G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Carnatic composers (other than performing vidwans)
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Lakshman
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Joined: 10 Feb 2010, 18:52

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by Lakshman »

RSR: You wondered about the AlApanA in post 546. The complete album is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgEpgmEitOs

SrinathK
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Joined: 13 Jan 2013, 16:10

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by SrinathK »

I don't remember if I've shared this before, but whenever I hear anyone wondering if GNB sang kharaharapriya, I just share this one : https://soundcloud.com/user461654480/g- ... maravaaram

Also, it is the only record of GNB singing rishabhapriya and ranjani. That Kharahapriya is just matchless, what precision in the brighas and what amazing replies on the violin by Lalgudi sir.

K Nagarajan
Posts: 138
Joined: 09 Jul 2015, 22:19

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by K Nagarajan »

The link given is for a concert of GNB-Chowdaiah-CSM-Mysore-1957 and the recording quality is very good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdFbJip5Two&t=1743s
RTP is in bhairavi - daravidaLita kuvalaya daLa neela - mishra chApu
with ragamalika swarams in sahana, saveri, sama and gavati.

Can someone give the meaning of the pallavi line 'daravidaLita kuvalaya daLa neela'?

nAdopAsaka
Posts: 878
Joined: 20 Jul 2020, 17:05

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by nAdopAsaka »

Sounds like GNB was considering eliminating fear..
.. and some deity whose emblem is the blue water lily is part of that strategy ?.

vidalita means destroying or eliminating fear (dara)
from root dalana/vidalana

e.g. vitata-dandakAranyaka gata virAdha - dalanam from one of the mahArAjA's kritis

kuvalayadala neela appears to be some reference to the blue water lily or one of the deities associated with this attribute.

In my opinion, after decades of learning and singing the kritis of the great vAggeyakAras,
their music and vocabulary has to seep into the vidWAns/vidUSi’s thinking

I couldn’t find GNB so MSS will have to do !

Here she does the Dikshitar “dakSinAmurte vidalita dAsarttE” SankarAbharana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9pRQXREgXY

Separately this is the fine kriti “kuvalayadala nayana” of the tyAgarAja in nAtakuranji by vidUsi S. Sowmya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzlbUjYoDI4

Rajani
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Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 19:52

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by Rajani »

"daravidaLita kuvalaya daLa neela" means "One who is blue as the petal of the (blue) lily, which has just started blossoming" "dara vidalita" means " a little split-open"

nAdopAsaka
Posts: 878
Joined: 20 Jul 2020, 17:05

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by nAdopAsaka »

I tend to agree...you have given another proper meaning..

I am under the impression that sometimes deities are invoked in such pallavis
such as the pallavi "garuda gamana kamalAmanohara" in GNB's other bhairavi RTP

RSR
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Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by RSR »

p-551
@Lakshman
ji,
Thank you for the link. My apologies for belated ack.


RSR
Posts: 3427
Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by RSR »

G.N.Balasubramanyam was primarily a Vocalist. though he composed quite a few kruthis in rare raagams. He never sang his own kruthis.

While GNB must be included in Composers section, ( it is there) , rasikas will be puzzled why such a famous vocalist does not find a thread in musicians section.'

This has already been pointed out by me but over-ruled by poor logic.

Actually, rasikas, present and future will totally miss GNB ( normally , one would look for his name , mainly in Musicians section).in this forum .if we persist with the fallacy.
=====
An earnest appeal to mods not to move this thread and post to Composers section.
=======
Here is a wonderful upload by Naada Brunga
===
Sharing Great music used to be the main theme of posts in the earlier decade. in this forum.

Let us preserve that tradition.
Critics of the concerts can do that in the Concert Review Section.
========



G N Balasubramaniam at the Music Academy, Madras, 29.12.1964

Nādabhṛṅga is thrilled to bring to you a fabulous concert by Mahavidwan Sri G N Balasubramaniam at the Music Academy, Madras, performed on the evening of the 29th of December, 1964. Sri GNB (or "GN sir" as he is fondly remembered by his fans and rasikas even today), was a lodestar in the Carnatic firmament. He was a trail-blazer who forged a unique style that was deeply rooted in tradition, while at the same time being excitingly innovative. This concert unfortunately was his last at the Music Academy, due to his failing health. His swan song at the Academy was however marked by his trademark brilliance and genius. Vidwan Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman and Vidwan Sri Palghat Raghu perfectly complement the brilliant singing. The programme details are thus:

