Reminiscences of Sri S.NAGESWARAN

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Reminiscences of Sri S.NAGESWARAN.

Dear Rasikas,

I am A Retired Gusseted officer of the Telecom Department

I have registered as a member in the Rasikas.Org recently. I have been listening to all forms of music (Carnatic, Hindustani, Western classicals and the popular English music, Film songs of all languages, Ghazals, Devotional music etc) for more than 5 decades.

Because of this exposure to various genres of music coupled with meeting of likeminded people and enjoying the concerts in their company, I was able to assimilate lot of interesting information’s over a period of time.

The Rasikas Org forum has given me an opportunity to share my thoughts freely with the Rasikas in the Forum.
And I understand that the Rasikas are also enjoying the various posts of mine.

I have lot more information’s which cannot be classified in to any particular topic.apart from the already classified topics in the forum.

Hence I am opening a new topic "Reminisces of Sri S.NAGESWARAN"

[srkris]

Yes sir, please share. The more the merrier.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Rasikas,

Generally we have a strong belief that if a Child in the womb of a pregnant lady listening to bhakthi and puranic stories and listen to good music, the child born will acquire the skills of whatever the child had listened to while it was in the womb of the mother (Like Abhimanyu becoming a master in archery and strategies in the warfare (Setting up vyugams in warfare etc) after listening to the story of his father Arjuna’s skills while Abhimanyu was in the womb of her mother Subadhra.

I had general belief in the above thoughts (Elders often telling the pregnant woman in the family to listened to the story of Ahimanyu and ask the pregnant woman to listen to the Bhakthi and Puranic stories and listen to good music so that they will get "SATHPURUSH"

[cmlover]

It is now well established that a child's brain in utero is receptive to ideas and skills especially musical and linguistic. Some Japanese studies have revealed the marvellous potential of the growing brain which confirms our puranic 'abhimanyu experiment'. It is interesting to read about your experience with Chintu. She appears remarkably alert and aware of her environment. Coupled with an appreciating and talented parent she should be making huge progress. Now that she is about ten tell us about her current stage of evolution. This experiment would be of scientific interest and also quite informative to our membership who may wish to promote CM among their budding offsprings...

[S.NAGESWARAN]

cmlover sir,

You were one of the Rasikas who attended the concert of Sri shrirangachari arranged by the Forum organisation at my house last year.

Thank you for your valuable comments about many myths and Puranic Ithihasams and their relevance today.

The personal experience with my Grand daughter's GOD BLESSED talent in absorbing the music with a photographic memory had prompted me to post the above letter.

I was having in mind to upload my Grand daughter' singing from her early days (recorded from time to time) in a progressive sequence.

Now that you wanted to listen to my Grand daughter’s latest singing, I am giving the download link to download and enjoy the music.

Kindly give your feedback opinion after listening to the songs. The songs were recorded on 15.01.2009.

DOWNLOAD LINK.

AUDIO VOL 3 OF 3 http://www.esnips.com/web/VOL-3-OF-3-Further-songs

S.NAGESWARAN.
.

[cmlover]

Dear Nageswaran
I distinctly remember your hospitality and the wonderful eve of divine music.
You are a dedicated family of CM and no wonder the gene effect is there.
Chintu currently is like a wild rose-bush which has to be pruned and sculpted into a lovely artistic bouquet of roses. Of course she may be having the expert training under a capable vidvaan and she will mature into a fine CM performer of repute. Her voice has beautiful range but she has to develop the controls and finesse which comes through expert guidance. Just give her time!

Thanks for sharing the experience at this Forum.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Thank you cm lover sir for your observations about Chintu's singing.

Now Srinidhi is undergoing normal training in carnatic music from an expert music teacher (Mother of Sri Vijay Siva).

Link for One more upload of Srinidhi's songs (recorded on 15.01.2008) is given below.

http://www.esnips.com/web/VOL-3-OF-3-Further-songs

S.NAGESWARAN.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Sorry cmlover, By mistake I have given the same Link.

Please try the Link below.

http://www.esnips.com/web/VOL-2-OF-3-Further-songs.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[cmlover]

Your link is a repeat of the previous one...

