Introductions

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 13 Apr 2006, 10:44

A number of discussion forums have a thread devoted to member introducions. Does this forum have it?

I think it would be a good idea if members got to know each other and their musical background, interests ... maybe each member can answer a few questions like.

1. City where u live
2. Musical training
3. Favourite artistes
4. Favourite ragas
5. Special musical interests

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 14 Apr 2006, 10:53

City: Singapore

Favourite Artistes: MDR, SSI, Somu, Santhanam, Brinda/Mukta, My mother.
(instrumentalists): MSG, TNK, LGJ, MC, Balachander, Karukurichi, TNR, PMI, VR, Harishankar, Palani Subramaniam Pillai, my brothers (violin, mridangam)

Musical Training: Vocal (about 5 years of formal, many years of informal)
Violin: 15 years

Favourite Ragas: Purvikalyani, Varali, Kedaragoula, Devagandhari, Vasantha, Asaveri

Favourite compositions: Kanakana Ruchira - Varali, Satre Vilagi - Purvikalyani, Ninnu Vina - Purvikalyani (both sung by MDR), Kripaya Palaya - Charukesi, Meenakshi - Purvikalyani and others

Special Musical Interests: too many.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 14 Apr 2006, 12:05

Thanks Bala!

For me ...

City: Sydney, Australia

Fav artistes: GNB, MDR, MLV, Trichur Ramachandran, Ramnad Krishnan, S Kalyanaraman, Lalgudi Jayaraman, MSG, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, Sudha R, Sanjay S, TMK, Bombay Jayashri

Musical training: have been to vocal classes and learnt many varnams and several krithis

Synthesizer: about 15 years (self taught)

Fav ragas: Sahana, Rithigowla, Kapi and many more!

Special musical interests: kalpana swaram

Vocalist · Post by **Vocalist** » 14 Apr 2006, 12:43

I'm a fellow Aussie 8)

Fav artistes: GNB, MLV, TVR, DKP, DKJ, KBS, MSS, Santhanam, Nithyashree, S Kalyanaraman, Lalgudi Jayaraman, N.Ramani, Thiruvarur Vaidhyanathan, Sudha R, S Sowmya, I.Sivakumar, Poongulam Subramaniam, HNB, K.J.Yesudas, Sirkali Govindarajan, Vijay Siva & Balaji Shankar

Fav. rAgAs: too many!!!

Musical Training: >10 years of vocal (not specifying an exact number, or i'll sound ancient....and i don't even have a walking stick yet LOL!) and a little over 5 years on the keyboard (various genres)

Musical Interests: too many (but includes critiquing renditions etc.)

emyesbee_in · Post by **emyesbee_in** » 17 Apr 2006, 02:30

1) I live in London (Ontario), Canada

2) 15+ music training with last 3 years from Shri. KVN

3) Most liked: MDR, KVN: Others: Too many

4) Favorite ragas: Subhapadhuvarali,.....lists goes on

5) Special: Like bhavam-oriented, soulful music morethan anything

thenpaanan · Post by **thenpaanan** » 17 Apr 2006, 07:26

I think it would be a good idea if members got to know each other and their musical background, interests ... maybe each member can answer a few questions like.

1. City where u live: New Jersey
2. Musical training: about ten years vocal
3. Favourite artistes: MDR< S. Ramanathan, KVN, DKP, T. Viswanathan
4. Favourite ragas: ragas that cannot be described by scales
5. Special musical interests: voice techniques

-Then Paanan

mahesh3 · Post by **mahesh3** » 17 Apr 2006, 08:01

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. City where I currently live --Princeton, NJ
2. Musical training -- None

3. Favourite artistes in order--

Vocal: Semmangudi IyerVal

Also: KVN, Seerkazhi Govindarajan (tamizh viruthams), RK Srikantan.
Honorable Mentions: MLV/MS.
Present Day: TMKrishna/Malladi Brothers/ Ranjani-Gayathri (tamizh viruthams)

Recently, I've been hooked on a kutchery of Bangalore Shankar. I want to try and listen more to this artist.

