Sanjay at Music Academy

natts1959 · Post by **natts1959** » 29 Dec 2015, 16:13

Sanjay has been the biggest star of CM for the past 10-15 yrs or so. Before that it was probably TNS for the class and Maharajapuram for masses. We have always had a star in each 10-15 yr period. I'm sticking to male artists only given that sanjay is the kalanidi for this yr

I want to ask- what makes someone a star? is it voice? or looks? or personality? or padantharam? or body language? or something else or sheer luck?

When we discuss Sanjay's success many frds say he is "lucky". But to me he is the most unlucky person. God gave him a restricted voice, say average looks, and a very sharp personality which could cut the other person into half with choice of words and expression. Ramnad Krishnan apparently lost out to this trait despite his music. And yet sanjay is here today as the king with just his hard work and persistence. I'm a sanjay fan precisely for that reason. I have seen him struggle in the 1990s when people used to write him off and taste success from 2006 onwards. It almost seems like a personal achievement for me that i always wanted that young boy 20 yrs back who seem to be fighting himself (his voice) to become successful.

So what is it that draws people to someone and makes them a star? Not everyone who has been working hard actually makes it. and with some stars you wonder how they actually become star

lets talk about the things that are under the person's control... Views welcome

vaachaspati · Post by **vaachaspati** » 29 Dec 2015, 17:36

Sanjay's success is largely due to hard work and a good understanding of the rasikas' expectations. In fact, I recollect in one of the interviews, where he has advised by his guru to attend as many concerts as possible, to understand both how to present and not present a concert. Of all the 'youth brigade' that arrived in the early 90's Sanjay is the most successful, as he organically build and managed his personal brand in a very systematic manner. I recollect in the late 90's and early 2000's, he was involved in sangeetham.com and did experiment with all senior accompanists. Subsequently, by mid to late 2000, he established his expertise in retrieving or championing Tamil compositions and in the last 5+ years, he has presented with a core team of accompanists. In addition, his brand is closely managed through his friendship with sharp minds like Sriram, that exactly knows how the system works in the mamma mafia world!!! Overall, no complaints... Very well deserved recognition and career growth.. A good example to emulate for upcoming musicians...

pattamaa · Post by **pattamaa** » 29 Dec 2015, 20:09

Sheer intelligence... his innovations are measured, be it vivadi ragas or minor ragas like bageshri, jonpuri, patdeep etc... he never overdoes things... he stays away from controversies... another aspect of why he is different from others - he releases his concerts in youtube and his website... one can download the concerts by paying any amount they want !!

He follows padhati of SKR, Ramnad krishnan, and likes... never overdoes brigas, nadaswaram pidis etc. He may do tup-tup in alapana/taanam etc, but that's fine... doesn't affect me...it is very minor thing..

These are the aspects I like of sanjay.

I want to hear from likes of harimau on why people dislike his music

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 29 Dec 2015, 20:15

Hard work and discipline. He has been consistently stressing these at every available turn.
He plans and prepares for his performance. Manodharma is not all extempore for any artist. That one has worked it out does not detract from the creativity associated in it. It is like someone writing out his own speech. The ideas are one’s own but it is cut and polished for a crisp presentation.
That does not rule out new ideas on the spot.
He has identified his flair and worked on converting it into his forte. There was hesitancy for plunging wholesale, but there was no doubt where his heart was.
He is professional. He is entirely focused on the 2-3 hrs of performance. He is on music, he keeps tab on his accompanists and the audience alertly. He does not take his mind away at any time in the performance. His stage decorum is impeccable, the white uniform being the least significant of it. There is no frivolousness, small talk and giggling, etc. He ascertains all necessary information like how far he can sing beforehand and keeps to the timing, start as well as finish. I have attended many of his concerts and only once it was delayed, that was thanks to someone who went on talking to an indifferent audience.
His energy level stays put to the end. I do not notice any thoyvu. It is for the connoisseurs to judge sruthi suddham.
He has a knack of introducing variation of composer, raga, etc.
His pronunciation esp. in Tamizh is enviable. (Telugu, kannada I do not know). Samskritham passes muster, may not be as great as DKP, MS.
While his respect of the audience is general, he does not particularly oblige individual requests, probably because it does not fit into his structuring. But, more often than not the audience feels satisfied as though their requests were taken up.
He has been candid. He has acknowledged his sources of inspiration, his gurus, and admitted how he had to work hard on some areas.
He does not present anything unless he has mastered it, the musical nuance as well as the lyrical details. It is definitely a plus point when one does not have to divert attention to some paper or gadget for lyrics.
Definitely, he has done marketing. Even now he is on facebook, twitter, sharing his schedule and reviews and interviews.
He is not 24 hrs on music. Efficiency goes down when you are on one topic all the time. He spends time on cricket, board games and reading. Perhaps he is the best read of the contemporary musicians barring one. He has listened extensively and read copiously on music. These add to his strength in music.
In a word he is a total man, one who knows what he knows.
(hagiography? maybe but critics will do well to pinpoint what I have said wrong).

