Dr.Ramani, Cleveland Aradhana 2015

[maduraimini]

Wednesday, I overslept. Heard the last 2 padams of Nirmal Sundararajan.
It was time for the Flute Vidwan Sri Ramani and his desciples. It was a pleasure to listen to this legend. I remember going to his concert in Miami, many years ago. I went up to the stage and told him I am coming from more than 100 miles to listen to him and if he would play the ragam Bagsri in his concert. The concert was wonderful and towards the end, I don't know if somebody asked him to sing something special or it was time to finish the concert, I clearly remember him saying ' I want to sing the raga Bagesri for this rasika who has come from far away to listen to me. He did play the raga and I was so thrilled. Artists who respect the rasikas last forever. To this day, I have not forgotten that.
Coming to this concert today, He was accompanied by his sishyas and Apoorva Krishnan i accompanied him on the violin. Two young Mridangists from here (the U.S., I ithink played the percussion with Balaji on the ghatam. He added interesting details about Flute Mali, between his playing. The tidbits were some new, some old about Mali's way and his (Ramani's).
He started wih Vathapi Ganapathim in Hamsadhwani.
Saraswathi Namostute in Saraswathi composed by GN- This was a very beautiful song with chittaswarams.
Then he talked about the way Mali played Nalinakanthi. He played Manavyakla.
An elaborate Bilahari ragam followed with Patnam Subramaniam Iyer's song ' Paritanamicchate', not heard that much. The meaning of this song shows the scholarly minds of the composers
If you think of Mali, the song that comes to mind is Nagumomu. Sri Ramani played the raga Abheri (karnataka devagandhari) and followed with the song.
Then the young Mridangists and the ghatam player had a field day on the Tani. They did a splendid job. Kudos to them! To accompany such a senior vidwan, who is topmost in his field itself is a Blessing. The artist encouraging them with his approval was great nto see.
He played Bharathiyar's Chinnanchiru kiliye.
It was the Chenchurutti Javali of Dharmapuri Subbaiyer ' sakhi Prana' followed by a Tillana.

Sri Sundaram talked about the artist and his friendship with him. Another gentleman, Sri Vaithi, I guess, spoke about how his grandfather played mridangam at Ramani's arangetram.

The concert was aone not to be missed, I thought.
Thanks, Cleveland Aradhana, for bringing this artist here.
I hear people grumble, there are too many old artists here. Should have more younger people. The Aradhana has been encouraging youngsters by giving thwem chance and with competitions and many other ways. And the other established young artists always has a chance. But these old legends cannot be heard all the time, becaue of their age and sickness. It is good to hear them. I would have liked to hear Smt. Vedavalli here this year. That kind of music should be listened to by the younger artists, so they can sing like that and teach to their students.

[thanjavooran]

Shri maduraimini,
Excellent review. Ramani's handling of ragas beyond words. He has promoted lot of disciples. Thanx for the write up. BTW can you share here the tidbits he added about Mali. Must be interesting.
with wishes,
Thanjavooran
09 04 2015

[arasi]

Thanjavooran,
Srimathi Maduraimini it is

Didn't want to miss it, so managed to see part of the program . Saw his son Thyagarajan playing along with him here and there, and grandson Athul Kumar. They both sound as if the lineage will continue in its musical richness. I so look forward to listening to Thyagarajan's sweet sound in the Cleveland dance programs.

Seen on the stage were Ramani's students, two girls among them, VVS's son Sankar Sundaram, Dr. David Nelson and a few young men. They all played vAtApi together, and they took turns to play it.

I have heard a number of naLinakAnthi-s this year, but this was a special one. That bilahari surrounded me in its beauty.

How like his guru Ramani sounded--even though he's ailing!

It was a master class on stage for all to hear. I could not hear his speaking clearly, but often heard him say, 'this is how he would play!'

[gardabha_gana]

Ramani Sir on his day - just divine music. Coming to disciples, who are some of his leading (not necessarily famous) disciples who perform?

[arasi]

Gardabha_gana,
Our posts crossed. I have named some of them in the post before yours. Please also note down what Ramani says and share it here, if you can.

His son and grandson you may know. Dr. David Nelson plays the mrudangam (and does so in a few of the Cleveland concerts). The tall young man in the pale blue kurtA is VVS's son. Other youngsters, I don't know the names of.

[maduraimini]

Thanks Tanjavooran, Arasi and others. I do not know anybody on the stage except Sri Ramani and his accompanists. Arasi has given the names of his grandson and others. Thanks.