M.D. Ramanathan (MDR)

mdrbalaji · Post by **mdrbalaji** » 27 Apr 2006, 03:36

There are a few in the webpage. http://mdramanathan.com/p_personal.htm

The last one was taken before his HMV release & is one of my personal favorites. There are some from my Upanayanam, but i haven't scanned those pictures.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 27 Apr 2006, 05:21

Thanks Balaji!
You do look so cute! Can you share some interesting childhood moments with MDR?

mdrbalaji · Post by **mdrbalaji** » 27 Apr 2006, 20:11

Thanks cmlover,

He used to tell a lot of mythological stories and he was awesome in it. I remember one such story "Anna Gopala" and i used to ask him to repeat it many times.

He never forced music on me. However, when he felt i had some interest in it, he did take every effort to cultivate more interest in it. Whenever power went off in our house, we used to have a quiz competition between me and my mom, in our house. He will sing a ragam, & we are supposed to find the ragam.

As part of our school annual day function, i was part of a Dance Drama troop and the theme was "Bhavayami Raghuramam". As we had regular rehearsals, i learnt the whole kriti, with the chittaswarams and i sang before him one day. He was so thrilled and happy and made me sing the entire composition before many personalities, like Rukmini Devi and Travancore Maharani.

I had several personal favorites like his compositions Maname Ramanai in Sindhu Bhairavi or a Nanda Gopa in Kapi or Rama Rama in Neelambari. I used to pester him to sing these compositions in every concert(sometimes, even in the begining) & his only requirement was that if i behave well throughout the entire concert, then he will sing my favorite composition in the end.

I remember posting some of these incidents either in this BB or somewhere else. In case these are repetitive, kindly excuse me.

Balaji

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 27 Apr 2006, 20:44

Dear Balaji
No this idoes not seem repetitive at all. Please keep posting.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 27 Apr 2006, 21:04

Yes balaji
I don't remember reading these recollections anywhere. It is indeed nice to read about his family interactions. I can understand his thrills to hear you sing 'bhAvayaami' with the cittasvarams! How old were you then? Did he tell you about his gurukula with Tiger? How did he interact when there were very sparse attendance in his concerts. We know he gave a full concert when there were only four attending. He sang more from his heart than for any public recognition. Did he ever feel that he did not get the SK that he so richly deserved. There are all sorts of stories about that. Could you set the record straight? If you have any home recordings (especially without accompaniments) could you share with us?. I am sure there will be no copyrights issue here. You of course know the policy of this Forum!

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 27 Apr 2006, 21:24

----. Did he ever feel that he did not get the SK that he so richly deserved. There are all sorts of stories about that. Could you set the record straight?

May be this is asking for too much.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 27 Apr 2006, 23:56

He will sing a ragam, & we are supposed to find the ragam.

That is so cool.

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 28 Apr 2006, 03:43

Meena, no harm in having 2 separate threads... here we focus on the man; there we focus on his music.

Real reason: Merge facility is not yet completely available

meena · Post by **meena** » 28 Apr 2006, 03:50

I know

Since most discussions on sree mdr and his music are on the previous thread, i thought it would to nice to have it ALL under 'one roof'. Will also help since i'm planning to put it on a dvd

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 28 Apr 2006, 05:17

On the MDR website, http://www.mdramanthan.com, it says

Apart from composing more than 300 kritis in carnatic music, he also composed operas like "Varada Bhaktha Vijayam", 'Sundara Ramayanam", and music for a Kalakshetra feature presentation "Buddha Avataram".

Have these operas been performed or recorded?

Did any of the disciples of Sri MDR gain popularity? I am sure he would have had many students at Kalakshetra but what about the private students?

abadri · Post by **abadri** » 28 Apr 2006, 08:08

Since we're going on a trip down memory lane here's some
nostalgia about Balaji himself

His son would show up for his concerts and share the stage -
at least in informal locations like Sastri Hall, Sringeri
Mandapam, in Madras. The kid was very young - 8 to 10, I would say
(circa 1980); and would constantly move around on stage and
reach for the kalkandu (sugar candy) that MDR kept in front of
himself. MDR would casually chide him or lightly slap his hand
from getting the sugar candy - all in the midst of his singing.