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 29 Dec 2015, 21:07

All of you make a lot of sense. Unless one is obsessed with something extraneous to all the well-established merits you folks have evaluated so well--some grudge of a personal nature--I don't see why it's so hard to acknowledge his merits.

CM is catching up with the modern world. Technology is now part of it as many other things in life are--in giving it the exposure it needs. With our own baby steps, even we, the senior set among rasikAs are dabbling in it.

Sanjay seems to be the right candidate to represent the old music in modern terms. Mind you, the music remains in tact in his case--no frivolity or distraction but all seriousness.

Coming to think of it, someone bright and industrious who works against odds, makes goals and reaches them, wants to learn more and does not lose sight of his listeners--is not a bad choice at all for the coveted award.

Actually, he deserves the award, was made for it, this chosen one...

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 29 Dec 2015, 21:25

There is no doubt Sanjay deserved the award.But several excellent musicians go unrecognised due to whatever reason-Seniors Vijaya Siva,OS thyagarajan
and very senior musician Madurai GS Mani to name a few.Strictly the discussion does not belong to this thread,but since several names were mentioned,i brought this to Rasikas attention.
Netiyankara Vasudevan is another which crops up and who is no more.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 29 Dec 2015, 23:08

Because it has always been about the greatness of Carnatic Music ahead of everything else, including his personal abilities.

And the way he beams when he sings "Saketha nagara natha" or "Enthadi kulike".

natts1959 · Post by **natts1959** » 30 Dec 2015, 09:05

Very interesting comments here.

To me i have not seen a more complete performer like Sanjay before. I was 6 when GN died. But on hearing recordings and what my father says, Sanjay is close to GN in terms discipline. And Sanjay made up for the manodharma of GN by hardwork and honing his performance skills.

The other thing and i guess its been mentioned in some form above, is that he has always worked as grassroots and never really relied on big accompanists to prop him up. Yes it does help but Sanjay was a stage when he could handle them. Today we see several youngsters accompanied by big accompanists but unfortunately they always fall short.

Also, the people are seen with him now and help him are the same ones from the late 80s. So clearly he does know to keep relationships and get the best out of them.

All in all, i just cant wait to be a part of the sadas this year. For all Sanjay fans this is going to be the single most important day in 2016.

Happy new year to all and lets wish that Sanjay continues to march on and scale several peaks which dwarf this achievement

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 30 Dec 2015, 09:24

I will not be surprised if Sanjay quits singing prematurely. He has that tenacity of character to move on and not be fixed in the shadow of the past. He is someone like the great cricketers (not Indian of course) who quit when still some game was left in them. It would be sad if he does, but it will be his judgment about his inspiration to create something. He has already hinted by quoting Papa (violinist). Hope it does not happen soon.

natts1959 · Post by **natts1959** » 30 Dec 2015, 09:41

kvchellappa wrote:I will not be surprised if Sanjay quits singing prematurely.

I dont think so! he is at his prime and will continue at least for another 10 yrs. may be restrict himself as he goes along. Quitting season, doing something else for publicity etc are the birth right of another artiste

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Dec 2015, 10:13

Chellappa,
I see what you mean. However, I go along with the youngster (compared to us!).Yes, another ten years
atleast...
I also believe in what you say--that his propensity will make him explore other venues in music in the future. In other art forms too? In starting a tea shop at the end of the street? I'm quoting him from 2006 about that venture

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 30 Dec 2015, 11:16

Being a Madrasi, he said coffee shop (lest Harimau sniffs a North Indian bias here).
Of course I did not mean he is quitting tomorrow, but when he sees that he is not creative enough by his standards. He would not like to be a gramophone record singing the same thing over and over.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 30 Dec 2015, 11:21

How I forget! And I translated that long interview

And who said chAi is the north's exclusive drink? Many tamizhs drink a cuppa in the afternoon--more so the keralites...

