Change in concert artistes this evening at Chamarajpet

A media release from Sree Ramaseva Mandali concerning this evening's concert -

Shri Praveen Godkindhi will not be able to perform in this year's Ramanavami National Music Festival due to the death of his father, hence a Karnatic-Hindustani Jugalbandhi concert by Anil Srinivasan (Piano) and Pandit Prakash Sontakki (Guitar) has been organised...

Tap Non Resident Bangaloreans for funding?

Tapping NRIs to fund the Sri Ramanavmi festivals may be a good idea.

That is a suggestion that a guest speaker at the Founders Day event of Sree Ramaseva Mandali made at the Chamarajpet. Arunachalam said that with many non resident Bangaloreans who are also rasikas of music having links with the rasikas who attend the shows under the Big Tent, it would be nice to tap small donations from each rasika.

Many people in the audience nodded their heads - but Varadaraj and his team will have to make a concerted attempt to tap the NRIs. And also give them something in return.

Clearly, some mandalis are struggling to get funding.

More rain. A venu-veena-violin concert to remember

Saturday's downpour made Sunday a pleasant day - these are mornings when Bangaloreans either have breakfast at their local darshinis ( we checked out the hugely popular one off Ulsoor Lake) or take their cycles out to join a Cycle Sunday event.

By early evening though the grey clouds gathered and we knew showers were in store. For the three mandalis that continue with the music season, a weekend of high-end concerts and unexpected heavy rain strikes the rough note.

When we arrived at Seshadripuram College, the open air ground was in darkness, the pandal set up for the morning Sri Rama Pattabhishekam rituals was soaking heavy and only two dozen senior rasikas were around.

But Tharakaram and his team were not discouraged. The generator got up and going, rasikas were asked to sit in the driveway and the artistes smiled at the drizzle and the music set all afloat.

This was an evening of music by five women -   leader Vani Manjunath on the flute, Prema Vivek on the violin, Shuba Santosh on the veena, Rajini Venkatesh on the mirdangam and Bhagyalakshmi Krishna on the morsing.

The five presented a pleasant evening of music - they had to glance over their shoulder to seek the nods of rasikas - for in front of their eyes were raindrops dripping from the pandal in a dark space.

The five will not forget this concert. As prasadam was distributed to mandali members who could not attend the morning puja, the rain stopped but it was time for the music to end too.

Seetharama was happy. "I have been here for over 40 years…I donate one hundred rupees," he said.

In ten minutes, the concert space was deserted and in darkness. 

Rains. 5000 rasikas. Yesudoss.

We raced through the old market area of Chamarajpet where they can tear a lorry apart in hours and weld on both sides of the pavements. The dark clouds had taken over Bangalore's blue tarpaulin and our auto-driver assured us of good rains.

Outside the wall of Old Fort School, the queue of rasikas snaked to the ticket counter. There were over a hundred, some pulling out tne umbrellas as the drops fell.

Inside the Big Tent, there must have been some 5000 people. or more. At least 300 of them were standing, and a few began to inch closer to the stage and private guards sternly discouraged them.

Yesudoss had started on time - how can he not keep to his dad's dictums even in this day?

The music was rolling as lightning faintly lit up the skies outside the tent. Those who had grabbed tickets outside, came running in, grabbing chairs left at the canteen while Mandali head, Varadaraj and his team scurried for more chairs on this Big Evening.

In this day and age, Yesudoss is still a big draw.

What makes his so attractive?

A music that is frilled by his playback singing experience? Or the wide reach of his cassettes and CDs? Or the sheer depth in the voice?

Yesudoss must have bathed his rasikas with three hours of music on that rainy night.

We had to leave - there were a few dozen rasikas still looking for tickets.

The hosts could have invited them in - the rain was steady.

We headed to Ravindra Kalakshetra off J C Road; streams of rainwater rushed down the incline ( was bangalore rain-water harvesting?). We were in for the final play of a drama fest which honored a great theatreperson, CGK.

Old friend and playwright Pralayan was here, presenting his play which takes off on the Silapaddhikaran epic. 26 artistes, mostly from Pondicherry.

The rain had washed out the open air play plan. The play was held in the lobby. And 200 people, wet and cold sat down to watch it.

Bangalore's dedication.

Easy in kurtas and with backpacks . .

The backpack artistes must be a familiar sight to many. The sort who troop into a concert venue in kurtas and loose trousers/veshtis, have a backpack slung over their shoulders and if they are instrumentalist, the violin packed in a  smart case.

They are at ease on all platforms.

We bumped into a young man who has been seen quite often now in Bangalore's kutcheri circuit - Ramana Balachandhran.

He can sing and play the veena and the mirdangam. So his multi-talents gets him to the centre or on the side depending on what the call is for!

Ramana had just finished a concert at the Seshadripuram College venue for the local mandali. He played the mirdangam.

He is not so sure he will go on to choose playing the veena in the late future, the tells us even though it will give him centre stage.

