Jam Session at my place

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 15 Jan 2008, 10:58

Thought I sent this earlier but seem to have screwed it up somehow. Anyway, we have planned this Jam session at a really short notice at my house....those of you intetrested in joining, please do make it...address and directions as follows. Call me for anything:

Address: Flat 3, "Srinivas", Ist Floor Old 13, New 8 Veerabhadran Street, Nungambakkam, near Valluvar Kottam.

Phone 99406-76442

If you are coming via Gemini get on to Nungambakkam High Road. After you cross The Park get into Kodambakkam High Road on your left. You need to turn right into Josier Street when you see a UTI Bank ATM, also on the right (beyond Palm Grove hotel). Once on Josier Street take the third left which is Veerabhadran Street. Continue until you hit the first X-ing and turn right. My house is the first one on your left â€“ a cream coloured building - you'll see "Sri Nivas" written on it.

Coming from T Nagar/Thirumalai Pillai Road/Kodambakkam Bridge: Get to Valluvar Kottam and into Valluvar Kottam High Road/Village Road. You need to take the second right after the bus stand â€“ this is Veerabhadran Street. You will see a Green Building which is SOTC's office at the entrance to Veerabhadran Street. Continue until the first X-ing and turn left. My house is the first building on the left. Look for a cream coloured building and "Sri Nivas" written on it.

Coming from Anna Nagar/Chetpet, Get onto Village Road/Valluvarkkottam High Road. Continue straight past the round turner. You need to take the second left into Veerabhadran Street once you cross the round turner. You will see the green SOTC office at the entrance into Veerabhadran Street. Continue until the first X-ing and turn left. My house is the first building on the left. Look for a cream coloured building and "Sri Nivas" written on it.

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 15 Jan 2008, 11:13

and the session's at 3PM... right?

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 15 Jan 2008, 11:45

absolutely right !!!!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 15 Jan 2008, 14:15

I'll be on my way.

Shortly...

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 15 Jan 2008, 18:06

I couldn't make it. How was the session. Waiting for photos/ recordings

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 15 Jan 2008, 21:17

It was very companionable, very musical, very enjoyable.

Our music may be 'serious' music --- but it is still the most fun I have ever had in my life

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 15 Jan 2008, 23:20

Hi everyone. Thanks for coming! Venkat we missed you...Ram and bharath as well. It was another example of the musical depth that lies within this community! Decided to use my camcorder for a change and Coolji has graciously accepted to do a digital transcription. Let's wait for that. Meanwhile I am still mulling over delectable Darbaris, Kambhojis, Srees...and a certain musical mystery that had a very odd ending indeed!

sbala · Post by **sbala** » 15 Jan 2008, 23:36

It was high class music from all the performers. For a change, the audience stayed back after the performers left, reminiscing on the quality of music that was served today. I really love this format (or lack of it!). This was music from the heart and I hope Vijay captured Uday's oil paintings on his camcorder..The Kambodhi neraval was as good as anything I've heard. And at the end of the day, it did have almost all the elements of a normal concert. Great job everyone!

rrao13 · Post by **rrao13** » 16 Jan 2008, 00:17

can you kindly post details of the songs, artist name and so on....just like what is done in a concert review. thanks.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 16 Jan 2008, 00:28

Waiting....

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 16 Jan 2008, 05:51

It was a wonderful day.As the saying goes ,
With some you spend an evening.
If you are lucky, with some others , you invest in an evening.
This was one of such evenings , where we came back wiser .
Getting closer to the seam of a fabric (which was showing evidence of a bottling up of emotions inside an artist) was as inspiring as a trek to the opening in a smouldering volcano.
Uday and Sundar were the mainstays.
It could have been Mali and Kalyanraman for me.For who else would sing and play one varnam after another ? But it was so appropriate for the occasion.
Mantra's Mom ( a disciple of TMT) pitched in with a couple of renderings.
I had forgotten to invite Mantra.He came 30 minutes late and found the proceedings so inspiring , that his family , living neraby, closed shutters and moved in enmasse.
V Shivranjini - ranjini33 here- a disciple of Sankaree Krishnan too was present with a colleague who practises Sitar.
She sang a couple of songs too , despite a bad throat.Blame it all on Bhogi and Pollution.
Grand Old Ramaraj was there too and pitched in with quite a few of his compositions.I liked the one in Katyayini,the most.
Surprise of the day was Udays Father In Law.I have seen some great father-son combinations in my time, but this one beats them all , inspite of the LAW element.
Oh Boy !! He played the Khanjira wonderfully ( Self taught I was told), sang alapanas and krithis too beautifully, treated us to some vintage anecdotes, intercepted a krithi to inform us all about a crucial aspect of the krithi-like he did for the krithi composed by Puranadaradasa on the Kumbakonam diety,
deftly explained the intricacies involved in sruthi alignments of a harikatha performance of the good old days right down to the jingles of the anklets.
And a sense of bonhomie with his son in law that is wonderful.
No wonder that the newest member in the family (Udays 3 year old daughter) would be found dancing to herself as the music progressed.
A blessed house indeed , Uday's.
Sundar , what can one say of him.Hope he finds the willpower to prioritise Music over a few other things.The Neraval jugalbandi with Uday was a Classic.I was blessed to be seated next to Sundar and could feel the convulsions that would be happening inside him , before he let out another round of impeccable swaras.
Where else will you get a minor verbal exchange on which was the better line for neraval exploration , a few tries and then a settling down to the chosen line.
Where else would you get a rasika nudging the singer for -Swaras please !! Dont stop without swaras.
(Before I forget, Brazil Subramaniam was roped in and was keen to attend a regular concert.Will try for a NSG special on Feb 2nd.)