[cmlover]

Got the right link now!
She is currently at 7 kaTTai shruti. Her voice has to settle down and stabilized before she can sustain and sing. She goes out of breath easily which is just natural. She apparently has a good sense of the ragas. You are doing the right thing getting her trained under an expert teacher. Wait for a couple of years. She will turn out to be a great CM singer beating your expectations. Good Luck!

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Rasikas,

Here is a small quiz.

There is a Link between One Day Cricket match and playing music.

One aspect in the One day match and one aspect in the music should be interchanged for the best results in each of them.

What is it and your explanation for the necessacity to change.

Post me your replies.

S.NAGESWARAN

[S.NAGESWARAN]

REMINISENCES OF Sri.S.NAGESWARAN Post No 2. Dated 09.04.2009

Now I am 70 years young, My mother got married at the age of 13.The incidences that I am going to narrate is when my mother was 6 years old. (That is 70+13+7=90 years back)

My mother was living with her parents at Kumbakonam. During the summer holidays she used to come and stay with her married elder sister (My Periamma) at Madras (Chennai now). My Periappa is Sri Mandai Krishna Iyer. He was running a Hotel (Iyer Hotel) in South Mada Street at Mylapore.

My Perippa Mandai Krishna Iyer is a great Rasika of Carnatic music. Hence he had allowed all the musicians of that Era to have free meals and or Tiffin with sweets free of cost at the hotel.

.During every Eakadasi day there will be a Bhajan session in the evening at my Periappa’s home. All musicians of that period (Ariakudi, Semmengudi, GNB, Papanasam Sivan, MMI etc) will be participating actively and in between the Bhajan singing, the musicians will sing 3 or 4 krithis, and in the end they will be served with a good dinner. (At that time Sabhas were few and the young musicians of that period will take a chance to sing in places like Bhajans organized by wealthy people and free concerts in Temple festivals)..

At that time My Periappa was staying in the left hand side corner house in VSV kovil Street. After 2 or 3 years later he has shifted his residence to Nadu Street at Mylapore adjacent to the house of Veena S.Balachandar. My mother used to say that she used to listen to many types of instruments being played by Sri S.Balachander.Sri Balachandar was a boy at that period.

The above information’s were told by my mother (She is no more with me. Expired 3 years before.)

I am happy to share these information’s with the Rasikas.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[cmlover]

Interesting..
Continue with your anecdotes...

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Reminiscences of S.NAGESWARAN. Post No.3 Dated 14.04.2009.

These thoughts are also 90 years old (refer post No.2). During her childhood days my mother was staying in Kumbakonam along with their parents and 6 sisters). My grand father’s name is T.M.Panchapakesa Iyer.

AMMALU AMMAL

At Kumbakonam one lady by name AMMALU AMMAL was living. She comes from the Madhva sect.
She lost her husband at an early age. From that day onwards she has stopped taking food and she used take only a small quantity of milk and that too out of persistent requests from the family members. (Sri Prapancham Seetharam, Prapancham Raveendran and Prapancham Balachandren were close relatives of Ammalu Ammal).

Having born in the Madhva community, she is a deep devotee of Panduranga.There used to be daily bhajans in her house. During the bhajan singing she will suddenly become Entranced and Ammalu Ammal will compose lot of songs on Panduranga and Krishna in different ragas.

Some of the devotees will write down the newly composed songs. Once the bhajan session is over, Ammalu Ammal will not remember what songs were composed by her on that day. The next day when the bhajan session starts the devotees will remind Ammalu Ammal about the songs that have come out from her during the entranced mood the previous day and sing the new songs.Then Ammalu Ammal will sing the songs with new embalishments. As per the Madhva traditions she will prepare 21 varieties of sweets (very small quantity) for offerings to Panduranga as neivedyam.

My grand father became a devotee of Ammalu Ammal and used to attend the bhajans along with his children.
(My grand father had named one of his daughter as Ammalu)

After returning home from the bhajan, he will compel the children to sing the new songs 5 or 6 times on the same night and the children should sing the songs in the bhajan the next day.
If the children try to avoid singing the songs saying that they don’t know the ragas in which the songs have been composed, he will not leave the children and would tell the children to tell the songs as verses if they are not able to sing the songs in the same raga.

