MEETINGS OF RASIKAS DURING THE SEASON

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 02 Jan 2009, 17:17

Kji,

I think my spiritual presence will be hovering around there at least until the 6th!

I can't help being greedy - given the quality of music and the company!

Sam Swaminathan · Post by **Sam Swaminathan** » 03 Jan 2009, 08:22

Friends, I confirm I will be there to share the delights ! Regards Sam

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 03 Jan 2009, 16:16

can i get directions to this place - or atleast landmarks etc. near it. I will be coming from velacherry

Arun

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 03 Jan 2009, 17:03

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 03 Jan 2009, 17:09

ok thanks. I will be there.

Arun

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 03 Jan 2009, 17:53

Ok, I'm also helping the "save coolji's fingers" campaign. Look forward to it.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 03 Jan 2009, 18:01

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 03 Jan 2009, 20:10

Hope to make it! Today I had a very nice meeting and interaction with Keyboard Sathya and his family (TKB our member). Hope to meet the rest of you in Nungambakkam tomorrow.

prashant · Post by **prashant** » 03 Jan 2009, 21:14

I will try and make it if I reach Chennai on time tomorrow...

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 03 Jan 2009, 22:01

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 03 Jan 2009, 22:34

Mrs Cool, standing outside the house, makes an excellent landmark --- or at least she did, the last time I was there and searching.

This will be my third visit, so hope to find it ok this time!

prashant · Post by **prashant** » 04 Jan 2009, 10:03

Unfortunately, Coolji and friends, not only am I not going to reach on time today, I will reach only tomorrow! The late arrival of my family from the US this morning meant I had to postpone my flight and I will only arrive in Chennai tomorrow. Looking forward to reports about Sri Sankar's program and especially about Ram's playing!

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 04 Jan 2009, 10:16

I will join the online campaign to Save Coolji's Fingers and hope all who are available make it to the concert and that it's a satisfying one!

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 04 Jan 2009, 10:24

Me too; waiting for reports of a good concert well attended. Kudos to cool-ji for all the efforts he takes.

tkb · Post by **tkb** » 04 Jan 2009, 13:46

I had the great fortune of being part of this meet even though i was late and thanks every one to allow me inside after 90mts of the concert. Sri Bangalore Shankar with Sri Ramanujacharulu on Violin (i think i got the name correctly) and Sri Ram on the Mrudhangam was just too good. If i were to choose top 5 concerts of this season i had been to, this is surely be one among them. Thanks to the wonderful ambience and a good PA system (Kannan Audios), it was indeed a pleasant experience of attending an excellent concert presentation. I saw glimpses of Sri Thiruvengadu Jayaraman when Sri Shankar was singing the vrutham and also there was a senior person mentioning about the richness of music given by Sri Shankar by bringing in the styles of Semangudi to GNB. I had the oppurtunity to introduce myself to many of the members and was happy to have made it for this meet even though late. Better Late than never!!

I sincerely hope that this concert will be upload and i am looking forward to have link as I would seriously love to treasure this concert. Thanks to Shyams and Coolkarni ji for having organised this meet and looking forward to being a part next time too. I would not be in a position to make it for the 6th as my son Sathya has a concert 6 - 8:30pm at Padma Sarangapani Cultural academy, School premises, Virugambakkam. I need to pick him up from school by 3:30 pm and the get ready to go for the concert.

[Thanks to Sathej for correcting me.]

tkb · Post by **tkb** » 04 Jan 2009, 14:10

Mohan,

Thank you very much for making t to our house ydy and spending your valuable time. It was also nice of you to have brought along your wife and it was our pleasure and treat to hear her signing which was superb.

As discussed with you today, i am giving the youtube links of few short videos taken when you were at home and i am sure every one in the forum would enjoy seeing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwWQity5LxY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw6ITs3qJt4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYnU8sJrX1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytvrBk0dUh4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_H740VSTCc

It was nice of Sri Mohan to have visited our house and hope to spend more time, may be a concert together in the near future.

Sathej · Post by **Sathej** » 04 Jan 2009, 14:59

It was Shri Bangalore Shankar - the vocalist. And Shri TKV Ramanujacharulu on the violin.

Sathej

sagars · Post by **sagars** » 04 Jan 2009, 22:44

Thanks TKB for the nice report. Keep regrettign that my visit to Chennai should have been longer or atleast postponed by a week.

TKB sir was hearing this morning Sathya's concert in World space Sruthi. A good Panthuvarali and Ananda Bhairavi.

