Vidwan A Sunderasan passes away
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sraja
- Posts: 79
- Joined: 24 Mar 2005, 07:45
Carnatic music continues to suffer in 2007. Senior vidwan A Sunderasan passed away this afternoon. A fine musician and teacher he specialised in bringing to the fore many rare krithis of Thyagaraja and also he has done extensive work on the krithis of Syama Sastri. He was to get the Acharya award I believe in about four weeks from Krishna Gana Sabha but it is sad he did not live to receive it. He must have been proud of the fact that one of his disciples Smt. Gayathri Venkatraghavan has spectacularly been rising in the concert field and is one of the outstanding lady singers of today. May his soul rest in peace.
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sraja
- Posts: 79
- Joined: 24 Mar 2005, 07:45
A recent article on Sri. A Sunderasan which appeared in chennaionline.
http://www.chennaionline.com/music/Carn ... usic19.asp
http://www.chennaionline.com/music/Carn ... usic19.asp
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jagan
- Posts: 157
- Joined: 23 Dec 2006, 18:31
Sundaresan , a great Lakshana and Lakshya Vidwan has joined the immortals.
To him, music was a means of worship.He had the great good fortune to learn from stalwarts like Kittamani Iyer, the great lakshya vidwan Sri. Raghava Rao, (whom Tanjavur Sankara Iyer used to address as Ragam Raghava Rao ) and from Ramnad Krishnan.
He had an extensive repertoire of the musical creations of the Trinity. His favourite was ,of course, Syama Sastri.And you should hear him sing the Yadukulakamboji Swarajathi. You would simply be overwhemed by the passionate singing.
But when he sang a Pallavi,he was a roaring tiger.
He felt proud to be called Karuppu (Black) Subbaiyer (Alathur).
.
He never sought after honours or titles. Nor did they come his way, though he very richly deserved them. Perhaps his outspokenness was a contributory factor.
A great pity that his talent was not recognized beyond a closed circle of ardent music rasikas who lionized him and the students whom he taught lovingly and inspired them to sing with raga gnanam and laya compactness. He used to impress on them that a raga should be visualized beyond the swara groupings and explored lovingly. A great teacher.
Surely Goddess Kamakshi would have granted him Sayujya.
To him, music was a means of worship.He had the great good fortune to learn from stalwarts like Kittamani Iyer, the great lakshya vidwan Sri. Raghava Rao, (whom Tanjavur Sankara Iyer used to address as Ragam Raghava Rao ) and from Ramnad Krishnan.
He had an extensive repertoire of the musical creations of the Trinity. His favourite was ,of course, Syama Sastri.And you should hear him sing the Yadukulakamboji Swarajathi. You would simply be overwhemed by the passionate singing.
But when he sang a Pallavi,he was a roaring tiger.
He felt proud to be called Karuppu (Black) Subbaiyer (Alathur).
.
He never sought after honours or titles. Nor did they come his way, though he very richly deserved them. Perhaps his outspokenness was a contributory factor.
A great pity that his talent was not recognized beyond a closed circle of ardent music rasikas who lionized him and the students whom he taught lovingly and inspired them to sing with raga gnanam and laya compactness. He used to impress on them that a raga should be visualized beyond the swara groupings and explored lovingly. A great teacher.
Surely Goddess Kamakshi would have granted him Sayujya.
Last edited by jagan on 07 Jul 2007, 22:22, edited 1 time in total.
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gayathrivenkataraghavan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 08 Jul 2007, 18:38
Dear Friends of Rasikas we are thankful to all of you for the wonderful words which you have written about our guru Sri.A.Sundaresan. It is an irreparable loss to us and to the music fraternity. For us we have lost a family member and Guru at the same time.
Even if it takes a few lines I wish to write a little about our Guru. About his adherence to tradition all of us know. He was known for all the little nuances and the subtle sangathis in his music that always blended with the bhava of the kriti. It made a whale of a difference in making mama’s Patantara shine with the extra something that can only be experienced but not described.
God must have created him with all the exemplary attributes of a teacher in mind. Many do not know that he was a child prodigy who started performing at the age of six. He was a popular performer with stalwarts like Palaghat Mani Iyer recommending him for concerts in different parts of the country and himself accompanying. He had trail blazing concerts in Bombay and other parts of India. It was that wonderful teacher in him that made him take up teaching full time.He taught in the Music College of The Music Academy for many years.
We have never seen him look at the clock while teaching. It was always the student who would have to end the class with a ‘mama na poganum’,or ‘sir romba pacikkaradu’…(Sir we are very hungry)..The last of the reasons was common as his classes were so rigorous and intense.He would however survive through those hours on his proverbial vetalai paaku..
His students belong to various age groups ,the oldest student being 60 and youngest less than 10 years old..Often have we wondered why mama took on all kind of students not that we had any doubts in his ability to teach, but we did not want him to strain himself as he would sing in the student’s Sruthi to make learning easier. Later after a few years he would stun us by making the weakest of students sing with aplomb.
Of course he would fly into a temper if we sang some sangathis which he used to call Moore market sangathis but the next minute he would calm down and tell us the difference in making a raga a Venerable Devata as compared to an ordinary mortal.
Honours and titles many he may not have got, but he always cherished the genuine appreciation of his students when we learnt a song and told him how each kriti keeps changing our lives along our musical journey.. ‘Nanna irukka’ he would ask and start weeping thinking about the great Trinity.His handwriting is something we prefer to printing so artistic and clear it was..Infact his book on Sri ShyamaSastri compositions has been printed in his handwriting.We wish that his other notations are printed for posterity. We hope to make efforts in that direction soon.
He conducted various workshops and the last one was Sri.Shyama Sastri’s compositions for YACM.One of the students was heard telling later if, Sundaresan mama teaches a composition you don’t feel you are learning Thyagaraja or Sastri or Patnam or Dikshithar you feel you are learning Sundaresan Sir’s kriti.Such was the power with which he internalized the Kritis and taught the students.He would say that this was possible because of the blessings of the Mumurthigal..(The Trinity).
The last Award he received before reaching the lotus feet of the Almighty was the Sangeeetha Seva Nirata from Thyagaraja Vidwath Samajam which he cherished as he worshiped Thyagaraja Swami.Through the trials and tribulations in his life which were many, he used to say ‘Thyagaraja Swami nambu avar paathupar’(believe in Thyagarajaswami and he will take care).
He is survived by 6 affectionate children and grandchildren and a host of students in India and US.The students sang a few songs as part of his last rites which would have been the way he would have wanted us to bid him farewell and the students in Sacramento USA held a musical homage yesterday singing the songs he had taught them.
Krishna Gana Sabha is to honour our master with the Sangeetha Kala Acharya posthumously on August 4th.This award was announced by SriYegnaraman mama in January itself to mama when he was healthy then.
We have lost a multi faceted genius.
A master performer, perfect in Lakshya and Lakshana singing,with a captivating sruthi aligned voice, with a rare penchant for laya.
A very sincere painstaking teacher who was a task master who would never compromise on the quality that he imparted.He never worked by the clock.
A Guru with a parental interest in the well being of his students. He had a wonderfully intelligent sense of humour and he could keep him students and fellow musicians regaled for hours.
A void that can never be filled.
gayathri venkataraghavan
Even if it takes a few lines I wish to write a little about our Guru. About his adherence to tradition all of us know. He was known for all the little nuances and the subtle sangathis in his music that always blended with the bhava of the kriti. It made a whale of a difference in making mama’s Patantara shine with the extra something that can only be experienced but not described.
