Ghatam Kartthcik Lec Dem on 03 12 2016 Sunday 10 00 hrs at Vivekanda hall PSS Higher School.
The function organized for felicitation of Ghatam maker of Manamadurai UVK RAmesh. The function started at 10 25 hrs as Karthick was to pick up the Chief guest from Egmore.
Some of the points noted are listed below.
Parlandu Awarad is given to the musical instruments manufacturing Artistes from 2013
Mirudhangam Selvam 2013
Mirudhangam Varadhan [ C.S. Murugaboothi's was his customer ] 2014
Veena manufacturerer Shri Raju of Bangalore 2015
Ghatam Manufacuturer Manamadurai UVK Ramesh [2016 ]
Since the end user and the customer is Karthick he has been chosen to honor shri Raju
Shri Era Murugan Journalist
As he belongs to Sivaganaga the nearest village he has liberty to talk about Manamadurai Ramesh.
Mother of Ramesh Smt Meenakshi ammal is a Ghatam Artiste
As per Tamil literature siru parai may be Kanjira
Siru thandava parai is Kudu kuduppai
Thandava parai Udukku
In Kerala Kollam era 925 1750 AC Ottam Thullal was introduced.
Periya Murasu [ Big Drum ] known as Mizha was played
Follwing are the ingredients for the manufacture of Ghatam
Vaigai river Vandal [sediments]
Kanmai karai kalimann [clay]
Atrumann [ River sand]
16 days to be baked in kiln and 15 days are needed for drying.
Karthick
On behalf of his Guru Shri THV and Subash chandran he is participating in this function.
S/shri
Ulaga Velalar Great Grand father
Vellaichami Velalar Grandfather
Kesava Velalar Father
UVK Ramesh
For 4 generations this family is manufacturing Ghatam
At present his son Hari who is in 11th standard is also involved in this profession.
He has brought with him the big Ghatam played by Sriman Umaiyalpuram Kothandarama Iyer a product of this family
The process of manufacturing is very strenuous.
In 1966 THV played at UNO with the Ghatam manufactured by this family
Parivadhini is the name of a type of Veena.
Hats off to this organization for honouring this Artiste.
Sangita and Sruti gnanam are two essential aspects for this manufacturing process.
Smt Meenakshi ammal a Ghatam exponent and mother of shri UVK Ramesh is involving herself in this process.
Fine tuning known as Kalasal is done this lady with a tool in the shape of a table tennis bad and a clay ball. Every small space inside the Ghatam is hit carefully for the even distribution of granules with out damaging the structure. A very good sense of music and sruti is very essential for this fine tuning.
Few other clay instruments are also there known as Hakkini, Hundu etc.
The process of kalasal is very very important for this manufacture.
Out of 100 there will be rejection of 80 which cannot be avoided.
For solving such Technical problems Scientific community should come forward.
Years back in Sadasiva Brahmendral utsavam [Trichi?] BV Raman and Laxmanan wanted Karthick to honour Sriman Kesav Velalar and now again his son Ramesh is given sannadh by hims
A cash award and pattayam were given.
RAmesh
In his acceptance speech mentioned this 5th generation is involved in the manufacturing of Ghatam.
150 yrs back his great grand father was manufacturing pots their family business and also concentrating on the production of artistic flower pots and other antic items.
His father who is also an Harmonium player besides Ghatam showed interest in unique clay models too.
Babu Rajendra Prasad the then President gave an award for his services to the carnatic Music.
He is 46 yrs old and studied upto 5th standard only and involved himself in his family business.
In those days the cost of Ghatam was only Rs 12/= [ The present price is around 600/=]
Metallic sound in par with Drum and Thavil should be brought into this instrument.
For this technical advice is need.
His son in law who is learning Music is also associating with him in this process.
The Ghatam should be handled as a child and a known fact as it is played keeping carefully on the lap.
Maestro Harishankar was the main inspiration for this function.
Dem
He brought with him the Ghatam played by Umaiyalpuram in all concerts of GNB with TKM
Kanjira K V. Gopalakrishnan
Moresing Raman were associating in Demo.
He answered the doubts raised by Rasikas including a Swiss Research student.
My observation
There were 40 Rasikas and Abaswaram Ramji was present. Though the Lec session was excellent but Dem was very less.
Cricket analaogy was taken up at many places.
I would have omitted some important points welcome correction.
Thanjavooran
04 12 2016