Will upload some photos of 24th early morng meet and also some concert photos.

tkb · Post by **tkb** » 05 Jan 2009, 13:03

sagars

thank you so much for the info and for the compliments extended to Sathya & team's performance.

srinivasasarma · Post by **srinivasasarma** » 08 Jan 2009, 11:14

I was the senior person, referred to by Tkb. I was fortunate to attend the oncert at
shyam's esidence, though it was in the 2nd floor.
I reached the premises at the end of merusamana/m.m.gowla. Then followed by many
ragas (cant remember all), but danyasi, jayantasri, kharaharaPriya, one ragamaliga
shanmughaPriya (v.good) and kalyani .... .....
Pacca vAdyams were PaccA vAdyams - simply superb. (no wrongs mentioned by
TMK in the Hindu)
I could not speak much as I was simplymoved by the performance of Bang shri Sankar and I was travelling in his shanmughaPriya, the attractive Kalyani .....
It was a pleasure to meet m/s kulkarni, sam saminathan, arun, vijay and
After the feast to the ears/heart, we got very good lunch - thanks a lot to chi Shyam and his parents.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 11 Oct 2009, 05:57

IF Any one is willing to organise a get together somewhere appropriate Ramesh-M.K.Ramasubramanian son of t.s.mahadevasn- is willing to share his INSIDER'S knowledge of M.S.&T.S.I CAN also share my knowledge of the period esp US experiences since 1959. PL LET ME KNOW. VKV

S.NAGESWARAN · Post by **S.NAGESWARAN** » 12 Oct 2009, 08:22

Dear Rasikas,

It would be a nice get together if the Forum members meet and get physically introduced to each other during the music season 2009.

We had one such get togather at New woodlands arranged by Coolji with Lakshman ragade the year before last. Forum members can plan a road map for this get togather.

Overseas Forumites can also indicate about their visit to Chennai during December 2009.

S.NAGESWARAN.
Dated; 12.10.2009.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 12 Oct 2009, 08:40

I will be in Chennai DEC 4TH- MAR 1. M.K.Ramasubranmanian(Ramesh) is going to be there from dec 1 & has indicated a willingness to meet as well as discuss his very close knowledge of practically any musician of the GOLDEN ERA starting with M.S. His father T.S.Mahadevan was the fountainhead of knowledge in this area. If YOU take the initiative & arrange get togethers BOTH of us will definitely show up. VKV

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 12 Oct 2009, 15:24

I am very happy to meet with any of you, although preferably not for breakfast meetings --- even if you practice your right to speak in Tamil!

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 14 Oct 2009, 06:24

Forumites: Meeting in Chennai during December season-- I will be in Chennai from Dec 1 onwards till feb 25,2010. I will be free to meet anyday after DEc first week=jetlags, etc etc. My contact# in Chennai 24610620 and I will be staying with my brother Sekhar in R.A.Puram--once I reach Chennai I would try to get a cell and will give it to forumites thro the forum.
Between VKV and myself we can put up a show narrating our idiosynchratic experiences with the artistes of yesteryears!!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 17 Oct 2009, 10:16

The Music Academy has announced its music and dance season schedule on its website.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 17 Oct 2009, 12:31

arasi wrote:The Music Academy has announced its music and dance season schedule on its website.

Not yet arasi, it still says 2008-2009 in their website http://www.musicacademymadras.in/music_schedule.php only, still 2009-10 is not officially out. Possibly are you referring any emails that you have received.

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 19 Oct 2009, 03:26

Hi folks: Have not seen much response except from Arasi re: possible meeting of forumites during the December season. I cannot imagine-- some atleast if not all --- not being in Chennai or visiting Chennai during the season!!
Here is the clarion call for a concerted effort to cover the concerts for the forumites who may not be attending the Season--we can give full vent to our opinions about the concerts and "bask" in the diversity of our tastes/preferences!
Any takers?
We have enough incentive to meet even outside of the dreary concert halls/ canteens--the three events that VKV is orchestrating or being part of--the Ramanathan tribute,MMI/GNB' centenary .

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 19 Oct 2009, 08:13

MKR/VKV Sirs
For sure I will meet both of you . About the rasikas get together ,I have few constraints in work , my clients are coming on the month of december(I wish they had choosed any other 11 months ), but still will meet and give my best shot to organize . Let us talk about that get together towards 2nd week of december .

vganesh · Post by **vganesh** » 27 Oct 2009, 10:11

Dear Sirs
I am defintely open to organise the show/meeting at My flat. It is at Mandaveli. It would be my privilage to meet all of you. But my contacts in our forum even otherwise is very poor.
RajeshJi, Will try to coordinate with you and organise. Will try talking to CoolJi also.

