Nandi Fine Arts honours Yesudas – The Hindu

Nandi Fine Arts honours Yesudas

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Guidance of parents and the blessings of ‘Guru’ are most important for one to become a good Carnatic musician, noted vocalist K.J. Yesudas observed here on Friday.

Speaking at a function organised by Nandi Fine Arts, Mr. Yesudas said the present day youth adopted short-cuts to become good vocalists. They used a tape recorder to learn music, which would never tell aspiring youth whether they were singing properly or not, he said.

Mr. Yesudas was presented with the ‘L. Vaidyanathan award for Achievement,’ which carried a shawl, a citation and a memento.

Narayana Viswanath, Editor-in-Chief, Sarigamapadani, and former Chief General Manager, RITES, recalled his association with violin maestro V. Lakshminarayana Iyer and lauded the efforts taken by his granddaughters M. Lalitha and M. Nandini. A book brought out by the sisters,‘Violin Maestro V. Lakshminarayana Iyer — His Life and Contributions to the World of Music’, was released.

Date:22/12/2007

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/22/stories/2007122260061200.htm

Devi Kshetra Kritis – DVD Release

Devi Kshetra kritis DVD released  – Staff Reporter

Part of concert under the auspices of the Brahma Gana Sabha.

CELEBRATING DEITIES: S.A.K. Durga (left), hands over first copy of the DVD `Devi Kshetra Kritis’ to D.S. Ramanujam, Karthik Fine Arts secretary. M. Lalitha and M. Nandhini are also in the picture. — Photo: S.S. Kumar

Chennai : A live concert DVD of Devi Kshetra Kritis by M. Lalitha and M. Nandini has been released by S.A.K. Durga, ethnomusicologist. The programme was part of the concert held under the auspices of the Brahma Gana Sabha.

Dr. Durga said that the sisters, who give violin duet performances, had always maintained their classical base.

“Novel idea”

D.S. Ramanujam, Secretary, Karthik Fine Arts, where the performance of the Devi Kshetra Kritis was staged, said that with Dr. Lalitha’s research background as a Ph.D. in music, the project on Devi Kshetra Kritis was a novel idea.

Wide variety

The album contains compositions on the different Devi deities in Chidambaram, Pudukottai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvaiyaru, Tirunelveli, Madurai and Thirumayilai.

Visuals of the deities and the temples are also featured in the DVD.

Compositions

The compositions of Gopalakrishna Bharati, Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar, Subbaraya Sastri, Thyagaraja, Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Papanasam Sivan find a place in the album. The DVD release was followed by a concert by the violin duo with Kumbakonam Ramakrishnan on the mridangam and G. Ravichandran on the ghatam.

The album is brought out by Santhananda Soundscapes. It is priced at Rs. 150 and is available at the Sankara Hall. Details: 98401 22729.

Date:21/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/21/stories/2006122122790400.htm

Bowing styles compared – The Hindu

Bowing styles compared

THEIR SMILES said it all. “After a hectic season of music, it is rewarding to get recognised, and that too from two of the time-honoured sabhas in Chennai,” say violinists M. Lalitha and M. Nandini, after receiving the Best Senior Violinist Award at the Music Academy and Indian Fine Arts this year.

“Given the fact that violin is considered more as an accompanying instrument, the award from the sabhas for the solo slots was indeed a treasure,” say the sisters.

And why not? With Lalitha’s research on the instruments’ versatility offered in terms of handling the instrument in both Western and Carnatic, surely the two musicians would be enthusiastic about showcasing the melody in it, the best way.

Based on Lalitha’s Ph. D. thesis at the University of Madras, her recently released book, `Violin Techniques in Western and South Indian Classical Music – A Comparative Study,’ attempts at demystifying some of the common approaches and their distinct characteristics.

How similar styles executed differently lend themselves to music, forms the crux of the comparative violin study.

Interesting information makes up for the seven chapters of the book (brought out by Sundeep Prakashan) that has a Kamala Vinayakar with a violin conceptualised by Lalitha’s mother on the cover, with a foreword by Dr. David Reck, Ethno Musicologist of Amherst College, U.S.

