BHARAT RATNA for a Carnatic Musician

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 30 Oct 2013, 19:44

Bharat Ratna, highest award has been given to Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Bimsen Joshi and Ustad Bismillah Khan, all belonging to Hindusthani System of Indian Classical Music. The Award has been given to MSSubbulakshmi belonging to Carnatic Music. We should start the campaign for the Award to be given to two more Great Maestros of CM. I am proposing for Great Maestro Sangita Kalanidhi Dr.Balamuralikrishna- Musician-Musicologist-Vaggeyakara/Author-Teacher- Producer/Broad Caster-AIR-Music Composer, par excellence and Padma Vibhushan Awardee.
Please join this worthy cause

munirao2001

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 30 Oct 2013, 19:59

Munirao,
Agree.
Among the great musicians of Carnatic system alive, Dr BMK is a highly deserving name for Bharat Ratna.

There is a forum for gathering public support for a cause. It is change.org.
I suggest you start a petition there. It will gather support via several channels.
Sachi R

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 30 Oct 2013, 20:08

It is important that the governors and chief ministers of the four southern states send in written recommendation for this.

It is also important that Music Academy and Sangeet Natak Academi do the reco.

Remember Bharat Ratna is also a part of a political process.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 30 Oct 2013, 20:18

There is already as precedent for Carnatic Musician - MS - so the Tamil Nadu Government and Madras Music Academy might know what was done for this award and Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Government together can sponsor BMK name for this award. Does the award entitle the recipient for Cash also?

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 31 Oct 2013, 11:22

Rsachi
This spirit of encouragement motivates to work on this cause with passion. Let me learn the process and procedure first. Present day the Visual Media program endorsing the cause and Print Media sustaining the campaign, with the participation of Opinion makers can greatly help the cause to be taken seriously by the relevant authorities. Brother and Sister members who have contact in these two powerful mediums can sell this cause to make a good beginning.
Those who are already having knowledge on the process and procedure for compliance are requested to share the knowledge.
munirao2001

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 31 Oct 2013, 13:03

I am pasting the copy of Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt.of India for Bharat Ratna Award:
BHARAT RATNA

‘Bharat Ratna’, the highest civilian Award of the country, was instituted in the year
1954.

Any person without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex is eligible for
these awards.

It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest
order in any field of human endeavour.

The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister himself to
the President. No formal recommendations for this are necessary.

The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.

On conferment of the award, the recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by
the President and a medallion.

The Award does not carry any monetary grant.

In terms of Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or
suffix to the recipient's name. However, should an award winner consider it
necessary, he/she may use the following expression in their bio-
data/letterhead/visiting card etc. to indicate that he/she is a recipient of the award:

‘Awarded Bharat Ratna by the President’
or
‘Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award’ "

It is clear that PMO should make the draft recommendation and PM should submit the recommendation to the President of India. Now it is critical to know who is in charge in PMO for this scheme and all the necessary inputs required to make the recommendations by PM are submitted to the Secretary/Advisor/SPO. Can some body in the know how, help?

munirao2001

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 31 Oct 2013, 16:58

I have sent request for the use of good office for PM of India to recommend the award to a Carnatic Musician and Dr.BMK - to PMO; Shri TKA Nair/Advisor to PM and Shri Pulok Chattergee/Pincipal Secretary to PM. I am not confident that my appeal will appeal to them. Celebrities and Media has to take up the cause. Any help ?

munirao2001

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 01 Nov 2013, 01:18

Let us start a petition which will be signed by all rasikas and attach that to Munirao2001 letter, if that helps.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 06 Nov 2013, 11:54

I am requesting forunites Chitra Veena Ravi Kiran and Carnatic Music Sashi Kiran to use their good net work in the PMO and Media-both print and visual to achieve the result.
munirao2001

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 06 Nov 2013, 15:06

Did you try to start the petition as I said at change.org?!

