Miniseason for TNS rasikas

sarojram18 · Post by **sarojram18** » 01 Mar 2007, 21:20

Review of rasika_tns of the concerts of TNSeshagopalan

A mini season for TNS rasikas

A welcome off- season shower of music for the rasikas of TNSeshagopalan for four days! A shower is pleasant at any time that too if it rains honey and sugar! It was a feast for four days as in the marriages celebated in olden days(nAlunAL kalyaNam)

Concert on24-2-2007at Hamsadvani

It was Dikshithar Day at Hamsadvani and there were all rasikas favourites featured in the concert. Sri Mahaganapathi in Goula was presented with beautiful svaras which was followed by Sankachakra in Poornachandika. Next was Anadhabhairavi with masterly strokes and proved to be a real anandha bhairavi as usual.The krti was 'Kamalamba samrakshathu mam ' one of the kamalamba navavarana.

TNS started Kumudakriya and while he was exploring the nuances of the raga the lights went off and so did the micraphone! This did not deterr TNS as his rasikas knew well, and he continued his heavenly alapana in the darkness and it was really an experience. There was pin-drop silence in the auditorium and the voice of TNS could be heard clearly because it is not mike-voice but mayakku- voice (with due apology to TNS for borrowing his own words) and there was loud applause when he finished.The current came only after he finished the krthi in Kumudakriya, Arddhanaareesvaaram and almost finished singing the next one also, Sri rajagopala in saveri.

Nagagandhari that followed was sparkling (lights came on then!) and he sang 'sarasijanabhasodhari.' Next was vasantha with the krthi "Hariharaputhram.' What followed next was the exotic feast of the day , the Brindavana saranga . There was real brindavanam with all the features described by Vedanttadesika in Yadhavabhyudhaya being present there, agaadhakaasaaram, deep lakes, maheenasashpam, thick vegetation, atheekshnasooryam, soft sun light, achandavaatham, pleasant wind etc.,abounding in all kinds of saranga,(Brindavane saarangaah), the bees, antelopes, lions and elephants, finally ending with the picture of the bow(Saranga) in the hands of Lord Soundararaja. Word fail me to describe the raga Brindavanasaranga expounded by TNS then.

Ambaneelayathakshi, another of the rasikas' favourites followed next and the main piece was Bharavi, Balagopala. The raga and the svara contained all the splendour as could be expected with TNS and the krthi had the extraordinary sweetness and beauty of neelaneeradha sarira of Lord Krishna.

The end piece was marked by 'anandhamrtha varshini ' and srivenkatagirisam in suruti and the concert ended with srikamalambike in sriragam.

The concert was a spectacular prism of three sangithakalanidhis,TNS,VR and MC.

Concert on 25-2-2007 at Mylapore Fine arts

The concert was arranged by YACD and TNS sang on the first day of their Tamiz isai festival.The speeches were going on and on making the everyone restless and the best and only relished speech was that of TNS in the end. He reiterated his stand that isai has no barriers of language or region. Thamiz isai , as defined by him, is tamizarin isai, tamizaraal valarkkappatta isai, which denotes carnatic music as a whole. The word Carnatic, he said means ancient and not belongng to any region.A good musician is one who touches the heart of the rasikas through his music irrespective of the sahithya which only adds to the flavour, only if, the musician has already established a rapport with his music.He said that he has been requested to sing Thyagaraja krthis even in the other states where the people do not understand the language and know only one word such as pakkala or evarani etc.He mentioned that when he went to Andhra he inadvertently started the Tamil composition 'ammaiyappa' which was well received inspite of the words not being understood. Similarly they asked him to sing 'kakkai cchiraginile' by saying only the word 'kakkai' TNS also said that there is no language present in raga alapana which is enjoyed by all as well as (if not more than) the song itself.This rasika cannot help feeling that such a comment on music is befitting and authentic coming from such a maestro of music as he is capable of producing navarasa with his raga alapana alone.

