SR Janakiraman Lec/Dem @ Parthasarathy Swamy

[VRV]

Prof. SR. Janakiraman (Vocal)
Aishu Venkataraman (Violin)
Prasanna (Vocal Support)
Venue: Parthasarathy Swami Sabha
Dt: Dec 23, 2012 @ 8:30 AM

Topic: A new trend in singing Raga Alapana.

In a nutshell Prof. SRJ highlighted that development of ragam was nothing more than being able to sing the ragam as swarms. He stated that if instrumentalists have to internalize the sahityam and sing the song prior to playing it on an instrument, then vocalist have a duty to internalize the swarams and practice singing the ragam using the swarms. The whole lecture was delivered in swarams.

Prof. SRJ began his lecture with a slokam in ragam Hamsadwani developed the ragam in swara prasthara and sang the immortal Patnam kriti Mana Sukha Rukha in roopakam talam. This development and song rendition took away a third of the hour.

He then moved to another important ragam Poorvikalyani. Highlighted the intricate nuances of the ragam and the key swarams to this ragam.
Poorvi kalyani in my opinion is a majestic ragam and once any student listens to the explanation from Prof. SRJ, one cannot mistake this ragam for Pantuvarali.

Vignesh (Bilahari) I wish you were here to hear this lecture. There would be absolutely no ambiguity between Poorvikalyani and Pantuvarali ever.

The last ragam for development was the majestic Bhairavi. The swarajati Kamakshi Amba was an exercise in understanding. The absolute command and elegance of this ragam was done full justice by Shri SRJ.

Due to time constraints, the Professor concluded the lecture in exactly 55 minutes. In attendance were many vidwans and vidushis including Suguna Vardachari, Suguna Purshotamam Unnikrishnan and others. I was supposed to accompany Shri SRJ on the mridangam, but an unfortunate automobile accident has let me incapacitated with a swollen left foot and multiple third degree bruises. I of course had the best seat on row one with my video camera. I will upload the video as soon as I get permission from Prof. SRJ. A definite view for every aspiring music student

Lastly Prof SRJ had vocal support by a young lad from Michigan named Prasanna and violin support by Aishu Venkataraman. Both of them made their teacher proud.

Vinod Venkataraman

[mahavishnu]

Sounds brilliant!
any chance of a recording, Vinod?

Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you recover soon.

[thanjavooran]

VRV Avl,
Excellent. Thanx for the interesting writeup.
Pray Ayyappan for speedy recovery
Thanjavooran
25 12 2012

[PUNARVASU]

I remember attending a lec-dem by Prof.SRJ in Mumbai years back He spoke about his training in musicology under Shri P.k.Rajagopala Iyer of Ambattur. Being a student of .shri P.K.R ajagopal Iyer , i went and introduced myself and did namaskaram to him.
VRV, sorry to hear about your mishap. Hope and pray that you recover soon.

[venkatpv]

It was an illuminating lec-dem by Prof. SRJ. The Bhairavi and Hamsadwani that he sang will continue to linger in the minds of those fortunate enough to be there that day. Sri Sriram Parasuram, Smt Anuradha Sriram, Mannargudi Sri Easwaran, Sri TKV Ramanujacharyulu and Prince Rama Varma were also present at the lecdem.

After the lecdem, there was a short and sweet felicitation function for Smt Suguna Purushottaman, who was awarded the "Sangeetha Kala Ratna". Speakers included Sri Mohan Parasaran, Sri SRJ, Smt R.S. Jayalakshmi and Sri Sriram Parasuram. All in all, a morning to remember and cherish.

[rajumds]

venkat nice to know you are here . some of us oldtimers are meeting at academy tomorrow on the sidelines of the lecdem by prof vijay krishnan . vijay ram naresh mantra arun cool vainika .hope to see you

[VRV]

i went and introduced myself and did namaskaram to him.

Punarvasu, I have known SRJ Mama for about 5 years. The thing that captivates is the ability of this person to remember dates, names and cell phone numbers.

At the music academy Lec/Dem to a captivating audience Shri SRJ sighted dates with such precision he had the audience absolutely spellbound. If you choose to outside of the forum email me your info and I will check with SRJ mama if he remembers your meeting

Vinod Venkataraman

[VRV]

Sounds brilliant!
any chance of a recording, Vinod?

I will upload it to youtube once I get back to the US. I will email you the link. I of course have to get SRJ mamas permission.

[rshankar]

Vinod - sorry to hear about your accident. Speedy healing!

[Rsachi]

Dear VRV,
This post should be selected in my opinion for the Spirit of Rasikas.Org award.

See all the elements:
A LecDem
A famous musicologist
A lovely topic...of eternal relevance to Carnatic music
A wonderful decoding for the understanding of the audience
A great audience
An example of perfect punctuality
Youngsters on the stage
Enthusiasm
NRI on Carnatic pilgrimage
Writer not in the playing eleven due to injury, but promptly files the match report! And Makes No Excuses.

I will look forward to this treasure of a treat to trigger the intellect and tease the aesthete in all of us.

[rajeshnat]

Rsachi,
And more importantly he got up and attended at 08:30 AM for a lecdem despite injury. SRJ mama this year has only one lecdem.

VRV
Did SRJ mAma say that stringing swara like pattern is a healthy trend or did he not pass judgement on this .By any chance did you also attend the subsequent maharajapuram ramachandran concert.

[VRV]

Rajeshnat,

Yes, I did attend the subsequent Maharajapuram Ramachandran concert. I will pen my views shortly. It was avery good concert overall.

Vinod

[rajeshnat]

VRV
Thanks if possible put shri ramachandran in a seperate thread. May be the intermediate award ceremony must have eaten lot of ramachandran's concert time.

[venkatpv]

SRJ mama this year has only one lecdem.

No, there was also a lecdem at the Academy the previous day (22nd Dec). Topic was Narayana Gaula and Kannada Gaula.

[appu]

VRV

Thank you for that excellent write up. I had the opportunity to listen to SRJ in 2010 and again in 2011. What a genius this man is. I really miss attending his lectures this year. I have just accepted a posting in Bhopal and am unable to come. I am sincerely hoping to soak to nectar of the Gundecha Brothers and other great North Indian musicians during my 8 month stay here.

Wishing all a Happy New Year 2013.