We wonder if it is because the veena still gets less space on stage.

Yesudoss tells his stories . . .

The man commands a big fan following even in this age. K J Yesudoss does.
And as one rasika in his 70s told me, 'The voice is coarse now but still rooted in the classical."

Yesudoss was at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bangalore ( Race Course Road), here to receive a national award instituted by the film star of yesteryears, Saroja Devi who resides in this city, where the daytime temperature is climbing past 33 degrees but the nights are cool at 22 degrees.

We got here a tad late and the auditorium was packed and Yesudoss was speaking. Today, he dwelt on religion and the Ultimate, music and lessons learnt from his dad ("When I was stepping into the film field people suggested to me that I should change my name to get opportunities and when I told my Dad he said if that had to be done I should come back").

Yesudoss shares a lot of anecdotes nowadays when he is at the podium. He is at that stage in his life. He tells them even between songs at a concert.

This morning he was here with his wife.

Just as the event closed, came in actor-politicain Ambarish and his wife, Sumalatha and all the media folks clicked furiously and the hosts also got excitedly around them. The hero of the day was left to be on the side.

Fickle people.

Yesudoss is to perform this evening ( Saturday) at Chamarajpet.

Photo; Vino John

Young talent in Basaweshwaranagar

The season of music in Bangalore provides space for young artistes. Many make the best of it.

Vani Kala Kendra has slots - 30mins to 45mins - for young artistes. Since it runs an active arts program in its schools in Bangalore pocking out the bright talents and scheduling them at Sri Ramanavami time is easy for curator Keshav.

But we also invite other artistes, says Keshav.

On Friday evening as the sun went down, two brothers -  Dattareya, a student of flutist Pravin Gokhindi and Nandakishore on the harmonium, with two tabla  accompanists gave a crisp concert. ( Photo on top)

The audience was small - people were streaming in for the big devotional concert of Vishwanath Nakod and Samamithra Sharma. ( second photo)

- Photos by Vino John

Big concerts this weekend

There are big artistes on stage this weekend.

On Saturday, K J Yesudoss is at Chamarajpet, T. N. Seshagopalan in Jayarama Mandali, Jayanagar and Saketaraman at Seshadripuram.

On Sunday, Vijay Siva is at Chamarajpet, Pravin Gokindhi and U P Raju jam on a Hindustani - Carnatic concert at Vani Kala Kendra, Basaweshwaranagar and  a all-women artistes team performs a venu-veena-violin concert is at Seshadripiuram, featuring - Shuba Santosh, Vani Manjunath and Prema Vivekj. 

K J Yesudoss is in town

K J Yesudoss will be in town on Saturday and he has two big events on his check list. And his fans are looking forward to him.

He is to be decorated with the Dr B Saroja Devi National Award instituted by this famed actress. The event is at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore. The event is at 11 am. Open to all.

He will later that evening perform at the Big Tent in Chamarajpet. - at 6.30 pm. The host expects over 5000 people to attend. He is still a big draw. 

On funds for music fests - a rasika comments

Rasika R. Ranganathan has responded to a KutcheriBuzz report on the funds crunch that mandalis face in Bangalore.

This is what he wrote -

I read your news item "Bangalore music season opens, seeks funds for concerts".

 

Yes, it is indeed difficult to organise music festivals- be it the December season in Chennai or the Ramanavami festival in  Bangalore. Without financial help from corporates, banks, philanthropists etc. 

Of late. their help is also dwindling. During the recent December season in Chennai, I read a news item that sponsors were not forthcoming. Chennai sabhas face this problem in spite of their charging  for all concerts. The same is true of Sri Ramaseva Mandali in Bangalore. 

They have been conducting Ramanavami festival  every year  for a month or even more. Their programmes are ticketed.Surprisingly, they do not have their own hall after so many years (like Sri Parthasarathi Swamy Sabha in Chennai).

 

In such situations, organisations in and around same areas  can pool their resources and conduct the festivals (This is only my wishful thinking).

Or there is no need to conduct such month long festivals. Many sabhas in Bangalore face financial crunch to organise monthly programmes.

 

When an artiste wants a formal presentation . . .

When a senior artiste is not treated too well formally on stage he boils no end.

Three tambura artistes and one mridangist were honored at the Founders Day event of Sree Ramaseva Mandali in Chamarajpet on Sunday, April 5 evening.

These are the kind of artistes you may have seen often on stage but remain in the shadows.

Off stage I chatted with Hulikal Prasad, a veteran tambura player who has accompanied some greats and the rest in south India.

Prasad was boiling inside because the emcee had not presented his name the way it has to be, prefixing his name with that of the town he hails from.

"It is important. . .just the way you call Madurai T N Seshagopalan and Madurai Mani Iyer…names must be called out the way we use them," he fumed gently. "What use is it when I gave them all in writing?"

