Navaratri Mandapam Concerts 2008, Thiruvananthapuram

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 10 Oct 2008, 21:15

Musique4ever ,
True, as you said, the electric lights do mar such an ambience as prevailing in the maNDapm.
Kudos to Ms.Amrutha Venkatesh and Shri Sanjay. May their tribe increase!
The more I read about these concerts, the more my mind longs to witness them atleast once.
For the present ,I have to be satisfied with the reviews pouring in, and may be some clippings, if you can post them.
It is a great service you are doing , for the love of music.

Adidaivam · Post by **Adidaivam** » 11 Oct 2008, 01:45

Hello Musiq4ever, Please post the videos of the concert on Youtube if you have it ready, so that people like us far away can enjoy the ambience and the music. if now where can I purchase the DVDs???

Love

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 11 Oct 2008, 07:17

You sure should get the ambience (without electric lights and shirts too

from these superb kalyani by Varmaji

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=holIPm3c ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H29rsPr ... re=related

Pl tell us which year and then followup with the selections from 2008... Thanks

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 11 Oct 2008, 12:52

Oh ! *Bows deeply* I am honoured to find out dear CMLover Himself posting my videos in here

Thank you so much Sir. I've had the deepest regard and admiration for you from day one. And the fact that you enjoyed my music is like icing on the cake. Arasi ji, I sang this time, but hope to play veena in January for my festival. (Most probably on Sunday the 11th just so you know.) And you would be most welcome to come there. Punarvasu ji
.....Navarathri starts on the 19th of September next year. So please block off your dates for Trivandrum NOW ! You have been given 11 months notice

There ! Adidaivam Sir, I am afraid the DVDs are not for sale. But I will
surely upload select clippings on youtube, where I have the permission from the artists to do so. The music made by someone like Thamarakkad Govindan Namboothiri who sang on the last day for example, deserves to
be heard by many many many MANY more people than those who have heard it now. It is such a pity that so many of these truly great musicians remain hidden away simply because they refuse to do any PR

Golden Girl
Parasala Ponnammal hardly ever gave concerts during the past three decades. But thankfully she gets around 5 to 10 concerts a month these days, post Navarathri Mandapam and youtube

Hopefully the same will happen
to Govindan Namboothiri too, though he must be half her age and thus wouldn't qualify in the eyes of many organizers as a "Senior" vidwan since they seem to equate seniority only with age and not with knowledge.
Oh well......that's life I guess.

vs_manjunath · Post by **vs_manjunath** » 11 Oct 2008, 17:00

cmlover wrote:You sure should get the ambience (without electric lights and shirts too from these superb kalyani by Varmaji

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=holIPm3c ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H29rsPr ... re=related

Pl tell us which year and then followup with the selections from 2008... Thanks

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 11 Oct 2008, 21:36

Musique4ever,
Great to know all the details. Waiting to hear you and all those who would graciously allow parts of their concerts to be posted for our listening pleasure.
I remember seeing 'Gold Ammal' in my childhood and hear her sing. She was as unassuming as she is today. All I remember is, it intrigued me, that name (place!) of hers. Sala conjured up in the child's mind a school, but what was pAra?!!
The same way, Tamarakkad is a beautiful place to hail from. Hope he gets to be heard by CM lovers everywhere. Any concerts in Chennai during the season, I wonder...

Shree · Post by **Shree** » 11 Oct 2008, 21:40

Varmaji,
When is your next concert?I might come down to Trivandrum in Nov.We are waiting for you to upload the recent videos in youtube.
Thank you ji

Shree · Post by **Shree** » 11 Oct 2008, 23:01

Varmaji, consider giving these misicians who wants light a small diya.That will help to maintain that divine atmosphere.

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 12 Oct 2008, 14:17

I may have a morning concert at Sriranjini fine Arts on Sunday the 28th of December, in Madras and one at TVG Sir's AIMA on the evening of the 31st. Shree ji....Where are you normally located at ?
I may have a concert at TVM on the 20th of November as part of the Soorya Music and Dance Festival. As for the Diya, it would be rather too dark to manage, I think. But it is Definitely worth trying out. When Balamurali Sir sang there, he brought pieces of black card material on which he had written the lyrics in Big, Silver letters so that they would glow in the lamp light

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 12 Oct 2008, 15:22

As for videos from this year's festival, I don't think I'll get them before the 22nd or so. But here is a vintage Jagadanandakaraka and an equally vintage Guruleka from my archives

http://www.youtube.com/user/Musique4ever

vs_manjunath · Post by **vs_manjunath** » 12 Oct 2008, 16:17

Prince ji- Thanks for these videos.

