Any reviews of- TM Krishna Jaya TV- theme was "suspense"

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 05 Dec 2009, 11:33

As the title indicates....

The youtube uploads have slowed down in recent times as well

There was next to no coverage of the Cleveland and Sydney aradhanas. I wonder if this is due to legal issues?

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 05 Dec 2009, 22:37

1. The first item was a sangam tamil poem about kaadhal as sung by a fisherwoman in love with the leader of her tribe sung in mayamalavagowla

2. The second song was Anbe something composed specially for this occassion by Spencer Venugopal in Bahudari

3. The third song was in Kannada/Sanskrit about winter in Kalyani

4. The fourth song was in Malayalam about the route to trivandrum extracted from a poem called Mayura Sandhesham in Khamas, music set by Smt. Sangeetha Sivakumar.

5. The fifth song was in Sanskrit composed by the violinist R.K.Sriramkumar specially for this occassion about the earth and its seasons in Bhairavi.

6. Thani sounded good.

7. Next was a rabindra sangeeth in Des.

8. Finally Chinnanchiru kiliye in a novel set of ragas, Nasikabushani, Shudh Saarang, Kaanada, Begada, Bhupalam etc.

isai_rasigan · Post by **isai_rasigan** » 05 Dec 2009, 22:42

It was an awesome concert with compositions based on Kaadhal (love) do not remember the raagam, Anbu (affection) in Bahudhari, Winter in Kalyani , description of a place (Trivandrum) in Khamas and beauty of the world in Bhairavi, Rain in Desh raagam. The last two pieces were Bharatiyar's Chinnanchirukiliye in ragamalika and Vaazhiya Senthamizh.

The concert started with a viruttam in Tamil followed by a composition of Sri Spencer Venugopal in Bahudhari which was composed by him for this concert. The compositions were in languages Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Bengali and Tamil. The main was an energetic Bhairavi alapana followed by a composition in Sanskrit composed by RK Sriramkumar on the beauty of the world.

The audience were asked to guess the title for the day's theme for the concert. Before each and every composition Krishna gave a gist of the song with a brief description of the verses which helped the audience to get involved with the song. Krishna announced that the Malayalam composition was tuned by Smt. Sangeetha Sivakumar. At the end he announced the theme of the concert as "Bhakthi" stating that bhakthi may not only be towards the god but towards anything and everything in this world like plants, water, animals, insects, birds, place etc.

He was accompanied by R K Sriramkumar, Arun Prakash and B S Purushothaman. It was a great team work right from the start till the end.

komalangi · Post by **komalangi** » 05 Dec 2009, 22:56

Goes to show how one song "oho kalame" by one revolutionary artist could inflict such peer pressure to achieve parity!

Music · Post by **Music** » 06 Dec 2009, 00:48

Sounds like a concert with a 'contemporary' theme.

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 06 Dec 2009, 04:51

isai_rasigan wrote: At the end he announced the theme of the concert as "Bhakthi" stating that bhakthi may not only be towards the god but towards anything and everything in this world like plants, water, animals, insects, birds, place etc.

Oh isee, it was advertised as suspense. Bhakthi seems appropriate going by the reviews, most tmk concerts have a fair amount of suspense anyway

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 06 Dec 2009, 04:57

komalangi wrote:Goes to show how one song "oho kalame" by one revolutionary artist could inflict such peer pressure to achieve parity!

If the outcome is bonanza for us rasikas, why not?
Seems to have been a great concert. We get to sample the genius of artists like RKSRK.

komalangi · Post by **komalangi** » 06 Dec 2009, 06:34

Punarvasu wrote:
komalangi wrote:Goes to show how one song "oho kalame" by one revolutionary artist could inflict such peer pressure to achieve parity!
If the outcome is bonanza for us rasikas, why not?
Seems to have been a great concert. We get to sample the genius of artists like RKSRK.

Outcome could be a bonanza or a catastrophic failure. While the desire is to feel the pressure to do something different and achieve parity, what mostly ends up happening is something vastly similar and of a considerably lower quality.

While it is mere conjecture at this stage, the artist in question seems to be trying out too many things that seems to indicate that either the experiments aren't working or that there is little confidence in success. Only time will tell.

On the other hand, the champion trendsetter seems to be sprinting farther away from the rest of the pack and to glory.