Violin: Sri MS Gopalakrishnan, TN Krishnan, Lalgudi Jayaraman
Mridangam: The immaculate Sri Palghat Mani Iyer

4. Favourite ragas -- Bilahari, Hindolam, PurviKalyani, Varali, Sahana, MohanaKalyani, SubhaPanthuvarali, Lalitha, KanaDa...too many to list.

5. Special musical interests - Sri Adi Shankaracharya & Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar literature...valuing the advaitin philosophies, vedic heritage and thinking that went into the construct of eternal compositions like Mudhakaraatha Modakam, Sri Satyanarayanam (particularly Iyerval's renedition), Siddhi Vinayakam, Hiranmayeem Lakshmim, Sri Saraswathi Nomostuthe, Neerajakshi & Sri Mathrubhutham.

shripathi_g · Post by **shripathi_g** » 23 Apr 2006, 12:36

City: Mountain View, CA

Favorites: MDR, MMI, S. Kalyanaraman, BMK, SSI, MLV, MSG, UKS, Pazhani

Present day favorites: Sanjay, TMK

Favorite Krithis: Varugalamo, Satre Vilagi - MDR, O Rangasayee - MDR, Diwakara Tanujam - MDR, Vazhi maraithirukkudhe - Sanjay

Musical training - None

Ragas: Kamboji, Y'kamboji, Thodi, Sahana, Narayanagowla, Sucharitra, Vaagadeeswari, Dharmavathi, Sindhu Bhairavi, Bilahari, Saaranga, Purvikalyani, Kaanada, Vakulabharanam

Special Interests: Vivadhi melas

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 23 Apr 2006, 15:12

City; Chennai, India

Favourite Artists; (just the first ones that come to mind) BMK, TVG, TN Krishnan, DKP, Trichy Sankaranan, Guruvayor Dorai

Musical training: mridangam student of M Balachandar (student of MN Kandaswamy Pillai and Ramaswamy Pillai, who learnt from PSP)

Instrument: Morsing (as long as the music is simple). Used to be fairly well-known accompanying with youngsters in London.

A music lover who dabbles...

Favourite song: Nagamo, especially if sung by BMK.

Favourite pasttime: sitting at home in the quiet, listening to the birds: going out to hear music sometimes.

vrbadri · Post by **vrbadri** » 23 Apr 2006, 20:29

Name: Badri Narayanan V R

Location: Atlanta, USA

Favorite Artists: Chembai, KVN, S Kalyanaraman, DKP, DKJ....
Present day: Ranjani-Gayatri, Akkarai subhalakshmi...

Musical training:

Favorite KRtis: BalagOpAla pAlayASumAm, BrOvavamma, AnandanaTana prakASam, ADa mODi galadE, KamalAmba samrakShatu....

Favorite Ragas: Bhairavi, Anandabhairavi, AahIri, cArukESi, VarALi, SimhEndramadhyamam, KalyANi, Lalita....the list is practically endless.

-vrbadri.

sumram99 · Post by **sumram99** » 24 Apr 2006, 05:17

Name: Sumati Sarangapani

Location: New Jersey

Favourite Artistes: KVN, MVI, DKP, DKJ, MMI, SSI

Musical Training: Trained in carnatic and hindustani vocal for 15 + years

I like to listen to all the ragams.

jaisrikrishna · Post by **jaisrikrishna** » 24 Apr 2006, 06:50

Name : Krishnamoorthy Ramakrishnan

Location: Maryland

Favorite Artistes: MMI, Alathur Bros, Chembai, MSS,TM.Krishna,TNS,SSI,DKP
DKJ, My mother

Formal Training : Violin (upto varnams 10 years back) AchArya: Madurai jNAnsundaram

Special likings: Pancharathana krithis of saint thyAgayya.