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 06 Nov 2013, 15:12

Click on pic:

KNV1955 · Post by **KNV1955** » 06 Nov 2013, 19:02

Posthumously to Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 06 Nov 2013, 23:01

KNV1955 wrote:Posthumously to Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar

Dear KNV, I AGREE.......EVERYTHING HAPPENING TODAY IS DUE TO ARIYAKUDI RAMANUJA IYENGAR IN MY VIEW. NOT JUST THE MUSIC BUT HIS UNIMAGINABLE FORESIGHT REG. FORMAT, ORGANISERS ETC. I wish some one BETTER than me can chronicle HIS CONTRIBUTIONS. VKV

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 07 Nov 2013, 02:14

Dear friends,

In case Bharata ratna is considered,We should campaign for:

R K Srikantan - 94 year old living legend.
I am not against Sri BMK,but he will come after R K Srikantan and Sri Neduniri Krishna murthy.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 07 Nov 2013, 02:25

Dear HNB,
IF THE CRITERION IS LIVING ARTISTS R K SRIKANTAN IS THE BEST CANDIDATE. The CONTRIBUTIONS of the RUDRAPATNAM SCHOOL is most invaluable & appears not to be known to the extent it serves. EVEN TODAY in my opinion he is the BEST VOCALIST ON THE SCENE. SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM HIM. VKV

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 07 Nov 2013, 03:26

Dear VKV,Munirao,VKraman

I think the best living candidate as endorsed by Sri VKV is R K Srikantan - 94 and who still performs.I appeal rasikas to make efforts to project Sri R K Srikantan.

KSJaishankar · Post by **KSJaishankar** » 07 Nov 2013, 10:59

As is quite clear here, everyone will have their own favourites... so please do not expect a mass movement of support behind any one "candidate":)

Also, the road to posthumous awards is quite slippery - an obvious question would be why stop with someone who died more that 40 years back? Why not someone further back in time - say a Veena Dhanammal, or say Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer, or one of the trinity, or maybe the pitamaha (not the more recent Padma Vibhushan"ned" pitamaha)... or all the way back to Sarangadeva, or Bharatha muni himself?

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 07 Nov 2013, 11:20

When I suggested Bharat Ratna Award for a Carnatic Musician, I wanted it open ended for serious deliberations and rasikas wish list.
Also when I suggested the Award for DR.BMK, I have deeply thought and arrived at my choice. Bharat Ratna being the highest award, the credentials of the Awardee must also be one of the highest achievements in the chosen field of creativity and contribution. There are Maestros, Great Maestros in the history of CM, but only very very limited all time greats. How do we determine this criteria?. The answer is - a prodigal with immense talents and potential, life time study and research, Sadhana, Excellence - both lakshya and lakshna knowledge, attained scholarship, Performer-delivery of great satisfaction - ranjakatva - to both the Pandita and Pamara-winning Sangita Kalanidhi and immense popularity far and wide, ability to handle all the 72 melakartha ragas with ease, mastery over laya and kala pramana in thristhayee, sruthi and swara sudham, patanthara, Sahithya sudham, a Guru with a Bani identified with his contribution, a Stylist- a trend setter- capturing the imagination of the rasikas, hailed as a Genius by Great Maestros of his time, service in the cause of CM-eminent broad caster-AIR and Principal of Music College, extra ordinary music composer and tune smith, wining the admiration and respect of peers and also from Great Maestros of other genre of music, a Vaggeyakara with new creative compositions-both conforming to the theory and to new ideas and arrangements and finally, a Humanist.
With my limitations, I might have omitted certain qualities, please excuse me for the genuine omission(s), if any.
I recall an incident of discussion of Late Nookala Chinna Sathyanarayana Garu with my father and Guru, Late Sandhyavandanam Srinivasa Rao. N.S.garu, with the knowledge of my father's intimate relationship with BMK (from his 14th year of age), creative association with AIR and sharing of techniques and aesthetics, wanted SSRao's opinion on BMK's achievements and qualities in his music. Giving away to the persistent request from NS, he answered " BMK's achievement is like Brihadeeshwara Temple of Tanjore, known for its scale, vastness, unique architecture combining agama shastras, but giving new creative contemporary changes etc.but.....Eshwara Lingam either not installed for worship or taken away for personal gain or riches!. I wish BMK gets enough of accolades of pamara, realizes and resumes offer of highest values and its attainment of deep classicism in CM" Yes, it is aberration and unfortunate.
munirao2001

Pratyaksham Bala · Post by **Pratyaksham Bala** » 07 Nov 2013, 12:03

After three consecutive Bharat Ratnas to Musicians -- Lata Mangeshkar (2001), Bismillah Khan (2001) and Bhimsen Joshi (2008), at least a few forthcoming Bharat Ratnas would go to other notable 'human endeavours'.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 07 Nov 2013, 18:29

Rsachi
Thanks for the info and the link.

