CONCERTOPEDIA- AN INITIATIVE OF YAGNARAMAN MEMORIAL TRUST

[CRama]

Yagnaraman Memorial Trust formed in the Yagnaraman Centre for Performing Arts (rechristened name for Krishna Gana Sabha) has started a new project of conducting listening sessions of concerts of erstwhile masters in the AC Hall of Krishna Gana Sabha. This project was inaugurated by lighting the Kuthuvilakku by Sangeeta Kalanidhi Smt.Sudha Raghunathan at 6.00 PM on 30/4/16. The guests who had gathered in large numbers were treated with coffee/tea and biscuits. Ms Saswati Prabhu rendered the invocation song- Kandan seyal andro in Natakurinji composed by Maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman.

Sri.R.Sridhar, Trustee, YMT, in his welcome address mentioned about his long association with KGS and the yeoman service rendered by Sri. Yagnaraman for many decades in promotion of not only music, but all allied genres like dance, namasankeertanaam, Nagaswaram, Upanyasam etc. He added that Yagnaraman would have organised the largest number of concerts in India over the years. His USP was his ability to spot emerging talents and provide them platform, support them continuously and help them stabilise in this field. Many of his found artistes have become top stars in the later days. The new Bose accoustics was donated by the YMT. Mr. Sridhar further said that he had collected live concerts of many past masters, digitally remastered them and have preserved more than 30000 hours of carnatic music. He wanted to make this treasure available for the enjoyment of a large discerning public. While brain storming with the other trustees, this concept of organising listening sessions emerged. He sought the patronage of music lovers to come in large numbers and make this initiative a grand success.
The trust have other objectives too, like, promotion of young talents as Sri Yagnaraman was doing for many years, expand this project to other cities, and support other music institutions.

Smt. Sudha Raghunathan in her inaugural address, remembered the long association she had with KGS right from the days when she was singing along with her Guru MLV. She hailed the initiative of late Yagnaraman in spotting the right talent, nurturing them by giving repeat platforms so that they will get confidence and sustainability. She lauded the project of Concertopedia- an opportunity for music lovers to listen to the concert of yester year stalwarts and relive those days. It is utmost beneficial to upcoming singers too, as the inputs obtained while listening to great masters is unparalleled. They should make use of this opportunity. Even though now many of these music are available in other platforms, yet sitting in an auditorium and listening to those concerts will be a different experience. She said that the challenge for the organisers will be to bring audience to listen to the concert- for it is only listening, not watching and listening. But seeing the huge crowd gathered here, she said that she is quite optimistic about the support of music lovers to the initiative.

SR gave some innovative ideas to attract audience. A lucky dip or quiz can be conducted every time and prize given to winners. A famous musician, probably a scion of the same lineage can be present in the sessions and he or she can share his or her experiences/anecdotes with the musician whose concert is featured. Yesterday was Sudha Raghunathan’s birthday and everybody felicitated the vidushi on this happy occasion.

The person involved in operationalization of this project is Mr. Essel Narasimhan, a prominent figure among the music aficionados in the city, who is musically and technologically very much savvy, who has painstakingly collected lots of music from every nook and corner, converted them digitally and created a huge treasure of music for the posterity.

After the inauguration, the first listening session started. Being the first day, it was a medley of many musicians. I am giving the list below.
1. Ariyakudi, Chowdiah, PMI, Umayalpuram Kodandarama Iyer -Vanajakshiro- Adi tala varnam-
2. MDR, Chalakudy Narayanaswamy, UKS-Academy, 1972, Vathapi
3. Alathur Bros- Cheraravademira- Reethigowla
4. GNB-Chalakudi Narayanaswamy, SVS Narayanan- Ragasudharasa
5. Semmangudi, LGJ,UKS- Pankajalochana, Navarathri Mandapam, 1967
6. MLV-Slokam- Vame Bhoomi sutha
7. LGJ, LGJR Krishnan, Vellore- Thillana-Sindubhairavi.

