Who is the top ranked male artist in the carnatic field toda

coolkapali · Post by **coolkapali** » 24 Nov 2008, 14:54

I know this is a difficult topic as we find quite a few stars out there shining in full glory. But, for the sake of this thread, lets just give our views. I will keep track of the comments and announce who is leading on a regular basis. The answers NEED NOT BE JUSTIFIED. Its an open goal post and anybody can shoot.

This is my choice: Well, after a closed contest between Sanjay and TMK, I will vote for TMK.

Please chose only one artiste to maintain the spirit of this thread.

I hope nobody goes on to give a lecture explaining why this question cannot be answered satisfactorily........This is merely for the fun of it..

Vote no. 1 for TMK.......

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 24 Nov 2008, 15:34

whoelse,Sri T N.Seshagopalan . just like Don Bradman, the greatest batsman of the world .gobilalitha

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 24 Nov 2008, 16:42

I like TMK and TVS.

coolkapali · Post by **coolkapali** » 24 Nov 2008, 17:55

TNS is ofcourse great, but I wouldnt classify him as present generation batsman.......Anyways thanks for your response?

kamalamba · Post by **kamalamba** » 24 Nov 2008, 18:13

Sanjay Subramaniam

mridangamkid · Post by **mridangamkid** » 24 Nov 2008, 19:50

Sanjay Subramanyam -TMK is a close second though

Though if you include TNS my vote would go to him, but I don't think he's considered as one of the young male artists.

Edit: I mis-read, I thought it said of the current "younger" generation, well then my vote goes to TNS.

TNS.... Final Answer

kedharam · Post by **kedharam** » 24 Nov 2008, 20:14

It's a tie

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 24 Nov 2008, 20:20

If the answer is not constrained by age my vote will go for
Manakkal Rangarajan.
In fact I consider him the 'all time best'!
I can easily justify my claim but cool says 'No need to justify' .

same · Post by **same** » 24 Nov 2008, 20:48

No 1 is always Sanjay but i like TMK also.

kadambam · Post by **kadambam** » 24 Nov 2008, 20:56

Unnikrishnan

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 24 Nov 2008, 21:24

Tough one given the wealth of choice available today. I will take younger in the carnatic context to mean less than 50 so TNS is definitely out. I am not sure about NSG either - perhaps on the border? Same for Hyd Bros who are also definitely among my favourites.

It would boil down to the big 3 for most of us - Sanjay, TMK and Vijay Siva...As of now, it is Sanjay for me but there is very little in it besides which, there is still a long race to run and plenty of competition to worry about - Malladis, rapidly carving out a niche, a resurgent Unni and, of course, a whole host of youngsters gunning for the top...

BTW why not extend it to the "older generation" as well? Needless to say, TNS tops my list there.

Among deceased musicians, Voleti Rules...

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 24 Nov 2008, 22:03

Who is top and who is bottom discussion lacks dignity as we all enjoy some or many of the renditions of artists who keep us thrilled and enthralled. Why have competition of Win-Lose? Why not Win-Win, IMHO

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Nov 2008, 22:11

Who is the top cricket player? Who is the top movie actor?
Who was last year's top carntic singer? Who is going to be next year's? I don't know. I lwould like to listen to several of them this season, old and young. I think it all boils down to personal favorites whose names may or may not appear here. The same applies to female singers and pakka vAdyams.
Again, does top mean: in popularity, vidvat, creativity or in their earning power?

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 24 Nov 2008, 22:41

Sanjay over TMK because of recent burst of "Hindusthani" creativity!

Music · Post by **Music** » 24 Nov 2008, 23:28

Sanjay first. TMK second (very close though).

ksrimech · Post by **ksrimech** » 24 Nov 2008, 23:35

Vocalist: Sanjay - Krishna - Vijay Siva (too little difference in greatness for present day)

Violinist: R Shriramkumar

Mridangist: TKM - UKS - PR - VR - KM (all the oldies are still #1!)

Allrounder Category: N Ravikiran (like Kallis and Flintoff

)

suma · Post by **suma** » 24 Nov 2008, 23:39

Neyveli Santhanagopalan First. I think we should only consider a musician old once he/she looses the charm in the voice. Neyveli sir is still great.