My weblogs:

http://krischronicles.blogspot.com
http://saptharathnas.blogspot.com

REgard nAdhopAsana and rAma bhakthi sAmrAjyam as the greatest god-given gift any one can have only due to the blessing of the great souls like thyAgayya and dikshithar, shyamA sAsri and the like.

About this Forum: HAve enjoyed reading the posts on the "VAkgEyakarAs " , "vidwans" and "Bhakthi" sections. "SangIta VidyAlayam" would definitely be a great one if it starts its full flow.

What I would like to have in this forums? fellow rasikAs writing their views from a bhakthi perspective whenver possible.

nallanchakra · Post by **nallanchakra** » 26 Apr 2006, 06:12

Name : Ramesh Gopalan
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Favourite Artists: Lalgudi, MLV, Ramnad Krishnan, MDR, MMIyer,KVN,TRS
Favourite Ragams: Sahana, Reethigowla, deva gandhari, Kannada, Valaji, Anandha Bhairavi, Huseni ................. (endless)
Favourite krithis: Venkatesha Daya mado and All in sahana, Varugalamo, Ethaiyaa gathi, Thathuvamariya tharama, enneramum, Gana nayakam ..........etc

Formal Training:

Wife is an accomplished vocalist ( Disciple of Shri Mardirimangalam Ramachandran and Shri Lalgudi SIR)

kaumaaram · Post by **kaumaaram** » 26 Apr 2006, 13:26

Nallan:

Why are you saying "Shri Lalgudi Sir?". Let us not use this word "Sir" - such titles have been consistently declined by our freedom fighters.

I notice that this tendency to use "Sir" after the name has come from the film industry. It is widespread today.

I did not mean anything offensive; but I feel that we should avoid adding "Sir" to the name as it sound innocuous when heard.

Kaumaaram

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 26 Apr 2006, 13:42

Well, that is an interesting observation.

Imagine this conversation, for example: "In that concert Sivaraman played excellently".

If neither one of us know Sivaraman personally or professionally, then that sounds OK. But either or both of us know Sivaraman at a professional capacity and Sivaraman is an elder and respected CM musician, what is the respectful way to say it?

If not 'Sir', what are the options? 'Sivaramanji', "Sivaraman Mama', 'Sivaraman Anna'? They do not sound good either. 'ji' sounds too friendly (but respectful), 'mama' and 'anna' are OK if you are really very close.

Not the world's biggest problem currently though

nallanchakra · Post by **nallanchakra** » 26 Apr 2006, 13:44

Kaumaram

No offense taken and I will refrain from using it. In fact , my wife uses the term SIR for both her gurus and she finds it offensive without that term!

Anyway, you are right, why use someonelse's usage. Shri in front of the name is good enough!

thanks

kaumaaram · Post by **kaumaaram** » 26 Apr 2006, 14:02

VK:

You have given the options. "Ji" is purely Indian and worth pursuing it. Yet, it is worth avoiding "Sir". It is indeed the world's problem if you really sit before the TV and watch any programme. The disease is widespread and needs immediate eradication.

Kaumaaram

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 26 Apr 2006, 16:09

How about putting Shri before their name? Would sound both respectful as well as non-personal.

I always add Shri even in an email if I am writing to a senior/eminent person. Like "Dear Shri XYZ..."

"Dear Mr. XYZ..." seems to be too formal as well as cold.

kaumaaram · Post by **kaumaaram** » 26 Apr 2006, 17:01

Srkris,

If you look into any communication from the Central Government, you will find either Shri or Sarvarshri, etc. It is indeed gentle and gracious to use this. Trust all of us will implement this.