The name of Ammalu Ammal started to spread slowly in Tamil Nadu and adjacent states also.
Sri Maha Periava also came to know about Ammalu Ammal and her spontaneous composing of songs on Panduranga and Krishna. Then Maha Periava sent word to Ammalu Ammal through a messenger his wish to see her.

Ammalu Ammal came to Kancheepuram and had a dharshan of the Maha Periava. On the request of the Maha Periava, Ammalu Ammal sang many songs in praise of Lord Panduranga and Krishna. Periava was very much moved by the songs and due honors were done to Ammalu Ammal by the Maha Periava himself. At the request of the Maha Periava, Ammalu Ammal used to visit the Maha Periava as and when requests come from the Maha Periava.

Once Ammalu Ammal decided to go to Pandaripuram by padayatra. Many of her devotees including my grand father joined the Pada yathra to Pandaripuram singing the Panduranga bhajans enroute.People enroute also will join in the bhajan group singing the songs.Great hospitality were shown to the devotees and all comforts were offered for food and night halts throughout their Padayathra upto Pandaripuram.

Enroute, the Padayathra was crossing the area belonging to the Raja of Pithapuram. People in the villages conveyed the information of the padayathra of Ammalu Ammal to the Maharaja. The Maharaja came out of the palace along with his ministers to receive Ammalu Ammal with poorna kumbam.

Maharaja arranged all facilities for the comfortable stay of Ammalu Ammal and her devotees. The Maharaja made a request to Ammalu Ammal to stay in his palace at least for a week and do pooja and bhajans every day.

After a week’s stay when Ammalu Ammal expressed her wishes to continue their padayathra to Pandaripuram.
The Maharaja offered lot of presents and gave a very good harmonium for the use of the bhajan party.

At Pandapuram, the temple authorities already having known the Bhakthi of Ammalu Ammal and her capability of her getting new compositions spontaneously, received Ammalu Ammal with poorna kumbam and arranged for the special bhajans by her and her devotees. Many new compositions came from her in the presence of Lord Panduranga.

Even though hailing from a poor family, the conduct of the bhajans and subsequent distribution of prasadams etc were looked after by the local philanthropists.

Some times when Ammalu Ammal goes to sleep, Lord Panduranga will appear and order to arrange special type of pooja (I would like to have a tank with Neerazhi Mandapam and you should bathe me in the tank at the earliest). Simultaneously Panduranga will appear in the dream of a sincere rich devotee and tell him to erect a small tank in the house of Ammalu Ammal for taking bath in the hands of Ammalu Ammal. Then the rich devotee will visit Ammalu Ammal and mention the order of Panduranga. Ammalu Ammal will inform the leelai of Panduranga and happily tell the devotee as to how she was worried to complete the wishes of Panduranga with out any money. Ammalu Ammal would tell the devotee that the lord himself had taken the responsibility to inform you to do the job.

Here I have to tell you the entire incidence mentioned above happened about 5 years ago when myself and my Nagpur aunty visited Ammalu Ammal at Kumbakonam. Ammalu Ammal must have been around 90 + of age.

I must only say that I am really fortunate in seeing a true devotee of Panduranga(Like Meerabai in devotion to the LORD).We spoke to the rich devotee who had come down to Ammalu Ammal’s home also for constructing the tank in Ammalu Ammal’s home.

During the course of these 90 years about 10 volumes of about 1000 songs in each volume that has come through her with the grace of Lord Panduranga is available in paper manuscript form in her house. Many ardent devotees have come forward to publish it in book form from time to time.

But Ammalu Ammal is yet to give the permission to publish the songs in book form.

Ammalu Ammal says that for every thing Panduranga wants, He comes into my dream and gives an order to me.

When such is the case the Lord Himself should come and tell me so that I can obey His orders and get the compositions to be published in book form.

Will the Lord Panduranga give the order to publish the books within the life time of Ammalu Ammal?

