandira School in Basavangudi Smt. G Chennama and Smt. E. P. Alamelu.
She began her career as a soloist at age 13. Later in Chennai, she was guided by the revered veena vidushi the late Smt.Kalpakam Swaminathan. Nirmala has trained with her for nearly 30 years.Her vocal Gurus are Sri B.Sitarama Sarma and Prof T.R. Subramanyam.
And from my collection, a picture of Smt G Chennamma from the mid-1970s here:
Tx for chenamma collection. Kamala aswathama is mother of the brilliant veenai Gayathri . Sitarama sharma is the guru of TMK and associated with kalakshetra. Looks vidushi nirmala has been blessed with lot of great gurus