The concert started with the lyric of Subramania Bharathiar a viruttham,in beautifully expounded Nattai and the song 'ganapathi thaLai' in the same raga. Next was a composition of kavi kunjarabharathi, 'sami mayuragiri vadivela' in khamas. Poorvikalyani was the next raga which is one among the precious gems studded in the garland of TNS's music.It was delightul as usual and the thaniyans in praise of Andal, which usually he sings before any thiruppavai gave a clue as to what is following, that is 'koodarai vellum,'
the 27th thiruppavai.The thaniyan that begins with 'pathakangal theerkkum' which ends as 'kodhai thamiz ariyadha manidarai vaiyam sumappadhum vambu.' was delivered with gusto and expression that could be found only with TNS.

He adopted the technique of 'kondukootti' in that connecting the words as 'thamiz ariyadha, padhakangal theerkkum kodhai thamiz ,paramanadi kattum kodhai thamiz,vedam anaitthukkum vitthagum kodhaithamiz etc which emphasises the bhakthi aspect that cannot be dissociated from music and Thamiz, and the message is very clear.Besides, in the line 'Kodhai thamiz ariyaadha maanidarai vaiyam sumappadhum vambu,' TNS presented a vivid picture of the word 'sumappadhum' to show the burden on the earth by different inflexions in singing. The same technique in the pasuram also in singing the words 'paadipparaikonduYam peru sanmanam' and 'nadu pugazum parisil' reflected in the mind of rasikas the wide renown attained by TNS himself through sheer merit and the grace of the Lord through his nadhopasana(paadipparaikondu).

The next raga was sahana which was presented with its full grace and the composition of Vallalar 'thadittha or maganai thandhai aditthaal' in which the line 'aditthadhu podhum anaitthidal vendum' usually sung by TNS brings tears to the eyes of rasikas , and it was followed by 'Appa nAn vendudhal kettu' of Vallalar.The whole piece starting from the raga alapana till the end of the song was bhava-laden.

Then came the shower of manna. the most beautiful charu(thama)kesi.. I have heard charukesi by TNS few years ago in Meenakshi college and I cannot forget it even now But even if you hear the same raga two days in succession from TNS it still rings new and that is the charm of his versatality and indefatigable and incredible manodharma.TNS sang a Periazvar Pasuram, 'siruviralgal thadavipparimara,' one of the ten, describing the flute-playing of Krishna and the song by Ambujam Krishna 'Kuzalosai ketka manam vizaiyudhayya.' In brindavanasaranga of yesterday the rasikas had a mental picture of Brindaavanam and today it was an asthetically sensuous experience of it , a light and sound (oLiyum oliyum) presentation!

We saw the cows which forgot to move their ears by the words 'seviyaattakillaave,' and the sound of the flute of Govinda and of the accompanying melody of the cuckoo, all of which , depicted through expressive singing, became a direct experience. This was made into the main piece of the concert by the elaborate and fantastic raga alapana and exuberant svara, exuding expertise( the song was in jamba thala) and elegance. The rasikas were transported bodily to Brindavanam and witnessed the kuzlosai with all the paraphernalia. It was a divine charukesi , sung by a charu kesi, beautiful lion, of music on charu kesi, the Lord with beautiful locks who appeared ass a beautiful lion-Narasimha.

After a wonderful thani ( jambathala) bySrimushnam Raja rao and B.purushotthaman TNS sang the krthi 'Arabhimanam vaitthu' a raga malika with one line in each raga and svaras in the respective ragas.It goes without saying that TNS sang the different ragas with beautiful ragabhava,but in the end he sang kalpanasvaras in each raga with the raga name, in his own inimitable style, to the delight of the rasikas.

Next was the song of Mazavai Chidambara Bharathi, 'kanmaniye solladi' and TNS sang this in Kapi to the surprise of those who have heard this in saranga from GNB. But the kapi seemed to be the original raga and it is beautifully suited to the mood of the song and it was a new and exhilerating experience to hear TNS singing it., especially in the end when he sang the words 'kanmaiye' in different bhavas.

The last but not least before thillana was the thirppugaz 'erumayileri,' where TNS changed the gati alternatively from tisra to ganta and vice versa in each line. It was a cherry of the cake.The concert came to an end with the niroshta thillana of TNS.