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 06 Dec 2009, 07:47

Anyone know jaya tvs schedule and when they will be showing these?

mahesh3 · Post by **mahesh3** » 06 Dec 2009, 08:50

komalangi wrote: While it is mere conjecture at this stage, the artist in question seems to be trying out too many things that seems to indicate that either the experiments aren't working or that there is little confidence in success. Only time will tell.

On the other hand, the champion trendsetter seems to be sprinting farther away from the rest of the pack and to glory.

Komalangi, TMK is all but 34, still a child in carnatic years, a full decade junior to Sanjay, lest you forget. There is no point comparing Sanjay and TMK, although I can see why it might be hard for you not to given their popularity. They are both doing completely different things in my book.

TMK's voice (strained though it has become in recent times), his weight in his swaras and his solid pathantharam will stand him in good stead.....his concert this year in Cleveland was top shelf!

As for Sanjay sprinting away, this is no ratrace. He is an artist who takes up his own challenges. Both artists need to excel as best as they can, and the space is broad and big enough for both and many more to excel.

sridharan · Post by **sridharan** » 06 Dec 2009, 09:35

It was a very nice concert, so different from the typical. I applaud TMK and the team for the novel experience.

The theme was Love in my opinion, from beginning to end....Love of a fisherwoman, love of the seasons, lover sending Mayura to his woman in Tiruvananthapuram, love of earth and what it offeres, love of rain, and love of a child.

I thought, finally we have Karnatic music extending itself to non-devotional themes....but TMK ruined it by calling the theme Bhakthi (:>)

I guess LOVE is still a dirty word

Sridharan

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 06 Dec 2009, 12:18

Why do you think Love is non-devotional? There is plenty of love in devotional karnatic krithis - once you are ready to find it.

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 06 Dec 2009, 13:00

Shri Vijay Shiva has given a programme on this theme.

laks1972 · Post by **laks1972** » 06 Dec 2009, 13:17

sureshvv wrote:Why do you think Love is non-devotional? There is plenty of love in devotional karnatic krithis - once you are ready to find it.

The love in carnatic music is about love towards God by a devotee. Not the carnal love that we see between mortals

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 06 Dec 2009, 13:58

laks1972 wrote:
The love in carnatic music is about love towards God by a devotee. Not the carnal love that we see between mortals.

Plenty of carnal love towards God by a devotee.

laks1972 · Post by **laks1972** » 06 Dec 2009, 14:39

sureshvv wrote:
Plenty of carnal love towards God by a devotee.

In short it is human-God love based on devotion not man-woman love based on other factors

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 06 Dec 2009, 15:50

komalangi wrote:
Outcome could be a bonanza or a catastrophic failure. While the desire is to feel the pressure to do something different and achieve parity, what mostly ends up happening is something vastly similar and of a considerably lower quality.

While it is mere conjecture at this stage, the artist in question seems to be trying out too many things that seems to indicate that either the experiments aren't working or that there is little confidence in success. Only time will tell.

On the other hand, the champion trendsetter seems to be sprinting farther away from the rest of the pack and to glory.

I dont understand a lot of what you are saying

Quite a bit of it seem to be statements without any real basis.

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 06 Dec 2009, 17:29

Ok.....Hoping to see it in JayaTV.
On the title discussion : From my point of view, bhakthi doesnot suit. It can be between
a devotee and god, Guru an sishyaa... may be pathibhakti (though it is more towards love and respect).
Love is more appropriate word. A place (like mantralayam) also can be included in bhakti but again it is
a subset of devabhkati.

He probably is trying to highlight on his last year argument on bhakti and music.

I love if he can choose on the following three themes in future
1. Swati tirunal (in memory of SSI)
2. MSS popular CM songs (same school)
3. MSD songs

Once again my view is that he is a great artist & performer in all aspects in CM.

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 06 Dec 2009, 19:01

rajaglan wrote:He probably is trying to highlight on his last year argument on bhakti and music.

I love if he can choose on the following three themes in future
1. Swati tirunal (in memory of SSI)
2. MSS popular CM songs (same school)
3. MSD songs

Once again my view is that he is a great artist & performer in all aspects in CM.

Yeap, i think his views on bhakthi were blown up way to much on the forum. I mean after all do we know the meaning to every song we listen to and appreciate? For me personally no, but does this mean there is no bhakthi in the music? no so there must be something there in the raga which is what he was trying to indicate i think?

TMK is supposed to be a varnam expert and also should know a lot of mysore vasudevacharyar krithis because of his guru seethramas school. So those sorts of themes might have been interesting. SSP if done too much can get a little boring. Its better to be left to odd lec dems.

