MS AMMA CENTENARY - S. AISWARYA – ARKAY-16/9

[CRama]

The hall was full when I entered. Our own Cienu came forward and welcomed me. Just on the dias, a big portrait of the Queen of Music along with her life time consort with her infectious smile was greeting us making us forget for a while that we are paying tributes on her centenary. The event commenced with the invocation song by one of her great grand daughters- Soundarya who through the song Devi Neeye Tunai in Keeravani brought to us nostalgic memories of the enthralling song rendered by MS Amma in her innumerable concerts.

The event was formally inaugurated by another star from Madurai- Padmabhushan Sangitakalanidhi Sri Madurai T.N.Seshagopalan. Other guests were Sri Gopal Krishna Gandhi and Cleveland Sri V.V.Sundaram. The atmosphere was highly charged with the sentiments expressed by the distinguished speakers. The three speakers shared their personal experiences with the legendary Bharath Rathna and many eyes in the audiences became moist as if they have personally gone through those moments narrated by the speakers in their inimitable manner. One particular instance quoted by our Cienu, I will like to share in this context. This was reported in one TV channel which is reporting on crimes in the city of Bangalore. There was one robbery in two floors of a single house in Koramangala. The thief was nabbed and brought to the site for interrogation. He was asked that when he has robbed in the ground and second floor of the house, why he did not venture in the first floor flat which actually had more valuables. The thief said that in the first floor flat, when he saw through the window, a big photo of M.S Amma, he did not want to steal in front of that great Amma. So he left that flat. Quite surprising to know what respect even a thief had for M.S.Amma.

This was followed the concert of Kum S.Aiswarya, the great grand daughter of MS Amma who provided a most appropriate musical tribute on the occasion. The accompanists were V.V.Ravi on the Violin who has accompanied M.S Amma in many concerts, Kallidakurichi Sivakumar on the Mridangam and H.Sivarmakrishnan on the Chatam. List of songs.

• Om Nama pranavaarthaya-slokam
• Namo Namo Raghukulanaayaka-Nata-Annamacharya (S)
• Naadathanumanisam-Chitharanjini-T
• Aparadhamula-Lathangi-PSI (R,N,S)
• Sadaasaaranganayane-Ranjani (MY)
• O.Rangasayee-Kambodi-T (R,N,S)
• Tani
• Chediyaaya valvinaigal-Kulasekara azhwar pasuram-Hamsanandi
• Sreenivasa-Hamsanandi- PS
• Idathu padam thookki-Khamas-PS
• Kurai onrum illai-Ragamalika-Rajaji
• Maithreem bhajatha

The concert had an auspicious start with the slokam from the Dakshinamurthy Stothram which brings a solemn aura to the entire concert. Namo Namo Raghukulanayaka which is one of the numerous Annamamcharya kritis popularised by MS Amma provided a spright start with kalpana swaras at Ahalya Saapa vimochana. Her well sruti aligned voice, with the perfect diction and bhavam transported the rasikas to the MS concerts they had heard in the past and still cherish in their hearts. The raga alapanas of Lathangi and Kambodi were well done with the natural long akara passages, customary glides, well rounded gamakas and fast brighas all in right proportions falling in right spots. Many sangathis in her Kambodi alapana reminded MS Amma’s alapana and the song was rendered impeccably, the sangathis in tact. This song is synonymous with M.S.Amma and hence many leading singers of that era avoided singing this song. The long neraval in Bhooloka Vaikuntam and the swaras showed her considerable progress in the area of manodharmam. All the tukkadas were signature songs of M.S.Amma and rendered with full bhavam and strict adherence to the M.S.patantharam. The concert started at 7.30 PM and ended at 9.15 PM.

V.V Ravi played very well and the accompanists were full of encouragement for the young vidushi and they played with good understanding.

It is heartening to note that after each concert, Aiswarya is reinforcing her position as the torch bearer of a great tradition of music. Her sincerity, sadhakam and hard work coupled with the guidance of Smt Radha Viswanathan and other Gurus is definitely leading her in the right direction. KEEP IT UP AISWARYA.