A few observations on the above music.
1.Ariyakudi- Voice was very good, strength, clarity, no shivering. Ariyakudi is synonymous with proportion, brevity. However, in this concert, it was quite surprising that he had sung a much lengthy cascade of swaras for the varnam- more like a sub main. Highly enjoyable with others embellishing the concert. It was also told that there is some doubt whether the Mridangam is by PMI.
2.MDR- There was no alapana. Keerthanam followed by abundant cracker swaras in two kalams.
3. Cheraravademira- No alapana. Keerthanam with chisselled sangathis and brief swaras. IIRC, the accompanists are T.S.Thathachary on the violin and M.L.Veerabhadrayya on the Mridangam. (It was not announced.)
4. GNB- There was a very good alapana of Andolika preceding the kriti. No swaras. It was told that this is from the famous Kallidakurichi concert. GNB was quite unwell and to honour the commitment given earlier, he performed the concert. Essel told that this concert has a Shanmugapriya RTP- the best Shanmugapriya rendered and recorded by any musician so far.
5. Semmangudi- Before the music started, Yessel very rightly said- the combination of musicians greatly loved by our generation. OMG! What a music. There was no raga alapana. Probably not played for lack of time. But the song, neraval and the whirl of swaras with the highest energy, manodharmam and craftsmanship. Fantastic.
6. MLV- Slokam Vami Bhoomisutha- ragams Nadanamakriya, Chenjuruti,Yamunakalyani. It was a very young MLV. Brilliant sangathis. I have not heard this earlier.
7.Thillana- Fitting finale. That too, when the musician (GJRK) was sitting along with us enjoying the performance.

It was a brilliant show. Even though, many of these concerts are available with other music lovers, the sheer quality of recording plus the Bose acoustics, right volume, balancing, made it an exalting experience. Just like hearing the live concert of great masters in KGS. Thanks for the initiative of YMT and wishing all success for the same. It was told the sessions will be held on a monthly basis, if not on a fortnightly basis. The programme ended at 8.30 P.M.

P.S. Whether KGS will henceforth be known as Yagnaraman Centre for Performing Arts. KGS is a significant landmark in T.Nagar for music and dance. It is desirable that it retains its same name.

[Rsachi]

A via media would be
Krishna Gana Sabha Auditorium
Yegnaraman Centre of Performing Arts
(like TTK Auditorium and Music Academy, Gnanananda Hall and NGS etc)

[CRama]

RSachi, The auditorium is already named after Nalli- NALLI GANA VIHAR.

[Rsachi]

Ok.
Marketing #101: don't call a well-known brand by any other name unless you want to destroy its market value.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Intended listening to the music of doyens of the golden past is surely a way to enhance our level of appreciation. Getting assembled in a place for this experience is definitely superior to listening in the house as distractions would be minimum and 'guided listening' will be a bonus.
Yessellen deserves kudos in putting this idea into reality with the solid support of an organisation like KGS. I was one among the pioneer listeners when he started ' mottaimaadi Kutcheris during the nineties with the active cooperation of a like minded music lovers. The concerts were mostly held in the terraces to minimise noise from outside. The sessions would end with snacks. And over a couple of events the listeners would have formed into a close knit group. Now that Yessellen has institutionalised the concept, it is bound to stay.
Thanks CRama for the wonderful notes which gave the third dimension of imagining the listening experience!
(Shall continue later )

[vasanthakokilam]

Sachi, Right. I guess when they sold that name, KGS was not the name of the hall but the sabha itself. Another principle of marketing is, work backwards from what you want people to call it. As kinder gartenish that principle is, that name is there for people to use it identify it, people go out of their way to name things in interesting ways. As in baby names these days, people get deep into Sanskrit. I have indulged in that myself quite a few times in such baby naming exercises. The objective there is to come up with an uncommon name with a good meaning but most are very hard to pronounce. People will find a way to morph it/shorten it so it is easy on the tongue and so one has to make sure that such a morphed one will be to your liking. Here people will find it weird to say 'I am going to 'Yagnaraman' this evening' " or they will shorten it. Another one that is named after a person is now shortened to 'pettAchi'. May be in this case, in our generation and next, it will still be called KGS, or 'formerly called KGS, and after that, it will be known as Yagna. I guess that is not too bad