grsastrigal · Post by **grsastrigal** » 30 Dec 2015, 15:21

Many may not put more weight on this issue --- In his vAni mahAl concert of 3 hours 10 minutes, he did not even take a drop of water. Not referring the books, while singing, is not that difficult. "manasu irundhA mArga (bandu(mundu") type. Your bio-system permitting such a gap is astonishing. For most of us, by sitting idle and watching TV, we need to take some water at times.

pattamaa · Post by **pattamaa** » 30 Dec 2015, 20:10

gRS, that's dedication for you......and he hardly take few second breather between songs

Vyuptakesha · Post by **Vyuptakesha** » 02 Jan 2016, 19:59

Sanjay has planned his way to the top with adroitness. To overcome his basic weakness, he has worked really very hard and understood what brings the best out of him. Concert form also depends on who is accompanying you; one sees a distinct pattern of accompanists for Sanjay. The concept of quid pro quo applies in this field as well; and so is the concept of building an image and brand. And add to it an uncanny ability to manoeuvre slickly in the corridors of power with a well oiled team, you have the right magic potion.
Boundless talent is clearly not enough - in music as everywhere else.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 02 Jan 2016, 23:36

Most of the above is tautology.

The "concept of building an image and brand" is relevant only when the product is successful. Lots of images and brands land up on the wayside.

Vocalist · Post by **Vocalist** » 03 Jan 2016, 09:41

vaachaspati wrote:Of all the 'youth brigade' that arrived in the early 90's Sanjay is the most successful, as he organically build and managed his personal brand in a very systematic manner. I recollect in the late 90's and early 2000's, he was involved in sangeetham.com and did experiment with all senior accompanists. In addition, his brand is closely managed through his friendship with sharp minds like Sriram, that exactly knows how the system works in the mamma mafia world!!! .

I totally disagree, as per sureshvv in his post directly above. Further, I don't think his involvement in sangeetham.com really added much to his "brand" at all. I liked the website while it existed, and in fact, a lot of the crew here migrated from that site when it prematurely went offline and left a void for many 'online' rasikas. But that had nothing to do with it.

vaachaspati wrote:Sanjay's success is largely due to hard work and a good understanding of the rasikas' expectations. In fact, I recollect in one of the interviews, where he has advised by his guru to attend as many concerts as possible, to understand both how to present and not present a concert. Subsequently, by mid to late 2000, he established his expertise in retrieving or championing Tamil compositions and in the last 5+ years, he has presented with a core team of accompanists. Overall, no complaints... Very well deserved recognition and career growth.. A good example to emulate for upcoming musicians...

That I agree with.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 03 Jan 2016, 10:29

Music Academy concert thread, Music Academy award--hope someone posts pictures from the sadas...

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 03 Jan 2016, 10:37

It is available in FB (Sanjay Subrahmanian Fans group).

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 03 Jan 2016, 10:43

He is also the king of acceptance speeches. Without using the hackneyed "I would like to thank..." phrase, he cites all those instrumental and gratefully acknowledges their role in his making. When he received an award from Dr. MBMK, he did a sashtanga namaskaram for him at the dais and said his contribution to the field will go unmatched. His request at the end of the acceptance speech was that the accompanists also be given their due!

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 03 Jan 2016, 10:47

In addition, his brand is closely managed through his friendship with sharp minds like Sriram, that exactly knows how the system works in the mamma mafia world!!! .

Sriram gets away with most things just because he is funny. Were he not, the mama mafia would have him sleeping with the fishes under the Cooum in a concrete barrel

Vocalist · Post by **Vocalist** » 03 Jan 2016, 10:57

I dislike some things about Sanjay and his music, but I like some things too. Overall though, I can't call myself his fan - and I don't think anyone would think I am. (That I might be in the process of converting having heard his MMU concert this year is a different story...)

Starting with the dislikes, one of his fans has mentioned it in brief:

natts1959 wrote:a restricted voice and a very sharp personality which could cut the other person into half with choice of words and expression.

Also, his frequent "tup-tup", "dagu-dagu", and shruthi lapses. Often my issue was less to do with the voice limitation itself but more to do with the way in which he managed it (or did not) - I was of the view that the 'asura sadhakam' was better suited off-stage, and the sweet fruits from the practise should be showcased on-stage. I sometimes felt his pronunciation in other languages could be better too, though that is definitely me nitpicking as it is still fine generally.