Painstaking details of various methods in the use of the bow and fingers to achieve a multitude of aural effects and timbres in both Western and Carnatic classical traditions have been brought out by Lalitha.

“It grows beyond the sahitya, swara and tana vil that is too basic, and enumerates a comprehensive study of different schools for mirroring the two systems,” says Lalitha.

It is for only the techniques incorporated in the book that I met top musicians, musicologists and vidwans in both the genres, she says. “In the chapter on styles, for instance, 500 Western violinists, teachers and schools of play are codified.

And for the comparative study of South Indian equivalents, 240 violinists are discussed and detailed in the list. Adds Lalitha, “Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer’s account of the several accompanying artistes and their parampara that he had observed in his long-spanning career provides for some interesting read.

As the violin sisters belong to the illustrious family of V. Lakshminarayana, and the trio-violin maestros L. Vaidyanathan, L. Subramaniam and L. Shankar, Lalitha has traced the sishya parampara in the family tree in the book, which draws its lineage to the respected Trinity.

RANJANI GOVIND

Date:01/04/2005 URL:http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/04/01/stories/2005040101920600.htm

Symphony of sounds

Symphony of sounds – The Hindu

WAY BACK in 1966, Pandit Ravi Shankar collaborated with Yehudi Menuhin for an album titled “West Meets East”. Then, in 1974, jazz guitarist John McLaughlin teamed up with young Indian musicians, violinist L Shankar, tabla player Zakir Hussain and ghatam artiste ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram to form an acoustic group, Shakti. There was energy and intensity in their music. And it became a rage.

These efforts saw the beginning of a new genre of music, namely fusion. Ever since, there have been several attempts at global fusion, some successful, while others not so well received.

The latest to join that bandwagon is the violin duo, M. Lalitha and M. Nandini.

Born to Muthuswami and Subhalakshmi, the sisters proudly trace their lineage “to all the three members of the Trinity – Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri – as well as Muthiah Bhagavathar. An unusual occurrence.”

Their grandfather was the famed violinist V. Lakshminarayana, under whose tutelage the sisters began their musical journey. They have also studied vocal music under the doyen, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and their mother. Of course, “our uncles L. Shankar, L. Subramaniam and L. Vaidyanathan have been a great influence. We admire and respect them a lot.”

The girls who have studied in Church Park and Queen Mary’s, have also a strong base in Western Classical (“We have passed exams conducted by the Trinity College of Music, London”) and world music.

So what are these Carnatic violinists doing with fusion? Explains Nandini, the younger of the sisters, “In 1996, we were invited to perform at the International Music festival in Norway, the only Indians to play there. The organiser, who was very happy with our performance, wanted us to jam with other musicians and create something new for the finale. We got together with artistes from Senegal, Cuba and Norway. When the artiste from Senegal played a tune on the kora (a stringed instrument), it sounded like Kalyani raga. So we composed something and asked them to play it in their own styles. That is how it all began, and we realised the potential in this genre.”

Lalitha, who was recently awarded a doctorate for her thesis on “A Comparative Study of Violin Techniques in Western and South Indian Classical Styles”, adds, “Also our parents wanted us to experiment with different styles. They felt this could take Carnatic music to other parts of the world, and bring world music here.”

The girls enjoy listening to all kinds of music… from Beethoven to Bach, to Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Ali Akbar Khan, to Yehudi Menuhin and Itzhak Perlman. Recipients of several awards including the State’s Kalaimamani Award, the girls do not rule out a career in tinseldom. “If we get the right opportunity, why not?”

Their fusion album, “Revelations” features guest violinist Here Rimestad from Norway and Australian Carl Rathus playing the Shakuhachi (a bamboo flute with five holes, this traditional Japanese instrument is often associated with Zen meditative music), along with a host of Indian artistes.

The opening track sounds like a variation of Bach’s toccata and fugue, with elements of jazz and Carnatic styles thrown in.

The tani avartanam in the pacy “Vital Force” in raga Hemavathi, enlivens the proceedings, while “Remembering Norway”, a short piece, is a lovely, energetic tribute to the folk tradition from the Scandinavian country.