Vijay , all the while was a wonderful host .I forgot how many samosas I ate.
but then It was one such starry evening.One of those rare days I get In a year when I wake up totally unconnected to the World around me( Wife and son are at blore) and Office has a holiday and reconnect at will .
There was a touch of sadness in the post concert proceedings.(Vijays move to Mumbai next month loomed large in the horizon)
Stayed back with sbala and rajesh , to polish off the remaining Samosas , fruit Punches, icecreams and walked down to Rajesh's home to top it off a Dinner .
Followed by a long chat under a star lit sky.
Venkatpv and ksrimech were there too.I get a feeling i have missed some names here, but i will wind up.
Thanks .Thanks Everyone.For singing like angels and showing us a glimpse of Heaven.
Jam 1 - Bhairavi Jam 2 Khamboji Jam 3 ? ?
PS should be getting the camcorder version in a few days time on Mpeg format.and also on the Art and Artistry of Nick

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 16 Jan 2008, 06:13

jananee · Post by **jananee** » 16 Jan 2008, 06:17

Great hearing about the jam session....it is a pity people like us miss out on all this!!! hope to see the video soon coolji.

Uday...i think i did see your daughter dance away in the aisles during the savita narasimhan concert at MA.It was indeed very cute.

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 16 Jan 2008, 07:10

it was KKK... kedaragaula, khamas and kambhoji! i have heard sundar sing the khamas varnam (mathe malayadhwaja) before... its a version inspired by TNS... beautiful flourishes at the charanam...

kambhoji... it was mighty special... uday played beautifully... mali-like phrases and all... the chosen line for neraval was vani matalaku... it is a contentious line, because it doesnt convey a complete meaning... the anupallavi rajaraja vara is better suited, sahitya-wise, for a neraval... but sundar's SSI affiliations meant precedence of musical idea over the lyrical... what a good decision it was!! sundar feeds off rasikas... give him a good crowd, and he will stun! i have a theory about this... that he always excels when i am listening... with due apologies to all others who were present

jokes apart, the neraval and swarams were of the highest pedigree... i personally felt the first speed swaras could have gone on for little more... but no complaints...

ramraj sir's kharaharapriya, katyayani and gambiravani were erudite exercises! uday's FIL stunned with the khanjira... nick was at his non-intrusive best... there were other offerings too... hamsadwani, behag, reetigaula, hindolam... all first-rate

but the kambhoji lingers...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Jan 2008, 08:22

Congratulations to all! Not just rasikAs but a whole tribe of talented musicians, among other things. We are blessed indeed...

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Jan 2008, 10:43

The one time I picked up the kanjira I could not get out of playing Adi tala lessons --- and the song was rupaka. But the embarrassment was small, given the non-judgemental nature of the gathering.

Success or failure --- i could spend all night attempting to accompany bursts of neraval and swaras such as we heard: If there is one moment when the calculation comes right, or even the stress comes correct and the feeling is that one is really part of such music --- then that makes the day!

Even though I played much more in London before coming here, I seldom had to the chance to play with such erudite performers, and to do so for love, for enjoyment, for fun.

People have been very kind about my playing and told me not to be self-deprecating. Well, my technical limits are a simple matter of fact.

UKS once said... If I do not practice for one day, I can tell; If I do not practice for two days, mridangam can tell; if I do not practice for three days, the audience can tell...

Hey, I'm sure I couldn't tell if UKS hadn't practiced for a month, but his lesson is still so true.

But if I have a message for all of our group, it is not to let lack of confidence or lack of experience prevent each one who would like to from contributing. We have some very erudite and learned persons among us, and their contributions will always be the high flights of the sessions, but we all have the opportunity, in these sessions, to experience music in such a different way from sitting on seats in a concert hall.

Next time I might have a go with the violin............