Shree · Post by **Shree** » 12 Oct 2008, 17:36

Varmaji,
Using fluorescent pens is a good idea ji.You can add one more rule for the next navarathri concert onwards

.
My parents are at Trivandrum, though i am hardly there.My job demands me to wander around like a vagabond in South India.

Varmaji, do we need to purchase tickets for the Soorya Festival.If so, from where ji?Is it possible to purchase it online?

sunaada · Post by **sunaada** » 13 Oct 2008, 17:37

Many many thanks sir for taking the trouble to upload that Vintage Thyagaraja Utsavam video with the likes of Santhanam and DKJ. Much appreciated.
Also, for the surprise treat of young VVS' genius.

I've been browsing all your video uploads and favourites on youtube have become a total fan of your impeccable taste in world music and comedy

vs_manjunath · Post by **vs_manjunath** » 13 Oct 2008, 17:57

There is one question- VVS has played a Video recording for Podhigai in which he plays "mAye" of MD in Sudha Tharangini. This style appears to be little different from the "mAye" which we have heard from MMI & MS. Can rasikas U/L this Video of VVS to benefit this discussion.

devi · Post by **devi** » 19 Oct 2008, 12:41

Dear CM Lover, Although I also wish for the same, I am afraid the chances of recording this concert are slim, unless Varma Sir himself graciously agrees for a recording of the concert.

Just a small bit of information about the concert: This concert is organised as a memorial concert for Maharani Sethu Parvathi Bayi, a great connoisseur of music and art, who was Prince's great grand mother.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 19 Oct 2008, 19:50

That makes it all the more enticing. First my obeisance to the Great Enlightened Queen Regent who commisioned HMB to bring to light Maharaja Svaati's musical gems for our benefit.
I am sure Varmajji will oblige us if it is possible!

devi · Post by **devi** » 23 Oct 2008, 22:04

Varma Sir at this year's Navarathri Festival. Thanks to Musiquebox's Youtube Channel.

http://in.youtube.com/user/musiquebox

Enjoy!!!

wordpecker007 · Post by **wordpecker007** » 23 Oct 2008, 23:22

Dear rasikas,

Here are the recording of Prince RV's concert at Navaratri Mandapam. It is the ragamailka bhajan that was tuned by the Prince himself.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=pt5zN6A7QLk
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=pa5g9leCRlg

tune in

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 23 Oct 2008, 23:54

Many thanks Devi.
A good classical maamava sadaa. I wish the audio were better!
I liked the Bhajan but could not place the lyrics.
Could one of you please....

devi · Post by **devi** » 24 Oct 2008, 09:43

CM Lover Sir,
But for the audio quality (which was anyway pathetic at the Mandapam as well) Sir gave a memorable rendition of the Bhajan at the Mandapam.

Please find below the links for the Bhajan Japath japath hari naam by Rama Varma Sir and his students. The audio quality is much better in this one.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=KiCnqe5QGu0

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=uFy0wYUWyLs

There is one more video of the same Bhajan available in Musiquebox's collection, by Varma Sir, looking every bit "a dashing & debonair gentleman" ( not that his looks are failing now.. hehehe) The audio quality of this clipping is unbeatable but I prefer the one give above.

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=Paeye6Ze-gw

Let me take the liberty to add a bit more about Sir's Navarathri Concert. I was fortunate enough to attend some of this year's Navarathri Mandapam Concerts. But was so saddened by the fact that of all the four concerts I attened, Varma Sir's Concert singularly had some problem with the sound system, the audio quality was very poor; which is unusual for any of Sir's concerts. If Varma Sir, you are reading this, just to let you know that your concert was awesome but for the blurred audio for people who were sitting just outside the Mandapam. Dont know how they received it inside.

Forgive my limited knowledge in Classical Music which gives me cold chills at the mere idea of even attempting a review. Let me just point of my personal highlights of the concert. The songs Gangeya vasanadhara in Hamir Kalyani, Saraseeruhanabha mudaram in Deshakshi were so unbelievably beautiful. The main kriti Saroruhasana jaaye in Panthuvarali had a very different and pleasing flavour to it. Sir made a commendable impression upon me by interpreting the raaga in a unique way, bringing out Bhakti rasam in full. I found it very attractive, the way he presented the thaanam cholkettu and swarams. He sang one amazingly sweet Neelambari, Kaanthanodu chennu melle, which made my 4 year old daughter fall into a content sleep despite a dedicated army of mosquitos attacking her from various directions. The concluding piece was the Bhajan, which I mentioned earlier. He started the concert with Kripaya palaya in Charukeshi.