Concert on 26-1-2007 at Ananthapadmanabhswamo koil, Adyar

The concert started with the Thyagaraja krthi 'aparadhmula' in Rasali, followed by 'sadhinchane' in arabhi.Next was the raga panthuvarali which is always a treat for the rasikas with the krthi 'sarasaksha' of swathithirunal. The svara singing at 'bhamini samudhaya' was taken up by both TNS and TNS Krishna, which is always a rich repast to the rasikas.

Then came the dvajarohana of the day, the dvijavanthi, which was really dvajavanthi, adorned with flag,hoisted by gaayakadhvaja, (the first and foremost among musicians), sporting a colourful flag, painted with masterful strokes.The krthi that followed was of course as it could be expected on the occasion, 'chetasri balakrishnam' of dikshithar.

Next was a quick rendering of the Thyagaraja krthi, 'ganamurthe,' and then the main raga of the day proved to be Kalyani., followed by the krthi, 'pankaja lochana,' of swathithirunal, as could be anticipated. The neraval and svara at 'sundarathararupa,' was verily what one could experience only from TNS and kept the audience spell bound inspite of the disturbances around. After that, the Lord Padmanabha who started out on His procession before the concert decided to comeback to listen to TNS and there was a lot of commosion outside and the concert ended soon afterwards with TNS singing 'bajare yadhunatham' and a thillana in kamas.TNS was accompanied by VVRavi on violin and Trichur Narendran on Mridangam.

concert on 27-2-2007 at Nayaki -kotturpuram

It was a marvellous concert and everyone of the pieces TNS sang was a gem.This was the apex of the mini season.

TNS started the concert with 'mayatheetha svarupini' in mayamalavagoula His acumen was seen in splitting the word mayatheetha as maya +atheetha. All the songs selected were those not frequently heard in his concerts.

The next one was the dharuvarnam of Mutthiah bhagavathar 'madhe malaydvaja' in kamas preceded by raga alapana of kamas. The kamas of TNS is always sukhamas,. The varnam was sung with pleasant and mellifluous .tonal inflexion, sukhamaana kamas.

Brovabharama in bahudharai which followed was sparkling like a lightning, fast and bright, with the racy svaras.

The concert today reminded one of a Tanjore painting of sangithadevatha, with the cloth being prepared with slow and soft Mayamaklavagoula and the drawing done by the kamas varnam. Bahudhari served as the sparkling semi precious stones that are used to decorate the drawing.

The main part of the painting was however done with the Hemavathi that followed. That is, the applying of gold foils over the image. The raga alapana was like melting gold and making it into foils. The shining gold (kanthimathee) was carefully laid on the portrait
and the deity shone with hiranyamanimayashobha, with the stones chiselled out by the master chiseller, sulakshana gana vichakshana thakshah and who added splendour by colouring( raga) the portrait.

Then the scene changed to set the stage for another chiseller, the one who created the Universe. Rasikas were treated with a presence of the Lord Krishna with His bewitching smile, when TNS started the song of Ambujam Krishna, 'Punnagai onre podhume' in Hamsanandi. This raga is one of the various gems that adorn the crown of glory of TNS and in this song rasikas could visualise the Lord descending , flying and walking to redress the harm done to his devotees. TNS sang the lines irangi ninrai , parandhu senrai and nadandhu senrai etc, and it was an illustration of his extraoordinary power in creating visual experience through his music. Words fail me to describe the effect that was produced and it could only be experienced. 'eelaagani vivarimpalenu tsalasvanubhavavedhyame,' to quote Thyagaraja which is the best I could do.

The next krthi was 'ramachandra needhaya' in suruti of Thyagraja as though in reaction to the mercy of the Lord,depicted in the previous song, in bhaktha paripalana. This krthi was presented in a manner that it was exuding of karunarasa.

There was a sudden change in the atmostphere perhaps to welcome the Nayaki that was arriving later, when TNS started the thodi composition of Papanasam Sivan, 'thanigai ivalar saravanabha.' I told my friend who is hearing it for the first time to watch out for the playful dance of the peacock and sure it came in the charanam,'thulli vilaiyadi varum thogai mayil mele.' If one could coin the term 'visual music,' it is what we experience when TNS sings.

