Veena Gaayathri

[maduraiveeran]

I think no body has discussed about Smt. E. Gaayathri's veena in this forum . I personally, have mixed opinions about her music. I am amazed at her control over her instrument. Very precise fingering, every note is played cleanly. But at the same time, i feel there is a sort of "hurry" in her presentation.. or lack of nidhanam. . I never have heard her play a pallavi besided adhi thalam sama eduppu.. Please feel free to share ur opinions.

[rshankar]

These paragraphs caught my eye:

[quote="M. V. Ramakrishnan..."]in the context of music, let us take the role model of M.S. Subbulakshmi. Reviewing Veena Gayathri’s recital of some favourite songs of that undisputed queen of Carnatic music at Hamsadhwani last year, I had observed in this column as follows: “There’s no active singer today who can carry the torch of the graceful Carnatic vocal style of M.S. Subbulakshmi forward into the future... So far as live programmes are concerned, therefore, authentic memories of her classical music concerts can be revived only by being echoed sensitively in instrumental recitals...

“In this context, what better classical instrument can be found than the veena? And who can play the veena more gracefully and sensitively today than Gayathri? The accomplished vainika... rendered several familiar classical songs in the same serene spirit which was so characteristic of MS herself.â€

[rshankar]

BTW, Smt. Gayatri is one of my favorite artists!

[karthik76]

maitrIm bhajata by smt. Gayatri is mesmerizing.

[buchibabu]

"Madurai" is understandable,but "veeran"!!!!!!!:D ,anyways,even thodi raagam becomes bodi raagam when every note is sung half a pitch higher !That is the magic of music and none can beat "Veenai Gaayathri" where sruthi,laya and melody are concerned.
If you want everybody to "feel free" in running down Smt.Gaayathri,sorry Mr.Madurai,tough luck there for you!!;)

[maduraiveeran]

hey buchi,
I do appreciate her music.. i indeed mentioned the positives in her music. Btw, madurai veeran was the hero's name in a famous mythical story.. a movie was made out of that starring MGR and bhanumathi.. check it out!

[padma]

Does anyone know if Gayathri has released any DVD's?

[miru]

To my knowledge even T.V.Sankaranarayanan sings only adi tala pallavis,maybe these two artistes don't care much for pallavis.I also think they both are more into exploring ragas to great and exquisite detail.

[aspashtam]

Happy news to all Gayathri fans. She has started blogging on subjects related to music.

URL is :http://egayathri.blogspot.com

[rao]

I simply love her veena and her music,but now I have become an ardent admirer of her creative intelligence,reflected in her blog http://egayathri.blogspot.com/
Great going Gayathri,keep it up!!!!!!

[vallaki]

I too am delighted to find that she is blogging so eloquently!!!
She is definitely a great musician.Her veena is sublime.

[mohini]

Yes,she is fantastic and I am astounded at her knowledge apart from music.Her latest posting against dismantling of veena for travel purpose is absolutely relevant!She has grounds to say that dismantling of veena is wrong!I am happy there is an artiste here to oppose the practise of deforming a vedic and divine instrument like veena.Great Blog!

[srinivasrgvn]

Yes, she is a brilliant artiste/writer. I am amazed and awestruck at her talent! What fine articles she writes! Excellent work, really! Congrats to her. =)

[sreecons]

I am amazed at her control over her instrument. Very precise fingering, every note is played cleanly. But at the same time, i feel there is a sort of "hurry" in her presentation.. or lack of nidhanam. . .

I finally attended a LIVE concert of Smt Gayathri - a dream come true - last night at Vani Mahal! I wish I could relive every moment again and again and again . . . fantastic! It was everything everyone has mentioned about her music and MUCH MUCH MORE!!!

The ragam handling, neraval, swaras the ragamallika taanam - an outburst of her vidwat - absolutely out of the world. I actually found her taking her time in exploring the ragam. I did not find any hurry - but then I am not that experienced and being my first LIVE concert can't possibly comment on that aspect much. . .

A musically satisfying and yet . . . craving for more kinda experience

[rshankar]

Sreecons - after Sri Chittibabu, I think it is Smt. Gayathri who gives the feeling that she is not 'playing' the instrument, but caressing it into making music - you are right, it is a divine experience that you will cherish for a long time, even as you long for another!

[venkatakailasam]

sreecon is missing from You tube now a days.

You can listen to Vishnu Sahasranamam rendered by her in this link:

Vishnu Sahasranamam on Veena by E gayathri
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/folder/fd1oc3t3sblbj

venkatakailasam

[sreecons]

Well noted! I have indeed been busy otherwise and have not been 'youtube' ing much(!) But I do get all the updates regarding your uploads

Thanks for this link. . . . will certainly listen.

[sreecons]

One thing I noticed with Smt Gayathri's veena is the lack of several mics on the instrument. There was the one contact mic fixed to the veena and that was it. Crystal clear and sweet music flowed. I find this fascinating (sorry!) . . . compared to other vainikas who seem to add on numerous mics/gadgets to the instrument so much so that the 'kani' sound of the veena is missing.

[sreecons]

Sreecons - after Sri Chittibabu, I think it is Smt. Gayathri who gives the feeling that she is not 'playing' the instrument, but caressing it into making music - you are right, it is a divine experience that you will cherish for a long time, even as you long for another!

So very very true - on all accounts!

[rajeshnat]

While we have dresses that is part of our era , it is wonderful to see a 1970 photo of vidushi veena gAyathri with a rettai pinnal, black mei , flowers etc.(no attempt to look as a futuristic model)
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp ... 546493.ece.
Looking forward to hear her