God must have created him with all the exemplary attributes of a teacher in mind. Many do not know that he was a child prodigy who started performing at the age of six. He was a popular performer with stalwarts like Palaghat Mani Iyer recommending him for concerts in different parts of the country and himself accompanying. He had trail blazing concerts in Bombay and other parts of India. It was that wonderful teacher in him that made him take up teaching full time.He taught in the Music College of The Music Academy for many years.
We have never seen him look at the clock while teaching. It was always the student who would have to end the class with a ‘mama na poganum’,or ‘sir romba pacikkaradu’…(Sir we are very hungry)..The last of the reasons was common as his classes were so rigorous and intense.He would however survive through those hours on his proverbial vetalai paaku..
His students belong to various age groups ,the oldest student being 60 and youngest less than 10 years old..Often have we wondered why mama took on all kind of students not that we had any doubts in his ability to teach, but we did not want him to strain himself as he would sing in the student’s Sruthi to make learning easier. Later after a few years he would stun us by making the weakest of students sing with aplomb.
Of course he would fly into a temper if we sang some sangathis which he used to call Moore market sangathis but the next minute he would calm down and tell us the difference in making a raga a Venerable Devata as compared to an ordinary mortal.
Honours and titles many he may not have got, but he always cherished the genuine appreciation of his students when we learnt a song and told him how each kriti keeps changing our lives along our musical journey.. ‘Nanna irukka’ he would ask and start weeping thinking about the great Trinity.His handwriting is something we prefer to printing so artistic and clear it was..Infact his book on Sri ShyamaSastri compositions has been printed in his handwriting.We wish that his other notations are printed for posterity. We hope to make efforts in that direction soon.
He conducted various workshops and the last one was Sri.Shyama Sastri’s compositions for YACM.One of the students was heard telling later if, Sundaresan mama teaches a composition you don’t feel you are learning Thyagaraja or Sastri or Patnam or Dikshithar you feel you are learning Sundaresan Sir’s kriti.Such was the power with which he internalized the Kritis and taught the students.He would say that this was possible because of the blessings of the Mumurthigal..(The Trinity).
The last Award he received before reaching the lotus feet of the Almighty was the Sangeeetha Seva Nirata from Thyagaraja Vidwath Samajam which he cherished as he worshiped Thyagaraja Swami.Through the trials and tribulations in his life which were many, he used to say ‘Thyagaraja Swami nambu avar paathupar’(believe in Thyagarajaswami and he will take care).
He is survived by 6 affectionate children and grandchildren and a host of students in India and US.The students sang a few songs as part of his last rites which would have been the way he would have wanted us to bid him farewell and the students in Sacramento USA held a musical homage yesterday singing the songs he had taught them.
Krishna Gana Sabha is to honour our master with the Sangeetha Kala Acharya posthumously on August 4th.This award was announced by SriYegnaraman mama in January itself to mama when he was healthy then.
We have lost a multi faceted genius.
A master performer, perfect in Lakshya and Lakshana singing,with a captivating sruthi aligned voice, with a rare penchant for laya.
A very sincere painstaking teacher who was a task master who would never compromise on the quality that he imparted.He never worked by the clock.
A Guru with a parental interest in the well being of his students. He had a wonderfully intelligent sense of humour and he could keep him students and fellow musicians regaled for hours.
A void that can never be filled.
gayathri venkataraghavan
Last edited by gayathrivenkataraghavan on 09 Jul 2007, 15:20, edited 1 time in total.
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rajeshnat
- Posts: 10123
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04
Hi gAyathriVenkat,
I only knew about your guru on the day when I heard you in music academy (mini) for the first time about 3 to 4 years back. I recollect you were singing a rama nee yeda in kharaharapriya as a main. At the end of the concert when you rushed to meet Sri A sundaresan , he asked why you did not sing mAyammA in Ahiri. Not that occassion , almost every occassion I have observed he always asks you as to why you did not sing this or that , perhaps he was always not fully satisfied and wanted to push you more, that is a great virtue of a guru.Unfortunately I donot know anything more about your guru's musical excellence. My condolences .
I only knew about your guru on the day when I heard you in music academy (mini) for the first time about 3 to 4 years back. I recollect you were singing a rama nee yeda in kharaharapriya as a main. At the end of the concert when you rushed to meet Sri A sundaresan , he asked why you did not sing mAyammA in Ahiri. Not that occassion , almost every occassion I have observed he always asks you as to why you did not sing this or that , perhaps he was always not fully satisfied and wanted to push you more, that is a great virtue of a guru.Unfortunately I donot know anything more about your guru's musical excellence. My condolences .
Last edited by rajeshnat on 09 Jul 2007, 15:49, edited 1 time in total.
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gayathrivenkataraghavan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 08 Jul 2007, 18:38
just some links which talk about our guru.
http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/200 ... 600500.htm
http://carnatica.net/nvr/asundaresan-aug2005.htm
http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/200 ... 600500.htm
http://carnatica.net/nvr/asundaresan-aug2005.htm
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gayathrivenkataraghavan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 08 Jul 2007, 18:38
We wanted to share Part of the mail we got from a student Smt.Haripriya Raghavan of Sacremento USA a long time student of mama...
..... Being so far , descriptions that you have given help. I am gathering all the students today and we are singing theShyama Shasthri krithis that he taught all of us here.
Everybody conveys their heartfelt condolances. It is amazing that he could grasp the attention of so many here in such a short period of time. They always talk about him and say that the classes influenced their musical heritage heavily. Besides that, they always say that they had learnt life time lessons from him.
Everybody is coming and we will sing for him this evening. Will update you.
Let all of us, his diciples stay together and do something for him and the music world.
The children are all going to miss the Varnam classes . The adults,, the long raga sessions and the Classic classical music lessons. Yes, he has notated a lot of songs when he was here that I hope he has taught someone. He set to tune some krithis on Sri. Thyagaraja. I can give them to you and maybe everybody can sing them. I am sure that they will be beautiful.
We will miss him but always have to keep up the work.....
..... Being so far , descriptions that you have given help. I am gathering all the students today and we are singing theShyama Shasthri krithis that he taught all of us here.
Everybody conveys their heartfelt condolances. It is amazing that he could grasp the attention of so many here in such a short period of time. They always talk about him and say that the classes influenced their musical heritage heavily. Besides that, they always say that they had learnt life time lessons from him.
Everybody is coming and we will sing for him this evening. Will update you.
Let all of us, his diciples stay together and do something for him and the music world.
The children are all going to miss the Varnam classes . The adults,, the long raga sessions and the Classic classical music lessons. Yes, he has notated a lot of songs when he was here that I hope he has taught someone. He set to tune some krithis on Sri. Thyagaraja. I can give them to you and maybe everybody can sing them. I am sure that they will be beautiful.
We will miss him but always have to keep up the work.....
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vijay
- Posts: 2522
- Joined: 27 Feb 2006, 16:06
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arunk
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: 07 Feb 2010, 21:41
Smt. Gayatri,
I want to echo vijay's thoughts about your reflections on your guru. I had the fortune of attending his lec-dem on Syama Sastry krithis (with you for vocal support) at cleveland a couple of years ago - or was it in 2006?. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, I just had to buy that book you mention and I certainly can relate when you say "his handwriting is something we prefer to printing so artistic and clear it was..Infact his book on Sri ShyamaSastri compositions has been printed in his handwriting". So impeccable, so clear, so stylish.