OK, friends... don't worry... that was a joke

Sam Swaminathan · Post by **Sam Swaminathan** » 16 Jan 2008, 14:06

I hate you I hate you I hate you alllllllllll.........................for having such a great time without me !!

rbharath · Post by **rbharath** » 16 Jan 2008, 16:11

had to miss this..

the period of notice was a tad too short for me to make suitable plans

venkatr · Post by **venkatr** » 16 Jan 2008, 16:53

Looks like a great time !! Alas some day I too can join such sessions.

Beautifully described by all and in particular the one and only K ji .

Any sessions in February first fortnight .... especially 2/3rd or 9 /10 weekends? hope we can replicate some day globally : any one in Europe / Germany from the rasikas community

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Jan 2008, 18:05

If you are going to be here at that time, then perhaps we could have one.

I won't be available 17th to 23rd, so request avoiding those dates.

vageyakara · Post by **vageyakara** » 16 Jan 2008, 18:33

MY dear fellow FORUMITES, AND OTHERS
To facilitate t simultaneous viewing and listening of Kritis (own) which I rendered in the jam session at Vijay's residence , I give below the list and link
(1) GhambhiravANi -Ambha sutha GaNapathE-adi-www.karnatik..com/c3473.shtml

(2)K.H.Priya-SHANKARAHARA PRIYA-adi- www.karnatik.com/c3515.shtml

(3)KAATYAAYAN I-AADHI MMADHYANTA RAHITHE www.karnatik,com/c3465.shtml

(4)KANNADA- MAATHA BHAVANI SHIVE-www.karnatik.com/c3563.shtml

(5)VADIVAAMBHIKE-DWIJAAVANTHI-www.karnatik.com/c3464.shtml

(6)SHREERAGAM-SHRE RAGHAVENDRA SATGURU-www.karnatik.com/c3532shtml

Interestingly many of the ragams , as rightly ponted out by Venkat pv, started with K as the first letter.
KEDARAGOWLAM, KAMBHOJI , KHAMAS, ( BY SUNDAR AND uDAY'S f-INLAW)
and KARAHAPRIYA KAATYAAYANI AND KANNADA(by Vageyakara) was it a rare co-incidence ?
The deft handling of Kambhoji by sundar and the jugalbhandhi type swaraprasthara with consummate skill by Sundar was amazing.!!
What a memorable chamber music without any pompous and external glitterings.!!
I similar type of wish jam sessions should be conducted globally.
Steps are already on what with the indefatigable endevour by our forumite( GBL), jANANEE AND OTHERS AT SINGAPORE SHORTLY
Ramaraj

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Jan 2008, 18:33

Sam, you meant 'I wish I wish, I wish', didn't you??!!

vageyakara · Post by **vageyakara** » 16 Jan 2008, 18:38

I think Sam has a peculiar way of expressing his Inner joy !!!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 Jan 2008, 19:05

By the way Sam, I heard your brother a couple of times--as pleasing and deft as ever--and greeted him after he accompanied Neyveli for Shyama Shastry Day celebrations at NGS. It is a pleasure to see them interact...

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Jan 2008, 20:04

It was an added pleasure, on dropping vageyakara at his house, to be invited in.

It meant that I got to eat pongal pongal

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Jan 2008, 20:11

It is interesting to read the bio details of Sr Ramaraj on the site he links to http://www.karnatik.com/co1141.shtml

vageyakara · Post by **vageyakara** » 16 Jan 2008, 20:19

Hi Nick H,
It was only a return obligation for the instrumental support u gave through ur melodious Mohar sing.There has never been a dull moment.since people were keeping u engaged in quick succession
without any semblance of break.What a heart warming concert it was !!

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 16 Jan 2008, 21:19

You guys are making us feel miserable as we have to miss out these things

Arun

jananee · Post by **jananee** » 16 Jan 2008, 22:00

I totally second u arunk!

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 16 Jan 2008, 23:35

coolji, thanks for your kind words. We are all blessed to be able to create a satsang based on musical taste

. It certainly seems a healthier way to while away a few hours than many other kinds of "entertainment".

jananee thanks. Yes, our daughter Ananya can't easily be restricted to her chair or to any activity that's not of her own choosing. Hopefully, her antics were not a major distraction, which is our constant fear when we take her to katcheris.

Dear all,
My father-in-law's name is Mr. M. Rammohan. He is the grandson of the well-known harikatha exponent Soolamangalam Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar (1866-1943). He continues the family tradition of celebrating Radha Kalyanam every year under the auspecies of his trust "Sunadam".

This year, we're having the celebrations on March14th, 15th and 16h at Tatvaloka on Eldams Road. Udayalur Kalyanaraman will lead the Radha Kalyanam in sampradaya bhajan tradition: Ashtapadi bhajan on Fri. evening, Divyanama sankeertanam on Sat. evening, Sri Radhakalyanam on Sun. morning.
There will be a concert by Malladi bros. on Sunday evening.