Between Sanjay and TMK, although musicwise, I love both, I would cast my vote for Sanjay.

ganesh_mourthy · Post by **ganesh_mourthy** » 25 Nov 2008, 07:09

Hello Arasi,

to you question:
Again, does top mean: in popularity, vidvat, creativity or in their earning power?

I think it is a vote for personal favorite .

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 25 Nov 2008, 07:25

How about favourite female vocalist? This is a toughie because I don't think any of the newer generation of female singers is quite as exciting as Sanjay/TMK. But my vote goes to Gayathri Venkatraghavan.

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 25 Nov 2008, 07:54

Is it possible that Carnatic rasikas cannot think beyond "vocal" music hence and have a tendency to miss the rhinoceros in the living room ?

The title of the thread says "Carnatic artist". That could include not only instrumentalists but even the real artist S Rajam who gave us those immortal paintings of the trinity

.

msakella · Post by **msakella** » 25 Nov 2008, 08:43

Hello, brother-member, ganesh_mourthy, Why do you interfere in-between telling all the un-necessary and useless points when they all are debating with great enthusiasm? Can't you enjoy their quarrel, my dear? amsharma.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Nov 2008, 08:52

Uday,
Spot on. Such questions have entertainment value and no more. Sometimes, they even stir up (fan?) controversies. Coolkapali, who started this thread did say that 'it was for fun'. Hope others keep it that way.
There are top notch artistes in CM, singing, playing and accompanying. When it comes to ranking them, each rasikA has his or her own list but keeps altering it as he or she hears more artistes. Old allegiances and new discoveries alter that personal list every season. This happens when you want to listen to new artiste. To make it even more interesting (after all, having fun was the intent of this thread), many rasikAs 'discovered' Parasala Ponnammal last year!
If you asked me, I intend listening to newcomers and artistes I have for some reason not heard, though have heard good things about them, and of course quite a few concerts of my favorites. Throw in a few of family and friends. Then there is the time frame of one's stay in Chennai which plays a part.
I hope I zero in on the top notch singers of the future too, this season...

cameo · Post by **cameo** » 25 Nov 2008, 09:38

Dr K J. YESUDAS

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 25 Nov 2008, 09:51

Uday - yeah, I did reckon it to mean vocalists although the post did not say so. Perhaps there is a "vocal bias" inherent in all of us. Of course instrumentalists would widen the list considerably and the "rhino" you refer to would be right on top there with RK Shriramkumar trailing close behind...Come to think of it, the post does not necessiarly exclude percussion asrtistes either! But that is a Pandora's Box for another day...

Akellaji, I suppose this discussion might appear silly to a giant like you. But for lesser mortals, chatting about likes and dislikes in music is one of the main attractions of this forum...I do agree that most of us are not qualified to pass judgement on anyone's vidwant. Indeed it is debatable whether anyone is...this is more a listing of personal preferences...

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 25 Nov 2008, 10:01

In Heaven or on Earth

There wil be only one Thanajvur S Kalyanraman

Sorry if my earlier description looked Crude.My apologies.

semmu86 · Post by **semmu86** » 25 Nov 2008, 13:15

surprisingly no mention of OST????????

msakella · Post by **msakella** » 25 Nov 2008, 13:16

Hello! brother-member, Vijay dear, Every artist is great in his own capacity and better not to debate. That is why I wrote like that. More over I was enjoying your quarrel even though I am a giant only in height (5-11) and weight (240 pounds) but dwarf in music. amsharma

coolkapali · Post by **coolkapali** » 25 Nov 2008, 13:33

Some very interesting points made. One point that really impressed me was how Carnatic Vocal seems to dominate the proceedings. Honestly, even though I did not mention it specifically when I started the thread, that is exactly what I had in mind. It slipped my mind totally and I took it for granted that it means vocal music only.

Anyways here are some clarifications:
1. I mean only Carnatic Vocal
2. Lets keep the age limit below 55.
3. Fame , creativity etc etc is not the criteria. Its your personal choice from amongst popular artistes.
4. I stress again that this is purely for the fun in it. I am sure all of us are matured to appreciate personal views.
5. Sanjay seems to be ruling the roost as of now, TMK following closely, I was happy to see Ponnammal mentioned.
6. Lets leave TNS out of this, HE IS BEYOND THIS

hehehe
7. I am tempted to include female artistes but that's for the rest of you to decide.

