Thanks RSachi and Rajeshnat for your appreciating words. I know well that I am not qualified for all all those epithets. I do qualify for some of them- like passion for music, meticulous in planning and execution, hard work, reaching out to people etc. Any how thanks a lot for your kind words. I expected Rajeshnat for the book release function as a representative of the forum and also taking into account many evenings we have spent together in various concerts. Nick was there for two days and active with his camera. Sivaramakrishnan attended on all the three days from a very far away place beyond Tambaram.
The book release function started as per schedule as all the VIPs arrived in time. But speech prolonged a little and hence delayed start of the concert. There were limited speakers only, but they had close acquiantance with Ponnammal mami. Cleveland Sundaram Sir spoke about his experiences of inviting Mami to U.S. and the warmth she exuded during the entire trip. If not for Sasikiran, the Chennai audience would not have known about such a consummate musician. Never you would have seen a house full audience for a book release function in Ragasudha Hall. There was good sales of the book also. My son Karthik was in charge of book sales. Some of the gentlemen conveyed their appreciation also after reading the book. Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCZ_VTetF4
The names of the participating musicians were mentioned by Mami herself when she was alive. She had great appreciation for Amrita Murali that Amrita Murali accompanied her in the Navarathri Mandapam. Sreeramkumar accompanied Mami in the U.S tour and many other concerts. After hearing a lec dem of RKSRK, Mami wondered openly why Sangeetha Kalanidhi is not given to him so far. Mami also mentioned about roping in Palghat Ramprasad for the concert. And all the musicians wholeheartedly participated in the concert. Jaya Balakrishnan of Ragasduha Hall also cooperated well in the success of the programme.
The concert of Amrita Murali accompanied by RK Sreeramkumar. Mavelikkara S.R.Rajesh, Guruprasad and Anirudh Athreya started at 7.30 P.M., but the concert was not chopped. It concluded at 9.30 P.M. You would not believe if I say that the crowd in Ragasudha stayed till 9.30- a good portion of the audience. Even then people were not in a mood to leave. Guru Suguna Varadachari Mami also stayed till the end of the concert. We were talking in groups and left after 10 P.M only. Normally people will not stay beyond 8.30 there. But the concert was of such intensity and craftsmanship. Amrita sang mostly Ponnammal Mami’s favourities. Merusamana, Narasimhamamava, Dwaitamu sukhama, Amba Kamakshi as main song. The alapanas of Ritigowla and Bhairavi were elaborate and her voice delivering the choicest brighas and gamakams in a measured manner. RKSRK embellished the concert significantly. Mavelikkara Rajesh is the grandson of Mavelikkara Krishnankuitty Nair and a disciple of T.K.Murthy and staff in TVM AIR. He was a good support to the concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBqs1aYwsko&t=218s
The second day started with the concert of Lalitha and Lakshmi- granddaughters of Ponnammal mami. They are blossoming singers. They have been shattered after the demise of their grand mother and yet to resume their music lessons. They sang Gajananayutham, Sambo Mahadeva with Pantuvarali ragam, Dayapayonidhe- a composition of Meesu Krishna Iyer in the ragam Jaganmohini, which is Mami’s favourite and Bhavaye Sarasanabham in Keeravani as main song. One hour concert.
SreeLakshmi Bhat on the violin and Karukurichi Govindarajan on the Mridangam provided pakkavadyam. Link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnC38UhXGs8&t=118s
The main concert of the second day was by Mami’s disciple from TVM- Sri.Gitakrishnan accompanied by Chidambaram Badrinath on the violin and Guru Raghvendra on the Mridangam. Gitakrishnan is an Engineering graduate, worked abroad for many years and now settled in TVM. He initially learnt from his father Raghunathan Nair who was a student of Ponnammal teacher. Gitakrishnan continued his lessons with Music Director Dakshinamurthy Swami, Kumarakerala Varma and Ponnammal teacher. He packed many heavy weight kritis like Yadukulakambodi Swarajati, Sankarabharanam Navavaranam, Eesanei inda, Neevadanegana, Nenarunchara, a composition of Dr.Harisundar, Devadeva in Thodi- a composition of Swati Tirunal which is special to Semmangudi and Ponnammal mami and also a brief RTP in Hemavathi- on Ponnammal Mami. The RTP had to be rushed through- due to lack of time. The concert lasted two and half hours. The concert maintained admirable standard and the pakkavadykaras provided excellent support. Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEBUmoEg1hs&t=26s
The third day started with a listening session of Mami’s NP concert containing Merusamana, Marivere (Latangi) and Thodi ragam for Sree Venkatesam of Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar. It was good recording and Mami’s voice also sounded good. Dr. Sajith, Mami’s disciple spoke of the subtle nuances in the singing. Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0xJDKbOP34
The main concert was of Dr.Palghat Ramaprasad accompanied by L.Ramakrishnan, Thrissur Narendran and K.V. Gopalakrishnan. The concert started with Seethamma Mayamma with heavy dose of swaras followed by Rave Himagirikumari, and RTP. Kanada (list incomplete). It should be mentioned that the three main concerts contained the three Swarajatis of Syama Sastri without any repetition.
Link to Palghat Dr Ramprasad’s concert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-qDgPYE94A
Mami’s two sons with their families and grand daughters attended the three day function. That added colour to the function and they were overwhelmed with the success of the three day Music festival.
