Vinay Sharva At Raga Sudha

[melam72]

Vinay Sharva Vocal
K.j. Dileep Violin
Vijay Natesan Mrudangam
B.S.Purushotham Kanjira

Started with Sarasuda in Saveri (because there absolutely exists no other Saveri Varnam).

Very nasal voice, but technically perfect. Lakshana versus Lakshya debate rises aflame!

[melam72]

Alapana of Shuddha Dhanyasi, followed by Bhavamulona.

Whatever happened to open-throated singers? No akaram whatsoever - 'la', 'na', and 'ri' abound. Not even an attempt at open-throated singing. If he was sick, he should have cancelled. His voice appears thin in places, especially when attempting brigas like in 'P N S N P M'. Proper voice culture should be imbibed, as well as regular akara sathakam.

[melam72]

Suddha Seemanthani now. Janaki Ramana. The amount of nasality in the 'na' of Janaki Ramani made me shudder...

Sarvalaghu swarams for Rakta Nalina Dara.

Young man (although I suspect he is only slightly younger than me) is very talented. His swarams come out like a riparian kaleidoscope of varied hues without any silt or breakages. Karvas implied are artistic and appropriate, and ornament the work. Yet, his nasality is odious and frankly could be practiced away. I don't even think that Semmangudi's voice was this nasal at this stage.

KJ Dileep as usual is consistent and clean. Slightly scratchy bowing, but that will go off by the time he plays for more vidwans for longer periods of time during the Season or Cleveland or B'lore Ramanavami.

Mridangam is non-obtrusive and enhances the krithi.

[melam72]

Marivere Gathi after an exquisite alapana. Because, like the Case of the Saveri Varnam, there exists no other song in Anandabhairavi.

His voice lacks the azhuttam to compensate for the nasality, which it did for Semmangudi and for Nathuram (Saketharam). A lovely alabama by Dileep and him too. A dignity and discipline of stage mannerisms unlike the Cowherdess or the Car Driver. A fresh (abeit nasal) voice.

[melam72]

An RTP in Shanmukhapriya now (45 minutes into the concert). Tishra Jhampa Talam, Khanda Nadai, giving 30 aksharams in 1-kalai and multiples thereof for multiplicity of kalais. I wonder if he is going to do the pallavi in 'one-and-a-half kalai' (my term, not anyone else's).

[vijay.siddharth]

'one-and-a-half kalai' (my term, not anyone else's).

Mr Melam72,

It was my term, and a perfectly good one at that. I might not be good at naming things, but I know that one-and-a-half-kalai is not a stupid term

No Cheers

Siddharth

[melam72]

Violin reply now.

Scratchiness magically scratched into oblivion! The violinist's playing is imaginative, fretless, and like an amalgam of all of the world's honey!

He (like most violinists - notable exceptions include Ganesh Kumaresh, Akkarai Subhalakshmi, Lalgudi GJR Krishnan/Viji, and Narmadha) should attempt playing both varnams in adi talam and ata talam in multiple speeds (ideally 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 swarams per aksharam) to reduce this and improve both their control over laya and their bowing.

[melam72]

Just heard a brief graha bedham into Kanada and possibly Natakurinchi by singing it shadjamam- and panchamam- vajraym. Brilliant display of technical mastery, but nothing new. Gayathri's lec dem of the same is on YouTube and easily accessible by Mr Sharva.

[vijay.siddharth]

I found a pallavi in the same ragam, talam, and nadai as the one he intends to sing in. It is as follows:

Saravana Bhava Guhane (ARUDI) Arumugane

Eduppu 4 after samam.

[melam72]

Lovely tanam (with scratchiness of violin in durita kalam). Pallavi about to begin.

Apparently it is Saravanabhava Guhane Kumarane Shanmughane, and a composition of Nedunuri Krishnamurthy.

[melam72]

Pallavi Neraval is expansive and glitters with priceless brigas and sangathis. The arudi space is used very effectively by the main artist to bring out the raga swaroopam, making it rich. Unlike tukkuda pallavis, the neraval is not some 'tick-in-the-box' thing- it is rendered with so much dedication, enthusiasm and energy that the artist forgot to include his nasal voice to imitate Semmangudi!

The mridangam I must admit is fantastic in supporting the concert (not being asinine and aggressive, like in other concerts). The sarvalaghu (especially during the neraval) brings to mind Vellore Ramabhadram. With a little bit of effort, we will see a Sarvalaghu Parabhraman in Vijay Natesan. Unfortunately, the kanjira is very recitent.

Swarams show a strong knowledge of laya and a knowledge of tamil (no butchering of words).

[melam72]

Talam has been reduced to Chaturashra nadai. High octane swarams in sarvalaghu going on now. Vocalist's voice is not nasal, but violin is very squeaky. Ganjira needs to be more assertive; the artist behaves like a bashful bride, and the volume of the ganjira is too low.

Koraippu is fantastic with sarvalaghu pattern of swarams evoking janta varisai!