Prasad says that despite the use of electronic tambura ( and he gives full credit to Radel's Raj Narayan for making it) nothing can really replace the original. "But then few people ask for tambura artistes….who wants to now learn playing the tambura…it also needs learning but few are learning it," he said.

Prasad had a point about the manner in which a senior artiste must be presented. But he could not make it known to the hosts nor did he think it fit to do so. "Now its done and over", he said, still smarting at what he thought must have been a slight.

Revathy Sadasivam's veena concert; Seshadripuram

Revathy Sadasivam presented a veena concert on April 6 at the Seshadripuram Sree Ramaseva Mandali on April 6.

Photo by M P Guruprasad

Thumbs up for Trichur Brothers, Ramakrishnanmurthy

Seshadripuram rasikas are showing the thumbs up sign for two young artistes. This from the lot who have performed at the college campus this Sri Ramanavami,

One is for the Trichur Brothers who started early on a lunar eclipse evening and swung the rasikas with their music.

The other is for Chennai-based Ramakrishnamurthy. A committee member says that it rained music on the evening the young artiste performed. "It just flowed on and on," is how he put it.

Such was the impact that the Mandali host went on stage and 'booked' Ramakrishnanmurthy for 2016's season.

Recognition for artistes, supporters on Founder's Day at Sree Ramaseva Mandali

It was Founders Day last Sunday at Sree Ramaseva Mandali in Chamarajpet.
As people double din to get a good seat for Ranjani-Gayathri's concert later that evening they may have not noticed the invite - for a buffet dinner.

Dinner is always served to rasikas and guests on Founders Day.

Chief guest V S Arunachalam felicitated one mridanga and three tambura artistes - Ullur Nagendra Udupa ( his son Giridhar represented him), Hulikal Prasad, V Jagannatha Rao and G A Sripada Rao.

Five others were also decorated on this occasion - all of them are lead supporters of the fest. They were B R Shivramiah, a former AIR artiste, P. Balasubramaniam, a funder, senior chartered accountant  N C S Raghavan, banker A Venkitaraman and furniture supply manager S A Franklin.

Sunday concerts/ photos

Sisters Ranjani and Gayatri warm up for their concert at Sree Rama Seva Mandali, Chamarajpet on Sunday ( photo on top) and Pantulu Rama in concert at Seshadripuram on Sunday evening ( photo below).
Both concerts had a large audience.

Lunar eclipse and Trichur Brothers sunrise

We had not looked up at the skies last night, the Saturday. Till Varadarajan of Sree Rama Seva Mandali told us that the small audience for TVG's concert was due to the lunar eclipse.

Even that explanation did not stop us from heading to Seshadripuram where the Trichur Brothers were in concert. Negotiating BVK Iyengar Road tests your patience and when we got to the college campus where the fest is on, the gates were being locked.

The concert had closed at 8.30-ish, we were told.

But the Trichur Brothers, called in to start singing from 5 pm seem to have wowed the audience. Rasikas said so this morning.  They have got the thumbs up here.

Mandali decorates TVG with national award

Space scientist Dr. Kasturi Rangan is the chief guest at the Saturday evening award function.
Dr Sarvamangala Shankar, music teacher and academic, Vice-chancellor, Gangubhai Music University is the co-guest and she talks about TVG's achievements.

At the start of this evening's meet, the host recalls S N Chandrasekar, a senior music critic who passed away.

Mani Narayanaswamy, mandali president and colleague Dr A Ravindra share the dais with the two guests and the awardee.

TVG goes into rewind mode, talks about his early association with the late Rao, the many concerts he performed for the Sree Rama Seva Mandali and how he has recommended dozens of artistes to this fest.

" I only wish that you pray that I continue to perform as long as I live,"he says. TVG is in nhis 80s and is still active.

In a warm gesture, the hosts invite his wife Radha to share the spotlight with him, as the heavy images of lord Rama and Sita are handed over to him.

The audience is thin today - maybe 200 people. Smaller for the concert. TVG has with him ace artistes, Patri Satish Kumar on mirdangam, S Varadharajan on violin and Girish Uduppa on ghatam.
He sings a song of Thyagaraja that his guru Chembai Vaidhyanatha Bhagavathar used to sing, but rarely. And another which his sishya, at his die says was sung some 20 plus years ago.
"Due to time constraints I will present a short concert." says TVG.

Then we realize that the lunar eclipse has kept many rasikas away from events this evening.
Word comes in that the concert at Seshadripuram was wound up early.

Today was TVG's evening. He loves to tell stories, anecdotal. He did it. "When I am with the right artistes in a concert I feel as if I am in a space ship," he says.

Modi on one side, Vishaka Hari on the other

Vishaka Hari, the hugely popular story-teller in the discourse format may not have known that her rasikas had a big hurdle to cross on Friday evening.
The huge public meeting addressed by prime minister Narendra Modi after the BJP party's national executive meeting in Bangalore.

The city was painted saffron and green and the meeting venue was 2 kms from Fort High School campus where Vishaka was to present her musical discourse.