For those who haven't heard Udayalur Kalyanaraman, his musical gnyanam is profound and his bhajanai sessions are annotated with superb raga alapanas that have taken me to soaring heights of tearful ecstacy. Several years ago in one of the previous Radhakalyanams, Sri KVN spent some 3 hrs listening to UK and later spoke glowingly about his music.

I'll post a reminder about the program closer to the date. Needless to say, all our rasikas.org friends are invited with poorna-kumbham (rose scented).

arunk · Post by **arunk** » 16 Jan 2008, 23:45

I totally agree that Udayalur Kalyanaraman is simply outstanding! I remember being spell bound when I listened to him the first time. The musical quality and content of his bhajani sessions is indeed very high.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 17 Jan 2008, 00:00

It was a treat to see your daughter dance.

OK, so uncontrolled children in concerts is one of my great grumbles, but that is because their antics, born of not wanting to be there in the first place, are unconnected with, and a distraction from the music.

But even this tough old grouch would be charmed to see your little one dance as she did yesterday.

She made her own contribution in her own valid way.

vageyakara, thank you for your kindness, shown again in your words. My wife had,unfortunately, had a very unsuccessful day, and when I told her that I had left pongal without bringing it home for her she told me not to do that again

rajeeram · Post by **rajeeram** » 17 Jan 2008, 01:31

You can catch Udayalur on Youtube here. Incidentally, these videos are of Radha Kalyanam.

A wonderful Gowlai here.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XqIKq-hkoYU

Rajee

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 17 Jan 2008, 10:51

Where are the pictures?

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 17 Jan 2008, 14:38

No one took them CML! I was busy with my camcorder...the tape is presetnly being digitized by Coolji

jananee · Post by **jananee** » 17 Jan 2008, 16:22

Uday.....I dont think it was a distraction...but i do remember it was during savita rendering a rather heavy piece....cant recall which one tho.. and she was dancing in gay abandon...and a lot of people were enjoying it...like nick said i too would have frowned but she was too cute! MAybe thatw as her way of expressing the joy she felt on hearing the music..u bet the muscial satsang most certainly sounds a much better way of entertainment than watching tv or playing computer games!!

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 17 Jan 2008, 16:36

Her adavus were really engaging! A natural....as the recording will probably reveal, she was the star of my little movie!

Sam Swaminathan · Post by **Sam Swaminathan** » 18 Jan 2008, 00:25

Arasi...the words just flow out due to helplessness and desperation ! Only God knows how my mind and body is pleading to get out of here and join you guys and enjoy the divine music!

One day.....One day....let my major responsibilities be completed....

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 18 Jan 2008, 07:43

heard another small session of kambhoji from sundar last night... he decided to sing sarasijanabha... and came up with a brilliant poruttham for saarva bhauma... which goes something like this... PDSRGRii Gaaa.... PDSRMGaa Riiii.... PDSRGMaa Saarva bhauma!

vageyakara · Post by **vageyakara** » 18 Jan 2008, 08:29

What a blossoming artist Sundar is ?
he deserves the much sought after exposure., I sincerely feel
Vageyakara

jananee · Post by **jananee** » 22 Jan 2008, 21:59

Uday..was it your daughter who seemd to have charmed a lot of rasikas in Hamdadhwani during Ravikiran's concert on the 20th? I did hear about the cute little girl who was dancing away on the sidewalk..and i kind of guessed it should be Ananya

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 22 Jan 2008, 23:26

jananee, I wasn't there but my daughter was, so it might have been her. My wife Radhika confirmed that she was quite happy prancing around on the sidewalk.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 22 Jan 2008, 23:32

Ah, the most important member of the family I have missed meeting...

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 23 Jan 2008, 00:25

na anya (none other) hence ananya!

HeyNarayana · Post by **HeyNarayana** » 09 Feb 2008, 00:53

People like us miss all this fun..hopefully next year when we come to India. Is this open to everybody passionate about music?

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 09 Feb 2008, 06:17

Yes Yes Of Course.Much of what we do is meant for people like you...

HeyNarayana · Post by **HeyNarayana** » 09 Feb 2008, 21:34

Thank you, will definitely be there next year.

HeyNarayana · Post by **HeyNarayana** » 10 Feb 2008, 21:45

Can anybody recommend a good violin teacher for 20+ young adult who is very enthusiastic and sincere unfortunately visually handicapped. He has been learning violin and plays well. Looking for teacher close by Ega Theater in Chennai. The objective is to take this young adult to a professional level. Thanks

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 05 Mar 2008, 06:01

Video proceedings have been digitised.AT LAST.
We can look forward to some wonderful moments here, shortly, in slices of 35 mb.
Time to return the camcorder to Vijay.
Hmm I notice Venkatpv is online too.This sould make him very very happy.

venkatpv · Post by **venkatpv** » 05 Mar 2008, 06:05

oh yes!! cant wait...