Dr Nirmala Sundararajan for Chennai Fine Arts 25 Nov

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Chennai Fine Arts
Release of monograph on Veena Dhanammal
followed by a concert by Dr Nirmala Sundararajan
@ Sastri Hall, Chennai
25 Nov 2017
6-9 pm

Dr Nirmala Sundararajan-Vocal
Dr M Narmada-Violin
J Vaidyanathan-Mridangam
Papanasam Sethuraman-Kanjira

Chennai Fine Arts, as part of the ongoing 150th birth anniversary of Veena Dhanammal has published a monograph under the T S Parathasarathy Endowment of Rangamandira Trust, Chennai as a tribute to the legendary Vidushi. It was released by noted danseuse Leela Samson and received by Yadav, grandson of T Sankaran and great grandson of the legend, at a solemn function in Chennai on 25 Nov 2017. The venue was the haloed Sastri Hall which has witnessed many a musical evening of the golden era of Carnatic music.

Dr B M Sundaram and Chitravina N Ravikiran are the contributors of the Monograph which has an attractive cover design and sketches by P N Muralidharan Founder and Managing Trustee of Chennai Fine Arts. Chitravina N Narasimhan, B M Sundaram, several musicians and rasikas attended the event. P N Muralidharan explained the background of publication of the monograph which gives information on Dhanammal, significance of her music and times in a nutshell. A family tree chart, vintage photos and pictures makes the compact monograph of 50 pages very valuable.

The concert was presented by Dr Nirmala Sundararajan – one of the torchbearers of the Dhanammal school- giving the event an authentic touch.

The concert
Compositions rendered:

1. Varnam -kambhoji -kundrakudi krishna Iyer
2. Veenapustaka dharinim- Vegavahini- Muthuswamy Dikshitar
3. Nisarisati - Kalyani- Thanjavur Ponniah Pillai
4. Telisenura- Saveri- Venkatagiri varu
5. Meragadu- Athana Javali- Chinnaiah
6. Parvati ninnu- Kalagada- Syama Sastri
7. Itinuku- Begada -Javali- Dharmapuri
8. Raksha Bettare, Bhairavi, Tyagaraja
9. Nee Matale mayanura- Purvi Kalyani- Pattabiramiah
10. Mora Topu- Sahana- Padam, Kshetrajna,
11. Yaar Poy solluvar, Todi- Padam, Ghanam Krishna Iyer
12. Vanipondu, Kaanada -Javali, Dharmapuri Subbarayar
13. Sharanu sharanu- Chenchuruti, Anai Ayya
14. Smarasundaranguni- Paras- Javali, Dharmapuri Subbrraya

It was a concert that transported the rasika to a bygone era of music that was authentic and aesthetic. And to Smt Nirmala SundaraRajan who has imbibed the tradition it was natural and spontaneous. It was a complete tribute.

Rakshabettare in Bhairavi was the Main piece of the day with a beautiful alapana and swaraprastaras for the Pallavi. Yaarpoy solluvar (Todi) was another treat.

Dr M Narmada on the Violin, J Vaidyanathan on Mridangam and Papanasam Sethuraman on Kanjira provided sensitive instrumental support.

For a carnatic music enthusiast it was a concert of must-know compositions.

[gardabha_gana]

Was it recorded and is there a release planned?

[Sivaramakrishnan]

The programme has been video recorded.
You may contact Chennai Fine Arts for details at

www.chennaifinearts.com

Their office is at 75/9, I main road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020

[RaviSri]

received by Yadav, grandson of T Sankaran

Yadav is not grandson but the son of T.Sankaran

[HarishankarK]

Her music is beautiful
No one sings full throated like her