And yet, over 5000 rasikas got inside the Big Tent on Friday evening to listen to Vishaka - themed Ramabhakti Samrajya.

Focus on S V Narayanaswamy Rao

The S V Narayanaswamy Rao Memorial Award is billed as a national award. As is the Sri Ramanavami Music Fest of Sree Ramaseva Mandali.

The award was set up in 2001 to remember Rao and his service.
M S Subbulakshmi was its first recipient. Nedunuri Krishnamurthi, Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, M S Gopalakrishanan, K J Yesudoss, N. Ramani and Balamuralikrishna among others have been past recipients.

The award commemorates the founder of this organization and is an occasion to recall the small start that he made and the path taken. This is the 77th edition of the fest.

A large portrait of Rao stands alongside the big stage all through the fest.

Rao who served for six decades will get sharper focus on Sunday evening - celebrating Founders Day.

Sax, tavil and kanjira . .

Sridhar Sagar has been on stage at the Big Tent in Chamarajpet since 4.30 this Saturday evening.
With his saxophone. Sounding a tad loud even under the Big Tent. With a tavil and kanjira on the side, the volume trebles!

But when he catches from the corner of his eye, the entry of vidwan T V Gopalakrishnan, he lest the instrument slip and looks for the mike.

In faltering words, he offers his salutations to the guru. " I am a bit nervous now," he says as people gather to wish TVG. He waves his hand at Sagar, as if in acknowledgement.
TVG's sister takes her seat; she lives in Bangalore and her family are here for a special occasion - the decoration of TVG with an award.

Sagar seems to be regular on the Ramanavami circuit. Last year, he offered a copy of his new CD at Seshadripuram.

The 4.30 pm slots play to a near empty Tent here. Much like the 1.30pm recitals at Madras sabhas during the famed December Season.

The weekend's big concerts

The weekend brings some key events and concerts.

At Chamarajpet's Big Tent of Sree Rama Seva Mandali, Sangita Kalanidhi-decorated T V Gopalakrishan is to be decorated with a medal by the host and a concert by this vidwan from Chennai will follow.

Ranjani and Gayathri perform here on Sunday evening.

B K Anantram and Amit Nadig present a joint flute recital for Raja Rajeswari Nagar mandali at its venue in this area.
Here on Sunday evening, the Kirans and their sishyas will perform Bharatanatyam.

The Chennai-based Trichur Brothers, Srikrishna and Ramkumat present a vocal concert at Seshadripuram for the local mandali. They will perform on Sunday for Sri Jayarama Seva Mandali at its hall in Jayanagar's 8th Block.

Pantula Rama presents a vocal concert at Seshadripuram on Sunday evening.

First set of concerts of Raja Rajeswari Nagar mandali

Rajarajeshwari Nagar Cultural Association - Ramanavami Sangeethotsava 2015 is on at a new venue. Here is a report on the first few days here by the hosts -

Day 1 - Ramanavami 2015 starts with a bang!

Inauguration by the renowned writer Siddalingaiah followed by the mangalavaadya Clarionet recital by Vidwan Sudheendra & party

Day 2 - Carnatic vocal recital by Vidushi Kothapalli Vandana and team.

"Stick to Basics and Retain Classicism in order to provide a fulfilling musical performance" was the mantra of the evening when Vidushi Vandana enthralled the audience with her mellifluous voice and rich music. The main pieces for the evening were Appa Rama Bhakti Yentho Goppara in Kamavardhini followed by a very detailed Bhairavi and the Kriti Koluvaiyunnade. 

The artiste was supported ably by Vidushi Nalina Mohan on the Violin, Vidwan Srinivas on the Mridanga and Vidwan Dayananda Mohite on the Ghata.

Day 3 - Veena Recital by Vidushi Yogavandana and team

From Charukesi to Purvikalyani and everything in between..!!

This summarizes the Veena Performance by Vidushi Yogavandana, who was supported by Kumari Raksha on the Veena, Prof. V Krishna on the Mridanga and Vidwan Srishyla on the Ghata.

Big artistes are in USA

So why are some top rung musicians missing from the concert schedules this season in Bangalore?

Is it because the hosts cannot afford some of them?

Not really.

The Bangalore Season clashes with the bigger Aradhana in Cleveland, USA which is a mela the US witnesses on the eve of the Easter season.

Over 100 artistes from Chennai and around have flown to this Mecca to perform here where thousands of rasikas flock to. The aradhana starts on April 1 and runs for about a fortnight. Over recent times, dance has gained more space in the schedule and loads of American Indian artistes are being featured through collaboration and independent ventures.

One may not see many Bangalore based artistes in the schedule and that is a shame. Curator V V Sundaram may want to start looking at a crop of talented musicians here who must also get to that stage.

Sanjay Subrahmanyam, Lalgudi violin duo - today's big concerts

Two concerts featuring big time artistes today -

Sree Ramaseva Mandali: Old Fort High Court School Grounds, Chamarajapet, 6.30 p.m., Vocal recital by Sanjay Subramanyan and party. Ticketed.