[kvchellappa]

Dr. VKV complimened in the chat on webcast saying she has 'nidhanam' and that her grandmother should be complimented for preparing Aishwarya nicely.

[Nick H]

It was a good function, and a very nice concert.

It is a couple of years since I have seen Aishwarya sing, and I was struck by the difference: she has grown a lot. It was very nice to hear.

[munirao2001]

Cienu Sir,

I noticed from the two reviews of Vidu.Aishwarya posted here-Madurai and Chennai concerts, Purandara Dasa's compositions were not taken up. You remember after the inaugural concert of MSSAmma for Hampi Music Festival-Celebrating Hardasas with primacy for Karnataka Sangeetha Pitamaha Purandara Dasa, the compositions became hugely popular similar to 'Kurai Onrum Illai' and others at much later times, now most sought after nostalgically by both the practitioners and rasikas.
I request you to convey my request to Vidu.Aishwarya to plan and include compositions of Haridasas in her concerts in the Centenary year celebrations of MSS Amma.
munirao2001

[CRama]

Munirao Sir, Aiswarya do have the reportoire of PD kritis popularised by her Grand mother and Great Grand mother. On earlier occasions, I have heard Ninnane paduve ugaboga in behag followed by Naneke badavanu, Athanapaduve anavaratha etc. Give her some more time. She will definitely impress you with her stock of Dasar padas.

[cienu]

Cienu Sir,
I request you to convey my request to Vidu.Aishwarya to plan and include compositions of Haridasas in her concerts in the Centenary year celebrations of MSS Amma.
munirao2001

Ofcourse Shri Munirao ji.
Your point is well taken.
For the Chennai concert we had planned the same.
However the time overrun by almost 45 minutes forced Aishwarya to finish the concert earlier than scheduled.

[Nick H]

However the time overrun by almost 45 minutes forced Aishwarya to finish the concert earlier than scheduled.

It was obvious that lessons were learnt from previous events, and the number of speakers was only three. Even so, the concert time was obviously limited. This is not a complaint: even the most anti-speech among us accept that functions are functions, as opposed to concerts, which should be concerts . But the fact is that, plainly, the repertoire for the evening will be restricted. Given the hour, I really expected the main to lead to Mangalam: that would have sadly disappointed those like Mrs Nick, for whom those last two songs were the treasure of the evening. I enjoyed them too.

I was happy, by the way, to hear Sri Gopal Krishna Gandhi's words, and sad that a sound man had made this not possible on another occasion a few days before. He's a man worth listening to! On a social note, it was good to see cienu and so many other friends, musicians and rasikas, including crama.

[cienu]

MSS 100 : Sep 16th 2015
It was indeed a most wonderful function at Arkay Convention Center. I was delighted to meet CRama, Smt & Sri TVG, Dr Narmadha, Vidwan Sri Ashok Ramani, Nick accompanied by his wife & Vignesh Viswanathan, Also present were Sri Kumari Ananthan, Sri V Ramnarayan (Editor Sruti) and Dr.Gowri Ramnarayan. The speech by all the 3 Guests were excellent, each in their own individual way brought out different facets of the magnetic personality of Bharat Ratna M.S.Subbulakshmi.

For those who have still not watched the program you may still view the same at the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K-QdP0COSM

Please find below a few pictures taken on the occasion (Acknowledgements – Arkay, Vignesh, Rajendru and I)
The banner welcoming Rasikas for the commencement of the centenary year

Cleveland Sri V V Sundaram lights the lamp watched by Sri TNS and Sri Gopalkrishna Gandhi

Watched by her Great Grandparents on the right and her smiling sister S.Aishwarya on the left, S.Saundarya sings an impeccable prayer to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai - “Devi Neeyae Thunai” of Sri Papanasam Sivam. This was taught to Saundarya by Smt Neela Ramgopal.

Yours truly does what he is best at “Master of Ceremonies”

Padma Bhushan Sangita Kalanidhi Madurai Sri T N Seshagopalan speaks

Sri Gopalkrishna Gandhi – Former Governor of West Bengal, Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and Rajaji addresses the audience.

