The universe within

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Margazhi Raaga Premier


We had a special premier of the movie Margazhi Raaga at Bangalore on the 29th of December 2008 at Fun Cinemas, Sigma Mall (on Cunningham Road).

The movie was conceived by Jayendra and executed by my guru Sri TM Krishnaalong with Smt Bombay Jayashri.

The concept is unique and I am sure that over the years this concept is bound to revolutionize the presentation of Carnatic concerts - digital cinema weds carnatica!!!

The movie would be made available on Blue Ray soon.

The sheer clarity of image and sound is breathtaking...you can see the vibration of the violin strings, you can hear the most subtle nuances and feel every moment of the concert as though it is happening right in front of your eyes. No distractions - no messy acoustics, no talkative audience members with their rustling plastic covers, no car horns blaring...Nothing comes in between the rasika and the artist.

It would never be a substitute to a Carnatic Concert and is definitely not intended to be either...but it is undoubtedly the next step in the presentation of Carnatic Music on digital media.
The premier was covered by DNA and yours truly's picture made it too!!

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Friday, December 19, 2008

Music Academy Concert - Dec 18th, 2008

My first time at the Academy main hall!!!
The mecca of Carnatic Music....the hallowed portal where the greats have produced music of the highest order.
The stage which makes everyone - from super seniors to juniors - nervous and hesitant at first.
The dias where almost every great musician wants to give their best.
I performed on this platform on the 18th of December 2008 to the accompaniment of Akkarai Swarnalatha on the violin and NC Bharadwaj on the mridangam.
I elaborated Varali ('Seshachala Nayakam') and Bhairavi ('Upacharamulanu') - went off pretty well...was hesitant at first but I kept only one thing in mind - that the only thing which matters on such a stage is courage and conviction. Thankfully it worked for me!! Was satisfied overall.
Will post an audio clip shortly...meanwhile here are a few photos

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Narada Gana Sabha - 8th Dec, 2008

01 sarasuda - sAveri varnam - adi
02 anubama gunA - atAnA - khand chApu - T (S)
03 bala krishnam bhavayAmi - gopika vasantham - Adi - MD
04 evarurA ninnu vina - mohanam - misra chApu - T (R, S)
05 yemani pogadudhurA - veera vasantham - Adi - T
06 rama nee samanamevaru - karahapriya - rupakam - T (R, N, S)
07 Thani avarthanam 
08 modi jese velara - khamAs javali - Adi 
09 bruhi mukhundehi - kurunji - Adi - Sadasiva Brahmendar


The accompanists were:
Violin: Tiruvellore Parthasarathy
Mridangam: Konerirajapuram Varadarajan

You can listen to an excerpt from the concert by clicking on the Play button below:

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