Balaji, hope you don't mind.

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 03 May 2006, 10:25

Balaji, we share the same first name! I am the same Balaji who corresponded with you re: MDR a long time ago.

I was very glad to see the extent to which MDR's site has grown. Incidentally, I just finished hearing MDR's brilliant rendition of Devagandhari.

Just a request: Is it possible to put another concert in the concert corner? Something with his trademark Yadukula Kambhoji or Sankarabharanam in it?

Finally we can communicate on a BB.

meena · Post by **meena** » 03 May 2006, 12:48

20 years after M.D. Ramanathan
By Garimella Subramaniam

CHENNAI, AUG. 14. By the mid-20th century, the kutcheri was a buzzword among connoisseurs of the devotional songs in Carnatic music. The faster tempo in recitals had already assumed prominence among artistes and audiences.

At times concerts had the appearance of a string of songs delivered at breakneck speed. Even the aalapana and kalpanasvaram singing came under the influence. In substantive terms, the dhuritakaala facet of compositions was on the road to being vulgarised. Rasikas began hip-hopping between the mushrooming sabhas.

But there was one rock that withstood this onslaught, restoring meaning and perspective to many a clichÃ© and hackneyed phrase in the description of classical Carnatic music. This was the composer and vocalist Manjapara D. Ramanathan (1923-1984), third in the line of the direct disciples of saint Tyagaraja. (He died 20 years ago, on April 27.)

Ramanathan's power and appeal lay in his deep, resonant voice. It enveloped your conscious being even before you were aware of it. MDR, as he came to be known, introduced a new approach to singing, or perhaps revived one that was long lost.

Anchored in his individuality, he rendered kritis in a style that was simple, direct and elegant. Singing in a slow and leisurely pace, he beckoned audiences to mull over each syllable. It was as though music had rediscovered its eternal value all over again in his recitals. MDR's crusade against the tide of time was rooted in context.

The vilambita kaala gaanam during Kathakali dance performances influenced his delivery of Carnatic songs, he once acknowledged. His voice and style were noticed even during student days in Palakkad. His singing in the lower register was ridiculed as "paatala sruti." "Manushya Drohi" is how the residents of Taracaud Agraharam in Palakkad described him on hearing his early morning saadhana.

This sarcasm probably strengthened MDR's resolve to eschew the straitjacket in music as well as in life generally. He earned a bachelor's in Physics from the Government Victoria College in Palakkad. Not heeding his father's counsel to take up employment, he enrolled for the Sangeetha Shironmani course at the Madras Kalakshetra. MDR then served as a Professor and rose to become its Principal. His guru, the legendary Tiger Varadhachariyar, had enormous regard for the young MDR's originality and individuality. MDR appended the signature "Varada dasa" to his more than 300 compositions in Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu â€” thus immortalising the guru-sishya relationship.

MDR's legacy is alive through a modest number of albums and private recordings. A collection of tributes, in Malayalam, is M.D. Ramanathan, A Unique Octave in Music, edited by Dr. Madhu Vasudevan (2003).

mdrbalaji · Post by **mdrbalaji** » 04 May 2006, 02:24

Hello all,

It's been quite busy here, hence didn't get any chance to post any replies to all the posts.

cmlover sir,
I am not sure i will be able to answer any of your questions based on my personal interactions with my dad, however based on what i have heard from my mom and his close friends, he never aspired for any specific recognition nor was he worried about crowd's strength in his concerts.