A view of the audience , Sri Kumari Ananthan, Sri Arkay Ramakrishnan and Dr Narmadha in the first row. Sri V Ramnarayan and Vignesh Viswanathan can be seen sitting at the side aisle.

The artists Sri H Sivaramakrishnan, Sri V V Ravi, Kallidaikurichi Sivakumar, Sri Ashok Ramani, Nick and his wife are in the picture. Sitting in the last row is my daughter S.Aishwarya keenly listening to the speeches.

Another audience view. Dr Gowri Ramnarayan in the picture.

S.Aishwarya in deep thought during her concert.

[Vignesh Viswanathan]

The mood of the day at the Arkay Convention, celebrating the 99th Birthday of The Great Soul and Legend "Bharat Ratna" M.S.Subbulakshmi, along with the beginning of her Centenary Year, was not just filled with presence of Rasikas of MSAmma, her relatives and her close associates but the entire hall was also filled with her all pervading presence. The beautiful picture of MS Amma and Sadasivam Mama provided for a most appropriate backdrop.

The "East Faced" Lighting of Kuthu Vilakku and beautiful voice of Saundarya starting the occasion with the beautiful Papanasam Sivan Krithi in Keeravani praising both the Queens of Madurai - The “Shakthi Devi Meenakshi" and the “Shruthi Devi M.S Subbulakshmi". It was an auspicious commencement of the function.

The Speakers of the Day were an encyclopedia or in recent terms a Wikipedia holding loads of experience to share. They not just shared but took us on a voyage with the incidents with feelings and words which were heartfelt.

Words of Vidwan Shri TN Seshagopalan projected on how the youngsters of the Era must learn from MS Amma on respecting and appreciating accompanying artists. With no bias and ego, a soul must always learn from others.

The wonderful speech of Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi had the audience listening in pin drop silence. One point from his speech which touched me. “As much as MS Amma got from the great saints & teachers like Mahaperiyal of Kanchi, Satya Sai Baba, Jiddu Krishnamurthy and Chinmayananda, they too got as much from MS Amma !” How true

"Chapters of Moments with MS Amma" must be the Title for Shri Cleveland Sundaram Speech. Highlighting the Story behind every incident that happened around The US Tour, Kalki Gardens, Emotional Hamsanandhi, Fund Raising Concerts in USA. It was truly an emotional moment for the Rasikas to hear about the selfless contributions of Sri T Sadasivam and MS Amma.

Shri Sundaram also recalled the selfless contribution of Smt. Radha Viswanathan in each and every concert of MS Amma and her invaluable role now in ensuring the continuing of the MS Legacy.

I was also extremely delighted to meet and speak with Shri V.Ramnarayan and Dr. Gowri Ramnarayan

If the first part brought MS Amma presence through the words of speakers, second part of the Celebration brought the presence of the MSS through the music of Aishwarya

As I had to go out due to some personal reasons I missed a part of the kutcheri and returned to hear the concert from the main raga rendition only. (Kambhodi).

Aishwarya's creative raga elaboration revealed her confidence. The Virutham followed by O Ranga Sayee personified Lord Ranganaatha before our eyes.

The Nereval at Bhooloka Vaikuntam followed by her effortless kalpana swarams revealed the dedication and hard work that Aishwarya has invested in her music. Sri V V Ravi’s violin bowing complimented Aishwarya so well, especially in the Neraval.

Kallidaikurichi Sivakumar exhibited sharp anticipation during the kannaku swaras.

H Sivaramakrishnan provided delightful support.

The Khamas on Lord Nataraja, was amazing and beautiful. It’s the first time I am hearing the composition. I enjoyed the lyrics and voice together like gulab jamun with sweet jeera on my taste-buds

From now on hearing the evergreen Hamsanadhi shall bring to my mind the incident shared by Shri Sundaram. When Aishwarya touched the notes of "Jagannaatha..." I could literally feel the electric atmosphere mentioned by Sri VVS at the 1977 Pittsburgh Concert of M.S Amma.

All the best to Aishwarya for her upcoming tour of US in 2016 at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival for the Centenary Year Celebration of Bharat Ratna MSS which indeed promises to be a Grand affair.