Ragjay · Post by **Ragjay** » 06 Dec 2009, 20:24

For a change why not give a conventional concert of krithis of the trinity in the Semmangudi tempo with a RTP in some weighty raga like Thodi, Kalyani or Khamboji (only iilustative) Render familar krithis in the familar format for a change. He is blessed with a wonderful voice and can pull off this type of concert with aplomb and the audience would go gaga. I hope this happens. raghavan

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 06 Dec 2009, 23:58

My two cents:

The works of the tamizh and other poet-saints created a situation where the lines between 'love' and 'devotion/bhakti' became blurred. LOVE, like Sridhar says is still a four-letter word, but it has a myriad hues - paternal/maternal love - vAtsalyam; carnal love - SringAra; affection - anbu; patriotic love - dESa bhakti; love for one's work - wisdom that issues forth in action etc. etc. etc; as well as the love for God - what we traditionally and narrowly call 'bhakti'. Up until the moralistic British era, all of them, including explicit SringAra were looked upon as aspects of bhakti, and were not considered unworthy as themes for music and dance - especially given the fact that both of these were part of ritualistic temple services. So, there is nothing wrong is calling this thematic performance as bhakti, because it was on aspects of love that we, for some reason, see as being distinct from bhakti, when they are not.

sridharan · Post by **sridharan** » 07 Dec 2009, 06:44

I have nothing against Bhakthi, except it is there in every song from Varnam to Thillana. It is not new. I was hoping that the scope of Karnatic music theme would expand to beyond worship of the same old deities with mostly the same ideas, but in different languages, and different tunes. I was quite impressed that someone immersed in religion like RKSK would create a song in sanskrit that had no mention of God, but discussed the earth, its gift to humanity, etc. I was also thrilled that TMK would pick a beautiful song from Changa literature about a fisherwoman's love for the chief ending with the hope that, just like a strong wave clearing all the dirt of the shore, the chief would wipe out the ill-will of the gossiping villagers by seeking her hand.

I just wished that the torch-bearers, after finding new paths, would pave the way for new ideas with more courage.

Sridharan

KSJaishankar · Post by **KSJaishankar** » 07 Dec 2009, 07:31

Ragjay wrote:For a change why not give a conventional concert of krithis of the trinity in the Semmangudi tempo with a RTP in some weighty raga like Thodi, Kalyani or Khamboji (only iilustative) Render familar krithis in the familar format for a change. He is blessed with a wonderful voice and can pull off this type of concert with aplomb and the audience would go gaga. I hope this happens. raghavan

Dear Sri Raghavan ... he did sing a very "traditional" concert in Bangalore about a month back for Nadasurabhi ... a very weighty RTP in Kedaragaula. Have heard the same pallavi by SSI (Sarasadala Nayana, Hare Krishna).

As far his voice goes, he seems to be getting even better ... in the ragamalika swarams part of the pallavi, he sang 3.5 octaves (Ati Tara Sthayi Shadjam to Anumandra Sthayi Panchamam) in Behag!

Jaishankar

Always_Evolving · Post by **Always_Evolving** » 07 Dec 2009, 11:37

So duh of me! I actually thought "suspense" was meant to be the theme of the concert! Didn't attend though.

At the end if most of the audience didn't get that it was Bhakti then it sounds like a bit of a contrived theme no?

srutilaya · Post by **srutilaya** » 08 Dec 2009, 00:30

Here is someone trying something new and those present say it was awesome. Why should those not present decry its merit and conjecture 'catastrophic failure', which it wasn't?

Here is someone who expressed views years back that carnatic themes need enter the extended area outside the Divine. And presented a full concert, giving due credit to lyricists, composers et al who were part of the effort. Why should anyone see it as an individual's reaction to one non-traditional number sung elsewhere by someone else?

Here is a shining young star in the carnatic horizon, talented, articulate, dynamic. Why would anyone even say of lack of confidence referring to him?

Here is someone who has gone on record saying there is enough space for everyone out there; applauds co-performers, appreciates fellow artistes and provides them platform in his events... Why would anyone attribute motives of peer pressure, achieving parity etc?

When the artistes speak camaraderie, why should Rasikas try a proxy-war?

Let responsible rasika behavior prevail.

komalangi wrote:Outcome could be a bonanza or a catastrophic failure. While the desire is to feel the pressure to do something different and achieve parity, what mostly ends up happening is something vastly similar and of a considerably lower quality.