I have listened to a lec-dem on Tiger's Varnams in Kalakshetra in which he mentions how Tiger composed his varnams, like for e.g. Vachaspati Varnam was composed on Smt.Rukmini Devi's birthday and it seems Tiger selected Vachaspati as RD was a great orator.
In the same lec, he mentions about how there are complains that MDR sings less, or MDR sings more or MDR comes late so on and so forth. But MDR like his Guru is not affected by these accusations.

But, from a rational standpoint, i am not able to convince myself that his concerts were always poorly attended. Because, if that's the case, then how would he have managed to maintain a career out of music and sing in the prime slot in Academy every year, since 1950 till 1982. Also, he has toured throughout India during his career and had several opportunities to come abroad, but didn't as he was not too keen travelling overseas. Also, when one looks at the amount of his live performances in circulation, anyone would be surprised to hear that his concerts had few audiences.

bala747,

I have been extremely busy the last few months & i am guilty for not being able to update the web page. I have some more materials ready and i will try and upload them as early as possible. i appreciate all your support and patience in this regard.

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 04 May 2006, 09:21

My granduncle would always say that MDR had a core of diehard fans in most places he sang (he was one of them). He would say this:

If at the start of the concert there were a hundred people listening, about 50 would walk out after the first two songs, but the remaining would listen until the mangalam was sung (This was in Bombay and Calcutta). I would have told the 50 who left to save their money and not even turn up because they seem to have turned up just to be seen as music connoisseurs (but I digress).

I recall one viruttam of his (ratnakarosti sadhanam) in Thodi in which he gives a beautiful explanation to the meaning. But what I can still recall about that viruttam is the way he handled thodi. It sounds deceptively simple until one tries to sing it.

Anyway I found the lyrics to this after much googling in an older thread of this site I think (Saw CML's name there somewhere):

ratnAkarO'sti sadanam gRhiNI ca lakShmI.h
kim dEyam asti bhavatE jagad-IshvarAya |
rAdhA-grihIta-manasE' (a)manasE ca tubhyam
dattam madIya *manasam* tadidam gRihANa ||

meena · Post by **meena** » 04 May 2006, 10:16

bala the viruttam was not u/l on this forum.

ratnAkara OShadhi sadanam g^RihaNI ca lakshmi
kimdEya asti bhavatE jagadIswarAyA
Radha grihIta manasE manasE ca thubhyam
dattam madIya manasA tad idam kritAnAm

Sree MDRÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s interpretation of the slokam :

Sree MDR says: ÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€¦Ã¢â‚¬Å“The meaning of this is simple, yet beautiful, and represents the thoughts and prayers of a devotee of Lord KrishnaÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â

meena · Post by **meena** » 12 May 2006, 21:52

An event to mark M.D. Ramanathan Rememberance Day will be held on May 20, 2006 at Rukmini Ramakrishna Kalyanamandapam, Tripunithura, Kochi, Kerala.

A vocal concert features Sanjay Subrahmanyam. A book titled 'Kedaram' by R.K.Moorthy on the life of MDR, will be released by Sri Sanjay Subrahmaniam.

The event is being organised by R.K.Moorthy.

meena · Post by **meena** » 15 May 2006, 12:47

For details abt sre MDR day Pl check:

DELETED

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 20 May 2006, 17:17

Balaji and Site Admin permitting, I would like to post the A/M viruttam and a few other compositions sung by this great man.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 20 May 2006, 21:41

Dear Bala
As long as it is not part of a commercial piece there is no objection. Balaji is with us only to enhance our appreciation of this great man and not for snooping or to find fault. Do post and discuss the highlights as you see and we will join in!

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 21 May 2006, 08:45

The viruttam is in another computer. Here are his renditions of a few of his own compositions.

http://rapidshare.de/files/20923119/09_ ... gEshrI.mp3

Sagara Shayana vibho in Bhagesri, a moving composition rendered by MDR. Accompanists are L Subramaniam and Ramabhadran.

