Lec Dem - Dwaram - The Gateway to Divine Music

[sureshvv]

Commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Dwaram Venkatasamy Naidu

V.Sriram's opening remarks:

First Instrumentalist and First Non-Tamilian given the SK

Presentation was by Dwaram Mangathayaru, Dwaram Sathyanarayana (Grand nephew) and Srimathi (Grand daughter).

Some notes:

1. Dwaram had vision problems. Mostly self taught
2. His brother Venkatakrishnayya recognized the talent early and helped nurture it
3. Three instituitions were instrumental in his growth:
Vizianagaram Maharaja College of Music & Dance: Started teaching there in 1919
4. Became popular as "Fiddle Naidu"
5. Many people were his students from there - Mali (spent 2 years), Sripada Pinakapani. Neduneri, Ghantashala, P.Susheela to name a few
6. Jeypore Maharaja presents him with Medal when he was about 25 years old
7. Wrote several articles on music (was not illiterate as misrepresented)
8. Saraswathi Gana Sabha - Kakinada since 1894 was another institution
9. Was one of the 3 sabhas of those days with a 9 day long Navarathri festival
10. Trichy Govindasamy Pillai was a big draw for the festival
11. In the 1929 Silver jubilee celebration, TGP could not make it and Dwaram substituted
12. Dwaram accompanied Ariyakudi
13. Group photo from 1936 when he became Principal
14. Alan Howhaness, an American Composer, accompanied Dwaram on piano for AIR Concert
15. Sriram adds - Alan also composed the Madras Sonata and dedicated it to the Madras Music Academy
16. Dwaram's philosophy was, "If you don't practice for 1 day, you will know. If you don't for 2 days, the audience will".
17. Had practice sessions resembling a kucheri with percussion support for long durations
18. Dwaram would listen to western music records and practice them exactly
19. Yehudi Menuhin was so impressed by Dwaram that he wanted Dwaram to play his violin, something he would not let anyone touch.
20. Dwaram Mangathayaru spoke at length. She was frail like a bird, with a violin. She recollected many memories of her father. She spoke poignantly about Music Academy as an institution and the stage where she said you had to be blessed to play on. grsastrigal.. I take back what I said in the other thread!
21. Dwaram would play all music, regardless of where they come from. Western to Folk to Hindustani, he saw it all as just one music.
22. Dwaram Sathyanarayana played a folk tune popularized by his grand uncle. Mangathayaru provided support.
23. Chitraveena Ravikiran mentioned that Dwaram was able to play with straight notes so well that when he would occasionally play the Gamakam, it would stand out and capture the audience.
24. Lots of socio-musical turmoil in those days. Harmonium was banned briefly.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Sabash, suresh!
Thanks on behalf of non-attendees.

[thanjavooran]

Suresh,
Thanks for the crisp write up.
Was there any mention regarding his bowing and selection of bow.
Thanjavooran
21 12 2017