The only time I heard him this season was during the Vijay TV telecast but I was very impressed. To me it reiterated an interesting change as I could see how he has matured as an artist particularly in more recent years - be it the use of his voice, or the evolution of his views on (and the steps he took in relation to making available) concert recordings. I also found there was less of what seemed to be very annoying nasality which I found in the past (though nobody could beat Unnikrishnan in that department back in the day anyway

).

In earlier years, I felt the style of his answers to the questions demonstrated a certain arrogance because he was trying to show off the intellect in him. I have a few years ago had a discussion about this with someone else who is more directly closer to him and his family (though I am sure I discussed this with arasi too). This year, I actually felt he was being more encouraging and his responses were better. What made it very nice was that the intellect was not compromised; it was still evident in the answers - but without what seemed to be an arrogance component. That could either be his maturity, or very good editing by Maximum Media. I am pretty sure no amount of editing can help (as was evident from the answers in previous years) so must have been the former.

Sanjay's greatest strength imo is his measured innovations and special presentations, and based on the listings posted here, I think he is ensuring (or should ensure) these find an even more regular place in his concert than previously. It really is impressive and well-appreciated by rasikas, even his non-fans, that he is bringing out these compositions which either lay forgotten, or which are just being shoved aside in favour of what can become a very boring standard set if heard too many times in a row. Each of the RTPs he performed in the ragas pattammaa mentioned, are a real treat which I have always enjoyed. (On a side note, I had the good fortune of listening to a recording of his Ragam Tanam in Chalagabhairavi once but unfortunately I missed out on listening to the Pallavi.

It is somewhere out there in someone's archive, so hopefully it will make its way out at some point if he does not disapprove.)

I really wish I could have heard this concert, especially the RTP onwards.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 03 Jan 2016, 11:32

natts1959 wrote:a restricted voice and a very sharp personality which could cut the other person into half with choice of words and expression.

On the bright side, I don't think it was ever personal

In any case, it is not fair to judge his music from the Q/A session, in which he participates with quite some reluctance. Rather than using it as some image/brand building exercise, he shares some of his forthright views which are bound to piss off someone else or the other in the audience.

Sanjay's greatest strength imo is his measured innovations and special presentations

Totally agree! Just his Margazhi Maha Utsavam programs over the past decade and a half merit some kind of award.

sridhar · Post by **sridhar** » 03 Jan 2016, 20:04

here is an interview he gave more than 8 years ago that reveals an inner Sanjay (apologies to the non-Tamil folks):
http://www.kalachuvadu.com/issue-80/interview.htm

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 03 Jan 2016, 23:10

No apologies needed

This is the the interview which was translated here at Rasikas.org for all to read

shankarank · Post by **shankarank** » 05 Jan 2016, 00:00

http://www.sangeethamshare.org/tvg/SEAS ... rahmanyan/

With malayamArutam and reference to the hunter guhan and then extolling the rAma nAma - I am assuming that he sent an unmistakable signal of withdrawal of his secular comment. So my objection to his comment and any of my own attributions to the tamizh pallavi stands withdrawn.

Highlight of course is the caturASra tiSramish swara endings with one swaram fully executed in that mode - with final korvais having a LGJ style poruttam - again with caturAsra tiSram suggested - beautiful.

The tani by NV and KVG was top class miSra naDai execution. Did KVG get his koRvai ending correctly? - the extra balEs from Sanjay makes it suspicious. I will have to re-hear.

I wish they also included a caturASra tiSram in their rounds in the beginning. Not sure if that is a school issue - but then doesn't that come from an already blended school of Palghat Raghu - which includes pazhani school? May be next time.

To talk about caturaSra tiSram - it could be considered an inverse of tiSram where tala beats are in tiSram against the swara syllables with greater subtlety than tiSram. I was surprised when one of friends who is well trained in CM spotted it when we were hearing Ramnad Krishnan's bhuvini dAsudanE with Palghat Raghu and he used it in his swara endings. He asked me what this is and when I explained it - he said this is more musical and tiSram is bOngu! - I guess he was referring to the beat hugging nature of tiSram whereas this one is a beat transcender!

My brother in India expressed his gratitude to Sri TVG for making this available soon after for many in Chennai who could not hear in person this including him.