Forunites Please join this campaign: http://chn.ge/1cG441w

munirao2001

KNV1955 · Post by **KNV1955** » 07 Nov 2013, 19:45

As VKV Sir mentioned where is Kutcheri & Career in Music but for the one & only Ariyakudi . My father must have done lot of punniyam to have him & Palghat Mani Iyer (another exceptional musician not just a mridangist) as Gurus. If Bharath Ratna is given for Carnatic Music Ariyakudi should be No1;Palghat Mani Iyer No 2 & Balsaraswathi No 3 ( great musician & Dancer & not just a Bharathanatyam dancer) .

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 07 Nov 2013, 22:08

Dear Rasikas,

There is no point in discussing posthumous names.In such a case even before the first Carnatic Musician Bharata ratna awrdee,It should have been ARI,Dhanammal etc.
If one takes it further,It can be the trinties ,Purandaradasa etc.It is best to live in the present.
My choice of Sri RK Srikatan has taken into account all the prerequisites mentioned by Sri Muni rao. RK Srikantan has produced a clear lineage and his contribution to the music scene is immense.This does not take away the scholarship of others discussed in these columns.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 08 Nov 2013, 11:25

KNV and VKV
I also strongly oppose the 'Posthumous' awards. Any artist has to fully feel and get the satisfaction and happiness arising out of the recognition and award, result of his contribution enriching the chosen art-medium. Also when the artist is healthy and continuing the efforts for enrichment. The artist getting the award and the resultant publicity and attention of the general public, likely to become role model and inspire. Posthumous award to me is either washing the guilt feelings or attempts to get reflected or derivative personal glorification and its gratification.

munirao2001

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 08 Nov 2013, 12:15

In my post #18, I had omitted two very vital achievement of BMK-1. Mastery in instruments- String-Violo and Violin; Percussion-Mridangam and Khanjari ( may be ghatam also,I am not aware) and Wind-Flute. To be frank, I enjoy his viola playing more than the 'stylized' singing. He did accompany many a stalwarts, before he chose to limit it to Solo concerts. 2. Being the disciple of Maestro Parupalli Ramakrishniah pantulu garu, belongs to direct sishya parampara of Thyagaraja.
What are BMK's unique and unmatched distinctions- 1.BMK Bani 2.BMK Style 3. Pamara ranjakatvam- over 30,000 concerts 4. Vaggeyakara-400 plus compositions of immense creativity and values of lakshya and lakshana 5. Creativity extending to other genre of music-folk, light and film-winner of National Awards. His challenging forays in to Western Classical and Rabindra Sangit on many public events. 6. Techniques of acoustics knowledge and management and finally 7. Genius and Great Maestros like GNB and Mali hailing BMK as Great Genius.
I have very high respect and admiration for RKS, who also belongs to 'Impersonal Classicist' like my father & guru SSRao, upholding the very high ideals and practices in CM. I collected the nominations of Dr.U.Anantamurthy, Gyanapeeth awardee and president of Ananya, Bengaluru; Very eminent and respected Justice(Rtd) Somashekar and Vidushi Dr.T.S.Sathyavathi and sent it to Department of Culture, Madhya Pradesh, including my nomination for the consideration of prestigious Kalidas Samman award-very few CM musicians were given this award. Results/Announcement are awaited.

munirao2001

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 08 Nov 2013, 12:22

forunite Dr.Radha Bhaskar
Can you please join this cause with a Special issue of Samudhra ?

munirao2001

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 12 Nov 2013, 14:45

Forunites
The petition started has got only 1 Supporter-Mr.Kothandaraman /:)

munirao2001

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 12 Nov 2013, 19:53

Interesting

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 13 Nov 2013, 06:53

Bharat Ratna, as we all know is awarded or conferred for the highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as "recognition of public service of the highest order…

Smt MS Subulakshmi’s case is unique and cannot be compared to any past or present day Artists…

Her title role of the Rajasthani saint-poetess Meera in the eponymous film (1945) gave her national prominence…Her Meerabai songs are wonderful….
Her many famous renditions of bhajans include the chanting of Bhaja Govindam, Vishnu sahasranama (1000 names of Vishnu), Hari Tuma Haro and the Venkateswara Suprabhatam Hanuman Chalisa, All these gave her household name..