Kaumaaram

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 26 Apr 2006, 17:03

This problem reminds me of my experiences while I was doing my post graduate studies in materials management in the early 80s.
We had an elderly chap in the class -around 40-45 -studying with us.Whenever he wanted to answer a question he used to get up and answer.
Our faculty used always say "Nno need to stand up , My Dear friend.We are all grown ups .Just answer from your seat.And he used to respond that it was all instinctive.Unless he stood , he could not get the words out '
It used to be so hilarious.

As someone who faced this problem on this forum many months ago I am just enjoying this debate.
Kji.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 26 Apr 2006, 19:23

LOL, Kulkarni sa'ab!
Reminds me of an episode with the late Sri Chittibabu:
THIS MAY BE A REPEAT...apologies in advance to the ones that have already heard this.
When I was a medical student, our institution was privileged to host a lec-dem by Sri Chittibabu as part of the SPICMACAY program. As ardent fans of CM, my room-mate and I lobbied hard and were finally chosen to interview him for our monthly rag. So, armed with a bulky tape player (to record the interview), we went to his hotel at the appointed hour and were shown into his room. After some nervous 'hellos' were exchanged, we ceared our throats and I started out by saying "Sir" .. that was as far as I got, when he stopped me and said: 'I have not been knighted by the queen of England, and therfore, I am not a 'Sir'. You can call me Chittibabu gAru if you want to, or just Mr. chittibAbu will do just fine.'! Everyone in the room laughed, the tension dissolved and we went on to record the interview. I do not remember anything from that interview (and neither does my friend), but both of us remember the above exchange so vividly!

Chembai/Kaumaaram et al: if you have not noticed, Sir can be derived from Sri and vice versa by rearranging the letters...so maybe it is after all just a 'name' - 'pittan enrAlum, pEyan enrAlum, chittamellAm avan (sivan) pAl shelludammA' they are just manifestations of respect....maybe we should leave it at that.
Ravi

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Apr 2006, 22:34

I wonder what is the origin of 'ji'. It was not used in ancient times as an epithet of respect. In fact 'ji' in sanskrit means 'demon' which is probably of arabic origin (jinn). Sir of course is a short form of sire (meaning beget) used as a term of parental respect.

In Tamil we use 'avarkaL' as a term of respect. 'Sivarman avarkaL' is respectful designation. That is related to the sanskrit protocol of using 'bhavAn' equivalent to 'his honour' (it is bhavatI for women). 'shrI' of course is an abbreviation of 'shrImAn' (wealthy, royalty etc.,) which becomes 'shrImatI' for women. In TN they use 'thiru' and 'thirumathi' in the same sense.

I would like to know the meaning of 'gAru'. How is it changed for women? Are there other forms in kannada?

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 26 Apr 2006, 22:39

I have heard Saar in b lore and Saaru in hyd!

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 26 Apr 2006, 23:06

In kannaDa, the name is suffixed with -avaru or -gaLu as respect. When addressing the person it will be say "nArAyaNa-avarE" or "kESavamUrtigaLE". -avaru is used with all names but -gaLu can only be used with some names. Thinking on my feet now, I think -gaLu can only be used with double-barreled names that are ikArAnta- when I say doublw-barreled, I mean names with mUrti or swAmi as 2nd half of names(kRShNamUrti, kRShNaswAmi etc.)

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Apr 2006, 23:49

Do please also enlighten if the addressing changes with sex!
In Tamil 'avarkaL' is used for both sexes. In malayalam also they use the same. Is it true in kannada too?
In Telugu does 'gAru' get used for both sexes?

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 26 Apr 2006, 23:50

saar is a kinglish version of sir ! Here in karnataka people frequently switch from Kannada and English and this is called as kinglish. In recent times with the advent of FM channel this has become a norm and you can even see Advertisers adopting kinglish very often.

We also use swamy and devaru while addressing even strangers for the first time like Enu swamy or hELi dEvaru.

shri, shriman and sarvashri appeals the most and I agree Ji is ok while conversing with north Indians like hAnji etc, but as added prefix to name like RCji is irritating ! Yet pAji, mAji etc are good.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 26 Apr 2006, 23:52

Do please also enlighten if the addressing changes with sex!
In Tamil 'avarkaL' is used for both sexes. In malayalam also they use the same. Is it true in kannada too?
In Telugu does 'gAru' get used for both sexes?