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 05 Jan 2016, 10:28

Looks like Harimavu is dumbfounded after the marvelous reviews written about sanjay Subramanyam's Music academy Sangeetha kalanidi concert.
Compared to sangeetha kalanidi's of yester years there is greater euphoria and enthusiasm.TUP TUP artist finally gets it right!

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 05 Jan 2016, 12:19

You underestimate the beast. He is probably more convinced than ever that he is right

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 05 Jan 2016, 15:16

Wait for Pathankot.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 05 Jan 2016, 15:28

shankarank wrote: With malayamArutam and reference to the hunter guhan and then extolling the rAma nAma - I am assuming that he sent an unmistakable signal of withdrawal of his secular comment. So my objection to his comment and any of my own attributions to the tamizh pallavi stands withdrawn.

Power of the extra charanam

Not sure what this secular comment was or how it has been withdrawn but I won't be a buzzkill

Vedavanam · Post by **Vedavanam** » 05 Jan 2016, 16:32

sureshvv wrote:You underestimate the beast. He is probably more convinced than ever that he is right

Harimau seems to be the one sane voice amidst all the crazed euphoria. I managed to wrangle two tickets to this concert and am inclined to agree more than ever with Harimau that the Kalanidhi and greatness have been thrust upon Sanjay when it rightfully belonged to worthier artists. Perhaps one cannot fault the Music Academy anymore - they are only as good as their committee members.

pattamaa · Post by **pattamaa** » 05 Jan 2016, 19:53

Vedavanam wrote:
sureshvv wrote:You underestimate the beast. He is probably more convinced than ever that he is right
Harimau seems to be the one sane voice amidst all the crazed euphoria. I managed to wrangle two tickets to this concert and am inclined to agree more than ever with Harimau that the Kalanidhi and greatness have been thrust upon Sanjay when it rightfully belonged to worthier artists. Perhaps one cannot fault the Music Academy anymore - they are only as good as their committee members.

G

So pavam...I really pity you

SabashBale · Post by **SabashBale** » 05 Jan 2016, 22:30

Vedavanam wrote:

" ... and am inclined to agree more than ever with Harimau that the Kalanidhi and greatness have been thrust upon Sanjay when it rightfully belonged to worthier artists."

For a not-so-knowledgeable rasika like me, Sanjay's music stands several heads and shoulders above many others'. Just to understand, what are the attributes one ought to possess to deserve (or The Music Academy ought to consider for) the Sangita Kalanidhi title? And Sanjay is lacking in which of these attributes? And who are the worthier artists that have out-attributed Sanjay to be so deserving of the title (at the cost of Sanjay?) Time to call a spade a spade.

Vedavanam · Post by **Vedavanam** » 05 Jan 2016, 23:27

SabashBale wrote:Vedavanam wrote:

" ... and am inclined to agree more than ever with Harimau that the Kalanidhi and greatness have been thrust upon Sanjay when it rightfully belonged to worthier artists."

For a not-so-knowledgeable rasika like me, Sanjay's music stands several heads and shoulders above many others'. Just to understand, what are the attributes one ought to possess to deserve (or The Music Academy ought to consider for) the Sangita Kalanidhi title? And Sanjay is lacking in which of these attributes? And who are the worthier artists that have out-attributed Sanjay to be so deserving of the title (at the cost of Sanjay?) Time to call a spade a spade.

You have answered your own question by admitting that you are not so knowledgeable. Pray, go back and read Harimau's posts when the award was first announced. He has made all the points that anyone with some knowledge and discernment will make.

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 06 Jan 2016, 04:27

Harimau's pints are based on a deep-seated prejudice and have absolutely no merit of music. The cognoscenti have appreciated that Sanjay gives pure CM. The pint of difference may be whether there are others who must have been given the SK . In the opinion of MA and many who listen to CM with passion, SS is a deserved SK. Why the MA concert was not good has not been stated by the person who is a master in CM.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 06 Jan 2016, 04:54

I'm sure Harimau enjoys a good pint

pattamaa · Post by **pattamaa** » 06 Jan 2016, 06:52

looking at Vedavanam (seems new troll on sanjay??, just 18 posts) and harimau hijacking this thread.... i am sure even ARI would have faced similar criticisms when he got his SK way back !!! Any criticism is always welcome, but please substantiate...

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 06 Jan 2016, 07:37

I just do not understand this fixation with the SK.

If your favoured musician receives the prize, you can take joy in his or her joining the pantheon of greats who have won the prize.