But back to the topic, excellent idea. Kudos to Yagnaraman center for performing arts. MMI fan club has been doing this now for quite a while and they get 100+ people for most gatherings. It is quite surreal to see a hall full of people sitting there with no one on stage. Only when you look carefully, you will see a garlanded framed photo of MMI.

Thanks CRama for the excellent report.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

5. Semmangudi- Before the music started, Yessel very rightly said- the combination of musicians greatly loved by our generation. OMG! What a music. There was no raga alapana. Probably not played for lack of time. But the song, neraval and the whirl of swaras with the highest energy, manodharmam and craftsmanship. Fantastic.

'Pankajalochana' was Semmangudi's favourite and unless kalyani was the main kriti (paahi maam sri vageeswari) of the day at the Navaratri mandapam, Pankajalochana would be certainly there with an excellent alapana, neraval and swaras. TNK (violin) and Vellore Rambhadran (Mridangam)were his preferred accompanists. On many occasions 'kinthu cheyvu njaan innaho' - padam in Kalyani would be included in addition to Pankajalochana as a bonus!

MDR's reetigoula & kedaram will also be eagerly awaited in the series.

[thanjavooran]

Thanks Shri CRama for the detailed report.
What is in the name ? We want output.
Thanjavooran
02 05 2016

[rajeshnat]

Many years before yagnaraman recognized talent and gave opportunity for artists to have *live * performances. While mmi listening group conducts in ps high school in a class room which is not concert hall is ok ,as such that day the dakshinamoorthy hall in ps high school is available for live concert.

it is ok to have a recording played in halls on the centenary day etc and perhaps followup with a live concert .To just use the hall for only recorded music of past masters thereby not giving opportunities for present musicians is certainly not a right thing to do at all. There are 100's of musicians, dancers struggling with lack of a hall to present and instead using the 3rd biggest hall to hear recordings in the evening . Thank god shri yagnaraman did not play recording of Lalgudi gopala iyer in 1960 to 1990's otherwise I would have never heard lalgudi jayaraman in a live concert in skgs-main hall.

[vasanthakokilam]

There are 100's of musicians, dancers struggling with lack of a hall to present

Is that really true?

I thought the problem typically is lack of audience

[kvchellappa]

There are many off days and I do not see this initiative cutting into live performances.

[hnbhagavan]

The archives are being made use off and there is no cost involved.Could be a bonus to listen to doyens of CM.

[Nick H]

Yagnaraman Memorial Trust formed in the Yagnaraman Centre for Performing Arts (rechristened name for Krishna Gana Sabha)

One expects more sense from the trustees and committee members of such a great institution. Would Dr Nalli ever consider changing the name of his shops?

Ok.
Marketing #101: don't call a well-known brand by any other name unless you want to destroy its market value.

Now, and for the next several years, just try asking an auto driver for "Yagnaraman Centre for performing Arts." He might wonder if you are even in the right city. Now, and for the next several years, just try asking an auto driver for Krishna Gana Sabha. He'll take you straight there.

One of the original perpetrators of this foolish "please erase us from your memory" rebranding exercise was NCR: three letters that, at the time, were almost as famous as I, B and M. But, one inauspicious day, the directors decided that, hey, they didn't make Cash Registers any longer and should change their name. The next day, nobody in the world had a clue who the company was. Probably nobody other than company historians would even know the name they chose: it had zero impact at the time, why would they remember it decades later? By tomorrow, I and many others, will have forgotten Yagnaraman blah blah adn we'll all be going to KGS.