After a short and sweet interlude, 'entha muddho,' the bindumalini krthi of Thyagaraja, it was the grand entrance of Nayaki, which was the nayakamani of the diadem of music presented by the Gayakasikhamani. The seasoned rasikas of TNS were awaiting for the raga as we knew that it would come as the performance was at Nayaki, Kotturpuram. But what came as a surprise was that it was rendered as RTP! And what a Nayaki it was! No wonder it was Sriranganayaki who featured in the pallavi, as nothing short of the portrait of the thAyar of Srirangam would have justified such a delineation of the raga. It is also interesting to note that this was the only RTP of this mini season. It was extraordinary to do so in such a raga like Nayaki as RTP for anyone else except TNS, for whom it is ordinary; as he has sung even minor ragas like Desh as RTP in the past.The raga was presented in all its nuances and entering the heart coursing through the veins it produced a warmth despite the chilling AC of the auditorium!The svaraprasthara was in ragamalika. comprising of nayaki, revathi,begada ahiri and the svaras in these ragas were in accordance with the main raga, melodious and gamaka oriented. Of course the svaras become impressive and expressive when sung by TNS and this was no exception.

The end part of the comcert considted of the dasaranama in behag, 'narajanmabhandhaga,' and the thiruppugaz 'alliviziyalum amd thillana in bilahari.

Thus ended the miniseason for TNS rasikas who left feeling un kuralosai ketka manam vizaiyudhayya.

sunayanaa · Post by **sunayanaa** » 04 Mar 2007, 02:02

Your review is main artist centered. Either the accompaniments are not even identified or there is a passing mention about them.

They too played along with main artist for 3 hours or so in each concert and without their contribution, the concert would have been a damp squib.

Such "reviews" do not do justice to music.

sarojram18 · Post by **sarojram18** » 04 Mar 2007, 13:50

I did not mention about the accompanying artsts since Ram has already written about it and I had nothing to add.It was not prejudice. But usually in the reviews only the main artist gets written about in detail and there is only passing reference to the accompanying artists. Moreover since I am an ardent raisika of TNS I get carried over in writing about him and forget to mention about others. It was an error of omission and not of commission.

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 05 Mar 2007, 18:15

sarojram, you might want to cut the hyperbole down a notch when reviewing because it does get a bit hard for an outsider (and a non TNS fan like myself) to appreciate the man. I would for instance, just read your reviews and attribute all your comments to the fact that you're a huge fan of TNS and not necessarily because the music was any good.

I am no one to say how to write reviews (God knows how often my reviews have been criticised in the past) but I do think that if you praise your chosen artiste too much it takes a lot away from the credibility of the review in general.
I am amazed however at the amount of depth you delve into in each of the pieces when you describe them.

saveri · Post by **saveri** » 06 Mar 2007, 19:36

Hello

Yes i think we should minimise hyperbole on artists reviews especially if they are your fans.

Though it is difficult, we should also measure things dispassionately, sometimes, as who else but an ardent fan ( one who is like a dear sister or brother) could do it better !!:)

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 06 Mar 2007, 19:54

Sarojram - Your review was colourful and poetic, a kutcheri-of-sorts in itself. Thank you very much for a refreshing style of review writing. Please continue to provide similar reviews in the future!

To fellow rasikas: Each of us brings our own individual style to the table. Asking an ardent fan to write dispassionately about his/her favorite artiste's singing is somewhat akin to asking a bhakta to sing a bhajan to their favorite deity without any bhakti.

