Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.14

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kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.14

Post by kssr »

The invitation reads as follows:


Nadasurabhi Cultural Association, (Regd.)
662, 6th Cross, 17th Main , 3rd Block, Koramangala, Bangalore.560 034.
Phone: 25539368. Email:[email protected] Web: http://nadasurabhi.org

Cordially invites you for the Monthly Programme on
Sunday, 19th January 2014 at 4.15 PM

Venue: The Indian Heritage Academy Hall,
Near Police Station, 6th Block,
Koramangala, Bangalore. 560 095.

Special Thematic Vocal Concert

Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan - Vocal
Vidushi Charulatha Ramanujam - Violin
Vidwan Arjun Kumar - Mridangam
Vidwan Ranganatha Chakravarthy - Ghatam

ALL ARE WELCOME

Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan is a highly accomplished, internationally acclaimed senior carnatic vocalist. He has developed his own unique baani of bhakthi and bhava laden music which pleases and elevates the audience. Besides being one of the top performing artists, he is a guru whose reach crosses national boundaries. His students are all over India and abroad who get trained using e- learning.

In this concert Sri.Santhanagopalan will explore and explain the technicalities and intricacies of “Allied Ragas”. There are several ragas that sound very close to each other to the listener. They could belong to the same melakarta raga or sometimes it could be from different chakras, too. The artist will choose such ragas and delve deeper into them. The format will be that of a regular concert but there will be additional educative value to the audience bringing forward the wonder of Carnatic Music.

Nadasurabhi will conduct a three day “Youth Festival” on 14th, 15th and 16th February 2014. There will be two full carnatic concerts by renowned young musicians, one Bharatanatyam programme, and two group singing events by children trained by well known music teachers. Thyagaraja Aradhana with Pancharathna kritis rendering by Guru Smt Neela Ramgopal and her students from the just concluded Nadasurabhi course will also be held on 16th February. Kindly block these dates in your calendar.

Visit our website http://nadasurabhi.org and http://facebook.com/nadasurabhi

kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kssr »

Nadasurabhi Facebook message warns that it is better for rasikas to come a bit earlier to take their seats for Santhanagopalan concert. It is likely to be crowded and the hall is not too big. It is a free concert starting at 4.15 PM on sunday. Good timely alert !!

kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kssr »

For a brilliant review by brain drain on a brilliant lecture- concert, visit without fail,

Http://Kpjayan.wordpress.com

kvchellappa
Posts: 3636
Joined: 04 Aug 2011, 13:54

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kvchellappa »

Thanks to nadasurabhi for arranging the event and Sri Jayan for his detailed review.
Sri NSG had absolute control and the way he teams up is a lesson not only for musicians but cricketers, ministers, faculty of a college or school, managers, etc.
One anecdote he shared was how TNR was asked by Travanocre queen to play purvikalyani without touching or oscillating the daivatam and TNR shook his head instead and remarked that he had to gesture the gamakam at least to suggest the raga.
Another one was a remark about a singer how he did alapana for 5 minutes ragatthahai kAttAme (without revealing the raga).
A third one was how he tried to teach Sri ragam to a HM musician and how it could not proceed beyond Entaro mahanubhavulu (he mimicked the HM musician singing it).
He said, 'Go to the kirtanas of Thyagaraja for the ragas he has introduced and to a vidwan, as it can be learnt only from a vidwan.
I remember TMK once metioning that certain phrases have to be repeated as the guru says, they do not come within the scope of normal swara singing.
As I do not know music, my description may be funny. Anyway, I am happy if it amuses.

kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kssr »

Do not miss to read the brilliant review by Braindrain to a brilliant lecture-concert:

http://kpjayan.wordpress.com/2014/01/21 ... ment-10611

MaheshS
Posts: 1186
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:36

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by MaheshS »

I thought that Brindavni / Brindavana Saranga is closer to Madhyamavathi than Sri. Prof SRJ in the following clip on Madhyamavathi demonstrates this. As usual Prf SRJ is just a treasure house of knowledge.

Madhyamavathi demo by Prof SRJ - Part 1

Rsachi
Posts: 5039
Joined: 31 Aug 2009, 13:54

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by Rsachi »

KSSR, Jayan,
Thanks. I was at Rajiv Malhotra's book release at ISS on the 19th.