Arun
I want to echo vijay's thoughts about your reflections on your guru. I had the fortune of attending his lec-dem on Syama Sastry krithis (with you for vocal support) at cleveland a couple of years ago - or was it in 2006?. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, I just had to buy that book you mention and I certainly can relate when you say "his handwriting is something we prefer to printing so artistic and clear it was..Infact his book on Sri ShyamaSastri compositions has been printed in his handwriting". So impeccable, so clear, so stylish.
Arun
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arasi
- Posts: 16873
- Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30
Gayatrivenkat,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on the forum. No newspaper article can say it as well as what you and others have said. You speak for all of your guru's disciples, big and small (vidwAn Sundaresan's zeal for imparting the treasure of CM, irrespective of the level of the student, is evident).
While a performing star can blaze a trail across the firmament of music, a true guru's work stays on for generations by virtue of the students he grooms and in turn, those who are taught by his students. The tradition continues because of the spark he ignites in his students of merit. You are an example of what a great teacher he was. So too, his other students. Guru paramparA is the keystone of indian music.
May such an exemplary guru's soul rest in peace knowing that his dedication would not go to waste...
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on the forum. No newspaper article can say it as well as what you and others have said. You speak for all of your guru's disciples, big and small (vidwAn Sundaresan's zeal for imparting the treasure of CM, irrespective of the level of the student, is evident).
While a performing star can blaze a trail across the firmament of music, a true guru's work stays on for generations by virtue of the students he grooms and in turn, those who are taught by his students. The tradition continues because of the spark he ignites in his students of merit. You are an example of what a great teacher he was. So too, his other students. Guru paramparA is the keystone of indian music.
May such an exemplary guru's soul rest in peace knowing that his dedication would not go to waste...
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gayathrivenkataraghavan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 08 Jul 2007, 18:38
Thank you all for your overwhelming response to our Guru's memories.
Yes Mr.Rajeshnat he was always pushing us to learn and present on stage absolute gems he had worked on and was childlike in dissapointment when we did not sing a particular piece the song in question was Yetulakapaduthuvo in Aahiri .
Mr.Prashanth, Mr.Vijay and Mr.Arunk(Cleveland with mama was year 2005) thank you all for understanding our feelings when we want to talk about our Guru,he was indeed special.
Arasi madam you put it so beautifully when you said that "While a performing star can blaze a trail across the firmament of music, a true guru's work stays on for generations by virtue of the students he grooms and in turn, those who are taught by his students. The tradition continues because of the spark he ignites in his students of merit "
Thank you all for this support, do pray for all of us students so we may carry on mama's work atleast to a small extent.
One amazing fact we(Students) came across when we had assembled for his last journey was the fact that he had taught a different set of kritis to each student so that we can now contribute to each other's repertoire.
Yes Mr.Rajeshnat he was always pushing us to learn and present on stage absolute gems he had worked on and was childlike in dissapointment when we did not sing a particular piece the song in question was Yetulakapaduthuvo in Aahiri .
Mr.Prashanth, Mr.Vijay and Mr.Arunk(Cleveland with mama was year 2005) thank you all for understanding our feelings when we want to talk about our Guru,he was indeed special.
Arasi madam you put it so beautifully when you said that "While a performing star can blaze a trail across the firmament of music, a true guru's work stays on for generations by virtue of the students he grooms and in turn, those who are taught by his students. The tradition continues because of the spark he ignites in his students of merit "
Thank you all for this support, do pray for all of us students so we may carry on mama's work atleast to a small extent.
One amazing fact we(Students) came across when we had assembled for his last journey was the fact that he had taught a different set of kritis to each student so that we can now contribute to each other's repertoire.
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sreevita
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 19 Sep 2006, 19:41
Sundaresan mama has been much more than a guru to me... His love and passion for music was something beyond imagination. It is from him that I learnt that music is just not memorising the notation and singing the krithi.. the amount of bhava and bhakti he would bring about in each song is something one can only experience.
He once taught me the krithi " Thyagaraja Mahaadhwajaa" in Sriragam. Both of us were in tears by the time we completed the krithi.. everytime i think of that song, my eyes get full. The amount of bhakti he brought about in that song is something beyond words...
Unforunately I have not been able to learn from Mama for the past 1 year, and there has not been a single day when I dont think about him. I really cherish all his notation. They are so perfect and neat that one would wonder where it is hand written or printed.
Apart from his love for music, mama was also a great cricket fan. He could talk for hours together about cricket.
I must say that Mama's demise a great great loss for the Carnatic Music fraternity. We will all miss him and remember his great work forever.
Savita
He once taught me the krithi " Thyagaraja Mahaadhwajaa" in Sriragam. Both of us were in tears by the time we completed the krithi.. everytime i think of that song, my eyes get full. The amount of bhakti he brought about in that song is something beyond words...
Unforunately I have not been able to learn from Mama for the past 1 year, and there has not been a single day when I dont think about him. I really cherish all his notation. They are so perfect and neat that one would wonder where it is hand written or printed.
Apart from his love for music, mama was also a great cricket fan. He could talk for hours together about cricket.
I must say that Mama's demise a great great loss for the Carnatic Music fraternity. We will all miss him and remember his great work forever.
Savita
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neeraja rao
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 09 Jul 2007, 22:55
Hello Everyone,
I had the wonderful opportunity of learning from Shri. A.Sunderesan in Sacramento, along with many others. It was the most blissful musical experience of my life. I have only heard about the gurukul system, but never thought I would be a part of one guided by Maama. He spent three relentless months with us in Sacramento. His abundant patience and knowledge brought about a different dimension to all who learnt under him. To know music is definetly an art, but to impart it with complete justice is a very rare trait. Maama was someone who did the latter.
We learnt Shyama Shastri kritis mainly. They were difficult ones, but he tried to make them as lucid as possible. We sang them yesterday at Thyagaraja Nilayam in Sacramento as a tribute to Maama. Our President Haripriya Raghavan, who made it possible for us to learn from him should be thanked a lot. She bid a tearful farewell to him in her speech yesterday.
I pray to God to accept his soul and make it rest in peace.
neeraja
I had the wonderful opportunity of learning from Shri. A.Sunderesan in Sacramento, along with many others. It was the most blissful musical experience of my life. I have only heard about the gurukul system, but never thought I would be a part of one guided by Maama. He spent three relentless months with us in Sacramento. His abundant patience and knowledge brought about a different dimension to all who learnt under him. To know music is definetly an art, but to impart it with complete justice is a very rare trait. Maama was someone who did the latter.
We learnt Shyama Shastri kritis mainly. They were difficult ones, but he tried to make them as lucid as possible. We sang them yesterday at Thyagaraja Nilayam in Sacramento as a tribute to Maama. Our President Haripriya Raghavan, who made it possible for us to learn from him should be thanked a lot. She bid a tearful farewell to him in her speech yesterday.
I pray to God to accept his soul and make it rest in peace.
neeraja
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neeraja rao
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 09 Jul 2007, 22:55
Also, for people who need recordings on Maama's concert in San Jose, in 2005, please get details from http://thyagarajanilayam.org.
His teaching tapes on Shyama Shastri Kritis are also available at the same link.
His teaching tapes on Shyama Shastri Kritis are also available at the same link.
Last edited by neeraja rao on 09 Jul 2007, 23:35, edited 1 time in total.
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rshankar
- Posts: 13754
- Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26
Smt. Gayatri Venkatararaghavan,
Firstly, welcome to our family of international rasikas! It is indeed our privilege and honor to have members like you.