The same terms are used for both sexes in kannaDa. In telugu also, I dont think -gAru changes with sex.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 26 Apr 2006, 23:53

RC,
In shuddh hindi it will be 'jI, hAn' or 'jI, nahIn'. 'hAnjI' is more punjAbi and corrupt hindi.
I think we use swAmI in tamizh too.
Ravi

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 26 Apr 2006, 23:56

note that in Tamil 'avar' (singular respecful for male) becomes (avaL (singular generic for female) but avarkaL is plural repectful for both!
(It is uncomplimentary to refer as 'ava^Nga' though many use it colloquially these days!)

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 27 Apr 2006, 13:31

Vocalist, thanks for the concern.

The languages section is for languages pertaining to compositions.

Besides, this is not a serious topic and is in the 'General category', so it doesnt matter if there is a small digression.

Also splitting a thread abruptly in the middle could hinder its flow.

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 27 Apr 2006, 15:05

1. City where u live: Madras
2. Musical training: about ten years vocal
3. Favourite artistes: usually old masters
4. Favourite ragam: bhairavi
5. Special musical interests: shyama sastri

Vocalist · Post by **Vocalist** » 27 Apr 2006, 16:12

Ok srkris. A separate thread for this discussion would have been ideal. This thread was created to generate a particular type of responses, like rbharath's post above. I think the discussion interrupts the flow. Anyhow, that's just my opinion. Your call.

My view on the 'titles of respect'
I might be endorsing Ravi's post here.

I think people shouldn't be so serious about 'political correctness'. Some people call vidwans as "Ramanathan Sir" or "Lalgudi Sir". There is nothing innocuous about it. This is how they call such vidwans directly, and so end up using it when referring to them.

Just as "Sir" is overused, so are the many other options mentioned. When speaking directly, this isn't so bad. Typing 'titles of respect' for every single person on a forum as large as this one is pushing it.

I've known some 'elderly' people who expect these 'titles of respect' online* too. For example;

'Sivaramanji', "Sivaraman Mama', 'Sivaraman Anna'

.
Expecting these titles of respect online*, IMO, is ridiculous. This applies to just about anyone who actually expects these titles of respect, whether it's:

an unknowledgable 10yo
a wise 20yo,
a studying 30yo,
a feminist 40yo,
a "fat" 50yo,
a "white" 60yo,
a "black" 70yo,
a "dumb" 80yo or
a retired 90yo.

*online such as on chat, email, a forum such as this etc.

I think such expectations are prejudicial, and perhaps even out of a false sense of superiority. Respect comes out of humanity, not because of age or any other factor(s).

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 27 Apr 2006, 16:45

"Also splitting a thread abruptly in the middle could hinder its flow."

SrKris.
You may want to revise that opinion !!

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 28 Apr 2006, 03:31

Haha, but see Vocalist himself takes his turn to add to the diversion...

Vocalist · Post by **Vocalist** » 28 Apr 2006, 07:18

Thought it was invitation for me to.

Honestly, I had the reply already written (but changed it a bit). Seeing no new thread was made, might as well stick to plan B.

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 30 Apr 2009, 01:50

Seems we had a nice thread on members' intros before it got hijacked in a different direction!
Perhaps we can use this to say a bit about ourselves?

shripathi_g · Post by **shripathi_g** » 30 Apr 2009, 11:35

Were you playing a This Day That Age ragam-talam, unearthing this thread after 3 years?

I'll make use of this opportunity to introduce myself.