I heard this evening that at this lecture-concert, NSG did a great job. Also, his "paroksha" shishya told me that NSG is NOWADAYS GIVING VEENA CONCERTS ALONG WITH S. SOWMYA!!!!
Must be a very interesting treat indeed!

mahavishnu
Posts: 3341
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 21:56

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by mahavishnu »

NSG has given a few veena concerts with Sowmya (one was organized by Carnatica a few years ago).
I had not heard that this was a recurring event!

rajeshnat
Posts: 10121
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by rajeshnat »

Jayan
Tx for your review. I am particularly interested in mukhari-bhairavi combination.

arasi
Posts: 16873
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by arasi »

Rajesh,
Having missed NSG in Chennai, my heart was in Koramangala on Sunday. Couldn't make it :(

VRV
Posts: 151
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:03

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by VRV »

kssr,

Was this lecture/concert recorded. NSG is the best when it comes to explaining raga related topics. I would love to listen if available.

Vinod Venkataraman

hariniraghavan
Posts: 170
Joined: 15 Mar 2010, 20:48

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by hariniraghavan »

Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan, musician and musicologist of a high order presented a concert for Nadasurabhi on 19th January 2014 based on the theme "Allied Ragas". A concert comprises of a numberof ragas and their intricacies. Within a concert a few ragas sound very similar, but they are not same. Vidwan Santhanagopalan took up the task of introducing the subtle differences between ragas that are very close to each other.He stared with the 'Navaragamalika Varnam', and with the varnam, how the ragas had the link, like Kedaram to Shankarabharanam to Kalyani to Begada. Then Kambodhi to Edukulakambodhi, Mohanam and Bilahari. That was a brilliant way start to the Allied Ragas concert. He presented "Meenakshi memudam' in Poorvikalyani and showed how it differed from Pantuvarali, with example of 'Apa ramabhakthi'. He also showed the phrases that would put one into a doubt as to which raga it was and then demonstrated what phrases should be sung in each of these two ragas to be clear. Similarly he sang different sets of ragas and for some, songs either full or in part, in order to get the essence of the raga. He brought out the difference between
'Anandabhairavi and Ritigowle' by singing portions where they could appear similar and where they can sound totally different, especially with 'Paluke bangaramayina'. With Abhogi and Sriranjani, Arabhi and Devagandhari, Narayanagoula and Kedaragoula, Brindavani-brindavanasaranga-Madhyamavati, he again and again sang different usages to bring clarity to the listeners as to where exactly the difference lies. He had quite a few anecdotes and jokes to share with the audience from his experiences which made the program humorous and lively. as a main item he added a Ragam Tanam Pallavi in two ragas 'Mukhari and Bhairavi' - another set of allkied ragas. With the alapana, tanam and the pallavi in both the ragas alternately. Interesting set of swaras for this and also for the other songs were included, featuring the sharp difference between various notes. Towards the end of the concert once again another set of ragas like sahana, Harikamboji, Natakuranji, Dwijavanthi were handled. Shanmukhapriya and Jotiswarupini were highlighted. Vidushi Charulatha Ramanujam on the violin was very fast in responding to the main singer and exactly reproduced
whatever was expected of her. Vidwan Arjun Kumar on Mridangam did not have a major role to play. Yet he gave an excellent following according to the mood of the main artist and played a very good Tani avartanam that was very much suited to the allied ragas. Vidwan Ranganatha Chakravarthy on Ghatam gave able support and exhibited his talent during the tani avartanam. The concert was a great success and the huge attendance could not be contained in the Indian Heritage Academy Hall, asking for a bigger auditorium!

hariniraghavan
Posts: 170
Joined: 15 Mar 2010, 20:48

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by hariniraghavan »

Vidwan Neyveli Santhanagopalan, musician and musicologist of a high order presented a concert for Nadasurabhi on 19th January 2014 based on the theme "Allied Ragas". A concert comprises of a numberof ragas and their intricacies. Within a concert a few ragas sound very similar, but they are not same. Vidwan Santhanagopalan took up the task of introducing the subtle differences between ragas that are very close to each other.He stared with the 'Navaragamalika Varnam', and with the varnam, how the ragas had the link, like Kedaram to Shankarabharanam to Kalyani to Begada. Then Kambodhi to Edukulakambodhi, Mohanam and Bilahari. That was a brilliant way start to the Allied Ragas concert. He presented "Meenakshi memudam' in Poorvikalyani and showed how it differed from Pantuvarali, with example of 'Apa ramabhakthi'. He also showed the phrases that would put one into a doubt as to which raga it was and then demonstrated what phrases should be sung in each of these two ragas to be clear. Similarly he sang different sets of ragas and for some, songs either full or in part, in order to get the essence of the raga. He brought out the difference between
'Anandabhairavi and Ritigowle' by singing portions where they could appear similar and where they can sound totally different, especially with 'Paluke bangaramayina'. With Abhogi and Sriranjani, Arabhi and Devagandhari, Narayanagoula and Kedaragoula, Brindavani-brindavanasaranga-Madhyamavati, he again and again sang different usages to bring clarity to the listeners as to where exactly the difference lies. He had quite a few anecdotes and jokes to share with the audience from his experiences which made the program humorous and lively. as a main item he added a Ragam Tanam Pallavi in two ragas 'Mukhari and Bhairavi' - another set of allkied ragas. With the alapana, tanam and the pallavi in both the ragas alternately. Interesting set of swaras for this and also for the other songs were included, featuring the sharp difference between various notes. Towards the end of the concert once again another set of ragas like sahana, Harikamboji, Natakuranji, Dwijavanthi were handled. Shanmukhapriya and Jotiswarupini were highlighted. Vidushi Charulatha Ramanujam on the violin was very fast in responding to the main singer and exactly reproduced
whatever was expected of her. Vidwan Arjun Kumar on Mridangam did not have a major role to play. Yet he gave an excellent following according to the mood of the main artist and played a very good Tani avartanam that was very much suited to the allied ragas. Vidwan Ranganatha Chakravarthy on Ghatam gave able support and exhibited his talent during the tani avartanam. The concert was a great success and the huge attendance could not be contained in the Indian Heritage Academy Hall, asking for a bigger auditorium!