Secondly, we are sad on the ocassion of your first post. Our condolences on the loss of your guru whom you describe so eloquently as 'tvamEva sarvam'! It must indeed be awful for you. I remember reading a poignant account of how Vijay Siva felt when Sri DKJ left us - yours is no less touching. But, as Sri Erode Nagarajan has said it, Sri Sundaresan has sown the seeds - we will wait for the plants to shower us with beautiful, fragrant, and everlasting, blossoms.
Firstly, welcome to our family of international rasikas! It is indeed our privilege and honor to have members like you.
Secondly, we are sad on the ocassion of your first post. Our condolences on the loss of your guru whom you describe so eloquently as 'tvamEva sarvam'! It must indeed be awful for you. I remember reading a poignant account of how Vijay Siva felt when Sri DKJ left us - yours is no less touching. But, as Sri Erode Nagarajan has said it, Sri Sundaresan has sown the seeds - we will wait for the plants to shower us with beautiful, fragrant, and everlasting, blossoms.
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sguhados
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 10 Jul 2007, 03:48
Hi all,
I join all of you in this grief-stricken time of Sundharesan Sir's passing away. I was also part of the Shyama Shastry class sessions that he conducted in Sacramento. Smt.Haripriya Raghavan was instrumental in bringing such a great guru to our community and would like to thank her deeply for that.
I felt that the Shyama Shastry's gems that he chose to teach us were all a life-time learning and experience. To be specific, the Yadukulakambhoji Swarajati had so many amazing varieties of gamakas in the charanams. He taught all of us very patiently.
He was never hesitant to teach a song. You ask for it, you got it... There is no holding back of any sorts. Such was a rare person to meet and blessing to have as a guru. As Smt.Savita mentioned he sang "Thyagaraja Mahadhwaja" in one of our sessions which was laden with so much bakthi and bhava.
Shri.T.M.T was one of his very good friends and it is sad both of them passed away within days.
This is definitely an irreparable loss and i pray the almighty to give him the eternal peace.
I join all of you in this grief-stricken time of Sundharesan Sir's passing away. I was also part of the Shyama Shastry class sessions that he conducted in Sacramento. Smt.Haripriya Raghavan was instrumental in bringing such a great guru to our community and would like to thank her deeply for that.
I felt that the Shyama Shastry's gems that he chose to teach us were all a life-time learning and experience. To be specific, the Yadukulakambhoji Swarajati had so many amazing varieties of gamakas in the charanams. He taught all of us very patiently.
He was never hesitant to teach a song. You ask for it, you got it... There is no holding back of any sorts. Such was a rare person to meet and blessing to have as a guru. As Smt.Savita mentioned he sang "Thyagaraja Mahadhwaja" in one of our sessions which was laden with so much bakthi and bhava.
Shri.T.M.T was one of his very good friends and it is sad both of them passed away within days.
This is definitely an irreparable loss and i pray the almighty to give him the eternal peace.
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venkatpv
- Posts: 373
- Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:23
"In all professions, there are the practitioners of whom only the great reach the pinnacles of fame. And, there are the teachers who groom these practitioners who, by the very nature of their calling, seldom get the acknowledgement that some of their proteges do." (http://sky.prohosting.com/guruguha/ambisir.html)
Shri. Sundaresan must have been one such teacher. my condolences to his family and students.
Shri. Sundaresan must have been one such teacher. my condolences to his family and students.
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sadha_smf
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 10 Jul 2007, 11:49
It is with a great sense of loss that I came to know about Vidwan Sri. A. Sunderasan Sir's passing away. I and my then 10 year old daughter Mayuri, had the good fortune to meet him two years back in Sacramento, CA, and he was gracious enough to impart her with some exquisite geetams of Sri Shyama Sastri along with Sri Deekshitar's classic in Devagandhari, Panchashat Peeta Roopini. His amazing ability to communicate and completely convey the nuances to kids of that age and younger was simply unforgettable.
His life long passion to unearth and bring to the world the hidden gems of the Sri Shyama Sastri has made our musical world richer today. His utter humility in light of what he had to offer and had accomplished, enriched him and all those who had the good fortune to come in contact with him.
We should and will celebrate his life by dedicating again to the propagation and popularization of all those musical treasures he had revealed for us. May his soul rest in peace.
His life long passion to unearth and bring to the world the hidden gems of the Sri Shyama Sastri has made our musical world richer today. His utter humility in light of what he had to offer and had accomplished, enriched him and all those who had the good fortune to come in contact with him.
We should and will celebrate his life by dedicating again to the propagation and popularization of all those musical treasures he had revealed for us. May his soul rest in peace.
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manakkalsriram
- Posts: 88
- Joined: 10 Feb 2006, 11:00
Gayathri,
Sure, a void which can never be filled. He was a true master who lived for the cause of music. To be a successful teacher is a herculean task. A successful performer need not be a good teacher. To impart your music knowledge to your disciples selflessly and experiencing the joy in your music being reflected by them(disciples) lies the true success of a teacher. Sri A. Sundaresan was such an Adi Adbutha Guru. The knowledge he has imparted to you all will be ever living. Though he is not here, he would have certainly seen your message dedicated to him from heaven and would have blessed you. The true respect and reverance you have shown to your Guru will certainly keep you going strong and your flag flying in life. His soul would be resting in peace as he without doubt knows that you disciples would reflect the path of music he has shown and keep it ever glowing. Some of the artists or Gurus have no substitutes. One among them was Sri A. Sundaresan. It is a harsh reality to digest that he is no more.
I still remember once when we had joined to take part in a Pancharathnam (Almost all were expert singers). But, the confidence and spontaneity with which Sri Sundaresan sang (including Kana Kana,Varali) was apart from everybody.( He did not need a piece of paper to look at, as he himself was the book to be referred) .
Let us all pray God for the great soul to rest in peace.
Sure, a void which can never be filled. He was a true master who lived for the cause of music. To be a successful teacher is a herculean task. A successful performer need not be a good teacher. To impart your music knowledge to your disciples selflessly and experiencing the joy in your music being reflected by them(disciples) lies the true success of a teacher. Sri A. Sundaresan was such an Adi Adbutha Guru. The knowledge he has imparted to you all will be ever living. Though he is not here, he would have certainly seen your message dedicated to him from heaven and would have blessed you. The true respect and reverance you have shown to your Guru will certainly keep you going strong and your flag flying in life. His soul would be resting in peace as he without doubt knows that you disciples would reflect the path of music he has shown and keep it ever glowing. Some of the artists or Gurus have no substitutes. One among them was Sri A. Sundaresan. It is a harsh reality to digest that he is no more.
I still remember once when we had joined to take part in a Pancharathnam (Almost all were expert singers). But, the confidence and spontaneity with which Sri Sundaresan sang (including Kana Kana,Varali) was apart from everybody.( He did not need a piece of paper to look at, as he himself was the book to be referred) .
Let us all pray God for the great soul to rest in peace.
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srini_pichumani
- Posts: 79
- Joined: 24 May 2006, 11:29
My heartfelt condolences to Shri A.Sundaresan's family members and disciples.
I knew Sundaresan Sir only very briefly, meeting him during his visit to the US a couple of years ago and attending one of his concerts in the Bay area. Also I heard a couple of his early 70s concerts on CD.