One reason why I love VR's mridangam is the way he enhances the piece without being too obtrusive. This krithi is a case in point. His playing is subdued and adds ghumkis at the right spots without interfering with the mood of the rendition.

http://rapidshare.de/files/20982335/Sri ... i-_MDR.mp3

(not to be confused with the Sri chamundeshwari Palayamam by Mysore Vasudevachariar, in fact the AIR announcer announces the composer as "Varadadasar"!). This is from an AIR Concert with TNK and CS (?) Murugabhoopathy.

A less heard composition, in Bilahari. Beautiful but the recording suffers from "jumps".

http://rapidshare.de/files/20982498/Thy ... am-MDR.mp3

Another AIR rendition, this time with V Thyagarajan, and P Raghu. It's no wonder he is called "King of Kedaram"! A very beatiful composition on Saint Thyagaraja.

I don't like VT's violin. The nadam is atrocious and his handling of swaras seem like he is not sure of himself.
I first heard this piece sung by KVN in an AIR concert and I had no idea then who "Varadadasar" was when the composer was announced (they seem to have MDR's name as "Varadadasar" on file.

kaapi · Post by **kaapi** » 22 May 2006, 21:25

(they seem to have MDR's name as "Varadadasar" on file.

Bala747
I think MDR preferred it that way. MDR had sung his compositions in MA way back in the sixties. The programme sheet used to indicate VaradadAsar as the composer and not MDR.

meena · Post by **meena** » 22 May 2006, 21:40

kaapi

If u have saved the programme sheets, can u PLEASE scan and email them to me. thanks

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 22 May 2006, 21:41

It is indeed his dedication of his compositions to his guru "Tiger varadachariaar'.

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 23 May 2006, 08:12

Folks,

http://rapidshare.de/files/21144285/08_ ... ADANAM.MP3

Here it is, the viruttam. Spellbinding thodi. After his explanation of the viruttam (which meena had posted earlier), someone remarks "your explanation is as simple as your thodi sir".

IIRC the violinist is Chandrasekharan but I could be wrong.

Also, one of my personal favourites:

http://rapidshare.de/files/19531184/03_ ... alyANi.mp3

A Navarathri Mandapam rendition of ST's Deva deva jagadiswara.
Beautiful rendition in the mandapam. I have been trying to get my hands on the rest of this concert but so far no luck.

Finally, a great Devagandhari

http://rapidshare.de/files/7212922/04._Ksheera.mp3

I think the accompanists are Pappa Venkatramiah and Ramabhadran but I could be wrong.

Radhakrishnan · Post by **Radhakrishnan** » 26 May 2006, 12:08

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/05/26/stor ... 730300.htm
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/05/26/stor ... 910200.htm
I consider myself lucky to attend one concert of MDR 25 years ago at Thyagabrahma sangeetha Sabha,Thrissur.He was physically not well and concert lasted for less than two hours.When he was about to start the concert,one steet dog started barking and he started scolding it! and he told MSG' dey,talli ukkaru,ivar unne paakka varale!!' of course,nobody,including MSG, mistook him,in fact the whole auditorium burst into laughter,that is MDR for you!!

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 15 Jun 2006, 09:30

Here is a talk by MDR on the Subject of Tiger Varadachar.
A wonderful glimpse into the mind of MDR ...
Hope you will all enjoy

http://rapidshare.de/files/23087496/01- ... 6.mp3.html
http://rapidshare.de/files/23090091/02- ... 6.mp3.html http://rapidshare.de/files/23090745/03- ... 6.mp3.html

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 15 Jun 2006, 10:01

Sincere thanks coolkarni!
This is a rare treat indeed....

meena · Post by **meena** » 15 Jun 2006, 10:01

Kji

geee thanks thanks a lot

ramanathan · Post by **ramanathan** » 16 Jun 2006, 11:42

Thank you very much, ji! God bless you!

kmrasika · Post by **kmrasika** » 21 Jun 2006, 07:29

ShrI mdrbalaji:
Is the composition, "Shankara sadguru caraNakamalamtannai" in dhanyAsi a composition of your father? The song is in praise of kAmakOTi AcArya and bears the mudra "varadadAsa" in the concluding line of the caraNam.

meena · Post by **meena** » 21 Jun 2006, 12:26

kmrasika

if an audio is available and its NOT commerical one can u pl. u/l .

sumram99 · Post by **sumram99** » 21 Jun 2006, 18:25

Kji:

In the lecdem on Tiger, who is the person giving the intro?