Dear Rasikas, I must really thank you all who have made me to write these unforgettable moments of my life in
My reminiscences.

To be continued.

S.NAGESWARAN.





.

[arasi]

Nageswaran,
What an amazing woman! I had not heard about her until you unfolded the story. I have met ANDavan picci a few times. Another extraordinary woman like Ammalu Ammal. Though their lives were not similar, they both walked the path of bhakti. Funny, I was thinking of ANDavan picci just this moment aftre reading Rajesh's review on Shruti's RasikAs concert wherein he mentions the harmonium player who plays AnDAvan PIcci's bhajanais. Now your account of Alamelu Ammal!
Is she still active? Does she live in the same place?
Thank you for such inspiring stories...

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Thank you arasi madam,

I will confirm the current position after making some enquiries.

Kindly visit the following sites and your opinions.

1 Under the topic Vdwan & Vidhushis, sub topic-V.S.Narasimhan-Violinist.

2. under general discussions-Autobiography of an unknown Rasika.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[gobilalitha]

Thanks Sri. Nageswaran. Your posts are very informative, educative, The moderators are to be congratulated to allot a special thread for your reminiscences. But for your contribution the story of Ammalu Ammal would hve gone unnoticed, gobilalitha

[rajeshnat]

There is a photograph of Ammalu Ammal in the url(scroll a bit below)
http://prapanchamsbalachandran.com/famils.html.

nAgeswaran ,
Nice one sir.She is 100 already in the above url.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

gopilalithaji,

Thank you for your post. I have to thank my stars and the moderators for allowing me to put in my random thoughts in this forum where in a wide range of Rasikas were able to go through my posts and expressing their mind freely and encouraging me to put in my reminiscences freely.

S.NAGESWARAN

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Rajeshnatji,

Very nice of you to the search you have done and bringing out the URL relating to Ammalu Ammal.

My mother and my aunties were very close to Ammalu Ammal (Girls of the same age group then) and also fans of Ammalu Ammal. My mother and my aunties frequently used to sing the inspired songs of Ammalu Ammal at home when all the sisters meet long after their marriage.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[gobilalitha]

T hanks Rajeshnat.Saw the snap of poojya smt Ammalu Ammal.what a divine face! KOT (D)I NAMASKARAMS . gobilalitha

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Chapter 04 Reminiscences of S.NAGESWARAN. Dated 22.04.2009

Music Rasikas who wished to collect various genres of music from say 1990 0nwards are fortunate. The internet boom with lot of web sites offering free / paid music down loads have made the Rasikas getting them the required music without any difficulty. Also the present day music lovers have no reservations to share their music collections with other music lovers.

For the old timers like me it is the proverbial term of beg, barrow or steal case for getting a copy of the required music from a few rich people associated with the sabha organizers who had exclusive access to the concert recordings.

However, the poor middle class music Rasikas like me had a unique way of getting access to these recorded music .It is their qualification of a true music Rasika. To explain the above point, the elite class of people who have received a new concert copy cannot keep quite and they would like to tom tom about the rare music collections. This they cannot do it to other elite class men possessing their own collections.

These elite men have a distant liking of a few true music Rasikas from the lower strata men. Many a time they will invite the poor Rasika to their home and play the recently acquired music which will normally will be excellent. After a few meetings, the poor Rasika will slowly try to get the copy of some excellent concert. If we ask for a concert copy of an artist, the elite gentleman may oblige provided we don’t ask for the copy of the concert which the elite gentleman considers that he only should own all the concerts of his favorite artist.

I was fortunate in collecting some very good music from the following gentlemen from 1960.

Late Dr.Jagadeesan, Sri G.B.Doraiswami, Auto parts Natarajan etc.

From (late) Sri Dr.Jagadeesan , I was able to collect a very good concert of EMANI-MSG concert held in Mysore, Yesudas-MSG concert held at Indian Fine Arts Chennai, very good western music of Piano-Violin concert (The copy was personally given to Dr.Jagadeesan by Sri Yesudas) and many more concerts in spool tapes.