Regards

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 27 Oct 2009, 23:34

Dear Ganesh,
Appreciate your initiative in organising the "Show/Meeting" at your place. Don't worry about contacts. I am used to audiences of 8 INCLUDING THE ARTISTS TO TWENTY THOUSAND. Also when I organised the LGJ-RAMANI TOUR in '71 I did not know a soul! Just looked in phone book & called them. Look where things are: Among the ones are Ramadorai(TATAS), Cleveland Sundaram & Toronto Venkataraman! The elite among elites!....
We shd use the VAST EXPERTISE of MKR(& HIS DAD THE incomparable T.S.Mahadevan) & may be my experiences as a NOVICE as a foil.... Lets fix a DATE & go on from there even if YOU are the only person apart fro M.K.R.& myself attendind! VKV

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 29 Oct 2009, 10:08

I am very eager to meet you and other rasikas during the season. We can have jam / meeting at place convenient to all. May be more than 1 such meet is required since all interested members may not make it on a single day.

Akellaji may also be in Chennai during December and quite a few of NRI rasikas will also be there

@ vganesh / rajesh

Please call me or email if you require any help in organsing

S.NAGESWARAN · Post by **S.NAGESWARAN** » 29 Oct 2009, 22:57

Dear Forum members,

We can all meet at my residence in West Mambalam.

Rasikas.Org members have attended 2 concerts of Sri G.S.Mani and Srirangachari at my house in 2007.

I can give a clear address and land marks if my house is finalized for the Rasikas meet during Dec 2009.

S.NAGESWARAN.
30.10.2009.

vganesh · Post by **vganesh** » 02 Nov 2009, 18:35

Nageswaran Sir, thats nice of you. you can even pull

ji also. So we will meet at Nageswaran Sir house. Now please do let us know the convenient dates. It could be a week end preferably.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 02 Nov 2009, 22:55

V.G,
I have written emails to S.N. & M.K.R. Soon I hope we can finalise the details & announce it here. VKV

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 03 Nov 2009, 04:09

Another thing. Most of of town/country rasikAs spend an average of a week in Chennai during the season. That's why, as we have done before, three sessions will mean that most of us can meet someof us, at least! Sometimes, one is able to attend more than one meet.

VKV,
I am hoping to meet you and others, though I may not be able to make it to the 10th event. A pity.

Anyaway, we have come a long way from the past when I remember Bhrath waiting to meet a few rasikAs but ended up sharing a packet of mixture with a lone attendee (?).

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 04 Nov 2009, 20:11

Dear Arasi,
I am used to the scenario you have discussed as you know carrying the amplifier, speakers & the rest of the hi-fi system to Indian Consulate in NYC & my wife selling 3 DOLLAR tickets to the Historic LGJ-N.R. First ever concert ion USA at Columbia U!.......
If I know when you are going to be in Chennai I am sure we can meet somewhere....VKV

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 04 Nov 2009, 20:36

Great! We will somehow meet.
That scene of S selling three dollar tickets for the master's concert at Columbia brings a smile to my face. No temples in existence then!
And today

CM has marched a long way. The continent is buzzing with musicians on tour, even with the onset of winter. But for the December Chennai season, we would have Christmas concerts going on here!

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 06 Nov 2009, 09:01

Arasi/VKV/Nageswaran: Noted VKV's schedule.Re:myself,I will be arriving in Chennai on Dec 2--Have family wedding in Chennai on Dec6-
As of now do not foresee any problems in attending the meet/day that Mr.Nageswaran is proposing.Am excited to meet fellow forumites--just forewarn me of I have to come with suitable armor to protect myself against forumites irate about my ramblings or aruvais!!

VKV--You have taken me back by 38years to the FIRST Organised Concert tour of NA --the East-West Org.I think that tour needs a separate thread to do justice to the off-stage maneouvres--those long car drives between NY,Boston,Washington D.C. Philadelphia--to save on airfares which were prohibitive-- a few glimpses just to tickle forumites' palate!!!

The reception of the LGJ/Ramani/Venkatraman trio at JFK.

VKV,myself,and a couple of commitee members waiting to receive along with Radha Shankar--one of our members very much interested and a singer as well--as soon as the trio emerged from the Customs--a long wait in those days --Radha comments to LGJ(absolutely exhausted from the long flight!!)--Nan ungalai trichuril kutcherikku vandapodhu parthirukken--appo neengal kadile kadukkan pottukondu irundeergal"--to which LGJ promptly replied "Ippo Nan adhai Ellam Kadil Pottukaradillai"

Next Ramani Sir pulls me aside,and says remove your shoes(at JFK,mind you!!)--which I promptly comply with--he puts it on and because the shoe had been broken in sufficiently by me there was no discomfort felt by him-he had bought the new shoes just the day before departure from Chennai and as such there was no time to break the shoe in--apparently throughout the journey he was writhing in pain but was afraid to tell his cohorts--asked me if he could have my shoes for the whole trip and as his return was thro NY we would switch--I agreed being the Bharatha that I was to hold his shoes(luckily I had another pair which i could use!!) till his return--a real-life reversal role of a Rama(myself) playing the role of Bharatha!!