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 21 Jun 2006, 18:52

kmrasika: Would you please upload the song shankara sadguru (dhanyAsi) if you have it? Thanks.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 21 Jun 2006, 19:11

sumram99

no idea.maybe balaji can tell , if he is here ...

meena · Post by **meena** » 21 Jun 2006, 22:06

kmrasika

Acc. to Balaji:

"I think it is. But i don't have a audio version of this kriti."

ramanathan · Post by **ramanathan** » 22 Jun 2006, 00:06

The person giving the introductory speech is Sri. TS Parthasarathy, the grand old scholar and erstwhile secretary of the Music Academy (The voice is distinctive for those who know TSP mama and MDR clearly refers to "Parthasarathy Sir" when he begins the lec-dem). Past 90 and confined to his home and wheelchair now, TSP mama continues to be a one-stop source for musicians and scholars looking for reference material and authoritative information on music & dance matters. Visiting and spending time with him is a privilege. We at Carnatica have had the honour of publishing several of mama's articles.

kmrasika · Post by **kmrasika** » 22 Jun 2006, 07:23

kmrasika: Would you please upload the song shankara sadguru (dhanyAsi) if you have it? Thanks.

Sorry to disappoint you and Meena. I don't but I think I could dig up the lyrics. The song actually sounds like the tune of kanakasabhApati.

meena · Post by **meena** » 07 Aug 2006, 06:25

I hope sree mdr rasikas all enjoyed the superb lecdem on Tiger that Kji shared with us all.

Next composition of sree mdr is a lullaby

rAma rAma rAma rAma . rAgam: nIlAmbari. tAlam: Adi.

P: rAma rAma rAma rAma rAma kOdaNDarAmA rAma paTTAbhirAma rAma rAghavA
C1: rAma SrI jAnakI bharata lakshmaNa ripughna pavamAna suta sahita rAma rAgavA
C2: kausalyA vara tanaya SrI kauSika muni tava pAla acana garala pUjya rAma rAghavA
C3:daSaratha rAjakumAra daSa mukhAdi samhAra vishAdi krta carita rAma rAghavA
C4:guha SabarI AnjanEya kapivara SrI sughrIva ripu sOdarAdula brOcina rAma rAghavA
C5:sAkEta dhAma SrI sItA manOllAsa cAla bhEdana nipuNa rAma rAghavA
C6:tyAgarAjAdi nija dAsulu pogaDaga nAgaSayana SrI rAma rAghavA

(note: not used his mudra for this kriti)

http://www.bigupload.com/d=F2F6CA4C

Enjoy!

avichinnu · Post by **avichinnu** » 13 Aug 2006, 17:04

In my view, MDR will remain in our hearts forever because of three things. One is "raagabhaava" ,"excellent control over "laya" and the way he presents the krithis in "vilambakaala".Perhaps he is the best in that.His music, in contempory music world, may have been considered as not melodious[in the modern world contex],he remains to me as one of the rare gems of carnatic music.One should listen to his renditin f "janani paahi sada.." in Shudha saaveri, sung at Navarathri sangeetha mandapamwith Chalakudi and Raghu in 1968.