From (late) Sri G.B.Doraiswamy(son of GNB)-Two concerts of Sri MSG held in Calicut, two concerts of Voleti and many more.
Here I have to mention that Sri Doraiswami had a very huge collection of music of all genres.
He had a vast network of highly positioned music lovers all over India and abroad. He used to get the live concert copies from all over the world.

As mentioned in one of my thread (Mutual appreciation between the main artist and his accompanists), The unforgettable concert of Sri Omkanath Thakur with MSG at Music Academy 1965 was given by (late) Sri Auto parts Natarajan.

The collection of many other concerts of mine had interesting backgrounds.

In those days I used to frequently visit many musicians and have general talks with them.
Once I visited Sri Flute Ramani and was talking to him. He then informed me that he is leaving to New Delhi that day for the AIR National programme and one or two concerts in Delhi. When I asked him as to where he usually stays in Delhi. He replied that he used to stay in Sri
Natarajan’s house (His ardent fan) whenever he visits Delhi. At Sri Natarajan’s house he spends time to listen to other artist’s music. Sri Ramani mentioned that he used to listen to Sri MSG’s Mohanam (In Hindustani style -Raag Bhoop) very frequently which was recently relayed from AIR New Delhi and which Sri Natarajan had recorded.

When I told that I would like to have the copy of MSG’s mohanam, Sri Ramani informed me that Sri Natarajan is a nice gentleman and he will oblige to give a copy of the concert if I write to him. Then I wrote to Sri Natarajan. Sri Natarajan replied me and asked me to send an empty spool tape so that he can copy the MSG’s Bhoop.
Finally I got the MSG recording. In those days Sri H.K.Narasimhamurthy was studying under Sri MSG under central Govt. scholarship. Every Sunday he used to come to my house to listen the music collections from my spool tape recorder (and other friends also).

When Sri MSG’s Bhoop was played, Sri Narasimhamurthy told that he also went to Delhi along with Sri MSG. He went to the AIR Delhi along with MSG on that day. When Sri MSG came out of the studio after the recording, all the staff artists of the Delhi AIR on duty came and prostrated before MSG for his excellent Bhoop.

One day when I was speaking to Sri MSG, I just enquired Sri MSG as to which was the best concert he had played during the past six months. Sri MSG informed me that the Nattaikurunji RTP played at a concert at Calcutta came out very good. When I have enquired whether anybody at Calcutta recorded his concert, he informed me that the brother of Sri Yagnaraman (KGS) had recorded the concert. I got the permission to get the copy of the concert
from Sri MSG.

Then I met Yagnaraman and obtained his brother’s address. I wrote a letter to him and ultimately got the copy of Sri MSG’s concert at Calcutta.

I have to write about Sri Coolkarniji which will be in the next chapter.

To be continued.

S.NAGESWARAN.
.












.

[VK RAMAN]

Our rasikas forum members are generous to part with their knowledge and possession of music skills to others. It may not be still true with some professional musicians who will not share their knowledge and skills with others for fear of losing their security in the profession and I have experience with some of them. I like to hear from some of the professional artists who are afraid of sharing their knowledge and experience

[prapanchamravindran]

Dear Mr Nageswaran
wonderful and very interesting informations about my grandma ammalu amma. As a grandson i am really delighted after seeing the information. I will write more informations about her shortly.
Anyway thank you very much for posting such a divine person's biography.
Regards,
Prapancham Ravindran.
Mridanga Vidwan.
Chennai.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Sri Prapancham Ravindran,

I am really thankful to you on two counts.

Because of your web information, one of our Rasikas was able to visit your website and picked out your family details and see the photo of Pujya Sri AMMALU Ammal.

Being the grand son of Ammalu Ammal, you should be able to give us more details about Ammalu Ammal.

Please do the needful.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[cmlover]

I second enthusiastically!
Also share lyrics/audio (non-commercial) of the respected Lady with us.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Thank you Sri cmlover,

You always prove that you are one up when you hit the target like Arjuna.

I didn’t have the presence of mind to ask Mr. RAVINDRAN to bring out a few lyrics and any Audio of her singing or by her devotees some of the immortal songs composed by Pujya Sri Ammalu Ammal which have never been published till to date.