She is the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay award, often considered Asia's Nobel prize in 1974..

The Kancheepuram Saree shade known as MS Blue was named after her..

She has given more than 200 charity concerts and raised well over Rs. 10,000,000…(Wiki)
in spite of the fact that there was in her life a black period..

The award in only conferred and not got by petitioning or clamored for..

I am not sure whether Shri. BMK will approve this effort however good intentions may be behind it..

Do any of us as to how the name of the North Indian Artists were considered for the award?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 13 Nov 2013, 09:07

Venkatkailasam,
How well you have put it!
MSS was not just a musician with a gifted voice. As you say, her portrayal of Meera and the songs she sang in the film reached every corner of India. She was admired by great men and women of India, and by the common folks alike. The generosity of her heart made her sing untiringly for worthy causes. Hospitals came up with the gate collection of her 'all for charity' concerts. Relief funds benefited by her performances.

Her growth as a person, her evolving into a spiritual person, inspired by the grace of mahA periyvA added another dimension to her already admirable qualities of musical gift and her gift giving to the needy.

Yes, her singing alone did not make her a Bharath Ratna...

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 13 Nov 2013, 11:08

I signed the petition.
If the photo on the petition features BMK it will be better.
My thoughts why BMK for Bharat Ratna:
1. Long and illustrious top notch Cm career
2. Path breaking originality
3. Admired by the doyens of CM
4. Composer
5. Nationwide appeal as a musician. I first heard him in 1963 at Karanji Anjaneya temple. It was a teeming crowd. He is equally popular even today. Last year his concert at BGS was sold out weeks ahead.
6. He is the singer who attracted lay listeners to classical music either through film music or bhajans or light music.
7. He is highly respected by North Indian classicists.
8. He doesn't fit into a caste or language stereotype (same as MSS)
9. If this multifaceted genius is celebrated by awarding Bharat Ratna he will inspire a whole new generation of listeners.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 13 Nov 2013, 11:20

Munirao
Please change the title of this thread to say
Bharat Ratna for Dr M Balamuralikrishna.
Please invite articles from people on this topic. Many will write.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 13 Nov 2013, 13:04

Carnatic Music and Carnatic Musician(s) needs recognition it deserves/ they deserve. Fact that except MSS no other supreme artists of CM have been considered, rasikas, the beneficiaries have to take up the cause in right earnestness and vigor and try best for PM to recommend. The cause should get the attention, consideration and action by PM. Actions are always required to make things happen. I do not have means and privy to the successful process and its decisive results with regard to the awards to Hundustani Pandits and Ustad.
The Goal and objective of my post is "Bharat Ratna for a Carnatic Musician". I have proposed DR.BMK and given the basis for my choice and recommendation. Forunites can think and weigh the options and declare their choice.
Any discussion limited to MSS only leads to unnecessary comparison and unhealthy debate. Definitely I am not going to join the debate or discussion. It is suffice to say I strongly detest declaration of "One and One only and Na bhuto, Na bhavishyati". Only few deeply hurt for their own stated logic and reason, reject award of such significance. To secure award, few artists do resort to ways and means and if they have merits, nothing to feel bad about it in the present times of the process, progress and the decisions.
I am happy to know that three more rasikas have joined the cause.
munirao2001

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 13 Nov 2013, 17:43

There is a total misunderstanding of what I have said…
There is absolutely no qualms that Dr BMK is the fittest person as of now to get the award..or for that matter anyone else of the Artists referred in earlier posts..
But the thing is it has to be spontaneous and popular among the masses and should not be confined to the musicians and music lovers only …
That is what I had in mind and the context in which the case of Smt. MSS was mentioned..
It is incorrect to infer it as “ only one and nobody else…”
In my view Music forums should not work towards it and act as a catalyst..
Even in the case of Sachin whose case is being considered, it is not from any Sports organization but populist demand..

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 13 Nov 2013, 18:29

Venkatakailasam
Thanks for clarifying and putting it in the right perspective.
You have opined that "it has to be spontaneous and popular among the masses and should not be confined to the musicians and music lovers only …". Indian Classical Music and Musicians appeal only to the informed public or elite and definitely not to the masses. The popularity with masses is achieved in India, either with film connection, politics or sports. The movement for the award for a select person also can not be spontaneous, but builds over a period of time. Opinion makers, celebrities and influential political leaders and leaders put in their efforts for catching the imagination and making it popular appeal. MSS and Sachin's cases are no exceptions. Why rasikas and music forums should not work towards it and act as catalyst? Rasikas and music forums are legitimate part of opinion makers group(s).

munirao2001

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 13 Nov 2013, 19:58

Both Smt.MSS and SACHIN have built up their popularity on their own ….universally…recoganised...