City: San Francisco Bay Area
Musical Training: Zilch, Nada
Listener for about 12 years
Favorite musician(s): MDR & MMI
Favorite raga: Bhairavi (& Kamboji)

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 30 Apr 2009, 12:07

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 30 Apr 2009, 12:24

shripathi_g wrote:Were you playing a This Day That Age ragam-talam, unearthing this thread after 3 years?

ha ha, good one....- 3 y -to-date

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 30 Apr 2009, 12:45

shripathi_g wrote:Favorite musician(s): MDR & MMI

This choice somewhat reminds me of my maternal thathA , I used to wonder when he said he likes semmangudi and mdr the most about 25+ years back , I just jokingly tell him thathA how do you like both accelerator and brake at the same time.

For me I have taken one from my paternal thAtha (madura mani) and the other from my maternal thAtha (semmangudi), kind of a clutched

between maternal and paternal worlds as my perennial favourite.

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 30 Apr 2009, 13:04

Shripathi, you've already introduced yourself this day (close) that age (see post 8)

Mine:

City: Singapore (hometown), San Diego, CA (for studies)
Musical training: ~2 years of training in violin, plus lots of education right here. Listening to CM x 3 years.
Favourite artistes: MDR, MMI, SSI, KVN, TNK, LGJ, MSG (no order, though MDR is number one amongst vocalists and TNK amongst instrumentalists)
Contemporaries: Sanjay, Malladis, TMK, GV, NSG, RKSK, Varadarajan.
Favourite ragas: bilahari, sahAna, kEdAragowLa, nArAyaNagowLa, bhairavi, and many many more.

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 30 Apr 2009, 15:28

shripathi_g wrote:Musical Training: Zilch, Nada

Wonderful ! Nada Zilch is one of the best teachers in the bay area

.

All kidding aside, you're a person after my own heart (bhairavi and kamboji define my life and so do MMI and MDR).

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 30 Apr 2009, 15:50

ragam-thalam thanks for reviving this thread!

shripathi_g · Post by **shripathi_g** » 30 Apr 2009, 20:44

coolkarni wrote:Your Favourite Musical Contact / Friend ?

Of course, it'll have to be the person who showed me a clip from a MDR documentary and satiated my Charukesi requests

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 30 Apr 2009, 21:54

City: Madras

Musical Training: for about half a score years.. vocal...

Listener for: 5-6 yrs now...

Favorite musician(s): masters of the past...

Favorite raga: Bhairavi

Your Favourite Musical Contact & Friend: Ram

visaalam · Post by **visaalam** » 30 Apr 2009, 23:12

bilahari wrote:Favourite artistes: MDR, MMI, SSI, KVN, TNK, LGJ (no order, though MDR is number one amongst vocalists and TNK amongst instrumentalists)

I thought MSG will be in your favourites list

eesha · Post by **eesha** » 30 Apr 2009, 23:30

1. City where u live: Chennai
2. Musical training: Started mrudangam training under Pazhani lineage, later learnt from Sri Easwaran
3. Favourite artistes: Voleti, KVN, MLV, MSG, Dr. LS, S.Balachandar, Mali
4. Favourite ragas: Too many
5. Special musical interests: Administer and run sangeethapriya.org along with Srini

- Sridharan

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 30 Apr 2009, 23:33

Visaalam, he is! Slipped my mind somehow.

S.NAGESWARAN · Post by **S.NAGESWARAN** » 01 May 2009, 06:23

1. Name; S.NAGESWARAN.
2. City; Chennai
3. Only a Rasika.
4. All Artists. Favorite. Sri M.S.Gopalakrishnan.
5.. All ragas. Favorites. Nalinakanthi, Durga, Mohanam, Sindubairavi, etc
6. Special musical interests. Carnatic. Hindustani, Western music. Film music.

S.NAGESWARAN · Post by **S.NAGESWARAN** » 01 May 2009, 06:37

Dear Rasikas,

In addition to the personal details, E-Mail IDs may also be given if you feel that your privacy is not disturbed.

S.NAGESWARAN