[melam72]

Listened to Tani avarthanam! Fascinating, though I didn't pay particular attention.

Now Bagesri - 'Vandipe Amma Muddu Sharade', Purandaradasa? Would've preferred a Sagara Shayana Vibho...

[melam72]

Did I hear a bit of Tamil? I heard Jagannatha Vittala - any idea who that is?

[melam72]

Sublime Sindhu Bhairavi followed by Venkatachala Nilayam. You see, Venkatachala Nilayam is an ekaika raga krithi...

[melam72]

Pacy Patiki Hariti in Surutti to conclude the concert!

[Lakshman]

melam72 wrote

Started with Sarasuda in Saveri (because there absolutely exists no other Saveri Varnam).

I should point out that there are at least a dozen other varNAs in sAvEri rAgA.

[narayara000]

Melam72 was being sarcastic

[arasi]

So long as sAr is not caustic...

[melam72]

From http://www.karnatik.com/varnams.shtml,

SAVERI VARNAMS IN EXISTENCE:
Edo karanam ariyene vado shudo kanda dasan midu (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Pattamadai Krishna Iyer
Ela ne vani joli chalunika (pv) - Saveri - Adi - Tiger Varadachari
Inta kannada jeduvura idi (tv) - Saveri - K/Ata - T.Ramasvami Dikshitar
Iravum paghalum unnaiye enni irundum (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Nerur Shrinivasachar
Kaliki ninne koriyunnadira karunajudavademira (tv) - Saveri - K/Ata - Tiruvettiyur Tyagayya
Kanchi kamakshi kavai nilayatakshi (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Mangalam Ganapati
Maheshe vame shyamale saubhagya shile (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Pallavi Subbiah Bhagavatar
Mamava (tv) - Saveri - K/Ata - R.K.Suryanarayana
Manasetiki karagadura ma (tv) - Saveri - Ata - Patnam Subramania Iyer
Mane moham sakhiyene mayura sami midu tane (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Kotishvara Iyer
Nirajakshi vinavamma na mida dayado (tv) - Saveri - M/Jhampa - Vina Sheshanna
Nive dikkani namminadanaranevaruchi elukora (tv) - Saveri - Ata - Tirunelveli Vengu Bhagavatar
Pazham udir sholai valar (tv) - Saveri - Adi - C.S.Natarajasundaram Pillai
Sami sada ninne (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Patnam Subramania Iyer
Sarasiruha bhava (tv) - Saveri - Ata - M.D.Ramanatahan
Sarasuda ninne kori chala marulu konnadira (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Patnam Subramania Iyer
Sarigadu neranammina viriboni (tv) - Saveri - T/Triputa - K.Natesa Pillai
Sarojaksha ni (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Vinai Kuppier
Shri devi un kamala padam maravada enranukku (tv) - Saveri - Adi - V.A.Dandayuda Dikshitar
Taralakshini baya jesini taruni (tv) - Saveri - M/Jhampa - Vinai Krishnamacharya
Tarunam iduve shanmukha tannarul (tv) - Saveri - Adi - K.Muttukumarasvami Varaghoor
Tenral vandu enran deham toya nainden (tv) - Saveri - Adi - V.S.Gomatishankara Iyer
Turandarkkum tuvvadavarkkum irandarkkum (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Tiruvalluvar (VSG)
Vanajaksha ninne nammiyunna vanitapai (pv) - Saveri - K/Ata - Svati Tirunal

SAVERI VARNAMS BEING SUNG:
Sarasuda ninne kori chala marulu konnadira (tv) - Saveri - Adi - Patnam Subramania Iyer

Why this discrepancy?

Because the musician is so poor that he is unable to invest in a book of compositions costing 400-500 rupees?
Because the musician has other priorities than expanding his repertoire and learning new pieces to entertain an audience?
Or because the musician cannot care enough about the audience or about his own reputation, just hungry for money, selling a product and not performing?

You be the judge.

[advaitin]

there seems to be one more from Swati. Have heard Parassala Ponnammal mami sing this. " Saveriha Tanuja""

[melam72]

there seems to be one more from Swati. Have heard Parassala Ponnammal mami sing this. " Saveriha Tanuja""

You are right. It is a stava varnam.

[hnbhagavan]

Are there any yesteryear musicians records who used to sing Saveri Varnams other than Sarasuda?

[bhakthim dehi]

You are right. It is a stava varnam

What is a stava varnam?

[melam72]

A stava varnam is a subset of a pada varnam which is usually a paean to a deity in the form of a hymn (Stava means hymn). These varnams are usually bereft of Sringara themes (like other varnams, where Lotus-eyed, Forest-eyed, and Water-eyed women harken for a lord). They can also be nara-stutis too (like Baluswami Dikshitar's Nattai varnam, Sri Rajadhiraja).

[melam72]

Are there any yesteryear musicians records who used to sing Saveri Varnams other than Sarasuda?

As mentioned above, Parasalla Ponnammal used to sing Saveriha Tanuja. Other members can contribute.