Cheers,
Kapali is ever cool.

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 25 Nov 2008, 13:38

IMO, another thing Sanjay has going for him is his blog. Not many artistes are so engaging!

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 25 Nov 2008, 14:21

Oh yes, the Malladi bros are also good.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 25 Nov 2008, 14:39

there are no top ranked performers.. only top ranked performances

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 25 Nov 2008, 14:47

Akellaji, then you are a giant in every sense of the word!

Semmu 86, OST is over 60 so it's not suprirsing not to see his name mentioned.

Sanjay is innovative in more ways than one for sure...and his stage presence does not hurt either...but, above all, it is his music - a captivating mix of passion and creativity - that sets him apart from the rest. Like ARI, GNB, BMK and TNS before him, he represents a distinct inflection in the trajectory of the art (my opinion of course)...although whether one not the deviation is positive, is, in each case, a debatable point.

rbsiyer · Post by **rbsiyer** » 25 Nov 2008, 15:07

suma wrote:Neyveli Santhanagopalan First. I think we should only consider a musician old once he/she looses the charm in the voice. Neyveli sir is still great.

i find it distressing listening to him now, a pale shadow of his former ability. in recent tv concerts the voice seemed to handle only quarter of the normal tessitura. his jaya tv tutorial is ecellent and i think he would do better justice to fans and legacy to stick to that format.

admittedly i am biased towards good voices and instrument.
still, OST owuld get my vote with his built-in tanpura, he can give younger chaps run for the money

msakella · Post by **msakella** » 25 Nov 2008, 16:07

Hello! Brother-member, Vijay dear, While the music-performer strives hard only for his self development the music-teacher strives hard to train and nurture the aspirants in making them sing or play just like him and everybody must agree that an efficient, dedicated, loyal, impartial and sincere music-teacher is needed to the society more than a performer. So, I can really feel as a giant if I can mould many of our music-aspirants into successful teachers more than performers. Of course, I always strive hard until my last breath to attain this. amsharma

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 25 Nov 2008, 16:08

I am not sure I see NSG as a "has been". His voice can act up but with that brilliant musical mind, the voice is just a medium for ideas. I would prefer his pale shadow over the luminosity of the best voices....

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Nov 2008, 17:36

Well said, Vijay!
Parts of vidyaarthi's concerts can transport you to a land of vishrAnti. His imaginative journey into that land can be exciting as well.

kedharam · Post by **kedharam** » 25 Nov 2008, 17:40

How about splitting into 3 categories?

kadambam · Post by **kadambam** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:40

Here's an imaginative conversation between Nagesh and Sivaji as in Tiruvilayadal (the famous q&a session in the temple) in the context of CM.. any omissions, not intentional

Kutcherikku - Ariyakkudi
Alapanakku - Semmangudi
Vruttathukku - MVI
Brigakku - GNB
Kalapanaswarathkku - MMI
Bhavathukku - Musiri
Bhakthikku - MSS
Puritykku - DKP
Vidwathkku - MLV
Padhathukku - Brinda
Javalikku - Muktha
Chowkathkku - MDR
Neravalkku - KVN
Tukkadkku - Santhanam
Ucharippukku - Nedunuri
Thanathukku - Sanjay
Pallavikku - Alathur brothers
Shaareerathuku - Chembai
Flutekku - Mali
Nadhaswarathukku - TNR
Vennaikku - Balachander
Allround Skillskku - Balamurali
Improvisationikku - TNS
Violin Solokku - Lalgudi
Bowing techniqukku - MSG
Bowing melodykku - TNK
Violin Accompanimentkku - M Chandrasekharan
Mrudangathukku - Palghat Mani
Nadaikku - Pazhani
Naadhathukku - UKS
Sarva lagukku - Vellore
Thoppikku - Sankaran
Vegathukku - KRM
Kanakkukku - Raghu
Ghatathkku - Vinayakaram
Kanjirakku - Harishankar
Prodigykku - Ravikiran
Masseskku - Kunnakudi
Mandolinkku - Srinivas
Energyikku - TMK
Synergykku - Ranjani Gayatri
Audiencekku - Sudha
Ambiencekku - Jayashree
Abangukku - Aruna Sairam
Padantharathukku - Vijay Siva
Controversyikku - Sangita Kalanidhi
Canteenikku - Academy
Kutcherykekardhukku - Sastri Hall
CM communitykku - Rasikas.org