While it is mere conjecture at this stage, the artist in question seems to be trying out too many things that seems to indicate that either the experiments aren't working or that there is little confidence in success. Only time will tell.

On the other hand, the champion trendsetter seems to be sprinting farther away from the rest of the pack and to glory.

karthikbala · Post by **karthikbala** » 08 Dec 2009, 10:11

Rasika911 wrote: TMK is supposed to be a varnam expert and also should know a lot of mysore vasudevacharyar krithis because of his guru seethramas school.

Quite true. Sri Seetarama Sarma teaches many of his students as many as 40 varnams. Among the less-performed ones are:
yadukulakambhoji ("kamalakshi ninne")
kaanada ("ninnekori")
nayaki ("sarasijakshi")
kadanakutuhalam("nive raksha")
mandari("vanajaksha")
arabhi("sarasijamukhi")
todi("kanakangi")
madhyamavati("saraguna")
vasanta("danikori")
gaula("celimi")
mohanam(ata tala, Patnam Subramania Iyer)
narayani ("sami ninnekori", Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar)
mayamalavagaula (papanasam sivan)
sriranjani (papanasam sivan)

I've listed those that I have been taught; I'm sure there are more!

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 08 Dec 2009, 14:02

karthikbala wrote:
Rasika911 wrote: TMK is supposed to be a varnam expert and also should know a lot of mysore vasudevacharyar krithis because of his guru seethramas school.
Quite true. Sri Seetarama Sarma teaches many of his students as many as 40 varnams. Among the less-performed ones are:
yadukulakambhoji ("kamalakshi ninne")
kaanada ("ninnekori")
nayaki ("sarasijakshi")
kadanakutuhalam("nive raksha")
mandari("vanajaksha")
arabhi("sarasijamukhi")
todi("kanakangi")
madhyamavati("saraguna")
vasanta("danikori")
gaula("celimi")
mohanam(ata tala, Patnam Subramania Iyer)
narayani ("sami ninnekori", Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar)
mayamalavagaula (papanasam sivan)
sriranjani (papanasam sivan)

I've listed those that I have been taught; I'm sure there are more!

I can add a couple that ive heard tmk sing...im assuming here that he has learnt them of Sri Seetarama Sarma.

Kamboji Pada Varnam- Panajakshi
Varali c.ata talam- Vanajakshi-Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar
Anandhabhairavi- Ata talam- Veena Kuppaiyer?

kns · Post by **kns** » 10 Dec 2009, 12:08

mahesh3 wrote:
komalangi wrote: While it is mere conjecture at this stage, the artist in question seems to be trying out too many things that seems to indicate that either the experiments aren't working or that there is little confidence in success. Only time will tell.

On the other hand, the champion trendsetter seems to be sprinting farther away from the rest of the pack and to glory.

Komalangi, TMK is all but 34, still a child in carnatic years, a full decade junior to Sanjay, lest you forget. There is no point comparing Sanjay and TMK, although I can see why it might be hard for you not to given their popularity. They are both doing completely different things in my book.

TMK's voice (strained though it has become in recent times), his weight in his swaras and his solid pathantharam will stand him in good stead.....his concert this year in Cleveland was top shelf!

As for Sanjay sprinting away, this is no ratrace. He is an artist who takes up his own challenges. Both artists need to excel as best as they can, and the space is broad and big enough for both and many more to excel.

not sure what you mean by "a full decade junior to Sanjay". If you refer to their age, Sanjay is older to TMK, but not by a decade, should be less than that. 1968 vs 1976?

Gamakam · Post by **Gamakam** » 10 Dec 2009, 16:04

A blog entry inspired by this thread: http://carnaticmusicreview.wordpress.co ... %e0%af%8d/

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 11 Dec 2009, 11:00

laks1972 wrote:
In short it is human-God love based on devotion not man-woman love based on other factors

Sorry... In my advanced age I am having a hard time keeping these distinctions straight

bhavarasa · Post by **bhavarasa** » 17 Dec 2009, 22:26

Does anyone have lyrics for Shriramkumar's Bhairavi song on Mother Earth?

Interesting that he picked Bhairavi - shows his reverence to Shri Mutthuswami Dikshitar - ChintayamA kanda mula kandam - one of the Panchalinga Kshetra kritis, is in Bhairavi and is in praise of Lord EkAmbareshwar in Kanchipuram manifested as the Earth.

Also wondering if the kriti referred to Earth as female OR just neutral?

