Guru Karaikkudi Mani's Debut Visit - United States

sathsangeethapriyan · Post by **sathsangeethapriyan** » 09 Aug 2007, 01:11

I got a news from a friend in NJ that Mridangam Maestro Guru Karaikkudi Mani is visiting the USA for the first time(!) end of this month for a couple of concerts. He is also visiting Canada. After his so many years of world wide performance, are American audience first time listening to him live? Is he sort of breaking an oath? Anyhow, he is master strategist to attract audience with his genuinely authentic yet new age style. I am curious!

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 09 Aug 2007, 01:25

You can find details of the program here: http://www.bssmontreal.org/krm_flyer.pdf
From what the organizers told me, I gather that the program is a fairly abstract choreography based on rhythm, language, gestures and thought.

There is a team of dancers from the Sruti-Laya Kendra accompanying Sri. Mani on this tour.

rasaali · Post by **rasaali** » 09 Aug 2007, 01:39

Here is a link to his website which mentions the overall schedule

http://www.layamani.com

http://www.layamani.com/Schedule.html

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 09 Aug 2007, 08:01

His visit to u s is long over due. on this occasion i recollect his debut performance in MA in 1963/64 wherein he accompanied Sangeethanjali troupe headed by Rukmani rajagopalan on the inaugural day with AR sundaram, Sumithra Ratnam etc. as few participants as far as my memory goes.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 09 Aug 2007, 08:23

good one, thanjavooran.

In another thread, we've been discussing the concert listings from the Music Academy from 1935 and I chanced upon the performance that you mentioned. http://www.musicacademymadras.in/2007-w ... r1965.html

I believe he is also involved in the musical productions behind the performances of Smt Rajeswari Sainath (who is his niece).

r s maniam · Post by **r s maniam** » 10 Aug 2007, 01:52

Karaikkudi Mani is one artiste about whom one can list many unique things from the observer's point of view. I have been listening to his mridangam for more than thirty years now.
1. Foremost thing about him is his dedication especially in accompanying a song. No doubt he is roboust but that is only to embelish and enliven. A Revolutionist who rose to stardom through his hardwork in a short span, compared to his seniors.
2.He never lost his cool with the center performer nor the audience.
3.Very rarely picks the mic to speak during the concert to putforth some irrelevant point to project his personality.
4.A very well planned and excuted tani, with the equal and enthusiastic participation of co-percussionists. Vinayakaram (not recently) G.Harishankar, T V Vasan, and V Suresh and Srirangam Kannan have made best pairs with him.
EVERY SEASON people look forward to something new from Mani!
5. A perfectionist even in organising festivals and co-ordinating dance performances with musical themes.
6. He is also very humane silently uniquely doing charity
I eagerly await him in Boston on the 8th Sep.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 11 Aug 2007, 07:38

to add to your list R S Maniam....
He is a great Guru as well. A vast number of students have trained under him.