Unfortunately my mother who was a close friend of Ammalu Ammal right from the child hood is no more. If she were with me now, I would have made my mother to sing a few songs of Ammalu Ammal and upload it for the benefit of the Rasikas of the forum.

I will make a request to her grand son Sri Prapancham Ravindran to do the needful.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Chapter 05.Dated 02.05.2009. Reminiscences of Sri S.NAGESWARAN

Dear Rasikas,

This chapter is the continuation of Chapter 04, where in the difficulties of obtaining copies of concerts experienced in the earlier days was written. In this post I am narrating one such experiences in getting a copy of Sri Madurai G.S.Mani’s concert.

When Madurai Sri G.S.Mani used to live Tiruppur, some of the close friends requested Sri Mani to give a performance about Carnatic music in films. Sri Mani gave a performance of 3 hours duration [Each] for 3 days for his friends in Tiruppur - this concert was not recorded.

Sri Patabhiraman, Editor of the Sruthi magazine came to know about the performance of Sri Mani through a friend. Since it was a novel performance, Sri Pattabhiraman made a request to Sri Mani to give a performance in Madras.

"Carnatic music in Film songs concert"

[Nick H]

Thank you for your continuing story

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Thank you nick,

Please give your opinion after listening to the lec-dem.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[VK RAMAN]

Thank you Nageswaran.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Thank Sri VK RAMAN,

I am expecting a detailed post from you after listening to the lec-dem of Sri G.S.Mani.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

"KA KAROON SAJINI"

[Sam Swaminathan]

Nageswaran Sir....I am unable to download the concert of Sri GS Mani and I get the following message from Rapidshare. Grateful if you can set this right....thanks and regards....sam

This file is neither allocated to a Premium Account, or a Collector's Account, and can therefore only be downloaded 10 times.

This limit is reached.

To download this file, the uploader either needs to transfer this file into his/her Collector's Account, or upload the file again. The file can later be moved to a Collector's Account. The uploader just needs to click the delete link of the file to get further information.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Sri Sam Swaminathan,

The current download link is given below.

http://rapidshare.com/files/231906910/T ... .mpga.html
[12.05.09]

S.NAGESWARAN.

[gobilalitha]

Andoloka is a difficult, rare raaga,containing few kritis, I feel it resembles gorak kalyan to some extent. AWESOME ON THE PART OF BGAK to learn it in a few minutesand attempting it at a performance ,SPEAKS VOLMES ABOUT HIS PROWESS. A;LL CREDITS TO G S MANI ...Gobilalitha

[prapanchamravindran]

KUMBAKONAM MATHUSRI SRI AMMALU AMMAL

DIVINITY IN HUMAN FORM





I am indeed fortunate to write a few lines about my Grand Mother Sri.Ammalu Ammal who is the Personification of Spiritual Bliss and Mystic Divinity.



Right from my childhood days (when I was barely 5 years old), I used to go from Thanjavur, to visit the yearly Grand Celebrations of Narasimha Jayanthi conducted by my Grandma at Kumbakonam. Oh! What an experience that was!!! Ammalu Ammal gets into a Trance of Spiritual Bliss during Pooja time and Immortal songs used to spring up out of her mouth, which was instantly noted down by her devotees. Only after the song is out, we shall come to know about what Deity and Sthala the song is all about. Ammalu Ammal herself would be informed this only after she is out of that Spiritual Vibration.



One more Wonder! Now She is 102 years Old and very active. We are all awe-struck that she is surviving only on fruits and buttermilk for the last 90 years. This only proves and reiterates the Divine Spiritual Grace that is still sustaining this world. The Ten Day festival concludes with the Panduranga Deity in a chariot around the four Maada Veedhis. This festival usually occurs in the month of May. I feel very happy and blessed to be writing this when the festival is going on at present now.