I was very touched by his simplicity, sincerity and deep feeling for music. He talked very passionately about his various gurus and his acquaintance with T.Sankaran of the Dhanammal school and the notations he wrote for Sankaran.
During our conversations, I reminded him of something I read long long ago in a Hindu review -- namely, his rendering of the Tyagaraja Vibhakti kriti of Dikshitar "tyAgarAja mahadhvajAroha" and requested him to sing it... he was gracious enough to send me a recording of his rendition of this beautiful kriti in s'rI, that I will treasure.
Sincerely,
-Srini.
I knew Sundaresan Sir only very briefly, meeting him during his visit to the US a couple of years ago and attending one of his concerts in the Bay area. Also I heard a couple of his early 70s concerts on CD.
I was very touched by his simplicity, sincerity and deep feeling for music. He talked very passionately about his various gurus and his acquaintance with T.Sankaran of the Dhanammal school and the notations he wrote for Sankaran.
During our conversations, I reminded him of something I read long long ago in a Hindu review -- namely, his rendering of the Tyagaraja Vibhakti kriti of Dikshitar "tyAgarAja mahadhvajAroha" and requested him to sing it... he was gracious enough to send me a recording of his rendition of this beautiful kriti in s'rI, that I will treasure.
Sincerely,
-Srini.
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gayathrivenkataraghavan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 08 Jul 2007, 18:38
Dear Friends Nada Inbam along with the Students of Sri.A.Sundaresan mama plan to hold a Shradanjali to remember him on August 1st 6 p.m at Raga Sudha Auditorium.Nadopasana Sri.Srinivasan,Asthika Samajam Sri.Narasimhan,Cleveland Sri.V.V.Sundaram,Sangeetha Kala Acharya Sri.P.S.Narayanaswamy and other eminent personalities who were closely associated with our Guru, have kindly accepted to share their thoughts about our Guru..This will be followed by a forty minute Musical Homage by students.We request Rasikas to join us in paying respects to our beloved Guru.
The family and Students of Sundaresan mama wish to acknowledge all the friends and rasikas and fellow musicians who have expressed their sorrow at mama's demise through this forum,through mails and in person.
The family and Students of Sundaresan mama wish to acknowledge all the friends and rasikas and fellow musicians who have expressed their sorrow at mama's demise through this forum,through mails and in person.
Last edited by gayathrivenkataraghavan on 20 Jul 2007, 20:33, edited 1 time in total.
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kaapi
- Posts: 146
- Joined: 05 Jun 2005, 14:32
I had known Sri Sundaresan over a fairly long period of time. He was an excellent musician who had come up in the profession by his own efforts. One of his initial breakthroughs was winning the Vocal competition in the senior category from Music Academy in the year 1964(IIRC), the year during which Alathur Subbiar presided over the session. The Music Academy has (or had) a tradition of offering the winner in the senior category a concert slot during the next year. Hence Sri Sundaresan got his chance to sing in the 1.30 PM slot the next year. He made full use of this opportunity and became a regular performer at the MA. He established himself as a reputed concert musician and a teacher over period of time. The most striking aspect of his concerts was that he never strayed away from the classical idiom.
Another aspect of Sri Sundaresan that many may not know was his passion for cricket. He was a certified MCA (which later became TNCA) umpire and had officiated in the City league matches during the 1960s.
May his soul rest in peace.
P.S.
As my computer was not working properly I could not post earlier.
Another aspect of Sri Sundaresan that many may not know was his passion for cricket. He was a certified MCA (which later became TNCA) umpire and had officiated in the City league matches during the 1960s.
May his soul rest in peace.
P.S.
As my computer was not working properly I could not post earlier.
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rajeshnat
- Posts: 10123
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04
The hindu describes him as a thinking musician , perhaps he being an umpire must have helped.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/20/stor ... 640500.htm
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/20/stor ... 640500.htm
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vasumathi
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 21 Jul 2007, 12:55
As Gayathri said, our guru was a child prodigy and was a best teacher for all of us. It is an irreparable loss for all of us. Whenever we go to him for weekly classes, time was not a constraint for him and he will not allow even for 3 hours till a sangati he teaches, sung by students on the same lines. We never had seen such a teacher, who taught us with dedication, and sincerity. He did a selfless service to all of us. We are so unlucky to have lost him so early. Even at the age of 75, he never got tired while teaching and it was a lively experience for all of us. He never strayed from classical idiom. Words are not adequate to explain his rich knowledge in carnatic music.
Let all the music fraternity pray for his soul rest in eternal peace.
vasumathi
Let all the music fraternity pray for his soul rest in eternal peace.
vasumathi
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sangeetarasikan
- Posts: 68
- Joined: 12 Sep 2006, 17:07
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jagan
- Posts: 157
- Joined: 23 Dec 2006, 18:31
Shraddajali to Vidwan A Sundaresan was offered by his disciples in a function held at Raga Suddha Hall on 1st August . It was very very well attended despite the threatening rain.
The programme started with more than ten of His disciples singing the Bhairavi Swarajati, Sri Janaka Thanaye (Kalakandi) ,Yadukula Kamboji Swarajati and a varnam in Bahudari composed by Sundaresan. The excellent rendering bore testimony to the greatness of Sundaresan as a Guru .
A thrilling raga elaboration of Karaharapriya rendered by Sundaresan was played next.
Tributes were offered by PSN,Jayalakshmi Santhanam, Mannargudi Eswaran ,Nadopasana Srinivasan, Cleveland V V Sundaram,Asthika Samajam Thiruvanmiyur Narasimhan, his friend M Radhakrishnan and many others. His daughter and students also spoke of their personal experiences.
Sri. Thanjavur Sankara Iyer sent a message bemoaning the loss of the Vidwan who disproved the categorisation as an Amatuer or Professional, was well versed in raga and laya and an eminent teacher.
Vidwan Sri Ramani and Chengleput Ranganathan also participated
.
Though the programme went on till 9 pm and there was no music to follow, the audience stayed on.
A very well organised function, well attended.
The programme started with more than ten of His disciples singing the Bhairavi Swarajati, Sri Janaka Thanaye (Kalakandi) ,Yadukula Kamboji Swarajati and a varnam in Bahudari composed by Sundaresan. The excellent rendering bore testimony to the greatness of Sundaresan as a Guru .
A thrilling raga elaboration of Karaharapriya rendered by Sundaresan was played next.
Tributes were offered by PSN,Jayalakshmi Santhanam, Mannargudi Eswaran ,Nadopasana Srinivasan, Cleveland V V Sundaram,Asthika Samajam Thiruvanmiyur Narasimhan, his friend M Radhakrishnan and many others. His daughter and students also spoke of their personal experiences.
Sri. Thanjavur Sankara Iyer sent a message bemoaning the loss of the Vidwan who disproved the categorisation as an Amatuer or Professional, was well versed in raga and laya and an eminent teacher.
Vidwan Sri Ramani and Chengleput Ranganathan also participated
.
Though the programme went on till 9 pm and there was no music to follow, the audience stayed on.
A very well organised function, well attended.
Last edited by jagan on 02 Aug 2007, 09:26, edited 1 time in total.
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mohan
- Posts: 2808
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 16:52
Below is the eulogy piece by Sri VV Sundaram:
Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth
A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown.
Fair Science frowned not on his humble birth,
And Melancholy marked him for her own.
Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere
Thomas Gray
I was drawn to the music of Vidwan Sri A. Sundaresan when some 30 years ago, I came across a taped concert of his in which he was accompanied by Lalgudi Sri G. Jayaraman and Umayalpuram Sri K. Sivaraman. My friend gave me the tape with a pronouncement that it was one of the greatest concerts he had ever heard. It was a 3+-hour concert and on listening to it in its entirety, I was in total agreement with my friend in his assessment. I started looking for his performances whenever I visited Chennai and found a satisfaction in his music that I was seeking all along.
Over time, my casual acquaintance with him evolved into a deeper relationship as my wife and sons started learning music from him. I also had an opportunity to observe in close quarters while he was teaching other students. As I attended more of his concerts and observed more of his teaching, I realized the musical colossus he truly was. He was always on a quest for musical perfection. He was self critical to an extreme and he set a very high standard for his disciples too.
His music is steeped in tradition; it has elements of Ramnad Sri Krishnan and the Alathur School; yet it is different. There is an elusive quality to his music, which immediately bewitches one by its sheer beauty, and an elegance of approach, which favors brevity over expansiveness, which yet musically is complete. His is not of cloying sweetness, but one of serene beauty – a beauty one has to take steps to uncover, understand and then appreciate. His is music for the truly cognoscenti and not for the plebes.
Two words describe his music: majestic and fresh. A small piece, usually consigned only for teaching rudimentary elements of Carnatic music to the beginners, when handled by Sri A. Sundaresan suddenly assumes a majesty that can only be compared to Beethoven’s Fifth. His brief outline of a not so familiar raga or kriti, though heard only once becomes a life long friend to the listener. His approach to niraval and kalpana swaras never ceases to dazzle the most analytically inclined. And no matter how many times one hears a raga or kriti from him, it would have a freshness of approach that would instantly delight the most critical.
His music is anchored on a bed of strong fundamentals and he countenanced no dilution or deviation. He was a great teacher who wanted his disciples to have that same musical integrity. In that, he was steadfast and uncompromising. And, he was generous in gifting his musical bounty to those who sought his values and who were willing to strive for the heights only a few could and would scale.
He took it as his life’s mission to bring to popularity some of the rare kriti-s of Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Syama Sastry. In that, one could sense urgency as well as a boyish enthusiasm and an evangelical fervor. He implied that he had only limited time, despaired that he had so much to give, and was impatient that his disciples were not fast enough to absorb all that he wanted to teach. He was happiest in a group situation, surrounded by his disciples, inspiring them with his lofty musical ideas and in turn getting inspired. He always professed that time was his worst enemy, yet he meticulously hand crafted each kriti in his beautiful handwriting painstakingly annotating every nuances of gamaka and tala.
Classical music lost a great artist with his untimely demise.
Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth
A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown.
Fair Science frowned not on his humble birth,
And Melancholy marked him for her own.
Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere
Thomas Gray
I was drawn to the music of Vidwan Sri A. Sundaresan when some 30 years ago, I came across a taped concert of his in which he was accompanied by Lalgudi Sri G. Jayaraman and Umayalpuram Sri K. Sivaraman. My friend gave me the tape with a pronouncement that it was one of the greatest concerts he had ever heard. It was a 3+-hour concert and on listening to it in its entirety, I was in total agreement with my friend in his assessment. I started looking for his performances whenever I visited Chennai and found a satisfaction in his music that I was seeking all along.
Over time, my casual acquaintance with him evolved into a deeper relationship as my wife and sons started learning music from him. I also had an opportunity to observe in close quarters while he was teaching other students. As I attended more of his concerts and observed more of his teaching, I realized the musical colossus he truly was. He was always on a quest for musical perfection. He was self critical to an extreme and he set a very high standard for his disciples too.
His music is steeped in tradition; it has elements of Ramnad Sri Krishnan and the Alathur School; yet it is different. There is an elusive quality to his music, which immediately bewitches one by its sheer beauty, and an elegance of approach, which favors brevity over expansiveness, which yet musically is complete. His is not of cloying sweetness, but one of serene beauty – a beauty one has to take steps to uncover, understand and then appreciate. His is music for the truly cognoscenti and not for the plebes.
Two words describe his music: majestic and fresh. A small piece, usually consigned only for teaching rudimentary elements of Carnatic music to the beginners, when handled by Sri A. Sundaresan suddenly assumes a majesty that can only be compared to Beethoven’s Fifth. His brief outline of a not so familiar raga or kriti, though heard only once becomes a life long friend to the listener. His approach to niraval and kalpana swaras never ceases to dazzle the most analytically inclined. And no matter how many times one hears a raga or kriti from him, it would have a freshness of approach that would instantly delight the most critical.
His music is anchored on a bed of strong fundamentals and he countenanced no dilution or deviation. He was a great teacher who wanted his disciples to have that same musical integrity. In that, he was steadfast and uncompromising. And, he was generous in gifting his musical bounty to those who sought his values and who were willing to strive for the heights only a few could and would scale.
He took it as his life’s mission to bring to popularity some of the rare kriti-s of Sri Thyagaraja and Sri Syama Sastry. In that, one could sense urgency as well as a boyish enthusiasm and an evangelical fervor. He implied that he had only limited time, despaired that he had so much to give, and was impatient that his disciples were not fast enough to absorb all that he wanted to teach. He was happiest in a group situation, surrounded by his disciples, inspiring them with his lofty musical ideas and in turn getting inspired. He always professed that time was his worst enemy, yet he meticulously hand crafted each kriti in his beautiful handwriting painstakingly annotating every nuances of gamaka and tala.
Classical music lost a great artist with his untimely demise.
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vasumathi
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 21 Jul 2007, 12:55
Shraddanjali of Vidwan A Sundaresan was held at Raga Sudha Hall on 1st Aug. 07.
The tribute event was started with a group singing by his disciples led by Mrs Gayathri Venkatraghavan along with self, Haripriya (one of the ardent bhaktha affectionately called by her father) M/s.Rangarajan, Ravindran, Sankar, Lakshman and his wife Santha, Pushpa Kannan, Vasudha, Vidya, Aarti, Vaishnavi, and Balu Mama and the group was accompanied by Master Govind - son of Haripriya on the violin and A S Ranganathan on the Mridangam and A S Krishnan on Morsing. The 1st song was Bhairavi Swarajati, followed by Sri Janaka Thanaye (Kalakandi) ,Yadukula Kamboji Swarajati and a varnam in Bahudari which was composed by our Guru. During the rendition, the audience was spell bound and the permutation and combination was well.
Subsequently, great Vidwans viz., M/s.P S Narayanaswamy, Sangita Kalanidhi Flute Ramani, Mannargadi Easwaran, and Sabha Secretaries, Mr Narasimhan of Aastika Samajam, Nadopasana Mr Srinivasan, Cleveland Mr V V Sundaram paid their sincere tributes to our Guru. All the tributes were from their heart. Mannargudi Eswaran during his message, spoke about the greatness of Guru by narrating in one Kutcheri where our Guru rendered Begada and Kamboji consecutively.
Every body spoke about the hard work and thirst for Carnatic Music our Guru had. Everybody prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
Later on, Mr Radhakrishnan of Hamsadhwani, Mr R Gopalswamy (father of Haripriya - Former Chief Secretary of Kerala Govt.) also paid tributes to our Guru.
As a representative from our Guru family, his first daughter Mrs Suganti spoke. She requested the disciples to follow her father's foot steps and propagate to the world his tradition and whatever help needed from all their family members will be given.
The programme was well compered by one of his disciple
Mr Lion T D Balasubramanian. All the disciples spoke about their association with our Guru and Gayathri finally thanked the guests for their tributes. Everybody were in tears during their speech.