Sri Seshadripuram Ramaseva Samithi: Violin duet by Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Vijayalakshmi and party, Seshadripuram College premises, Seshadripuram, 6.30 p.m.

Donations can be made at the gate.

16 member ensemble on stage; April 1

The Bangalore stage is giving space to lots of youngsters.

This evening, 16 musicians come together on one stage to present ensemble music. To be held at Sri Pattabhi Rama Temple in Jaya Nagar's 4th T Block, the musicians say that they will be the first percussion group to perform on this stage.

If you are here, share some notes and a photo - kutcheribuzz@gmail.com

Century-plus Sri Ramanavami tradition

The finale of Sri Ramabhakta Sabha's Sri Ramanavami fest is this evening in Malleswaram.

The evening will feature a series by the Sabha's members and signal the end of the 109th edition of the celebration, one which was started by 'compounder' C V Subba Rao elsewhere and which then came to have its base in Malleswaram.

C V Venkatesh Rao, the founder's grandson now runs the Sabha, having been at its helm for about 22 years. It has hosted great artistes like Veena Seshanna, Ariyakudi Ramanuja and Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar.

This hoary history goes to enrich the histories of Bangalore's own Sri Ramanavami festival.

Sunday music in Jayanagar

The hall of Sri Jayarama Seva Mandali in Jayanagar's 8th Block is compact for a small community of rsikas to listen to music.

On Sunday evening, vocalist Amrutha Venlatesh is on stage - H M Smitha on violin and Tumkur Ravishankar on mridangam.

People visit the mandir at the street level, some make contributions at the mandali's office and then walk up to the concert space on the first floor.

For this quiet colony of the sprawling and ever-busy neighborhood, you would expect the concert attendance to be bigger. Perhaps 200 to 250 people.

The donors though are many. At this time of the year, the 'sevakarthas' support the religious as well as the arts. Their names are featured in the programme brochures and on stage.

This evening's funder is Percussive Arts Centre promoted by mridangist and engineering teacher V. Krishna.

One assumes this year's support has been good - many artistes from Chennai are featured here.

Dances in Malleswaram

Bangalore's classical arts scene is abuzz round the year now.  The Ramanavami Season may not rival the December Season of Madras but the music and dance on offer is aplenty.

We hop across to Malleswaram, wading through a Sunday traffic on Sampige Road and head to Seva Sadan on 14th Cross.

Dancer Padmini Ravi presents a 'margam' and then, neo-classicsal choreographies on Nauka Charitram with 8 young dancers -Preeti Bharadwaj, Gowri Sasgar, Adithi Sadashiva, Pruthvi, Sneha Devanan, K R Anjali, Arun Sreenivasan and Yogesh Kumar.

The music is by Ravichandra Kulur.

It is a full house. A given in Malleswaram. 

Dance seems to be getting more space in the city. Classical dance.

Aruna Sairam in full flow . . .

Aruna Sairam is in full-throated flow at the Big Tent in Chamarajpet on Sunday evening, March 29. The sides of the main and adjoining roads are packed with parked cars - police allow it since it is a Sunday.

This year, the canteen is better and bit bigger. And people having a cup of coffee also browse at the music albums stall.

Inside the tent, there must be over 4000 people. Among them are many young people, some from abroad visiting family here.

Sree Rama Seva Mandali prides itself in saying this is a national music fest. It also offers the best artistes. But in recent times, the funds crunch is hurting.

The hosts did hint that things would change if the BJP held Delhi. The latter has happened but the good news is yet to arrive. 

BJP's MP and union minister Ananth Kumar was the chief guest on Day One but there were Congressmen too as guests.

A place to be seen and heard. 

Quiet finale in Sripuram

The mandali in Sriramapuram brings its music and religious series to a quiet end on Sunday.

Homams start in the morning and the Sri Rama Pattabhishekam takes place around noontime.

The small community of this area takes part. 

This is the 86th edition of the celebrations - this year the host kept them simple to save funds for building a space for the temple priest.

The finale at Jayanagar East End

It is Sri Rama Pattabhishekam time at the mandali at Jayanagar East End.
The music concerts series closed on Friday evening and Sita Kalyanam followed.

The Association managers, all seniors and familiar faces now tell us that the audience was good for the concerts, mostly seniors.

If there was one hiccup they had to diplomatically handle it was a few plaints of the neighbors who did not seem to relish the music floating around at late evening!

Bangalore's newer neighborhoods are getting sandwiched as development continues and a community space for music and chantings seems too now impinge on the new neighbors.

Sri Ramanavami seems to bring the community together here. For none days, lunch is served to all who are ptresent and packets are also handed over to the local colony of less privileged people, the seniors tell us.

This Sunday afternoon, for the finale there is a simple and delicious lunch served on leaves. The semiya payasam tastes great.