Having said all that, the review did contain some hyperbole, but a careful reader can discount for it where required. And please, my intention is not to start a war of words on this topic, but to provide a (hopefully balanced!) perspective. Thank you.

sarojram18 · Post by **sarojram18** » 07 Mar 2007, 08:18

Dear friends,
As Jayaram has said it is not possible for an ardent rasika of a musician to give a review like the Newspaper critics. Moreover I am not writing to extoll TNS or for propagating his profile forwhich he does not need my efforts, but I am simply giving out my experience on hearing him which no one can deny.There are ardent rasikas of TNS among the readers and my message reaches them and those who do not like my reviews need not read them . Even Ram has been giving glowing tributes about TNS and it is his prerogative which nobody can question. This section is about reviews of concerts and a review is the opinion of the reviewer and it may be different from the reader and when any destructive criticism is written about any artiste in the papers or forums like this nobody raises a voice. Then why should people get irritated on hearing the praise?TNS may not be great as far as one is concerned but to others he may be the greatest. Bhinna ruchirhi lokah. I have been acclaimed by many for my picturesque reviews on TNS and I am writing for the sake of those who are on the same wavelength.
I am writing a separate post on what is good music in my opinion and that may give a clear picture of my view.I am 70 years old and have heard the old stalwarts like GNB, Madurai Mani, Ariyakudi etc live, in my life time but now I have zeroed down to TNS as his music appears to me as the blend of all these.Not only that but I am able to delve into the divinity through his music and if God chooses to appear to me through the music of TNS who am I to stop Him?My review thus are not only the review of the quality of music which any critic can write about but it is an expression of my experience of the divinity that is communicated through music.Unless the musician himself experiences it he could not communicate it to others. But to have that experience one should be prepared to go beyond the superficial structure and go into the sanctum sanctoram for which an open mind which is ready to receive the divinity in full without reservations is necessary.Those who are blessed with that are able to get the blissful experience through their favourite musician with whose music their heart is in unison at. I am astounded at such an experience at this age for me and I express it to others out of sheer joy that could not be contained within.

shishyapriya · Post by **shishyapriya** » 07 Mar 2007, 09:44

SarojRam,

I understand you see divinity in the music of TNS. To quote from your comment "Tanjore painting of sangithadevatha", but these are your comments. Interest of one person varies from another.

What listeners like me and several others in the forum would like to listen is the overall view of what songs he sang, technical questions relating to that. Even reading the big article that you have painstakingly typed becomes difficult to comprehend.

As a request, please refrain from repeating the same.

rasam · Post by **rasam** » 07 Mar 2007, 10:13

What listeners like me and several others in the forum would like to listen is the overall view of what songs he sang, technical questions relating to that. Even reading the big article that you have painstakingly typed becomes difficult to comprehend.

So who exactly is forcing you to read her reviews? And don't generalize your expectations of this forum to include other people.

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 07 Mar 2007, 12:26

Madam, please continue with your contrubutions...they are really useful for fans like me who are unable to attend many of his concerts.

sarojram18 · Post by **sarojram18** » 07 Mar 2007, 13:16

Thank you Vijay and others. who seem to relish my posts if only for the poetical fervour!I will certainly continue my posts and as rasam has said if some people do not like my reviews they need not read it. There is no compulsion whatsoever. I can easily stop sending the reviews as I have other venues for my reviews on the internet where they are welcomed, but I think it is not right to deprive the pleasure of those who like to read them on this forum.

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 07 Mar 2007, 14:09

Well said, Sarojram. Please provide us with more of your lovely reviews. I find them a breath of fresh air compared to the staid, 'list-all-the-songs' variety of reviews here.

And I must commend you for your excellent command of the English language. Another welcome dimension indeed...

pallavi.pr · Post by **pallavi.pr** » 07 Mar 2007, 14:18

I feel quite ashamed to hear my fellow rasikas, who are part of a democratic country targeting another rasika in this manner. Can a person get into each and everybody's mind and write only on wats pleasing for them? Is he/she not allowed to reflec his/her individuality? We are civilized and educated people on this forum. I say please refrain from this immature behaviour.

If some of you there dont have tolerance dont chastise or accuse someone of his/her liking. Be human and plesae keep it in your minds only. Think of what the other person might feel when he/she is genuinely writing her thoughts on the forum. And if she's picked upon.