With all due respect to Sri Yagnaraman, come on, KGS. Come off it. You have been KGS, you are KGS, and you will continue, to us, to be KGS. Liive with it. Do the sensible thing: admit the monumental mistake and re-re-brand!

Can we have a new thread for these posts please? I suggest "KGS and the absurdity of rebranding"

[Rsachi]

When you do move Nick's brilliant post, please move this one also.

The name Krishna Gana Sabha or Sarasvati Fine Arts Society or Nada Brahma Sabha or Navaratri Mantapam or.. invokes a certain imagery. I had the imagery of KGS even before I went there in late 60's. It was that of a sabha of music lovers who connected with Sri Krishna, the darling of millions and the epitome of beauty and joy.

I attended so many wonderful musical and dance performances. A hot house of sweating art enthusiasts with a train hoot to boot slowly gave way to coloured pillars, canteens, and now some trendy monochrome patterned themes and air conditioning. The imagery never changed.
I knew that KGS was "owned" by Lalgudi and a dedicated Secretary Mr Yegnaraman.

Now if I hear YCPA, i first smile and think OK, a copy of the famous NCPA of Bombay, with its brilliant ambience and dedicated trustees- many pharsees. When you expand the name to Yegnaraman Centre for Performing Arts, I say, wow, here is an exercise in rebranding. Will it ever replace the imagery of KGS? Actually no. It will remain unremarkable and unrecognisable like a modern painting on a wall next to a beautiful mural of Krishna.

A second thought would be: "Ok, it's a second generation tinkering, all in the name of perpetuating the old man's memory."

OK! Here is a great opportunity. Someone like GRT should start a Krishna Gana Sabha in T. Nagar! They may at worst be needed to add the word, New in front.

All this simply explains what I said before: Marketing # 101.

[Purist]

RSachi, the Sri Krishna connection to KGS is very true and their 'Gokulastami' concert festival ranks high on the popularity list, perhaps even more than Marghai festival at the very same venue.

[CRama]

it is ok to have a recording played in halls on the centenary day etc and perhaps followup with a live concert .To just use the hall for only recorded music of past masters thereby not giving opportunities for present musicians is certainly not a right thing to do at all. There are 100's of musicians, dancers struggling with lack of a hall to present and instead using the 3rd biggest hall to hear recordings in the evening . Thank god shri yagnaraman did not play recording of Lalgudi gopala iyer in 1960 to 1990's otherwise I would have never heard lalgudi jayaraman in a live concert in skgs-main hall.

Rajesh, You are too cynical, I feel. Dancers and musicians are struggling not because of availability of halls, but for want of organisations to support them and for rasikas to encourage them. KGS hall will not be engaged for 365 days.Playing recorded music will not be at the cost of cutting down live programmes. Playing recorded music also involves some cost- AC, electricity etc. Giving for live programmes will yield income to the sabha. So they know very well how to work out the economics and also their predominant role in the field of fine arts. Further they have two halls- one big and one mini. I feel that, if the audience is lesser, they will use the Mini Hall for Concertopedia.

[rajeshnat]

Dancers and musicians are struggling not because of availability of halls, but for want of organisations to support them and for rasikas to encourage them. KGS hall will not be engaged for 365 days.Playing recorded music will not be at the cost of cutting down live programms. Playing recorded music also involves some cost- AC, electricity etc. Giving for live programmes will yield income to the sabha. So they know very well how to work out the economics and also their predominant role in the field of fine arts. Further they have two halls- one big and one mini. I feel that, if the audience is lesser, they will use the Mini Hall for Concertopedia.

Crama
you have not seen the trend of skgs over the years . the main hall is not used as much as what it used to be say 5 years before. in 2001 to 2007 almost every week for atleast 50% time of the year there used to be concerts .Now main hall is not used that much at all .

Also in margazhi season if you count no of concerts in skgs main hall it is less than perhaps 7 . This hall is more used for upanyasam series and lot of dance . that is just a tangential point. even top drawn artists donot get to sing in skgs every year as the opportunities have come down to live performances and if they miss gokulashtami or margazhi they draw blank in main hall.