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 18 Dec 2009, 02:14

bhavarasa wrote:Also wondering if the kriti referred to Earth as female OR just neutral?

Neuter (no sexual characterization/asexual), not neutral (being impartial), right?

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 23 Dec 2009, 06:09

I just finished watching the excerpts on Jaya TV in the US. I know that it is impossible to please everyone; Personally I am disappointed with the limited excerpts that was broadcast. I am reminded of the old saying " Just because it is new, not everything is good". He even butchered Barathi's composition, although the choice of new ragas was good. He sang " Adithirithal kandAl en nenjil Avi thanguthadi" in place of the original " Adhithiithal kandAl unnaippOi Avi thazhuvuthadi" !!

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Dec 2009, 07:35

Using different ragas for Chinnanchiru kiliye was refreshing. I was only paying attention with one ear, I thought I heard begada there... True?

The kamAs song was good. ( I hope it is kamAs

). Another song sounding Hamir Kalyani'ish did not sound HK all the way... The time when this program comes on is not a good time for me to watch with full attention.

I agree sundara rajan, they have to include more of the program. What is the point of made for TV theme based concert when it is excerpted like this. May be, they can do another round with the missing ones. Someone in the know needs to tell Jaya TV. ( not just TMK, other programs as well. )

lahari · Post by **lahari** » 23 Dec 2009, 08:38

In Chinnanchiru kiliye, I was eagerly waiting for "Kannatthil mutthamittaal" but sorry to say, it was nowhere near the impact of the old tune that had short (almost staccato-like effect) plain (non-gamaka), with pauses kinda combination. Instead, he sang it like any other line, continuous, ornamented and no special emphasis.

Something like a difference between a peck in the cheek (old version) and a lip lock (his version)......

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Dec 2009, 08:52

lahari: That is quite a vivid imagery, in that comparison

sridhar_ranga · Post by **sridhar_ranga** » 23 Dec 2009, 09:23

vasanthakokilam wrote:Using different ragas for Chinnanchiru kiliye was refreshing. I was only paying attention with one ear, I thought I heard begada there... True?

The kamAs was quite weighty. ( I hope it is kamAs ). Another one sounding Hamir Kalyani'ish did not sound HK all the way... The time when this program comes on is not a good time for me to watch with full attention.

VK, TMK sang his chinnajiru kiliye at Bharat Kalachar a few days ago and Prashant has listed the Ragams here:

http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php? ... 22009.html

8. Cinnanjiru kiLiyE - rAgamAlikA [CalanATa, hamIrkalyANi, kharaharapriyA, mukhAri, bEgaDA, bhUpALa] - tisra gati adi

carnaticdasan · Post by **carnaticdasan** » 23 Dec 2009, 09:26

Utter dissapointment.Viewers and live audience must have expected a better show / theme.Anyway one shld take it as a change in normal pattern of singing.

Ponbhairavi · Post by **Ponbhairavi** » 23 Dec 2009, 10:22

TMKÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s concert in Margazhi Mahotsavam was soaked in " Bhakthi"

lahari · Post by **lahari** » 23 Dec 2009, 10:49

I too have great respect and admiration for TMK's talent but comparing his bhakthi and Sri Andal's bhakthi is slightly over the top. Our present musicians, even though topline, have yet to go a long long way as far as bhakthi is concerned.

Also, I dont know if its right to deduce based on logical analysis, something as emotionally intense as bhakthi.....

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Dec 2009, 13:11

It is just a label. If our conception of the word bhakthi is different from his, so be it. I agree his is a bit unusual but it is relatable. His take is along the lines of total dedication/involvement, utmost sincerity and surrender to the task at hand whether it is a poem, a raga, song or divinity. That does not sound radical or anything. I would like to bet that in general people only have some vague ideas on their own conception of what bhakthi is.

During the concert in other contexts, he used the words 'sathyam', 'uNmai' etc. to describe his music. I found that to be a bit abstract and unrelatable as to what he meant.

Rasika911 · Post by **Rasika911** » 23 Dec 2009, 13:37

Does anyone know who actually set the tune to the chinnanchirukiliye thats is normally sung?
Has TM Krishna composed this new tune or are there different patantharams?

TM Krishna has also sung the best original version of this song, which can also be found here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKvWWyfh ... re=related

uma1973 · Post by **uma1973** » 23 Dec 2009, 14:07

Rasika911 wrote:Does anyone know who actually set the tune to the chinnanchirukiliye thats is normally sung?