The album is very much on the lines of the fusion experiments that the girls’ uncles have tried before.

Meanwhile, Lalitha and Nandini have a couple of Carnatic releases in the offing and hope to continue their experiments with fusion.

SAVITHA GAUTAM

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/19/stories/09190704.htm

‘Dikshitar Devi Mala,’ – Album

New album – An Article in the Hindu

An album containing the compositions of Muthuswamy Dikshitar on Goddess Devi, titled ‘Dikshitar Devi Mala,’ rendered by M. Lalitha and M.Nandini on the violin was released on September 1 during their concert at the Sir Ian Turboott Auditorium, Sydney.

This audio CD is priced at Rs.150.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/09/14/stories/2007091451380500.htm

Awarded fellowship – The Hindu

Awarded fellowship – The Hindu

M. Lalitha and M. Nandini, sisters who play the violin, have been awarded scholarships by the U.S. and U.K. Governments. Lalitha has been awarded the Fulbright Fellowship in Performing Arts and Nandini the Charles Wallace Trust Fellowship In Performing Arts.

Recently the Chennai Om Sri Skandasramam had honoured Lalitha and Nandini, granddaughters of the illustrious V. Lakshmi Narayanan, with the title of “Bhuvana Sangeetha Pravahini’ for their service and contribution to the field of music.

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/08/19/stories/2005081902340300.htm

Raga Festival – Surdhwani, London

Raga Festival 2006 – Dr M Lalitha & M Nandini – Karnatic Violin Duo Sisters (violin) – Surdhwani, Arena, London

16 September 2006

Dr. M. LALITHA and M. NANDINI have been widely acclaimed as outstanding South Indian Classical Violinists of the present generation. Popularly known as the `VIOLIN DUO SISTERS, LALITHA and NANDINI have enthralled the audiences with their spell binding music. They are widely regarded as the finest performing Violin Duo of South Indian Classical Music. Dr. M. LALITHA and M. NANDINI hail from the Sishya Parampara or the direct lineage of Sri. Baluswamy Diksitar, brother of one of the musical trinity Sri Muthuswamy Dikisitar who was responsible for bringing the violin into the firmament of South Indian Classical Music and also belong to the Sishya Parampara of the Trinity – Saint Tyagaraja, Sri Muthuswamy Diksitar and Syama Sastri and Harikesanallur Muthiya Bhagavathar.

LALITHA and NANDINI are worthy scions of an illustrious family of musicians, who have been deeply rooted in the South Indian Classical Music Tradition and started learning music from their beloved grand father and guru Shri V. Lakshminarayana from a very early age. They were also inspired by their uncles Shri. L. Vaidyanathan, Dr. L. Subramaniam and Dr. L. Shankar, who are internationally reputed for their musical genius and have also been taught by them. Presently they are under the tutelage of their mother Smt. Subhalakshmi Muthuswamy. They have also undergone advanced training in music from Dr. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer.

Dr. M. LALITHA and M. NANDINI are regarded as highly imaginative virtuoso Violinists. They have been applauded by both connoisseurs and laymen alike for their original and unique style of violin playing. The music that cascades from the Duo’s Violin’s is known to be sublime, brilliant and traditional. Their Violin playing is known to be replete with ragabhava. They have specialized in playing varnam-s in 5 grades of tempo and in playing Kalpana Svara-s in 3 grades of speed, which is a prominent and unique feature of their style of Violin playing. They enrapture their audience with imaginative improvisations and intricate rhythmic patterns fused with melodic sweetness.

Moonplugged concert series in Bangalore

Moonplugged Sat, 15th jan at CKP

Introducing moonplugged Series of music concerts, showcasing the stars…..

Guruskoolmusic, who catalyse the unique musician’s movement known as the FREEDOM JAM, are pleased to launch the MOONPLUGGED music concerts featuring master musicians of various genres who will weave tapestries in sound in a firelit open air ambience.