Rsachi
Posts: 5039
Joined: 31 Aug 2009, 13:54

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by Rsachi »

Harini-ji, you have made me doubly sad for having missed a great concert. Excellent narrative!

kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kssr »

Just my impression:
In all these years I have never attended this kind of a different carnatic music programme. It is difficult to classify it as a "concert" as there were very few full keerthanais rendered. It was definitely not a lec-dem. The key word for this programme is "Thematic". Right from the word GO, Sri.NSG went on exploring, analysing and educating openly along with the audience, pakkavadhyams and Smt.Neela Ramgopal and others in the audience about the idea of "Allied ragas". The inter relations of different sets of ragas (as described by earlier reviewers) were discussed, tried out and experienced by everyone. The major similarities between allied ragas were demonstrated and where they branch out was pointed out. In the varnam onwards, swarams were sung in the allied ragas to show the minute difference. In some keerthanais it will go only upto a few charanams and then it will move on to neraval or swaram in that ragam and allied ragams, every time pointing out the similar phrases and dissimilar phrases. The dissimilarity is often miniscule.

There was plenty of humour, always allowing the audience to find the ragam and then asking them to pin point when it branches out to the allied raga, anecdotes and so on.

It is not the usual "allied raga" concert (which itself is quite interesting). It has happened in Bangalore earlier with an artist choosing a set of two or three allied ragas and elaborating on them. This concert must have handled at least 35-40 ragas. Sri.NSG is quite simply a fount of knowledge taking up a challenging topic and having a jolly ride for himself , accompanying artists, and the audience (Charulatha and Arjun Kumar are equally adorable to keep up with the main artist) .

It is truly a "Collector's item"

rshankar
Posts: 13754
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 22:26

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by rshankar »

Vidyarthi (as he humbly calls himslef on our forum) is truly an exceptional AcArya!

shansubb
Posts: 1
Joined: 23 Jan 2014, 10:02

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by shansubb »

Not only did NSG carry off the lecturing/teaching sequence with much clever on-the-feet thinking, but also sang straight from the heart. It was truly a double bonanza of a lecture-concert, pleasing both the heart and mind - one of the best lecdem concerts I have ever been to! God bless NSG, may his tribe increase!

cameo
Posts: 118
Joined: 26 Aug 2008, 16:01

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by cameo »

Eagerly waiting for some one to post:-
"Here is the link to download the concert www..... " :-w

hnbhagavan
Posts: 1664
Joined: 21 Jun 2008, 22:06

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by hnbhagavan »

Dear Kssr/Harini Raghavan,

Is it possible to share the concert of Sri NSG held on Jan 19 in the Rasikas forum?


arasi
Posts: 16873
Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by arasi »

A super piece of writing about Vidyaarthi who is inspiring many other vidyaarthis as a guru.

Can't say it enough times--NSG is my kind of a musician. Let alone his gnAnam--his communicative
skills are superlative, both in his music and in teaching--and in sharing his knowledge with rasikAs. His sense of humor is yet another asset. Bless him!

kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kssr »

I saw the one I have attached- not the one kvchellappa has given.

Image

kvchellappa
Posts: 3636
Joined: 04 Aug 2011, 13:54

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kvchellappa »

A nice review that revives the experience of having attended the performance. I somehow missed it. Thanks for posting.

kssr
Posts: 1596
Joined: 30 Nov 2009, 15:28

Re: Santhanagopalan Thematic Concert @ Nadasurabhi on 19.1.1

Post by kssr »

kvchellappa wrote:A nice review that revives the experience of having attended the performance. I somehow missed it. Thanks for posting.
This one appeared in today's paper. The interview link you had given was not in the real paper. maybe it was only in e paper.

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