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:44

Well done.

maithree · Post by **maithree** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:53

Wow Kadambam ji ! Excellent piece. I was rolling in laughter when I read your reply. Thanks for the excellent dash of humor

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:55

Impressive!
Though I may not agree with all I enjoyed the
Finish with a Flourish

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Nov 2008, 21:55

kadambam,
Good medley(kadambam!)

Still, a top artiste may have several more of topnotch qualities. For instance, MLV is also tops in imagination. MSS not in bhakti alone but in bhAvam too...

kadambam · Post by **kadambam** » 25 Nov 2008, 22:03

Amen Arasiji,

IMO, there is no single Top rank that is a composite of musical qualities. There are some core qualities and all the musicians & some even not mentioned, exhibited excellence in those core areas and still managed to show their individuality in some specific areas.. (which are subjective)

Bottomline: We are blessed to be able to enjoy and appreciate this great art form called Carnatic Music. Irrespective of whether one is Top or not, let us just sit back and enjoy the good music.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 25 Nov 2008, 22:33

All time greats are madurai mani and semmangudi , I wish I had lived in that era.

For today settle with Suryaprakash(for his sarvalaghu manodharma swaras) and Vijayashiva(for his allround minimal entropy in concert).

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 25 Nov 2008, 22:50

Just as in kadambam, many fragrant and colorful flowers are strung together in a strand in the posts above . Let us enjoy the blooms, old world and new, and consider ourselves fortunate to be rasikAs who can roam the flower garden of CM...

mridangamkid · Post by **mridangamkid** » 26 Nov 2008, 01:39

Well if TNS isn't part of it

Then of course Sanjay, not only is his singing the best imo, but also his personality. He is one of the nicest, funniest, and most down-to-earth musician I have ever met. TMK is a close second in both categories also (singing wise and personality wise). The thing that pushed Sanjay sir to the top is his choice of songs and how appropriate it is.

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 26 Nov 2008, 08:02

kadambam, who is for roudhram? getting angry for the slightest provocation from the audience, juat like opening their mouths when the singer begins a known song or discussing raagas and the worst of all, discussing about a serial in tv .gobilalitha

sangeethamquest · Post by **sangeethamquest** » 26 Nov 2008, 10:50

Although I agree that it is a personal opinion, else music would be sterotyped. I cannot but agree with Bilhari with regard to one of the best female vocalists we currently have, Gayathri Venkatraghavan. I am yet to see musicians lose themselves FREQUENTLY in their music she is one who comes close.

Regarding males singers I feel there are four important categories by which you can categorise and select 1.Shruthi suddam 2. Voice (tonal quality) 3. Unlimited creativity 4. Ability to lose oneself in the music. (you can add a few more like Bhavam etc)

I have not found anyone in the MMI, SKR, MDR, KVN mould in the present day generation though a few artists do offer a few of the 4 in some concerts. TNS has all 4 on some occasions (if and when his shruthi matches). But his unlimited creativity and his voice range and his ability to help others lose themselves, gets him to be very close.

Having said this......I would also like to add that the times of the older generation was different. The expectations now are different the pressures are immense. I would not be doing justice if I compared the older generation with the present day musicians.

vpadmana · Post by **vpadmana** » 03 Feb 2009, 23:59

Ranjani-Gayatri are my favorite amongst today's stars.

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 04 Feb 2009, 01:35

1. Sanjay first (variety and good voice).
2. Vijay Siva comes second (less variety compared to Sanjay but great sokyam).
3. TMK (nowadays that sowkyam is missing. I donot mean slow rendering here)...

Just my feeling . No controversy. This is only todays stand. If someone can sing a good purvikalyani like MMI's ina AIR recording or a great bairavi like SSI or a good sankarabaranam...there could be slight changes.