Gayathri finally announced at the end that there will be a function on 4th August at Krishna Gana Sabha, where the award Acharya Choodamani is going to be presented posthumusly to our Guru.
It is a great pity that our Guru was not alive to receive the award given by one of the old and prestigeous Sabha. We are not fortunate enough to witness our Guru being honoured.
He is very much known for his laya in swara prasthara like sankeerna kuraippu means 9, misra kuraippu means 7 and kanta kuraippu. It is a mere co-incidence that his birth day was 9th September and he passed away on 7th July. He was the ardent devotee/Bhaktha of Great Thyagaraja Swamy and it is also again a rare co-incidence that posthumus award is being given to him on Panchami day.
Words are not adequate to say that we have lost our Guru, it is more than that what meets the eye.
In tears,
The tribute event was started with a group singing by his disciples led by Mrs Gayathri Venkatraghavan along with self, Haripriya (one of the ardent bhaktha affectionately called by her father) M/s.Rangarajan, Ravindran, Sankar, Lakshman and his wife Santha, Pushpa Kannan, Vasudha, Vidya, Aarti, Vaishnavi, and Balu Mama and the group was accompanied by Master Govind - son of Haripriya on the violin and A S Ranganathan on the Mridangam and A S Krishnan on Morsing. The 1st song was Bhairavi Swarajati, followed by Sri Janaka Thanaye (Kalakandi) ,Yadukula Kamboji Swarajati and a varnam in Bahudari which was composed by our Guru. During the rendition, the audience was spell bound and the permutation and combination was well.
Subsequently, great Vidwans viz., M/s.P S Narayanaswamy, Sangita Kalanidhi Flute Ramani, Mannargadi Easwaran, and Sabha Secretaries, Mr Narasimhan of Aastika Samajam, Nadopasana Mr Srinivasan, Cleveland Mr V V Sundaram paid their sincere tributes to our Guru. All the tributes were from their heart. Mannargudi Eswaran during his message, spoke about the greatness of Guru by narrating in one Kutcheri where our Guru rendered Begada and Kamboji consecutively.
Every body spoke about the hard work and thirst for Carnatic Music our Guru had. Everybody prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
Later on, Mr Radhakrishnan of Hamsadhwani, Mr R Gopalswamy (father of Haripriya - Former Chief Secretary of Kerala Govt.) also paid tributes to our Guru.
As a representative from our Guru family, his first daughter Mrs Suganti spoke. She requested the disciples to follow her father's foot steps and propagate to the world his tradition and whatever help needed from all their family members will be given.
The programme was well compered by one of his disciple
Mr Lion T D Balasubramanian. All the disciples spoke about their association with our Guru and Gayathri finally thanked the guests for their tributes. Everybody were in tears during their speech.
Gayathri finally announced at the end that there will be a function on 4th August at Krishna Gana Sabha, where the award Acharya Choodamani is going to be presented posthumusly to our Guru.
It is a great pity that our Guru was not alive to receive the award given by one of the old and prestigeous Sabha. We are not fortunate enough to witness our Guru being honoured.
He is very much known for his laya in swara prasthara like sankeerna kuraippu means 9, misra kuraippu means 7 and kanta kuraippu. It is a mere co-incidence that his birth day was 9th September and he passed away on 7th July. He was the ardent devotee/Bhaktha of Great Thyagaraja Swamy and it is also again a rare co-incidence that posthumus award is being given to him on Panchami day.
Words are not adequate to say that we have lost our Guru, it is more than that what meets the eye.
In tears,
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gayathrivenkataraghavan
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 08 Jul 2007, 18:38
Dear friends our Guru’s Shradanjali was performed with atmost sincerity by more than 20 disciples.Senior Vidwans and Vidushis who were present to reminiscence about our Guru were eloquent in their tributes.
Smt.Jayalakshmi Santanam who is enthusiasm personified spoke gloriously about the Maayamma Kriti our Vadiyar used to sing in Nataikurinji and bemoaned that the senior musicians we have lost recently were never given their due either in number of performances or recognition.
Sri.Mannargudi Eswaran dwelt on the laya involvement of our Guru and also mentioned that he was so important in the Akandams( non stop recital of a given composer’s kriti for a certain duration, such Akandams are famous during Sivaratri at Tiruvaiyaru, Sadasiva Bramendral Aradana at Manamadurai and Nerur and Purasavakkam Thyagaraja Akandam,Akandam at Muthusawmy Dikshitar Mandapam at Ettayapuram to mention a few ) and said that all musicians and rasikas would look forward to his arrival before commencement of the Akandam. Incidentally mama would start preparation for the next years Akandam as soon as he got back from one!! That was the dedication that these seniors exhibited.. Vasumathi Desikan our Guru’s senior disciple has mentioned the Begada followed by Kambodhi incident which Eswaran Sir recollected.
Sri.Nadopasana Srinivasan also spoke about mama’s involvement in different Akandams and explained how the sessions after midnight in the Purasavakkam Akandam, and the Sivaratri Akandam at Tiruvaiyaru(I have to add here that only males are lucky enough to sing here!) used to be full of majestic unheard Kritis by stalwarts like Sri.T.M.T, Sri.T.K.Govindaroa, Sri.P.S.Narayanaswamy, Sri.Chengalpet Ranganathan mama our Guru Sri.A.Sundaresan mama and other seasoned musicians.Lucky were those who stayed back fighting sleep and fatigue, he said as they would be able to feast their ears on these amazing Kritis..
Padma bhusan Sri.P.S.Narayanaswamy Sir who was a very close friend of our guru spoke about their life long friendship and the zest with which they both taught the kritis that the other had notated to their respective students..A rare trait exhibiting their thirst for knowledge..
Sri.V.V.Sundaram spoke about mama’s total commitment to teaching even the smallest of nuances to the students and how he bought Shyama Sastri’s creations to the centerstage in the Cleveland Aradhana in 2005.
Astika Samajam Sri.Narasimhan in his own inimitable style recalled listening to AS mama as we call our Guru in the Keetu Kotai Pandal of Music Academy and said that one could never forget his haunting Alapanas or majestic Neravals..making his brand of music a special Bani.He said that AS mama was a Nyana Samudram.
Flute Maestro Sri.N.Ramani who adorned the stage was humility personified and spoke gloriously about his association with AS mama.
Tanjore Sri Sankara Iyer had sent a emotive message that was read out.
This was followed by friends and disciples who spoke in length about AS mama.
Chengalpet Ranganathan Sir who was present throughout the shradanjali spoke on Aug 5th at the homage conducted by PSN Sir's students forum about our Guru..Such a tribute from a senoir vidwan goes to show what a great soul Chengalpet Ranganathan mama is..He spoke about our guru's saveri in a concert supported by Sri.M.S.G and Sri.T.K.Murthy and his commitment to teaching only the purest Classical values..He also said that AS mama's varnam in Bahudari was full of laya embellishments..He recollected the Sivaratri Akandam and AS mama's unique contributions in those occasions..In all a very emotive moving tribute...
Krishna Gana Sabha added glory to the memory of our Guru by honouring him with the Sangeetha Acharya Choodamani title on Aug 4th..A celebration that can never be forgotten.The family and Students of Acharya Choodamani Vidwan Sri.A.Sundaresan will remain indebted to the sabha authorities for this unique gesture.