G N Balasubramaniam
T S Balasubramaniam & Trichur V Ramachandran - Vocal Support
Lalgudi G Jayaraman - Violin
Palghat R Raghu - Mridangam
Umayalpuram Viswanatha Iyer - Ghatam

1. Evari Bōdhanavini (Varṇam) -
Ābhōgi - Ādi -
Paṭṇam Subrahmaṇya Aiyar
[00:00]
-
2. Śōbhillu Saptasvara -
Jaganmōhinī - Rūpakam -
Tyāgarāja
[05:22]
--
3. Paripālaya Sarasīruhalocana -
Kāmavardhinī - Ādi -
Mahārāja Svāti Tiruṇāḷ
[10:35]
---
4. Kalayāmi Raghurāmam -
Bēgaḍā - Miśra Cāpu -
Mahārāja Svāti Tiruṇāḷ
[27:29]
---
5. Karikalabhamukham Ḍhuṇḍhi Gaṇeśam -
Sāvērī - Rūpakam -
Muddusvāmi Dīkṣita
[50:02]
----
6. Dārini Telusukoṇṭi -
Śuddha Sāvērī - Ādi -
Tyāgarāja
[01:15:55]
-----
7. Tani Āvartana [01:36:14]
-----
8. Yajñādulu Sukhamanuvāriki -
Jayamanōharī - Ādi -
Tyāgarāja
[02:02:37]
-----
9. Vara Rāga Layajñulu -
Ceñcukāmbhōji - Ādi -
Tyāgarāja
[02:08:22]
-----
10. Rāgam-Tānam-Pallavi (Un Dariśanam Kiḍaikkumō Naṭarāja Dayānidhē) -
Kalyāṇī - Miśra Cāpu
[02:18:16]

11. Sā Paśyat Kausalyā Viṣṇum -
Jaunpūrī - Ādi -
Pañcāpakēśa Śāstri
[03:00:44]
-----
12. Rādhā Mukha Kamala -
Hindustāni Kāpi - Ādi -
Pāpanāśam Śivan
[03:03:18]
------
13. Nī Nāma Rūpamulaku (Maṅgalam) -
Saurāṣṭra - Ādi -
Tyāgarāja
[03:06:15]

===================

rajeshnat
Posts: 9906
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by rajeshnat »

Mods @srkris
Merge this with the GNB thread(for few musicians like GNB and LGJ we have it in vaggeyakkara, that is fine one will do)
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=302&start=550

RSR
Posts: 3427
Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by RSR »

The thread cited in the post by P.Bala began with the compositions of Sri.MDR. Only after the thread grew, links to his concerts were given.
When a renowned vocalist is also a composer, it is but fair to include the name in both sections ( composers and musicians).
( MDR compositions) ( MDR- concerts). Similrly the threads for GNB should be there in composers section under the title ' GNB as composer. and his recorded songs and concerts should be placed in GNB concerts and recordings.
Though ARI composed a limited kruthis, he is remembered as a vocalist only.

Google search will show both ( GNB as a composer and GNB as Vocalist, ) if the search term is GNBalasubramanyam.

In the case of V.V.Sadagopan also, he was both a great vocalist as well as a composer .

Pratyaksham Bala
Posts: 4164
Joined: 21 May 2010, 16:57

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by Pratyaksham Bala »

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Last edited by Pratyaksham Bala on 04 Sep 2021, 17:34, edited 1 time in total.

Pratyaksham Bala
Posts: 4164
Joined: 21 May 2010, 16:57

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by Pratyaksham Bala »

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Last edited by Pratyaksham Bala on 04 Sep 2021, 17:34, edited 1 time in total.

Pratyaksham Bala
Posts: 4164
Joined: 21 May 2010, 16:57

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by Pratyaksham Bala »

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Last edited by Pratyaksham Bala on 04 Sep 2021, 17:33, edited 1 time in total.