Celebrating Anoor Anathakrishna Sharma; 50!

Today was Palm Sunday. For Christians, the start of the Holy Week. A time to reflect on the days that led to the death of Jesus and on the spiritual issues this presents.

We attended service at the magnificent St Francis Xaviers Church on Millars Road and rushed off to attend what must have been the biggest event in bangalore this Sunday.

The felicitation of guru Anoor Ananthakrishnna Sarma. Shivu to his legion of friends here and across the country.

Held at a college in Jaya Nagar this was avery warm and colorful event indeed. The who is who of the music and arts world was present. And on stage some very celebrated people, from singer SPB to TAS Mani and Suma Sudhindra and Talwalker, percussionist and Bangalore MP, H N Ananth Kumar.

50 years of life was a cause to celebrate and Shivu's disciples made a great event this Sunday. The World Cup final was forgotten and some, skipped their dates at other concerts.

Shivu and his wife were garlanded, gifted and felicitated. And the docu-film  screened made the guru smile and chuckle - it had pictures of his childhood and it had stalwarts talking about his music.

Shivu has excelled as a percusionist - filk, classical, pop, film. He has done it all.

An early celebration of his life but very timely.

Two big artistes for Sunday

Two big artistes are on stage on Sunday evening, March 29.

Aruna Sairam performs at the Big Tent in Chamarajpet for Sree Rama Seva Mandali and T M Krishna at 6.30 pm for Sree Seshadripuram Rama Seva Mandali.

Expecting big turnout at both venues.

Percussive Arts Centre artistes of Bangalore are at Jaya Nagar 1st Block, for Jayarama Seva Mandali

My Stamp released; commemorating 75 years of Sree Rama Seva Mandali

A 'My Stamp' featuring the image of lord Hanuman against the backdrop of the Big Tent of Sree Rama Seva Mandali, Chamarajpet was released at the inauguration of the 77th Sri Ramanavami fest here on Saturday evening.

The postage stamp was released by union minister Ananth Kumar, Bangalore South Member of Parliament representing the BJP. Kumar was chief guest at the Mandali's music fest inauguration.

The stamp is priced at Rs.5 and it has been released to mark 75 years of the Mandali.

Chief Post Master Genl., M S Ramanujan who is based in Bangalore said that P&T could not consider  the Mandali's request for a postage stamp to mark 75 years and hence the My Stamp suggestion.

The stamp will be sold at the concerts venue from Monday but you will have to buy a sheet. The stamp has been funded by the Mandali and it is legally valid for use as postage.

At the event, the PMG said that the government could bring out postage stamps on the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses. " A few stamps on the gods have been brought out in the USA," he said.

Union minister Ananth Kumar was quick to pick up the hint of the CPMG. He said he would talk to prime minister Narendra Modi and effect the idea.

The postage stamp part of the launch event triggered much interest back stage.

Kaleesha and Bombay Jayashri; sharing time backstage

Sheik Mahaboob Shubani and Kaleeshabi Mahaboob and their artiste-colleagues performed the nagaswaram to open the festival of Sree Rama Seva Mandali at the Fort High School grounds, Chamarajpet on March 28 evening.

This husband-wife couple who hail from Andhra Pradesh and have made Srirangam their home are among the senormost nagaswaram vidwans and have performed on many stages and venues.

They still maintain a busy schedule. " I was in Chennai for social functions twice in a week recently," said Sheik Mahaboob who got his first big break at Thiruvaiyaru aradhana in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu when seniors invited him to perform at the aradhana, out of turn since the scheduled artiste could not be present.

Here at the mandali's white room for artistes, Kaleesha got the time to chat with Bombay Jayashri who was to present the evening's concert.

" She is special, " said Jayashri as the two artistes posed for the photo posted here.

Preparations for Opening Day

Rasikas queue to buy tickets for the first concert at Sree Rama Seva Mandali in Fort School, Chamrajpet, Bangalore ( photo 1).

Workers try to beat a deadline to get the stage set for the opening evening of the fest at Seshadripuram College ( photo 2).

The info board outside Vani School, Basaweshwara Nagar listing the month long concerts of Vani Kala Kendra. ( photo 3).

Violin duo's 'pure' music, no gimmicks

Vid V V Ravi and Vid B U Ganesh Prasad performed a violin duet for the mandali at Jaya Nagar East End.  And the audience felt it was blissful singing.  

Such was the classical stroke that they brought to the stage.  

The concert just had ‘pure’ music devoid of any gimmicks.  They started with the Navaragamalika Varna and continued to play some popular numbers like “Rama Bhakti Samrajya”, “Shobillu”, “Bantureethi”, “Gnanamusagarada”.  “Mari vere” in Ananda Bhairavi held the audience in spell bound.

Ravi and Ganesh chose Abheri as the raga for the day.  

Super gamakas along with meticulous ‘Jaaru’ swaras and ample 'Brighas' highlighted their raga rendering.  Their violins sang “Bhaja Re Re” and touched everyone in the crowd.  Their ‘Gayaki’ style of playing the instrument was just amazing.