[sureshvv]

Because the musician is ...? <diatribe deleted>

Because the musician has ...? <diatribe deleted>

Or because the musician cannot ...? <diatribe deleted>

You be the judge.

Funny how you attempt to diagnose the situation by ascribing motives to the musician (producer) but none to rasikas (consumer). You need to look more carefully in the mirror.

[melam72]

Funny how you attempt to diagnose the situation by ascribing motives to the musician (producer) but none to rasikas (consumer)

Most rasikas are tired of hearing the same songs again and again in the same sequence. Call it bad luck, but a couple years ago, I had the misfortune of listening to the same Thodi varnam in half of my concerts. Last season, the same Sahana varnam. If the rasika (I am talking about the rasika, not the cows who chew upon the same thing without understanding its nuances or appreciating it) can do anything about it, he/she/ze would. But rasikas are too few and far between...

(Note: having an account on Rasikas.org doesn't make you a rasika, just so you wouldn't be confused)

[sureshvv]

You seem to want to define "rasika" according to your own criteria some of which I can sympathize with. But the fact of the matter is that the artistes are pretty much providing what the audience/organizers are demanding, which is what makes them successful.

[melam72]

But the fact of the matter is that the artistes are pretty much providing what the audience/organizers are demanding, which is what makes them successful.

Just like people pretty much stopped presenting the Mohana raga varnam, I hope that even the most Bovine rasikas tire of these beaten-to-death varnams and move to rarer varnams like those in Devamanohari or Hamsanadam or Bowli or Kamalamanohari.

[narayara000]

Vanajaksha ninne nammiyunna vanitapai (pv) - Saveri - K/Ata - Svati Tirunal

Sanjay sings this varnam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grIf2KuiR8A

sAvErihatanujA

Amrutha Venkatesh sings this varnam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPc5D2uSVxA

[melam72]

Well, the Car Driver and Amrutha Venkatesh are committed to unearthing rare compositions and presenting them in a way that is palatable to the masses. The former, of course, has little respect for the stage or to music, while the latter understands the struggles to get opportunities, making her performance more wholesome.

[shankarank]

like other varnams, where Lotus-eyed, Forest-eyed, and Water-eyed women harken for a lord

That is a nice translation of kamalAkshi , vanajAkshi and nIrajAkshi! . In the same crude vein , I don't know how this escaped the characterization of misogyny where Women are being stereo-typed!

[sureshvv]

The former, of course, has little respect for...

Hmmm,,,

[bhakthim dehi]

Thank you melam72 for your explanation.

[sureshvv]

like other varnams, where Lotus-eyed, Forest-eyed, and Water-eyed women harken for a lord

That is a nice translation of kamalAkshi , vanajAkshi and nIrajAkshi! .

Not sure about nice but 66% incorrect as the "jA" syllable has not been accounted for.

[arasi]

Melam,
Caste system being created in our rasikA community too? Your fierce love for CM exceeds that of many of us serfs perhaps, but your knowledge does not allow you my lord, to deign us and music's practitioners alike...

Then again, we are forgetting that cowherdess is an honorable name, considering that Krishna himself was a cowherd. His charioteer may be called a car driver or a cart driver for your own reasons, and so, we shouldn't bother?

Amrutha deserves to be a top star in CM, but once she reaches the top, I wonder what name you are going to call her

[sureshvv]

Amrutha deserves to be a top star in CM, but once she reaches the top, I wonder what name you are going to call her

Chronic failures cannot tolerate another person's success. So expect it to be something really vile!

[melam72]

Then again, we are forgetting that cowherdess is an honorable name, considering that Krishna himself was a cowherd. His charioteer may be called a car driver or a cart driver for your own reasons, and so, we shouldn't bother?

There are merits in their music. Fewer in Aruna's music, but merits nonetheless. But I refuse to stand by as the unwashed Bovine masses believe that their music is 'classical' in the case of Aruna, and I refuse to let people believe that Sanjay's strange vocalisations and gestures are aesthetic.

I am a teacher by profession, of a subject close to my heart;
Let me not let this lack of aesthetics in my love be a dart
to my heart
and do not let them carry off my unknowing body on a cart!

Amrutha deserves to be a top star in CM, but once she reaches the top, I wonder what name you are going to call her

First let her reach to the top. You cannot be anyone in Carnatic music without moving to Madras. Her music is good, but there are equally competent musicians in Madras like Amrutha Murali and Gayathri Kamakoti. If she doesn't at least begin splitting time between Bangalore and Madras to begin with and move to Madras ultimately, she is going to be like a thousand-wala which burns out halfway.

[arasi]

And, where were we?
With Vijay Shrava's concert!

[shankarank]

like other varnams, where Lotus-eyed, Forest-eyed, and Water-eyed women harken for a lord

That is a nice translation of kamalAkshi , vanajAkshi and nIrajAkshi! .

Not sure about nice but 66% incorrect as the "jA" syllable has not been accounted for.

The 34% or thereabout missing is the reason why there is an at the end