Here is a concert ,that I liked very much.Abhoghi and Manirangu are extraordinary...
MDR-TNK-P=UKS Padmashri Felicitation - New Delhi concert-1974

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870884/03-RA ... I.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/859144/04-Ma ... i.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870888/05-Ra ... a.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870908/06-CH ... p.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870919/07-Sr ... i.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870927/08-SLOKAM.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870930/09-RA ... E.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870934/10-Ma ... u.mp3.html

http://d.turboupload.com/d/870937/11-Hi ... a.mp3.html

Thanks to Mr.Kasthuri rangan for sharing this concert ,
avi

docfred · Post by **docfred** » 24 Aug 2006, 08:09

Greetings, friends of MDR!

I'm writing to introduce myself and to ask for your kind assistance. I've enjoyed reading your comments, and hope that you have enjoyed the short (1-hour) concert film of MDR that I made in Adyar, Madras, 1977. At that time I was the teacher of Dr. Amy Catlin, then in Madras studying Carnatic music for her dissertation on Pallavi. I'd be happy to tell you about my experiences in filming, with Carnatic Vidwans, and attending the Music Festivals yearly from 1977 to 1983 if you are interested.

I'm currently working intensely to complete the long-planned 2nd film on MDR, which includes a lengthy interview with him (Balaji has transcribed it on his MDR website), two extended lessons with disciples, an interview about MDR and others with the late Sri C.V. Narasimhan, filmed in his office at the United Nations (where the videocam lights--in those days quite powerful, blew the UN's circuit breakers!), and a couple of wonderful surprises.

You may have seen some of the raw footage, since Amy & I gave copies of everything to Balaji to show at a memorial event for MDR some years ago. (Neither Amy nor I make any profit from these videos--all profits go to the musicians or their heirs.)

I am not an advanced student of Carnatic music, but have loved it passionately since first encountering it as a graduate student, when Balasaraswati gave a dance-concert at UCLA. I became good friends with the late Viswanathan and Ramanathan, while they were teaching at Wesleyan & I was nearby at Brown U., starting a program in ethnomusicology. I was fortunate to have students such at Amy, who became a valued co-worker in making the series of films beginning in 1977. Over the years I was lucky enough to become friends with Sri T.S. Parthasarathy, scholar extraordinaire and advisor to ALL; Jayalakshi Krishnaswami, generous and musical sister of CV Narasimhan, in whose garden the MDR concert was filmed--with an amazing audience Rasikas and Vidwans, invited and entertained by her; T.N. Krishnan and his wonderfully musical children Viji and Sriram; sisters T. Brinda and T. Mukta; and many more.

Though Balaji has been extremely supportive of our efforts over the years, I have not been able to contact him for the past several weeks, either via his gmail account or at his last known residence in Knoxville or job at the Univ of Tennessee. Can anyone help with updated information? The new film would be GREATLY improved with a few minutes of introduction and reminiscence from Balaji.

While we have enough video footage, we cannot decipher all of MDR's sometimes complex Tamil (I should say Amy is having trouble with this, since I have no Tamil at all--my main research areas are East and Southeast Asia, as well as American Popular music and the Beatles.) Gita Ramanathan will be assisting, but since time is VERY short for a number of reasons, we would be grateful for any volunteers who might be able to assist with translation (and, in one or two places, identification of composition and lyrics).

I've seen quite a few photos posted here that might potentially be very valuable to enliven the film and give a broader sense of context (all our scenes with MDR were filmed at his home). If any of you can help with good quality scans of photos (either with permissions or material in public domain), it would be a tremendous help. We have no budget to pay for assistance at this point, we will be pleased to reciprocate with discounts or copies of this and other films in the series, depending on what's appropriate and fair.

I'd like to hear from any of you, even if just to hear your reactions to the earlier films, and your wishes/desires for the current one. Please contact me off-list for specific discussions that are not of general interest. You can reach me best via email <[email protected]> or phone (831) 425-5014 here in Santa Cruz, CA. If you are nearby (anywhere in the Bay Area, I'd welcome a visit or a chance to visit you).