Then after one of those VKV's See-Manhattan tours for the artistes,we were driving back in VKV's station wagon--quite a spacious one--Lalgudi sir,Venkatraman,Ramani Sir and Ramnad raghavan who was in Wesleyan and played for the trio for most of the concerts--all of us manged to squueze--VKV was driving us on the Hudson River Parkway towards his house in new City NY--VKV points out the Hudson river commenting how broad the river is etc etc--Ramnad Raghavan wanting to show off his knowledge of NY and USA sites of interest comments to LGJ---Enna Anna,Inda nadiyai Patthavudane,tharpanam pannambol ungaluku thonalaya(after seeing this beautiful river don't you feel like doing tharpanam?)--to which LGJ replies No enakku thonalai(Note: LGJ's father was alive at that time!!!)

Memories!!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Nov 2009, 09:25

I am grinning from ear to ear!

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 07 Nov 2009, 08:12

M.K.R.,
YOU certainly have a way of pointing out to the BEST of my 50 year hiatus in USA! Even tho' I have worked with several GENIUSES of the calibre of Feynman etc & worked with Armstrong& ALDRIN etc on the first Moon Landings I consider attending the U.N.Concert of M.S. in 1966, LGJ-RAMANI-RAGHAVAN-SANKARAN TOUR IN 1971, & the rendering of Chandram Baja by MMI which I have referred to in my book with Sri.S.Rajam on Navagrahas in which I make the claim that Dhikshithar's Navagraha Kritis as equal CREATIVELY to anything that the human race has acheived so far.....VKV

S.NAGESWARAN · Post by **S.NAGESWARAN** » 10 Nov 2009, 14:52

Dear Rasikas,

The get together meeting with Sri VKV and Sri M.K.Ramasubramaniam is tentatively fixed on 20.12.2009 at my residence.

Agenda for the get together will be finalized by Sri VKV and Sri Ramasubramaniam.

S.NAGESWARAN.
10.11.2009.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 11 Nov 2009, 01:36

I will write soon. PL mark the date& place as this promises to be an EXCITING event that will produce enough light. VKV

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 11 Nov 2009, 01:55

THIS IS A FREE FOR ALL! I REQUEST INPUTS FROM EVERYONE IN THIS FORUM. I WILL SPEAK FOR JUST MYSELF:
This idea started with discussions on M.S./T.S. & appears to be broadening out to a larger area. I will express my views in my next post here. VKV

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 11 Nov 2009, 02:41

VKV: Check my latest e-mail to you and SN today.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 11 Nov 2009, 02:59

My suggested schedule for Dec 20th is as follows:
Morning session: 9:45 A.M. TO MID-DAY
Welcome by S.Nageswaran & Introduction of Speakers by VKV followed by 15 minute presentations by: M.K.Ramasubramanian, Sekhar("The Asthana Vidwan" of "Kalki Gardens"), vkv, &Cleveland Sundaram. This will be followed by a one hour Discussion & Dissemination of Information among those present by Questions& Answers etc from every one present. This session can be recorded by audio, video etc so it can be accessed by any one interested.
12-1 P.M.------LUNCH. I PERSONALLY want people to go "DUTCH) ie PAY FOR THEIR OWN LUNCH, COFFEE,TIFFIN ETC. I FEEL WE SHOULD NOT BURDEN S.N . FINANCIALLY IN ANY WAY. As it is he is opening his house for an entire day....Lunch packets coffee tiffin etc can be provided at cost to those who reqest in ADVANCE. As I have said this is my VIEW & is subject to modiofication.
2-4 p.m. INFORMAL Q& A+ informal discussion session based on what happened in the morning session+ suggestions that developed as a result. I would not like this session RECORDED IN ANY FASHION as it can be used to make for a freer session& more interesting& intimate details can be revealed.&
In the morning I will split my 15 MIN time beteeen M.S./T.S.& THE PERIOD bewtween 1948& today with emphasis on happenings in North America since 1959 in terms of Carnatic Music being emphasised....PL WRITE YOUR REACTIONS& SUGGESTIONS.....VKV

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 11 Nov 2009, 03:03

Ramasubramanian M.K wrote:VKV: Check my latest e-mail to you and SN today.

I DID& WROTE THESE AFTER THAT ONLY! VKV

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 11 Nov 2009, 03:59

I agree with the lunch part-it should be Dutch and the HOST should not be strained at all-this part of the program should not tax SN's resource(TIME) .

I like the agenda.No formal (powerpoint!!!) presentations.

I am going to come UNARMED!!--naturally with my BRAIN!!!

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 11 Nov 2009, 04:26

Dear M.K.S,
As they say in the BIG APPLE, Brother can you spare a bit of your Brain( like brother can you spare me a dime?)?! Mine I was never sure it existed!From the Boonies, VKV...But big on splitting atoms!