At 6 pm on Saturday 15th Jan, 2005.at the open air theatre in the Chitra Kala Parishad,on Kumara Krupa road, Bangalore featuring:

The legendary saxophonist Sakari Kukko’s PIIRPAUKE (Finland) With special guest – Konarak Reddy

TRANS GLOBAL FUSION feat. Lalitha Nandini -(Chennai)

ESPERANTO feat. Geetha Navale -(Bangalore) with special guest Praksah Sontakke.

Come, be delighted!!

The event is supported by independent record label KREEK and WORLD SPACE satellite radio.Passes are available at WORLD SPACE lounges on Brigade Road and Jayanagar and at the venue .

http://www.guruskoolmusic.com

The concept

‘Soma’ the moon is spoken of in the Vedas as the source of delight and is truly a great inspiration for music.The moonplugged series of concerts has thus been happening for about a year now at the creekside Guruskool amphitheatre on the outskirts of Bangalore.

The experience of listening to great music amidst nature, illuminated by firelight has been so transporting that we wish to share this experience with a larger audience. It has thus been chosen to hold it at the beautiful open air theatre in the Chitra Kala Parishad arts complex on Kumara Krupa road where we wish to recreate the magic in the heart of Bangalore city.

PIIRPAUKE ( Finland) World Music

featuring Sakari Kukko on Sax, Roi Rottonien on Cello, Olavi Louhivuori Drumset , Lauri Salkovski on Bass, and Seva on Vocals, Emma Salkovski Vocals with special guest Bangalore’s own Konarak Reddy on guitar.

A never-ending story of musical travel excitement and brilliance. not following fashions but pursuing new fresh interests and ideas from band leader Sakari Kukko.Somehow Piirpauke always manages to make the diverse material sound like their own.

By now, most people are aware of World Music and realize that it simply means the appreciation of the best tunes from all over the world. Some people saw it coming years and years ago and were playing it before anybody had thought of calling it World Music or anything.

Sakari Kukko – visionary, world traveller and multi-instrumentalist from Finland – saw it coming more than 20 years ago, when he formed the first line-up of Piirpauke and was immediately awarded with a hit. Since that first success with a poignant Karelian folk tune, Sakari has guided his ever-improving line-ups on musical journeys through the delights of Balkan, Turkey, Africa, Latin America and points in between. After more than a dozen albums and many tours and concerts in Spain, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Cuba, Soviet Union, India and Turkey the band is now ready to set their sights further afield. Sakari and his saxes, flutes and keyboards have never been content with merely polite “fusion music”, but have always striven to draw the most fire and beauty from the most inspiring sources, no matter where. With his present international line-up of master musicians from Finland, Sakari is truly an ambassador of World Music.

KonarakReddy has often been called India’s best and most innovative guitarist. His original training was in western classical music on Classical Guitar, and he studied classical theory with Ms. Marion Fewkes. He completed his LTCL and LRSM music degrees through Royal School and Trinity College of Music, London. In 1976 he studied jazz composition, arrangement and performance for one year at Berkley College of Music, Boston.

TRANS GLOBAL FUSION feat .Lalitha Nandini – Chennai – Carnatic fusion

Dr M Lalitha and M Nandini – Violins ,Joel – Keyboards Shantakumar-Tavil , Mrs Subbulakshmi Muthuswamy – Tala ,

The ace Violin duo of the sisters Lalitha & Nandhini . Who are nieces of the famous violin trio viz L Vaidyanathan, L Subramaniarn and L Shankar. They even had the same guru, who’s also their grandpa, the illustrious V Lakshminarayana..

Their music sounds like a variation of Bach’s toccata and fugue, with elements of jazz and Carnatic styles thrown in. Lalitha, who was recently awarded a doctorate for her thesis on “A Comparative Study of Violin Techniques in Western and South Indian Classical Styles”, They have played to audiences all over the world and last august held 10,000 strong crowd spellbound at the FREEDOM JAM festival in Bangalore.

.ESPERANTO feat. Geetha Navale -(Bangalore)

Geetha Navale on Veena, Michael Sorensen on Blues Harp, Gopal Navale on Guitar and Nataraj on percussion & drumset, Krishna Prasad on Ghatam and With special guest Prakash Sontakke on Hawaian Guitar.