That makes the difference…

I hold to this view..

With this, I withdraw from this thread….

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 13 Nov 2013, 22:33

Deuar Munirao,Venkatakailasam,
Please see the list of 42 Bharataratna awardees.The case for mass popularity is not a criteria.If you consider Amrutya Sen,I do not think any average Indian knew about him.
Similar is the case with several others.Sri MGR however great he is as far as Tanil nadu and film world,there is no contribution at the national level.Some times these awards have only political overtones.However there are some genuine awardees. MSS had the public standing and also known nationally and internationally.
Sri Munirao- As the Prime minister makes these recommendations directly,unless there is pressure from government at state level,any recommendation is unlikely to materialise.
We should go for comparisons between great carnatic artists as each one has contributed immensely.Sri BMK no doubt is a good candidate - He has also performed for several benefit programs,sung popular songs in films and is also a great composer.He is also known at national level and international level.
We cannot be comparing each one with MSS.In case you compare many awardees with Dr.Radhakrishnan and dr.CV Raman,you will appreciate my point.
I proposed RK Srikantan - because at 94 years,he is the pitamaha of carnatic music.

hnbhagavan · Post by **hnbhagavan** » 14 Nov 2013, 00:54

Post No36

There is a typing error

I should read we should not go for comparisons { i typed we should go for comparisons - a typing error}

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 14 Nov 2013, 01:51

Let me add: I would be very happy to see BMK or RKS get a Bharath Ratna, of course! I am also certain that there are people all over India like us who want someone they know to be the deserving-most for the title--musician or any outstanding personality in the art world, someone who has done a tremendous amount of work in serving humanity. Then, as any award goes, only one gets it out of a countless number of deserving personalities!

RKrishnamurthy · Post by **RKrishnamurthy** » 15 Nov 2013, 23:54

The next Bharat Ratna, I feel, will go to Tendulkar. There is serious lobbying already by Union ministers.

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 16 Nov 2013, 06:17

I feel they should award Bharat Ratna to a Carnatic instrumentalist. Among Hindustani musician Bharat Ratnas, Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar were instrumentalists.

And as for Sri Tendulkar, there was a time when they were thinking whether they should award the Bharat Ratna or put him in Rajya Sabha. Once again, they did the very thing I felt was inappropriate. But even now if they give him the Bharat Ratna, that will be good!

shriroop · Post by **shriroop** » 16 Nov 2013, 13:52

Yes, I support Sri. R.K. Srikantan for Bharata Ratna.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 16 Nov 2013, 14:30

srikant1987
Bharat Ratna has been awarded to Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Bismillah Khan as Great Maestro Musicians or Artists not categorizing as instrumentalists.
Yes we should discuss Great Maestro Musicians and instrumentalists.
Veena.....? May be Shri Mysore R.Visveshwaran
Chitra Veena - Shri RK
Violin & Viola - Shri TNK and DR.BMK
Mridangam - Shri T.K.M, UKS and TVG
Flute - DR.NR
Ghatam - Shri VR
Tavil & Nadaswaram....?

munirao2001

Pratyaksham Bala · Post by **Pratyaksham Bala** » 16 Nov 2013, 16:38

Bharat Ratna announced for Sachin Tendulkar & Prof C.N.R. Rao !
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/s ... 358093.ece

CHANDRU1955 · Post by **CHANDRU1955** » 03 Jan 2014, 16:22

Everyone talks about GNB and he was not awarded with anything.

GNB produced wonderful students like MLV, Trichur Ramachandran, Thanjavur Kalyanaraman, Radha
Jayalakshmi and so on.

Unless you have proper public relations, it is very difficult to get Padma awards.

To set things right, Bharat Ratna must be conferred on GNB.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 03 Jan 2014, 21:43

I AGREE. GNB IS THE REASON (ALONG WITH OTHERS) &THE TRINITY CARNATIC MUSIC IS AROUND TODAY. VKV