Smt.Jayalakshmi Santanam who is enthusiasm personified spoke gloriously about the Maayamma Kriti our Vadiyar used to sing in Nataikurinji and bemoaned that the senior musicians we have lost recently were never given their due either in number of performances or recognition.
Sri.Mannargudi Eswaran dwelt on the laya involvement of our Guru and also mentioned that he was so important in the Akandams( non stop recital of a given composer’s kriti for a certain duration, such Akandams are famous during Sivaratri at Tiruvaiyaru, Sadasiva Bramendral Aradana at Manamadurai and Nerur and Purasavakkam Thyagaraja Akandam,Akandam at Muthusawmy Dikshitar Mandapam at Ettayapuram to mention a few ) and said that all musicians and rasikas would look forward to his arrival before commencement of the Akandam. Incidentally mama would start preparation for the next years Akandam as soon as he got back from one!! That was the dedication that these seniors exhibited.. Vasumathi Desikan our Guru’s senior disciple has mentioned the Begada followed by Kambodhi incident which Eswaran Sir recollected.
Sri.Nadopasana Srinivasan also spoke about mama’s involvement in different Akandams and explained how the sessions after midnight in the Purasavakkam Akandam, and the Sivaratri Akandam at Tiruvaiyaru(I have to add here that only males are lucky enough to sing here!) used to be full of majestic unheard Kritis by stalwarts like Sri.T.M.T, Sri.T.K.Govindaroa, Sri.P.S.Narayanaswamy, Sri.Chengalpet Ranganathan mama our Guru Sri.A.Sundaresan mama and other seasoned musicians.Lucky were those who stayed back fighting sleep and fatigue, he said as they would be able to feast their ears on these amazing Kritis..
Padma bhusan Sri.P.S.Narayanaswamy Sir who was a very close friend of our guru spoke about their life long friendship and the zest with which they both taught the kritis that the other had notated to their respective students..A rare trait exhibiting their thirst for knowledge..
Sri.V.V.Sundaram spoke about mama’s total commitment to teaching even the smallest of nuances to the students and how he bought Shyama Sastri’s creations to the centerstage in the Cleveland Aradhana in 2005.
Astika Samajam Sri.Narasimhan in his own inimitable style recalled listening to AS mama as we call our Guru in the Keetu Kotai Pandal of Music Academy and said that one could never forget his haunting Alapanas or majestic Neravals..making his brand of music a special Bani.He said that AS mama was a Nyana Samudram.
Flute Maestro Sri.N.Ramani who adorned the stage was humility personified and spoke gloriously about his association with AS mama.
Tanjore Sri Sankara Iyer had sent a emotive message that was read out.
This was followed by friends and disciples who spoke in length about AS mama.
Chengalpet Ranganathan Sir who was present throughout the shradanjali spoke on Aug 5th at the homage conducted by PSN Sir's students forum about our Guru..Such a tribute from a senoir vidwan goes to show what a great soul Chengalpet Ranganathan mama is..He spoke about our guru's saveri in a concert supported by Sri.M.S.G and Sri.T.K.Murthy and his commitment to teaching only the purest Classical values..He also said that AS mama's varnam in Bahudari was full of laya embellishments..He recollected the Sivaratri Akandam and AS mama's unique contributions in those occasions..In all a very emotive moving tribute...
Krishna Gana Sabha added glory to the memory of our Guru by honouring him with the Sangeetha Acharya Choodamani title on Aug 4th..A celebration that can never be forgotten.The family and Students of Acharya Choodamani Vidwan Sri.A.Sundaresan will remain indebted to the sabha authorities for this unique gesture.
Last edited by gayathrivenkataraghavan on 06 Aug 2007, 12:16, edited 1 time in total.
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S.Balasubramanian.
- Posts: 41
- Joined: 06 Aug 2007, 15:12
Hi All,One thing that comes to my mind soon after Shradanjali is that we must popularise singing Mukuntamala as notated by Sri AS..We must continue to organise and participate in the akantam apart from conducting Aradhana and rendering Pancharatna Kritis.By the way,I am S.Balasubramanian and notT.D.Balasubramanian stated elsewhere in the earlier message.I also recall Mama telling his willingness to visit Navagraha shetrams and render group singing of navagraha Kritis. He was also insisting me to sing the vara kritis relevant for the day starting from Souryamurthe on Sunday, on monday sing both the songs viz., Souryamurthe and Chandram Bajamanasa and so on.,
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sreevita
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 19 Sep 2006, 19:41
Hello to all. I think I am one of the unfortunate students of Mama who could not participate in the Shradhanjali.
Thanks to Gayathri and Vasumathi for posting all the details of the function.
As Balu mama mentioned Mama would always tell me to sing the Navagraha Kritis everydayall.
As students i think it is our duty to follow mama's traditional pataantharam and try as much to propogate the rare thyagaraja krithis which he has notated.
Savita
Thanks to Gayathri and Vasumathi for posting all the details of the function.
As Balu mama mentioned Mama would always tell me to sing the Navagraha Kritis everydayall.
As students i think it is our duty to follow mama's traditional pataantharam and try as much to propogate the rare thyagaraja krithis which he has notated.
Savita
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Amutha Satish
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 07 Aug 2007, 00:24
Dear all, I would like to share my sweet memories about the days that I had for learning Sri Shayama Sastri Kiritis under Sundaresan sir. When he visited Sacrmento back in Sep -Nov 2005, it was a great opportunity for us (as a group) to learn the heavy kritis through an easy means. The vibrations that we received during the classes are immense. Each class lasted upto 3hours atleast. Still we wouldn't know it was time already to disperse. Thanks to Thyagaraja Nilayam I got that opportunity to learn under him. Remarkably "Kamakshi", swarajathi will never depart my mind. I remember he mentioned, "Yedukulakambodhi is too deficult to teach or learn". But in my experience, both were made much easier than actually they are after he taught us, I feel.
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gowri narayanan
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 25 Dec 2006, 14:14
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Vasudha Ravi
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 23 Aug 2007, 21:50
Dear all... We, the students of Vidwan Late Sri.A.Sundaresan mama, are planning to celebrate mama's star birthday at Thyagarajar Vidwath Samajam, Mylapore on 24.08.2007.. At 6.00pm, Abhishekam to Saint Thyagarajar followed by individual musical rendition by students... We request Rasikas and well-wishers to join us in paying respect to our beloved Guru..
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Vasudha Ravi
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 23 Aug 2007, 21:50
Arasi
thanks a lot.. by god's grace n mama's blessings the prog went on very well.. we will continue this for sure... all of us felt mama's presence.. its unbelievable that he is not with us..
09.09.2007 is mama's english birthday.. one of the rasika has volunteered to sponsor the day's event.. Thanks to his good soul.. on the 9th vasumathi (prime disciple of AS mama, had been learning under him ever since 1988) will be performing.. Venue: Raga Sudha Hall.. i m sure there wud be a newspaper ad abt the timing as i m not sure..
thanks a lot.. by god's grace n mama's blessings the prog went on very well.. we will continue this for sure... all of us felt mama's presence.. its unbelievable that he is not with us..
09.09.2007 is mama's english birthday.. one of the rasika has volunteered to sponsor the day's event.. Thanks to his good soul.. on the 9th vasumathi (prime disciple of AS mama, had been learning under him ever since 1988) will be performing.. Venue: Raga Sudha Hall.. i m sure there wud be a newspaper ad abt the timing as i m not sure..
Last edited by Vasudha Ravi on 25 Aug 2007, 18:30, edited 1 time in total.