I would like to narrate one incident that happened long ago when I was very young. Ammalu Ammal had once come home. I used to be very mischievous and naughty and also get beaten for my pranks. Paaty was so fond of me that she was unable to see me getting beaten. I also used to play beats on a plastic Dubba. Once when was playing like this, suddenly Ammalu Ammal got into divine vibrations and started to sing. In that song a line such as ‘Dusta Jeevake’ came as describing that how gifted he is even he is naughty and so on. Later when I became an Mridhangam Vidwan and performed all over the world, I used to think of this incident.



Ammalu Ammal’s songs are mainly on Lord Krishna’s Leela. In some songs, we will find references to Ancient Temples in India. Recently there was a song, which referred to an unknown place called Amarendrapuram near Kumbakonam and about a Varadarajaswamy temple, and that there was a Saint named Ramachandra Theerthar who lived there. News spread about this and came to the purview of the Archeological Society of India, which has unearthed the temple and were in wonder that they found the Varadarajaswamy temple and now Poojas are offered for all the three times.



Ammalu Ammal’s Mother’s name was Venamma (My Great Grand Mother). She was a Great Spiritual Personality. The Divine, Wonderful and Blessed Picture of Sri Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal that was worshipped by her is in my home now and is still being worshipped by many devotees with absolute faith and dedication.



We used to hear stories that my Great Grand mother called ‘Srinivasa’ and answer came from the picture as ‘HMMM’. She used to get fruits and Prasad directly form the picture. Many Miracles have taken place worshipping this Srinivasa Perumal. Obstacles have been easily removed, Lost objects found, Lives saved, Property settled, Marriages fixed, Jobs confirmed so on and so on.



My dear brother and Artiste friend ‘Ghatam’ Karthick got his lost Golden ring back, by praying to this Srinivasa Perumal. He has been blessed with very special good things in his life by his absolute faith on this Perumal. Similarly, My dear wife Smt. Shanthi Ravindran who does not know any Sanskrit wrote a couplet in Sanskrit when this Divine Perumal’s Grace encircled her. I feel very fortunate to share some of these thoughts to all of you about my Ammalu Ammal and about the Divine Perumal Picture.



Those who wish to have a Darshan of this picture are welcome and can contact me anytime at 24790223.


Thanks and Regards
Prapancham Ravindran

[cmlover]

Do post the picture of Sri Kalyana Srinivasa Perumal here at the Forum.
Perhaps good thngs will happen to our Rasikas too through His grace!

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Sri Prapancham Ravindran,

Thank you for your detailed report about Pujyasri Ammalu Ammal.

Random thoughts about my mother's childhood days as narrated by my mother only prompted me to write about Ammalu Ammal.

Now every Rasika in the forum is eager to know more about your grandma.

Is it possible to scan the Srinivasaperumal’s photo available in your home. Please try to scan and post it in the forum for the Rasikas’ benefit.

As promised by you, if you and your mother can come to my house, I can record the songs of Ammalu Ammal as sung by your mother and this can be posted in the forum.

Please do the needful.

S.NAGESWARAN.

[cmlover]

Excellent!

[PUNARVASU]

A truly great soul-Ammalu ammal; thanks for telling us about her.
Will be happy to have a darshan of the Sri Kalyana SrinivAsa perumal.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

T.A.Gopalakrishnan

Sri T.A.Gopalakrishnan is the grandfather of my daughter in-law. He is now 92 years old and son of a diamonds merchant. His father was a partner in Gokuldas diamond merchant with a branch at Kumbakonam.

Sri Gopalakrishnan was a resident of Trichy in a street opposite to the theppakulam during 1930 period. Sri Rathnalam Iyer, a philantrophist was living in the opposite house.

During those days [1930s], all musicians from Madras will be staying at Rathnajalam’s house for a week to 10 days whenever they [musicians] have concerts in and around Trichy. The musicians will make trips from Trichy to other towns like Kumbakonam, Mayavaram etc for concerts and then return to Madras after completing their concert tours. Sri Gopalakrishnan, being a Rasika of music will invite all the musicians to his house and give all comforts and hospitality. The musicians will stay in Rathnajalam’s house and Gopalakrishnan’s house depending on the comforts offered.
Alathur Bros, Viswanatha Iyer, Semmengudi, Madurai Mani Iyer, Ariyakudi, T.N.Rajarathnam Pillai, Palani Subbudu, Palghat Mani Iyer, Lalgudi Jayaraman,------- you name any artist of yester year, they have enjoyed the hospitalitiy of Sri Gopalakrishnan at Trichy in those days.