I have also expressed what I felt upon reading this chain of conversation. It would be gr8 if the concerned people rethink about this and apologise to the concerned person.Also at her age would she have wanted to be targeted like this? Common guys....ve a mind...ve a heart....

apasruthi · Post by **apasruthi** » 07 Mar 2007, 15:10

Though I do not support or subscribe to bala747's strong words or harshness about it, I am tempted to look at a part of his message, a little objectively in as much as the extent of "adjectiv-ity" (especially the over-use of superlatives) in the review about the concert, and therefore tending to lose sight on the "objectivity". In other words to have a sense of balance or proportions while showering praises upon a chosen artiste or his or her concert. The over extolling tends to distract the "rasanai" or the taste in the review. Solet us try to objectively see the criticism by bala747, for an overall improvement in the posting, and not to make it a forum of verbal calisthenics.

Having said that, my message to bala747, is that afterall sarojram 18 has very clearly and aptly titled the post as "Mini season for TNS fans". If you claim to be a "non TNS fan" - then why bother about the post anyway! -

"Ethukkunga azhaikkaatha kalyanaveettukkul nuzhainthu gavanikkalainu" (why get into a wedding univited and then complain that you are not well received?)

Apasruthi

shishyapriya · Post by **shishyapriya** » 07 Mar 2007, 19:58

I am sorry if this has hurt people. It was not my intention to do that. If everybody in the forum agrees, I have no issues

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 07 Mar 2007, 21:01

apasruthi I never intended to denigrate what sarojram wrote, if you read my post carefully you will find that I only cited my opinion of what he/she wrote, and in fact one of the purposes of the forum, to voice opinions. I did mention that he/she was very detailed and I was actually quite amazed by the depth shown in his/her reviews but I did voice my opinion that if someone indulges in too much praise, there is a possibility that the person might lose credibility. a very valid point in my opinion. If you don't think it's valid, that's fine. We can agree to disagree.

Which part of my post was "harsh"? I mean I have written far "harsher" posts and have been hit with far "harsher" replies to my reviews and I never shirked them. I don't recall seeing you commenting on those, and/or chastising other posters for their posts so why this one? You critiqued my response while others have had far harsher things to say about the post than I did (read the first response). Why then did you just pick on my posts? I am not again asking because I want an account of reasons but I am just voicing my opinion that it is unfair to point to my post while others have said far harsher things.

As far as your part on "uninvited weddings" go, a public forum like this one is MEANT for people to post responses to. I can very well say, by that same logic, who invited you to post here in sarojram's defence? Again I am not asking this in a spirit of antagonism but simply trying to get at what you're trying to say. Am I supposed to then post responses only to posts with a title "RESPONSES INVITED" or something? In a forum, all posts are open to responses, including this one.

If I have hurt sarojram in any way I apologise as it was certainly not my intention to put his/her posts down, but that is for him/her to say.

bhaktha · Post by **bhaktha** » 07 Mar 2007, 21:35

@Sarojaram,
your reviews are great! When I read your reviews, I can almost imagine what you must have experienced when attending Shri TNS's concerts. Your reviews reflect your in-depth understanding of Shri TNS and his music. Please do keep them coming in. For ardent fans of TNS, like me, these are the only source of consolation for I have not been able to attend his concerts live for quite some time now due to other constraints.
-(TNS)bhaktha

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 08 Mar 2007, 00:13

If we can read reviews in which it is very clear that the reviewer has scant respect for the artist (justified or otherwise), I am certain we can also tolerate reviews where the opposite sentiment shines through every word. Smt. Saroja, please continue to post. Unless there are views expressed or words used that are actually unacceptable/slanderous/hurtful, I think there is no need for any of us to serve as editors on the content of others posts. We are all members - free to post within the bounds of decency and courtesy, and we can all comment on another's opinion, agree to disagree and and in general behave like adults. If something is not to our liking, there is an option to mark posts as read without reading them...

And as posters, we should all realize that we will annoy some of the members - developing an exoskeleton that is 3 parts armored plate and one part rhino hide maybe a good place to start!

apasruthi · Post by **apasruthi** » 08 Mar 2007, 10:13

bala747- Hey if you read my post carefully, I was trying to support your true and valid message of "not going into undue superlatives in a review", but was not subscribing to your style of deliverance.

