Guruvayoor Dorai

[mahavishnu]

A very talented mridangam vidwan (of the Pazhani school) has accompanied generations of musicians. Sri Dorai's patented style has wonderful use of gumki and an inmitable sense of anticipation. He is also a composer and has trained a number of students worldwide. I thought I would start this thread to discuss the music of this legendary vidwan.

As a bonus, here is a nice clip of Sri Dorai singing a Nattaikurinji ragam: http://www.youtube.com/user/prakashraon ... SZ43Nvadqo with violin accompaniment by Delhi Sundarrajan and Vinod Seetharaman on the mridangam.

And no mention of this artiste is complete without pAvanaguru: http://www.youtube.com/user/prakashraon ... DPMwkcpRk8

[srkris]

Good find (the videos I mean). Here is Paridana Michithe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAa40FMRvCg

Sri Raja Matangi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4RSLPF7p_8

[mri_fan]

He is someone with a very unique style of accompaniment. He was already a performing musician before learning from Palani for about 5-10 years. His older sister was a vocalist of note. His arrengetram was with Chembai when he was a wee lad of 8.

[Enna_Solven]

Fascinating. Thank you for the clips. What does Delhi Sunderrajan try to say during the natakurinji piece? 'See how well he sings!' ?

[semmu86]

before learning from Palani for about 5-10 years.

I don't think so. He has learnt from PSP only for about a few days or months, whenever PSP visited Kerela... Probably someone can confirm.

[mri_fan]

As I understand it, Dorai did gurukulavasam with Palani for 8-10 years in Chennai when his family moved there from Guruvayoor.

"After Pazhani moved to Madras in 1953, Dorai commenced classes with the maestro. This helped him understand and absorb the complexities of the Pudukottai style of mridangam. Dorai stayed with Pazhani in his residence for nearly nine years in the gurukulavasam fashion"

http://web.archive.org/web/200910271118 ... graphy.htm

[pvs]

Thanks for these links. Whose composition is the Nattakurinji piece? Nicely done! The tamil greats mentioned in it are the same as in 'Eppadi Padinaro'...

[Lakshman]

The song is by K.S.Krishnamurti.


idu nAL marandirundOmE. rAgA: nATakuranji. Adi tALA.

P: idu nAL marandirundOmE tamizh isaik-kalaiyai karudAdirundOmE
A: idanilum inbam vEruNDO namadu iniya tamizh mozhikkOr mozhi iNai uNDO
pudumai EdEnum pira mozhigaLil uNDO pATTin poruL teriyAda isaiyAl payanuNDO
C: apparum sundararum mANikkavAcakarum aruL jyOti vaLLalum tAyumAnArum
oppilAdat-tirujnAna sambandarum uLLam kanindu vandu Odiya tamizhai nAm

[Gamakam]

Lakshman,

Is K.S.Krishnamurti the same as the 'famous' Calcutta Krishnamurthi?

[anandasangeetham]

Sri Durai is an excellent artiste. His soft playing is a treat. I love Vellore, Shri Durai, Palani primarily for the soft touches. One incident to remember was last year new year celebrations at Music academy where Shir Durai accompanied Shri MC and wow ...the soft touches.. gumkis.. Shri MC stopped playing and was enjoying saying aha bhale etc and was saying neenglale vaaasingo....

[Lakshman]

This K.S.Krishnamurti is different from Calcutta Krishnamurti.

[pvs]

Thank you, Sri Lakshman for the lyrics. A charming number in an enchanting ragam.
~ S

[shankarank]

It is interesting to recall the vidvans who have enchanted us with their playing over the decades. Sri Guruvayoor was a constant presence in the TNS tours of the 2000s and always drawas me in with this samayojitam and understanding of TNS.

Also interesting is his playing during "viTTU vAsittal" era when his dexterity was higher and to see how each vidvan handles poDi soRkkal ( fast packed syllables). God has gifted a unique sound and kai vasati to Sri Gurvayoor.

Here is a clip for miSra cApu from the Mandolin concert:

https://youtu.be/3hFN7TcGF-0?t=5186

Especially this section: https://youtu.be/3hFN7TcGF-0?t=5232 - it has a tavil flavor

[thanjavooran]

A very talented vidwan not recognised by MA till now. Much deserving experienced Artiste for SK. High time he is considered for this.
Thanjavooran
07 12 2021