Vid. Sudhindra and Vid. Shrishaila supported them on the Mridangam and Ghatam respectively. We had an interesting incident after the concert.  A little boy grabbed Sudhindra’s mridangam and started exploring it.  Something is in store.

- By Smirithi P Kumar

Bereavement . . .

Rasikas at the Vyalikaval festival will miss one man for a few more days.

Secretary Purushothaman lost his mother recently and has had to skip the events at the temple and in the music hall.

He is the busy bee of this local team - the Association is preparing for the golden jubilee next year.

Variety at Vyalikaval

Bhashyam is dedicated curator of kutcheri festivals. He has a list of artistes from across south India, he knows mots of them personally and he tries to mix up the schedule to give space to less known artistes.

So for the Ramanavami fest at Vyalikaval, he has invited artistes from Tirupathi and Vishakapatanam besides other places.

Chennai's great talent Ramakrishna Murthy is also scheduled.

Ct: Bhashyam - 9844497239

Shivu Sir pleases his fans

Ganakalasri Vid. Anantha Krishna Sharma for the formal address--but for thousands of shishyas and multiple thousands of fans like me - Shivu Sir. 

What an amazing artist he is.. Today, at Jaya Nagar East End he was on vocals….. along with a wonderful flautist Vid Rajkamal Nagaraj and gave an amazing VaNi- VeNu Jugalbandi concert at Sri Rama Mandali, Jayanagar 9th Block this evening. 

They were very ably and equally amazingly supported on percussions by Vid. Anuru Dattatreya Sharma, Vid. Vinod Shyam Anoor on Double Mridanga, Drums Mantrika Vid. Arun Kumar on Morsing and another young gem Vid. Sunaad Anoor on Khanjari.. What an evening the capacity audience including Vid. Indira Sharma, Vineetha Rajkamal, Sri Keshava Murthy had…

Chalamela Varna in Natakurinji – Adi was the opening item. Nata raga kriti in Khandachapu Vandisuvudaadiyali with Raga and Swara set the mood for the concert. The Bhakti filled Sujana Jeevana in Khamach- Roopaka invoking the Lord Rama was treat to listen. 

The Ragalapane by Vid. Rajkamal followed by Shivu Sir in Dharmavati was excellent.. This was for the main kriti of the evening Bhajanaseya Raada O Manasa with Nerval ans Swara at Niravadi Sukhadayukuni… This item itself was awesome and well received with huge rounds of applause at various points of time.

More was to follow though.. and yes, it was an amazing RTP in Nalinakanthi.   Yet another tuneful Ragalapane, excellent rendering of Taana and Pallavi – Rama Raghurama Jayarama with well presented swara kalpane (Ragamalike with Sriranjani, PantuvaraLi, Todi and Sahana) paved way for the much awaited Tani Avartane.  

Well, this Tani avartane really deserves special mention and three (err , 4 ) cheers.. Dattanna, Arun, Vinod and Sunaad gelled as a team and excelled in their individual NudisaaNike during the memorable tani.. Wonderful indeed. The 60 + minutes of RTP mesmerized the audience.

Krishna Nee Begane preceded by shloka Vasudevasutam Devam was the last item of the beautiful concert..

- Report by Subbu Krishna

Low profile in Sriramapuram . . .

The mandali at Sriramapuram in Bangalore is keeping a low profile this year. For good reason too - it is constructing a house for the temple's priest and will need to raise funds for this.

Mandali secretary Krishnamurthy says that though the music draws only a s all local community of rasikas the team has been curating the fest closely.

This year they have chosen to host local, young and talented artistes. Chennai based Bhargav, a student of late Mandolin U Srinivas will be the only 'outsider' on stage - his concert will be a tribute to his great guru who passed away last year.

Sri Rama Seva Bhaktha Mandali - Sriramapuram

Ct: 99010 41264 / 99000 45654 ( Secy. Krishnamurthy)

Trio on stage build nostalgia

Malathi Sharma, Rathnamala Prakash (daughter of Vid. R K Srikantan) and Indu Vishwanath gave a mellifluous performance to a packed audience on Day 3 of the festival here at Jaya Nagar East End.

They presented "Sugama Sangeetha" and rendered 'Bhava Geethe' of poets like K S Narasimhaswamy, Nisar Ahmed and several others.  It was a unique program for all the three to come together on a stage after several years.  The audience went nostalgic listening to the songs and the applause lasted for long.

They were accompanied on the keyboard by Krishna Udupa Nagara, on the tabla by Pradyumna and on the rhythm pads by Abhishek.

- Photo and report by Prashanth

- You too can mail short notes on Ramanavami concerts in Bangalore. To- kutcheribuzz@gmail.com

Platform for young artistes

The teens and the young also get a platform this Season. This is pronounced at the fest that Vani Kala Kendra hosts at a associate school campus in Basaweshwara Nagar, Bangalore.