As far as why pick your post only - because I saw some sanity in your message, which was perhaps losing its impact due to the "bluntness" or "direct-ness" of your post (which I had mentioned in my earlier post as harshness or strong words, especially in light of the reference made to the main artiste, not the reviewer), as could be seen by the sudden surge of "sympathetic wave" towards the orginator of this post in terms of the subsequent posts (somewhere someone sermonising to give a due consideration to the "age of the originator"!!!! before crticising!!!)

The reference to the "wedding go uninvited" was more in a lighter vein, and I'm really surprised to see you tightening muscles for it!!

Lastly, I believe, the shortcoming of such a forum, is that sometimes the true message or bhAvam of the message is lost due to the "facelessness" of this medium, so both the reader and the writer have a responsibility and should have some tolerance to seek the true intent...

Apasruthi

P.S. Look at my plight!! In all good intention to support someone, I ended up in hell. I get a strange feeling the really "uninvited" in the wedding party is me!!!!!!!! (Have a laugh atleast buddy!)

apasruthi · Post by **apasruthi** » 08 Mar 2007, 10:21

bala747 - I do look forward to you reply, to my clarificatory post above, to be sure that you read it and have understood what I truly meant

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 08 Mar 2007, 10:44

SarojRam18
I would love to read your review of some other artist too , some day.
To the others
I think it is these small things that make such reviews charming.TNS' s Music has that kind of quality ...
Long Long ago , I once made the mistake of asking an ardent TNS fan (also a close friend-no prizes for guessing)

"Can you help me in collecting the best alapanas of TNS in all the ragas he has sung ?-That would be such a wonderful bunch ..you see."
He gave me an astonished, but pained look.
"What are you asking ?
ALL HIS ALAPANAS ARE HIS BEST ALAPANAS .."

That is why I find you all so charming.

Now I will wait for the Knock on my door -Wonder how long it will take for that friend to rush to my place to hang Me !!

So I wish to conclude that the Issue is settled.
SarojRam 18 Please do continue with your style.

apasruthi · Post by **apasruthi** » 08 Mar 2007, 12:26

That's a real "coool" one.... coolkarniji....!!

(Hope some "die-hard, declared, devouts" don't jump at it again, except for the "ardent" one that u have anyway risked!)

Apasruthi

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 08 Mar 2007, 13:06

don't jump at it again

No I dont see the possibility.Right from the start ,all of us were appreciative of the efforts of the reviewer.
And at the end of this exercise , We know more about the reviewer , which is equally delightful.
It was in the fitness of things that these points were raised and answered.
The Coool part ... Not a risk at all..That is my only other window to observe how great an artist TNS is .. the pains that are taken, the refusal to rest on laurels to be up and active on new thoughts , day in and day out...
We, who sit in the audience and fret about so many things....

I once had the privilege of seeing a carefully made set of notes for accompanying students on the stage - for one of his harikatha performances-
those 20 odd pages (for one day) were works of art -as though etched by a calligrapher - with so many detailed instructions for each.In my estimate , an hour of performance on stage would atleast take 40 hours of preparation - must be so hard on anybody -let alone a gifted artist.
We know so little of the overall wonderful picture.
These reviews only help to give additional perspective , and I am thankful for that.

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 08 Mar 2007, 15:42

rshankar I probably must have one made of tempered steel!

I never take offence at anything that has been posted about me or my reviews, but I always like to ask what was behind what that person said.

apasruthi, I am glad that you saw some sanity in my post. Really

I think I am far too used to people critiquing my post that I go on the defensive.

My fault for shooting from the hip.

apasruthi · Post by **apasruthi** » 08 Mar 2007, 18:07

bala747 - Thanks for confirming by your reply post. Regarding "shooting from the hip" point noted (Infact I've read in some other thread a post of yours where you have mentioned that you get carried away at times) but please continue to shoot from your hip or from wherever you think you like to. Afterall these are what makes the threads "alive" and interesting, atleast for some people like me!

Apasruthi