RSR
Posts: 3427
Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by RSR »

p-
the cited link is an upload by Raju Asokan
----
Song list provided by him follows
---
gnb
raju asokan
-Pudukottai, 1964
-------
slightly edited
----
abhogi adi psi evari bodhana (v) (S)-Patnam Subramanya Iyer
harikamboji rupakam msr saketha nagara (NS)-Mysore Sadasiva Rao
pantuvarali adi thy sundara tara (ANS)-Thyagaraja
bilahari misrachapu msd ekadantam (AS)-Muthuswamy Dikshitar
andholika adi thy raga sudha rasa (AS)-Thyagaraja
kamboji rupakam msd sri subramanyaya (ANS)-Muthuswami Dikshitar
suddhabangala rupakam thy thappakane vathsuna (S)-Thyagaraja
shanmughapriya adi(3) rtp gana lola karuna
purvikalyani adi gkb karanam kettu-gopala Krushna barathy
kalyani adi sbt kannane en kanavan
ragamalika n vrt vani rama-kharaharapriya,kalyani,ranjani,sindhu bhairavi
sindhubhairavi adi ssb smara vaaram
anandabhairavi adi agn thavalarupa
mangalam

rajeshnat
Posts: 9906
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by rajeshnat »

RSR wrote: 03 Sep 2021, 20:58
Google search will show both ( GNB as a composer and GNB as Vocalist, ) if the search term is GNBalasubramanyam.
Pbala and RSR,
Google index is enabled only with the title of the thread that is all. All said when some one say searches about GNB and if it redirects to one thread there is more chance for future rasikas and even for you as a poster to look it at it . Content across 2 threads does not encourage future readers to read both.

Collating and aggregating in one thread has long term value . Some times in the past Arasi had two threads then after many years we merged into one , she was happy, .If GNB sings his own song where do we include that (i think there is one. or two recording of GNB singing GNB) in vidwan or vaggeyakkara , The thread is just a "proper noun persona" ... period

Also note in GNB vaggeyakkara thread 90 percent of posts for the past 15 years is only about GNB as a vidwan singer, so as such lot of content has gone in .

I did a google search with just GNB , it directs now to vaggeyakkara GNB

G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB) - rasikas.orghttps://www.rasikas.org › ... › People › Vaggeyakaras
17-Feb-2006 — GNB was dubbed the prince of Carnatic Music. He towers in looks as well as genius above all stars in the CM Galaxy - past and present.

Choice is for mods , i prefer to collate please... At best GNB can have a thread in vidwan can be locked with a simple url provided to longer content that is there in vaggeyakkara GNB after renaming as GN Balasubramaniam.

RSR
Posts: 3427
Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

Re: G.N.B.CONCERTS AND SONGS

Post by RSR »

p-9
Sri.Rajeshnat
Not only GNB and MDR.... Other famous vocalists like MMD Desikar, BMK, VVSadagopan , were composers too. Primarily, the popular perception of these Vidwans was as vocalists. Of late, dedicated team of music experts ( NaadhaBrunga, VaaK, K.S.Kalidas)are uploading very fine and entire concerts in youtube public domain. with full song details and even time stamp. for all the greats of pre-1968 era.
Music academy archives have concerts of all the greats right from 1940- the best decade when the musicians were young and in their prime. ..Age does matter for voice flexibility.. ( Even one full concert in Music Academy 1946 of Smt.N.CVasanthakokilam and year after year of MS.DKP,MMI,SSI, Sathur AGS, MVI. ). @parivadini I hope , would endorse a thread for GNB as a vocalist at least henceforth.
=====

RSR
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Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by RSR »

reg p-559
---------
Forgot to give the link.
Here it is.
https://youtu.be/aecqfKBbEpo

shankarank
Posts: 4042
Joined: 15 Jun 2009, 07:16

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by shankarank »

I couldn't find the source video from any where else, but before anybody gets it, wanted to post it :D . Nice rare throw back with Sri Pazhani also in the video:

https://twitter.com/veejaysai/status/14 ... 0626950147

This one needs to get on the banner page of rasikas!

RSR
Posts: 3427
Joined: 11 Oct 2015, 23:31

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by RSR »

G N Balasubramaniam - Tiruvaiyāṟu, 1965 [112th Birth Anniversary Special]

https://youtu.be/zvKwF01hEMc

नादभृङ्ग Nādabhṛṅga
..
Nādabhṛṅga takes great pleasure in sharing with you a scintillating concert by Sangita Kalanidhi Mahavidwan Sri G N Balasubramaniam, on the occasion of his 112th birth anniversary. This concert was performed at the Ārādhanā of Sadguru Śrī Tyāgarāja at Tiruvaiyāṟu in January of 1965, which was broadcast in the National Programme. This concert was carefully digitized and re-mastered to give you a pristine listening experience.