Curator Keshav tells us that on certain days the top of the evening slots are set aside for young talent - in music and in dance. 30minutes on the stage.

They even get a mention in the Kendra's promos. "If you can please write on them," suggests Keshav.

These are talented to be watched and some have been groomed at one of the Vani campuses in this part of Bangalore.

Sree Ramaseva Mandali in Chamarajpet also reserves its 5pm slot to young artistes. There may be a dozen people in the audience in the Big Top but it doesn't matter. The teens do their best.

Carnatic vocal jugalbandhi

Pavandeep and Vrinda Acharya performed a Carnatic vocal jugalbandhi for the community at Jaya Nagar East End on Day 2 of the festival.

They were accompanied on the violin by Achuta Rao, on the mridangam by Adamya and on the khanjira by Bhargava Haalambi.  Bringing in two vocalists from different banis (styles) was well received by the audience.


- Report and pic by Prashanth Kumar

Fest opens at Jaya Nagar East End

The 47th Ramothsava at the mandali at Jaya Nagar East End began on March 21. The inauguration was by Vedanta Ratna, Mahamahopadhyaya Vid. Dr. K G Subraya Sharma


The disciples of Pandit Shankar Narayan performed on the tabla and demonstrated various styles of gharanas (Delhi, Purab and Benaras). It was an evening for the teens to showcase their talent.

- Report, pictures by Prashanth Kumar

<< You too can report on the festival music concerts. Mail - kutcheribuzz@gmail.com

"Chennai's leading artistes charge the earth"

Sing free for the lord or charge a rate that befits stature?

This is a question that is thrown at leading artistes of the day. Many organizers have begun to say that Chennai-based top rankers now "charge the earth" even if the concerts are for a religious cause.

Many such leading artistes do no deny this fact. Their argument has been that they need to earn and need to be paid for their art and that their performing span is for a limited time.

The fee debate has been raging off and on for some time but leading artistes are getting what they ask for at social events.

T M Krishna triggered a debate when he chose to offer his December season concerts free at sabhas willing to host him. Others though have not followed him in this.

Clearly, not many stars are slated at all the mandalis though rasikas may want them over.

What are your thoughts on this issue? 

The fest at Jayanagar East End begins

The Mandali at Jayanagar's East End starts its religious and music celebrations on March 21.  This is one venue which is driven by close community participation.

And one of its busy bees, Prashanth shared a curtain raiser of thisfest -

The highlight of this year's event is that all the concerts are duets and jugal-bandhis.  

Pavandeep and Vrinda are coming together for a Jugalbandhi.  Both are from different bani.  Pavandeep is a direct disciple of TVG.

Ratnamala and Malathi are one of leading light music singers.  They have sung in several films and still carry the same yesteryear glory.

Ananthakrishna Sharma is a leading percussionist.  For the first time he's performing (vocal) along with Rajkamal (flute) again a confluence of 2 great artists.

For the first time we have artistes from Chennai performing at our Sabha (VV Ravi and Ganesh Prasad).  

The father son duo of Venkat Narayan and Krishnaprasad will be performing a unique program where the son will be singing and father will provide a glimpse of the importance and background.

The last day we'll be seeing the husband & wife performing together.  Suchetan is a famed singer (trained under P Unnikrishnan).  He will be performing a jugal-bandhi with his wife (Sindhu Suchetan) on the violin.

Steep costs of staging big music fests

If there is one issue that big mandalis face today is that of funding.

The big daddy at Chamrajpet has made it very open that the mandali is still to garner 50% of funds required to run the mammoth fest - for over 30 days and featuring some of India's best and Bangalore's brightest.

Sree Rama Seva Mandali has been ambitious and played it that way - some though may ask if they need to put up such  huge pandal as most concerts draw about 300/500 rasikas and that a pandal can be extended on the evenings when the stars perform.

But the Mandali goes by its own standards. Its promoters say some artistes charge very high rates today - though they sing for the lord! Budget for artistes pay - Rs.25 lakhs.

One supposes that the bigger a organization and its profile, the higher an artiste will tend to ask for. And artistes will argue that they too need to earn.

On the other hand, community driven mandalis do not seem to face a big problem. And Bangalore has more of them today as the city sprawl keeps expanding.

Welcome to Season 2015!

Welcome back to yet another year of music at Sri Ramanavami time. We at KutcheriBuzz have found it quite interesting to cover this unique fest closely, hopping from one venue to another, battling Bangalore's still booming traffic.

Moving from Chamrajpet to Seshadripuram can be daunting. But we do it because the fest calls for reportage - enabling rasikas who cannot be present to gets  whiff of the music, the artistes and the moods and color.

Over the next four weeks, we hope to bring you this close reportage.

We invite you too to join us - share your photos and notes on the concerts. Mail to - kutcheribuzz@gmail.com. Share your web links too.

This is after all a community driven reportage.

Welcome.