Usually the norm is always to have a function (centenary, anniversary or in this case opening up archives )may be they should have played for 20 to 30 minutes and then give an opportunity for a live concert for a present artist.I remember 3 or 4 years back there was one whole day of lalgudi day where records were played in the day and in the evening the lalgudi siblings played a live concert . now they are playing multiple yesteryear artists recordings and hogging the entire saturday evening with only recordings on a prime evening - i have a different opinion . we will disagree and move on crama.

[rajeshnat]

vk
i am pretty sure that sudha ragunathan who was invited to ribbon cut for this record replay is capable to have a hall somewhat full on a saturday evening prime time - that too considering that she did not sing last year because of her temporary setback

[rajeshnat]

The name Krishna Gana Sabha or Sarasvati Fine Arts Society or Nada Brahma Sabha or Navaratri Mantapam or.. invokes a certain imagery. I had the imagery of KGS even before I went there in late 60's. It was that of a sabha of music lovers who connected with Sri Krishna, the darling of millions and the epitome of beauty and joy.

I attended so many wonderful musical and dance performances. A hot house of sweating art enthusiasts with a train hoot to boot slowly gave way to coloured pillars, canteens, and now some trendy monochrome patterned themes and air conditioning. The imagery never changed.
I knew that KGS was "owned" by Lalgudi and a dedicated Secretary Mr Yegnaraman.

Rsachi
great points , this hall is very special in another way too. inside of the main hall , you have a series of small portraits of many many yesteryear artists ranging even from the generation of ariyakudi ,murisi,tnr, flute mali, pmi , santhanam ,mlv etal. Some times i have even turned my head to look at those portraits and heard the live concert creating that extra muse which is only exclusively there in skgs. Also their wonderful cane chairs is so soothing . this sabha has built close to half a century of aura and divinity.

In recent years ,Now as soon as you enter the hall you see a fairly big bronze portrait of shri yegnaraman . While shri yegnaraman is an extraordinary Secretary and has done wonders - I have tremendous respect for him. But when i saw it for the first time i was thinking could they not have bronze statues of trinities instead of shri yegnaraman. Also in general should sabha secretaries hog the same limelight as the artists which is usually not the case. Now with the hall name change which is part of this thread now i am connecting better. Apart from lalgudi to an extent maharajapuram also had a lot of influence .

I am not marketing guru like you- but perhaps ownership 100 precedes marketing 101.

[Sundara Rajan]

If and when the idea of weekly or fortnightly programs does materialize, it has to be a ticketed program, in order to make ends meet. Be assured that most of the audience/listeners will be old timers/senior citizens, as only such folks make up the majority even in current live carnatic concerts. In view of this, the program can be held on weekday evenings at a nominal admission fare, leaving the week ends for high ticketed live programs of current artists as well as upcoming artists. Just a suggestion.

[vasanthakokilam]

vk
i am pretty sure that sudha ragunathan who was invited to ribbon cut for this record replay is capable to have a hall somewhat full on a saturday evening prime time - that too considering that she did not sing last year because of her temporary setback

Very true. But I thought you were talking about upcoming and struggling musicians who will be affected by this kind of activity taking up valuable sabha space.

[Nick H]

It doesn't matter. Like NCR (they had the sense to revert), NGS has now wiped itself off the map. Even the artists won't know where to go. Only the committee members will ever reach the place now

[Nick H]

KGS has now wiped itself off the map.

(With A K, not an N, as in my previous post. I am known for getting my Ks, Ms, Ns, etc in a twist )

Nope: it is still very much on the map. It is still KGS in its announcements as per The Hindu Today: just, it now has an ...and Yagnaraman Centre for Performing Arts tagged on.

Looks like we got all upset over nothing.

If only Harimau was here... I'm sure he'd have put us straight!