G N Balasubramaniam
V Someshwara Babu, V Ramachandran - Vocal Support
Lalgudi G Jayaraman - Violin
Umayalpuram K Sivaraman - Mridangam
V Nagarajan - Kanjira
.
1. Opening announcements [00:00]
.
2. Śōbhillu Saptasvara - Jaganmōhinī - Rūpakam - Tyāgarāja [00:56]
.
3. Paralōka Sādhanamē Manasā - Pūrvikalyāṇī - Ādi - Tyāgarāja [05:54]
.
4. Rāga Sudhārasa - Āndōlikā - Ādi - Tyāgarāja [16:18]
.
5. Dārini Telusukoṇṭi - Śuddha Sāvērī - Ādi - Tyāgarāja [31:49]
.
6. Ēmi Jēsitēnēmi - Tōḍi - Miśra Cāpu - Tyāgarāja [47:06]
.
7. Ē Tāvuna Nērcitivō - Yadukulakāmbhōji - Ādi - Tyāgarāja [01:14:00]
.
8. Tani Āvartana [01:25:39]

---------------------------
Sriram V
2 days ago (as on 10-1-2022)
And wow to the outstanding AIR announcer! Superb diction



नादभृङ्ग Nādabhṛṅga
Sriram V

I also realise this may be one of GNB’s last recorded concerts (and may I add what an excellent recording) - the Music Academy’s Dec 1964 concert is another gem. It was almost like the great flicker of a flame before it extinguished. What an artiste. And Lalgudi, UKS and V Nagarajan at their supportive best. Not to forget VS Babu and V Ramachandran
================================================

rajeshnat
Posts: 9906
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:04

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by rajeshnat »

What a treasure to see a video of GNB in a live concert with TNK and PSP.(the video should be on or before May 1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6bx-zWnuwI

I paused the last 1 second where audience is zoomed . By any chance is the extreme right Musiri Subramania Iyer and the centre seated person is the younger Tanjore S Kalyanaraman

Pratyaksham Bala
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Joined: 21 May 2010, 16:57

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by Pratyaksham Bala »

A couple of posts back, at #569 @shankarank has given a link to this !

His crisp comment :
This one needs to get on the banner page of rasikas!

SrinathK
Posts: 2477
Joined: 13 Jan 2013, 16:10

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by SrinathK »

Luckily we have YouTube to bring out many compositions of GNB sung by his shishya parampara.

https://youtu.be/q_F1PIF8Gys - shivAnanda kAmavardhani in kAmavardhini (or as we know popularly as pantuvarALi the 51st).

GNB I am told referred to this raga as kAmavardhini only.

Pasupathy
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Joined: 26 Jan 2013, 19:01

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by Pasupathy »

A Tribute to Tiger Varadhachari (when he passed away) by G.N.B. ( in Tamil)
2451. சங்கீத சங்கதிகள் - 349
பாத சமர்ப்பணம்
ஜி.என்.பாலசுப்பிரமணியம்
https://s-pasupathy.blogspot.com/2023/02/2451-349.html

shankarank
Posts: 4042
Joined: 15 Jun 2009, 07:16

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by shankarank »

A grand live concert from Kallidaikuricci (c. 1954) has been published in Vaak channel. I have heard till the kalyANi piece.

Mind blowing form in his voice (kalyAni Alapana) . vAtApi is one hell of a rendition!

Sri Raghu's Mridangam gumuki made me think it was PazhanivAL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHYTJs8PxWQ

There is SubrahmanyAya namaste and a 4-kaLai tODi RTP as well with two thanis it seems.

shankarank
Posts: 4042
Joined: 15 Jun 2009, 07:16

Re: G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

Post by shankarank »

SrI GNB , supposedly the speed musician, brings tranquil in the 4 stage Alapana of tODI in the above concert. Graha bEdam is done during the nyAsam @ daivatam in the second or third stage - it goes to SankarabharANam base, I think Kurinji - very brief.

This is one great tODi, not that I have heard a lot of his concerts.

The execution of the Pallavi 4-kaLai is all verve and sometimes impossible to say if it is 4-kaLai or 2-kaLai with his speedier gait. But when you do tALa you see that it is 4-kaLai. Lot of control at that speed to do this in 4.

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