With many thanks for your wonderful work here in keeping MDR's magnificent music part of the living tradition,

Sincere regards,

Fred Lieberman
Professor of Music
University of California, Santa Cruz, 95064
res (831-425-5014), fax (831-458-5036), cell (831-588-6072)

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 24 Aug 2006, 09:59

Dear Prof Lieberman - I have a copy of the MDR video and am glad you are going to come out with another one soon. Balaji frequents this group so it is likely he will see your post.

docfred · Post by **docfred** » 24 Aug 2006, 10:36

Thanks, mohan.

By coincidence, I heard from Balaji just a few minutes after posting the previous. He's moved to Memphis--so that part of my post about locating him may be disregarded

I am, of course still interested in contacting any of you who might be willing to help with photos of MDR or Tiger, and possibly with lyrics & translations.

Regards,

Fred

------------
Prof. Fredric Lieberman
Music Department
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
<[email protected]>
(831) 425-5014

bala747 · Post by **bala747** » 26 Aug 2006, 14:01

http://rapidshare.de/files/28358042/Mer ... gowla_.mp3

A moving Mayamalavagoula. No one has done this krithi justice apart from MDR. Merusamana is like the Cinderella of Thyagaraja's masterpieces, often ignored or hastily rendered as filler when it is in fact one of the bard's great compositions, full of depth.

Balaji (by the way I am not Sri MDR's son. We just share the same name!)

Ramaprasad · Post by **Ramaprasad** » 26 Aug 2006, 19:33

Dear bala747 Sir,

Like so many other rasikas, MDR is my all time great male vocalist (I was fortunate to have heard many live concerts in India). In the context of the second MDR video that will soon be available, I thought I would give here a website (We have to thank Prof. Robert Garfias for this) where you can scroll down to locate an an 8 min video, and watch T. Brinda rendering Merusamana, with vocal support from her daughter Vegavahini. Many rasikas in this forum, I am sure, would have already seen this.

http://itc.uci.edu/~rgarfias/kiosk/media.html

Regards,
Ramaprasad

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 31 Aug 2006, 19:11

http://rapidshare.de/files/31430015/002 ... AIRAVI.MP3

Kaumaram .
Here is a track I promised you long long ago-
There are lots of things happening out there-some related to the laya , I Guess ,and some related to the fact that MDR is fully intoxicated with the beauty of the composition .
A very very interesting track !!

avichinnu · Post by **avichinnu** » 04 Sep 2006, 18:57

Kulakarniji,
Few years ago,I listened to a "music from the archives" programme of AIR Bangalore, featuring a recording of MDR.It contained an elaborate "Kaanada",and he sung "srikantha enagistu daya mado thandhe...." and "Saraguna paalimapa..." in "Kedaragaula"and finally a magnificient "rama katha..."in "Madhyamaavathi".
But I havent listened to them again.
Who else can sing Kedaragoula like MDR?
Avi.

jayaram · Post by **jayaram** » 04 Sep 2006, 19:49

I understand there is a book on MDR written (in Malayalam) by Dr Madhu Vasudevan. Has anyone seen/read it? I am quite keen to get access to this book.

If there is enough interest, I would like to embark on a project to get the book translated into Tamil/English.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 04 Sep 2006, 21:21

Here is some information on this:
http://www.sruti.com/July03/nnote.html

ignoramus · Post by **ignoramus** » 04 Sep 2006, 21:27

jayaram
have read this book. this was published by DC books, Kottayam kerala. You should be able to access their website. THis is a collection of articles on MDR and his music, personal, musical etc. Then there are 2 interviews, a few lovely photos and also some beautiful sketches of MDR by Namboodiri, a renowned artist/cartoonist. Then there is a study of MDR's music by Madhu vasudevan. recently there was another book on MDR, a short story interspersed with MDR and his music. This was by krishnamoorthy of Cochin,a person who is an avid MDR fan. This is also in malayalam