I hope soon Musiquebox will upload these videos and hence we can all savour his golden voice all over again.

devi · Post by **devi** » 24 Oct 2008, 14:09

And the Hindu Friday Review has summed up the whole series this weekend.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/24/stor ... 710300.htm

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 25 Oct 2008, 01:19

Many thanks Devi.
The Hindu Review is quite comprehensive and has created an appetite which I am sure Varmaji will fulfill in due course.

I liked his tuning of the swathi bhajan in beautiful ragas. I wish to confess that I prefer his mature sonorous singing to the younger version which is also equally filled with bhava. I now feel that varmaji should be elevated to the status of a vaggeyakara like his illustrious ancestor which he will attain in due course. May Lord Padmanabha bless him with long life and vitality and inspire the Muse in him!

fuddyduddy · Post by **fuddyduddy** » 27 Oct 2008, 19:27

Sanjays latest podcast has an interview with Varmaji :

http://sanjaysub.blogspot.com/

Yet to hear it but am sure it must be great!

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 27 Oct 2008, 20:17

Thanks for the Deepavali Treat!

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 27 Oct 2008, 21:22

I have to compliment (d)rama varmaji for his poise and ingenuousness in the podcast

Of course Sanjay is a Master who can draw out the best from his audience !
I loved the bit of vakulabharanam tuned by varmaji and am waiting to hear it from the horse's mouth one of these days! if there is a link please post...

devi · Post by **devi** » 27 Oct 2008, 21:24

Dear CM Lover, The Neelambari Kriti is Maharaja Swathi Thirunal's Malayalam Padam: 'Kaanthanodu chennu melle'.

Its a very sensitive and delicate song.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 27 Oct 2008, 21:55

Thanks Devi
I love the lyrics as much as I love the music!

samarasa · Post by **samarasa** » 28 Oct 2008, 02:07

CMLOVER

Here is the amazing Sadhu Thada from the horse's mouth

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPOqB3rpz7M

Part2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJuP4IK8p0o

Part3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vUdKku2ev0

Part4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3ZLmgaAAE8

Part5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px7CQzOAMjA

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 28 Oct 2008, 05:24

You made my day! What a fine melody and what a bhava!
One of the finest exposition of VakulabharaNaM that I have ever heard!
Thank you!

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 28 Oct 2008, 10:28

Dear Prince Rama verma
I am a new member HN Bhagavan , an ardent admirer of Sri MDR. I appreciate your extraordinary efforts to popularise Sri MDR compositions. I would like to know in case you are scheduled to perform in Bangalore .
HNBhagavan

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 28 Oct 2008, 12:22

The Vakulabharanam is indeed a treat. It can be downloaded from Charsur and I can assure you that it is well worth your money! Lots of swaraksharas and a highly intepretative alaapana in trademark Sanjay style.

It would also be great to hear Varmaji's version!

devi · Post by **devi** » 28 Oct 2008, 21:32

Very interesting interview of Varma Sir..Quite insightful and entertaining!

http://www.ramavarma.synthasite.com/bol ... -words.php

unni · Post by **unni** » 28 Oct 2008, 21:53

Thamarakad Govindan Namboothiri's mandapam concert posted in youtube by Varmaji.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD65_0LTqYo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_rPFiP6rXc

Varmaji,
Hope we can see other performances of this year's concert soon.
One more request, can you post the audio version of these concerts in sangeethapriya or
some other place ? The audio quality in youtube is not that great

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 29 Oct 2008, 22:23

Sir CMLover, thank you once again for your unfailingly gracious comments. Coming from you, I take them as
blessings really. Vijay ji, it is my Vakulabharanam that Samarasa seems to have posted. And me being "Aswathi" Thirunal Rama Varma, they've called me a horse too. Tch tch tch

Something seems to have gone wrong with the audio of the Navarathri recordings. I have requested my diehard fan musiqebox to delete them and I am deleting Thamarakad Govindan Namboothiri's songs too myself. Hope to upload a less distorted version in two to three weeks from now. Shri Unni, how does one upload stuff at Sangeethapriya ? I am a total idiot when it comes to technical stuff, along with a lot of other things.
It was my friend musiquebox who showed me how to upload stuff on youtube.

unni · Post by **unni** » 30 Oct 2008, 01:36

Varmaji,

Thanks for the quick response and willingness to re-upload better quality videos soon. Those of us who are not that fortunate enough to 'experience the Navaratri Mandapam' first hand are eagerly waiting for those uploads. Thankfully with technology and kind souls like you, we can have at least an indirect experience of that divine atmosphere.