Esperanto’s music demonstrates the continuing beneficial influence of Indian music upon world culture.

It has expanded its musical vision through continuous collaborations with musicians from around the world at Guruskool, their lush residential world music lab on the outskirts of Bangalore, the esperanto project has over the years evolved and is widely appreciated for its uncanny ability to present various styles of music in settings that are exotically charming but still accessible .

Geetha Navale is an internationally acclaimed carnatic veena player known for her very ‘tasty’ sound and the ability to blend the ancient strings of the veena with ‘avant garde’ jazz/rock idioms. Her playing has left audiences in ‘over the edge’ jazz clubs in New York breathless, dazzled grunge clubs in Seattle as well as gladdened the hearts of the devout in many a small temple in India.

Prakash Sontakke is adept at slide guitar, vocal and violin and is one of the most respected Hindustani classical performers in the City.

The concert concludes with a grand finale performed by musicians drawn form all the groups.

Come, be delighted!!

Our Concert in Nepal

Facet Of Friendship – Nepalnews.com

VOL. 22, NO. 27, JAN 17 – JAN 23 2003. INDIAN MUSIC

Bilateral relations have had their ups and downs, but religion and culture and have bound Nepal and India for centuries

By A CORRESSPONDENT

As soon as the two prominent Indian artistes began presenting their program, the auditorium of the Royal Nepal Academy instantly turned tranquil. Sur Sangam, an evening with the south Indian classical Carnatic violinists Dr. M. Lalitha and Ms. M. Nandini, organized by the Embassy of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on January 8, had its own special attraction.

Dr. Lalitha and Nandini, who performed with Nepalese artistes, gave the Nepalese audience a rare opportunity to listen to magic of the violin. The Nepalese groups exhibited great perfection in sitar and tabla while accompanying the Indian duo.

In the presence of Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Prasad Sharma, who was the guest of honor, the two sisters presented the richness and range of classical music. They are regarded as highly imaginative virtuoso violinists, known for their original and unique style of violin playing. The music that cascades from the duo’s violins is known to be sublime, brilliant and traditional. Their violin playing is known to be replete with ragabhava.

In the political and diplomatic fronts, relations between Nepal and India have seen many ups and downs. However, music, religion and culture have brought the two countries closer. Artistes and musicians of both countries have always maintained close and hearty relations. The presence of a large audience on the cold January evening showed the abiding regard the Nepalese people have for this shared heritage.

Nepalese see India as the home to 330 million gods, where they can perform religious puja, opening the way to salvation. Indians, too, have similar views toward Lord Pashupatinath and other deities in Nepal. Hindi films and songs are popular among Nepalese, as they have many thematic and contextual similarities.

Whenever a new film or song shoots up the charts in India, one can see people talking about and humming it in the valley the next morning. Religion, music and culture have brought both peoples closer by underscoring their commonalities.

The sisters have specialized in playing Varnam-s in 5 grades of tempo and in playing Kalpana Svara-s in 3 grades of speed, which is a prominent and unique feature of their style of violin playing. Playing the violin is very difficult undertaking, as it needs great concentration and adherence to techniques. Great patience is required on the part of the audience.

During their performance, Lalitha and Nandini performed some interesting classical tones and rhythms. They have performed extensively in major music festivals in the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Norway and Australia. Recipients of many awards and distinctions, the duo has also trained in Carnatic vocal and western classical music. They have given trans-global fusion concerts in India and abroad. The sisters also compose, teach and write about music. Well-known labels such as HMV, RPG, Sony, and Music Today have carried their music.

Along with the Indian artistes, Sur Sangam featured the Nepalese classical music group Sukarma, consisting of Dhruvesh Regmi (sitar), Atul Gautam (tabla) and Shyam Nepali (sarangi). The mixed blend of music provided an opportunity to see cultural similarities between the two countries.

Nepalese classical musicians are improving their performance and quality, which Sur Sangam underscored. While regaling Nepalese audiences, the concert organizers also gave great exposure to local musicians.

http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishweekly/spotlight/2003/jan/jan17/national7.htm

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