If your favoured musician does not receive the prize, you can take joy in his or her joining the pantheon of greats of who have not won the prize.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Jan 2016, 07:54

Yes, Bilahari. So clearly put by you...The twine needn't meet (spar?)?

At this moment, varippuli (the striped one)'s absence is more evident...

Vedavanam · Post by **Vedavanam** » 06 Jan 2016, 08:39

kvchellappa wrote:Harimau's pints are based on a deep-seated prejudice and have absolutely no merit of music. The cognoscenti have appreciated that Sanjay gives pure CM. The pint of difference may be whether there are others who must have been given the SK . In the opinion of MA and many who listen to CM with passion, SS is a deserved SK. Why the MA concert was not good has not been stated by the person who is a master in CM.

Just because you want to believe otherwise, Harimau's views are prejudiced?

Vedavanam · Post by **Vedavanam** » 06 Jan 2016, 08:45

bilahari wrote:I just do not understand this fixation with the SK.

If your favoured musician receives the prize, you can take joy in his or her joining the pantheon of greats who have won the prize.

If your favoured musician does not receive the prize, you can take joy in his or her joining the pantheon of greats of who have not won the prize.

Cannot disagree! It is merely a fixation over an increasingly useless and highly politicized award.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Jan 2016, 12:51

Fixation (need to go to a shrink?)
Useless? My! some of us have been wasting our time

Highly politicized (huh?)

Radhakrishnan TH · Post by **Radhakrishnan TH** » 06 Jan 2016, 17:31

rajeshnat wrote:All musicians when they perform In music academy,they focus on intense carnatic ragas and avoid thamizh krithis in general(there may be just).They usually sing most krithis from trinity. Harimau songlist will be wrong in four hours time is my best guess.

Sankark
Half the musicians donot reveal the songs in the song list. Sanjay's page is blank in the souvenir.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 06 Jan 2016, 18:11

Rajesh,
I too made the mistake of taking shankarank for our long time member sankark! Read my post above...

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 06 Jan 2016, 18:28

mahavishnu wrote:I'm sure Harimau enjoys a good pint

Or perhaps a few??

Vocalist · Post by **Vocalist** » 06 Jan 2016, 20:01

pattamaa wrote:... and harimau hijacking this thread....

Or rather, everyone here including myself sort of hijacked harimau's thread?

Can I trouble anyone to please type the concert songlist in a single post...? Thanks.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 06 Jan 2016, 21:25

Vedavanam wrote:It is merely a fixation over an increasingly useless and highly politicized award.

Once you declare it that way, what will be your statement when Ravikiran is awarded SK? In my opinion that is only a question of when.

I can think of possibilities:

"MA finally redeemed itself"
"An Useless award gained some respect"
"Glad to know MA committee is less politicized now"

<in jest>

vaachaspati · Post by **vaachaspati** » 07 Jan 2016, 01:30

Not sure why there is so much attention to Sangita Kalanidhi...Around 50 - 60 years ago, with a handful of sabhas and limited geographical coverage, SK and MA were really the highest attention/recognition that a Carnatic Musician could aspire to achieve. In addition, there was SSI and few other leading musicians who used MA as the pivotal point to position their dominance in the CM world. However, in the last 2 decades, i believe the scenario has changed.... scope of recognition has grown far beyond the walls of Academy.

An award that did not honor musicians like Lalgudi/Mali/Rajaratnam Pillai/MDR/Balachander/Pazhani..has lost significant credibility that cannot be easily redeemed. In today's world, performing at Academy/receiving a Kalanidhi is not going to significantly elevate the popularity/marketability of the musician. In olden days, it did!!! MA was THE port of entry for musicians to popularity/prominence.. not anymore, in my opinion!!

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 07 Jan 2016, 04:41

Vedavanam wrote:
kvchellappa wrote:Harimau's pints are based on a deep-seated prejudice and have absolutely no merit of music. The cognoscenti have appreciated that Sanjay gives pure CM. The pint of difference may be whether there are others who must have been given the SK . In the opinion of MA and many who listen to CM with passion, SS is a deserved SK. Why the MA concert was not good has not been stated by the person who is a master in CM.
Just because you want to believe otherwise, Harimau's views are prejudiced?

Kindly highlight the musical points that H'mau made; lack of sruti suddham (how far true) has been levelled against almost all CM singers; the problems Sanjay had in some areas when learning, by his own admission, were touted as H'mau's discoveries of current form. What is this other than prejudice?
Also kindly explain how the MA concert was not good.