As for uploading to sangeethapriya, one needs an ftp account there to upload. Some of our members like Hariharan (s_hari) have account there and they could help. You can probably upload to one of the free file sharing sites like http://www.mediafire.com/ and some one can upload to sangeethapriya from there. If you go to http://www.mediafire.com/ the uploading process is very simple and given there. Otherwise, I am sure the sangeethapriya moderators will be more than happy to provide an account for you so that you can upload it there directly. Thanks again for sharing the divine music and for those lovely articles - I love them

Unni

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 30 Oct 2008, 10:49

Thank you Shri Unni. I'll explore the possibilities that you've listed. Poor connectivity + my nomadic lifestyle
are the two major hinderances but I assure you of a positive outcome sooner or later

And HNBhagavan ji, I am afraid I don't have any concerts lined up in Bangalore as far as I can see. My average is around one
concert somewhere or the other in two months anyway. So my next concert in Bangalore might probably be
in the year 2012 or so by the looks of it

You are welcome to visit Thiruvananthapuram for my festival though. Or if it is specifically the MDR angle that you find appealing, you are welcome to come down to TVM on November 9th when I hope to sing at least One MDR masterpiece for a concert here in honour of my Great Grandmother who was a Great MDR admirer herself.

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 30 Oct 2008, 11:14

While you wait for the Navarathri videos, you can enjoy this video which a good friend of mine found on youtube and sent me

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fmdAF4ihedM

devi · Post by **devi** » 31 Oct 2008, 10:36

An interesting website created by some dedicated fans of Sri Rama Varma. This contains most updated information about his concerts, reviews, articles, weblinks etc. Very interesting to explore if you are a Varma Fan !

http://www.ramavarma.synthasite.com/index.php

regards,
Devi

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 31 Oct 2008, 22:06

many thanks devi
I was actually wondering whether there was a website dedicated to varmaji
This is just wonderful. I will call this
'Prince Rama Varma Revealed'
His Musical Journey from childhood onwards is extaraordinary as also the intimate details of his contact episodes with Sri BMK.
I am sure the site will be well maintained and kept current..

Shree · Post by **Shree** » 02 Nov 2008, 00:23

Varmaji...
Thanks for posting Indian "Twinkle Twinkle little star..It was really hilarious.About the website, I second cmloverji.It has to be renamed as "Prince Rama Varma Revealed"

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 02 Nov 2008, 09:25

Sri Rama Varma has indicated before that he does not prefer the 'Prince" appellation/designation. So it can be "Rama Varma Revealed".

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 02 Nov 2008, 11:57

Only fat musicians like me who have performed at the Navarathri Mandapam shirtless know what an embarrassing experience this can be and I think this itself would be more than enough "revealed", thank you very much

Hee hee !

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 02 Nov 2008, 13:37

good one.

Shree · Post by **Shree** » 02 Nov 2008, 16:28

Good one..

should have included those videos also sir in ur website:-):lol:

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 02 Nov 2008, 20:14

Ha!
The emperor (prince) has no clothes

Haven't we seen GuruvaayUrappan totally unclothed! Or does Lord Padmanabha cover his torso before his devotees!
What boots external raiments when you are even revealing your innards through the 'soul-cry' of the late Monarch before our Divine Mother!

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 02 Nov 2008, 21:54

How I wish I were built like Padmanabha......or at least like Rafael Nadal :-/ *Sigh*

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 02 Nov 2008, 22:36

..and as I think The King of Clay may be saying:
How I wish I could sing like the Prince

Musique4ever · Post by **Musique4ever** » 03 Nov 2008, 00:39

Ha ha ! Sadly he is a Dreadul singer though his grandfather is a musician. (My grandfather was a tennis player by the way.) And.....um.....People seem to forget that he is King of Grass too these days

And not half bad on hard court either, for that matter, God bless him.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 03 Nov 2008, 03:01

Say cheese, but don't eat it

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 03 Nov 2008, 03:03

On the other hand, chocolates are okay since they keep that smile on your face...