The ragamalika is set tune by the great music director of yester years sri. C.R.Subbaraman for film Manamagal' and the song was rendered by Dr. MLV amma.

Sundara Rajan · Post by **Sundara Rajan** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:53

Is the "new" TMK trying to prove his agnosticism by his new ventures into obscure forays? If he continues this trend he may lose his present audience and become history soon.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 23 Dec 2009, 20:56

Sundara Rajan, We do not really know his personal religious beliefs. So it is hard to tell if that is what he is pushing. But he has been consistent on this 'bhakthi in music is beyond divinity' idea for at least a few years. So this is not really new from him. But Jaya TV audience is fairly large and so he got a platform to demonstrate his ideas.

Having said that, I take his interpretation of bhakthi to be much more inclusive. It is sort of the merging of karma with the traditional views of bhakthi. No matter what you are doing, be focussed on that with great love. I do not see him replacing bhakthi towards divinity with this approach. It sounds only additive to me.

Now, applying it to CM, if the traditional view is that bhAvam comes from singing with bhakthi, TMK is saying that a bhairavi alapana's bhAvam comes from bhakthi towards bhairavi.

Having said all that, he does dilute the definition of the commonly understood word 'bhakthi' by being a bit loose in his casual speech to imply 'anything can be bhakthi'. He will have to either refine it properly or abandon such loose talk.

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 23 Dec 2009, 20:58

vasanthakokilam wrote:Sundara Rajan, We do not really know his personal religious beliefs. So it is hard to tell if that is what he is pushing. But he has been consistent on this 'bhakthi in music is beyond divinity' idea for at least a few years. So this is not really new from him. But Jaya TV audience is fairly large and so he got a platform to demonstrate his ideas.

Having said that, I take his interpretation of bhakthi to be much more inclusive. It is sort of the merging of karma with the traditional views of bhakthi. No matter what you are doing, be focussed on that with great love. I do not see him replacing bhakthi towards divinity with this approach. It sounds only additive to me.

Now, applying it to CM, if the traditional view is that bhAvam comes from singing with bhakthi, TMK is saying that a bhairavi alapana's bhAvam comes from bhakthi towards bhairavi.

I liked the last second part of last stmt.

squims · Post by **squims** » 23 Dec 2009, 23:37

I don't know what to think of TMK's concert. It was just... for lack of a better term... different. I think I need a bit more time to get adjusted to his experiments.

That being said, I feel that his concept of 'Bhakti' is really fascinating. A very nice way of expressing himself really. I agree wholeheartedly with Vasanthakokilam on this.

nadhasudha · Post by **nadhasudha** » 24 Dec 2009, 00:42

TMK's concert on Jaya TV margazhi Utsavam fell flat. None of the songs were presented in a manner which we the audience could relate to. I also felt that some ragas chosen for some songs were not in tune with the underlying emotion of the poem. For instance the bright sparkly piece in Khamas was supposed to convey the emotion of a man separated from his wife and wanting to send her a message. This was the wrong raga for this emotion in my opinion.
Of late, TMK appears to be bending over backwards trying to decouple bhakti from carnatic music. He probably is trying to make it appealing to his western students of carnatic music. Why tamper with carnatic music then? He might as well take up singing film songs.

Innovation is good as long as it is within the boundaries of tradition.

fuddyduddy · Post by **fuddyduddy** » 24 Dec 2009, 01:55

I just heard a few songs on youtube and it seemed like pure Carnatic to me. I havent heard these songs before and hearing this kind of theme in Carnatic music fascinated me a lot. I cant imagine them sung as light music, but thats me...

i_srinivasan · Post by **i_srinivasan** » 24 Dec 2009, 02:39

Having watched TMK's Jaya TV "thematic" concert today it did not make any great impression on me. I think TMK is trying all the permutations and combinations till he gets the right balance(Guess at rasikas patience and expense - who knows perhaps one day he may strike gold!)

In stark contrast it was quite enriching to watch Sanjay's Jaya TV concert - Somehow he comes across to me as a natural communicator. His mapping and take on Gavaskar/Tendulkar/Dhoni/Sehwag to GNB/TNS/DE (diplomatic evasiveness)/Somu with rationale was spontaneous and too good. The overall concert was also good

I remember in one of the MMU telecasts last year (or the year before?) somebody posed him a question on "bhakti" and he gave a straight reply stating he is not qualified to give a response and went on to focus on his core competency (i.e. singing)