Of all the artists mentioned above, Sri Viswanatha Iyer was more at home in Gopalakrishnan’s house. He will enjoy a handful of butter everyday to keep his throat cool, take a good oil bath
[soaking for an hour] and take a hot water bath and take a "Pathiya sappadu". When you ask Gopalakrishnan of his choice of best musician Gopalakrishnan’s choice will be Viswanatha Iyer and inform that Viswanatha Iyer’s music is original and innovative and each concert will be excellent. Even though he sings Kalyani as the main ragam today and again the next day, it will be quite different one than the previous day Kalyani.[ My father used to say that when Viswanatha Iyer performed concert in Madras in 7 Sabhas, same kalyani was taken as the main ragam, each one was different].

When in good mood, Viswanatha Iyer will wear a saree, sing and dance wonderfully for various padams.

Later on when Sri Gopalakrishnan got married to a girl from the same village of Semmengudi’s wife, they have become close friends. Even though Gopalakrishnan liked Semmengudi’s music also [ he is a fan of all musicians], he is to mention that if you listen to 5 or 6 of Semmengudi’s concerts, we can predict his concert pattern; But Viswanatha Iyer’s each one will be different.

In one of the concert at Trichy, the advertisement came out like this "concert of Mum manigalum manikkamum"

[cacm]

Dear S.N,
Great accounts! ESP. the details about MVI. He was so impulsive- as a young boy I always just listened & observed.....I will be very interested if you have heard any MMI concerts at Mani Mandapam & if so your account. Chitti Sundararajan is the only person I have heard accounts of those concerts & his accounts were mesmerizing to say the least...I have heard but did not have the exprtise! VKV

[cmlover]

Nice reminiscences. The stories of MVI are hilarious and educational. He had Mohanam for his own and had bequeathed it to Santhanam. Kalyani he kept for himself
Try to tap the memories of the 92 year old Gopalakrishnan for whatever CM gems that are still left though we are least concerned about any of the famous Gokuldas diamonds. Also await the anecdotes of the 5day marriage-music bonanza of yore!

[arasi]

Yes, we are waiting for the anecdote. A five day wedding? Four days used to be the norm.
A propos, what's the news about Nasikabhushani, the villi of Srinivasaraghavan's creation? She is missed too, along with all the other characters from his sangIta soap opera...

[S.NAGESWARAN]

T.A.Gopalakrishnan

Before I proceed on to report about the 5 day marriage festival of Sri Gopalakrishnan, 2 more incidents are to be mentioned.
Sri Gopalakrishnan age is 86 and not 92.
1. At his young age he was very good at riding the rekla cart with high speed. Once Sri Semmengudi wanted to have a dharshan of Sri Ranganatha Swamy at Srirangam. Sri Gopalakrishnan and Semmengudi traveled by the rekla cart from Trichy to Srirangam.
After crossing the town limits of Trichy, Sri Gopalakrishnan drove the rekla cart at a breakneck speed and Semmengudi was shell shocked. Any amount of pleading from Semmengudi fell on the deaf ears of Sri Gopalakrishnan and slowed the speed only after reaching the town limits of Srirangam.
After the Dharshan of Sri Ranganatha Swamy, Semmengudi refused to travel in the rekla cart and returned to Trichy by bus.

3. Trichy was the next cultural centre for Carnatic music festivals [After Madras] during 1930-1940 periods. The music festivals at "

[cacm]

I have spent close to a month visiting Tiruchi visiting persons near & dear to Sri. Sadagopan & trying to get the wire recordings including offering monetary compensation etc.

I got the usual run around & got NOWHERE! If some one in USA has got them I am sure they will be willing to share them; ESP I am willing to personally work on them myself to make them as good as they can get using a suite of digital noise reduction techniques I have worked for over 25 years. My email is: [email protected]