Women composers?

Miscellaneous topics on Carnatic music
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ragam-talam
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Joined: 28 Sep 2006, 02:15

Post by ragam-talam »

There seems to be a paucity of women composers in the carnatic music field. Wonder why. Is it because they didn't venture out into composing, or musicians tend not to sing their compositions? I can't believe they lacked the talent.

Some of the names I have heard of are:
Ambujam Krishna, D. Pattammal, Indira Srinivasan(?), Princess Rukmini Bai of Travancore palace, and of course Andal.

VK RAMAN
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Post by VK RAMAN »

Could it be dependence on two income?

ajit
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Post by ajit »

I think its Indira Natesan.

ajit.

rshankar
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Post by rshankar »

Andavan Piccai, Lakshmi rAjAngam (who uses a very clever mudra - 'SrI rAjapatnI'), mIrA. Now, arasi, to name a few.

Dr. Vasumati Badrinathan has performed a thematic concert with compositions from woman composers entirely - called 'stree gaanam':

See a page from her website for more information:

http://www.vasumathi.net/womencomposers.htm#
Last edited by rshankar on 01 May 2008, 02:43, edited 1 time in total.

vasya10
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Post by vasya10 »

Three more, though there aren't many compositions attributed to them: Gomati Bala (va vava in sindhubhairavi); karaikkal ammayyar (idarakalai in anandabhairavi); and saranganayaki ammal (solluvai ni kuyile in atana). I also recently heard a ragamalika varnam composed and rendered by Smt Shankari krishnan.

Lakshman
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Post by Lakshman »

Here is a more complete list of women composers. Most are from 20th century. Some have only a few kritis to their credit while others have been prolific.

A.S.Lakshmi Ammal, Abhayambika, Ambujam Krishna, Amrita Geetanandapuri, Andal, Andavan Pichai, Auvayyar, Bobbili Maharani, Charumathi Ramachandran, Chitra Balraj, D.Pattammal, Doddi Sudhabai, Gidugu Lakshmikantamma, Gomathi Subramaniam, Haimavathi Tyagarajan, Indira Natesan, Indira Srinivasan, K.Lalitha, K.M.Soundaryavalli, Kalyani Varadarajan, Kamala Krishnamurti, Kuttikunju Tangachi, Lakshmi Krishna, Lakshmi Rajangam, Lalita Navile, Lalita Shivakumar, N.Savithri, Nila Ramamurti, P.Shantakumari, Padmavathi Ammal, Pankajavalli Narayanan, R.Sundaravalli Ammal, Radha Hari, Rajalakshmi Parameshwaran, Rajam Sharma, Rajam Sitaram, Rajee Krishnan (arasi), Rajee Narayan, Ranganayaki Ammal, Rukmini Ramani, Sattur Karpakam, Sharada Natarajan, Suguna Purushothaman, Sulochana Pattabhiraman, T.S.Lokambal, V.Girija, Vasanta Sharavanan, Vembu Ammal, Vishalaksh Ammal

ragam-talam
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Post by ragam-talam »

Oh, there are two Indiras then? Natesan and Srinivasan?

Wonder if people have heard any of these composers' kritis.

Adidaivam
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Post by Adidaivam »

in Music there is no Gender... Vedanye polum Vedantamakkunna...Nadanusandhana Sallapame.. Sangeethame

Lakshman
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Post by Lakshman »

Yes there are two Indiras.

rajeeram
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Post by rajeeram »

My mother had an interesting experience on a recent train journey. She met this composer, Mangalam Ganapathy. Smt.Mangalam has no formal training in carnatic music or languages other than Tamil. Apparently in her 60s she got inspiration one fine day and started composing (including setting songs to tune) , even in languages she never spoke or learnt. Lots of front-ranking musicians have sung her songs. She even has a website, http://www.mangalamganapathy.com/

How does one compose in languages one never learnt and in a musical system one was not immersed in? How does the brain rewire itself like that? This is fascinating stuff.

I remember reading Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks last year that includes an anecdote on someone struck by lightning who, with no or very limited training, suddenly starts playing Chopin at an almost professional level. I think someone recommended this book here before.

Totally tangential, there was a fabulous talk on the TED series by neuroscientist, Jill Bolte Taylor where she walks through the experience of her stroke called "A Stroke of Insight"

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229

ragam-talam
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Post by ragam-talam »

How does one compose in languages one never learnt and in a musical system one was not immersed in?
I am sure years of listening to compositions of Tyagaraja, Syama Sastry et al must have had an effect on helping her to start composing in languages she was not conversant in.
Partial explanation, perhaps?

Pushparamji
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Joined: 03 May 2021, 06:42

Re: Women composers?

Post by Pushparamji »

Namastey Friends,

I am a new entrant in this group.🙏

From the long list of female composers that Sri. Lakshman Sir has posted long ago, I would be very grateful to know , besides Lakshmi Krishna , if any one of the composers , hail from Kerala? ( born in Kerala) And whether their repertoire includes Tamil compositions?
Thk u

Lakshman
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Re: Women composers?

Post by Lakshman »


kmrasika
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Re:

Post by kmrasika »

Lakshman wrote: 01 May 2008, 18:11 Here is a more complete list of women composers. Most are from 20th century. Some have only a few kritis to their credit while others have been prolific.

A.S.Lakshmi Ammal, Abhayambika, Ambujam Krishna, Amrita Geetanandapuri, Andal, Andavan Pichai, Auvayyar, Bobbili Maharani, Charumathi Ramachandran, Chitra Balraj, D.Pattammal, Doddi Sudhabai, Gidugu Lakshmikantamma, Gomathi Subramaniam, Haimavathi Tyagarajan, Indira Natesan, Indira Srinivasan, K.Lalitha, K.M.Soundaryavalli, Kalyani Varadarajan, Kamala Krishnamurti, Kuttikunju Tangachi, Lakshmi Krishna, Lakshmi Rajangam, Lalita Navile, Lalita Shivakumar, N.Savithri, Nila Ramamurti, P.Shantakumari, Padmavathi Ammal, Pankajavalli Narayanan, R.Sundaravalli Ammal, Radha Hari, Rajalakshmi Parameshwaran, Rajam Sharma, Rajam Sitaram, Rajee Krishnan (arasi), Rajee Narayan, Ranganayaki Ammal, Rukmini Ramani, Sattur Karpakam, Sharada Natarajan, Suguna Purushothaman, Sulochana Pattabhiraman, T.S.Lokambal, V.Girija, Vasanta Sharavanan, Vembu Ammal, Vishalaksh Ammal
@Lakshman Sir:
There is also a vā mu. Kothai Nayaki, correct? There was a publication with notations released maybe a decade ago.

Lakshman
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Re: Women composers?

Post by Lakshman »

You are right. I missed adding her name. Thanks.

kmrasika
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Re: Women composers?

Post by kmrasika »

One more: Dr Lalitha Santhanam (not sure whether she is the same as K Laltha on your list)-small book of compositions and accompanying album was released a few years ago.

parivadini
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Re: Women composers?

Post by parivadini »

Not to forget the wonderful contemporary women composer - Dr. Baby Sriram.

HarishankarK
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Re: Women composers?

Post by HarishankarK »

Abhaya varade sharade hindolam misra chapu is popular composition of Smt Indira Natesan
TVS always sings that one

HarishankarK
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Re: Women composers?

Post by HarishankarK »

Mirabai also

Lakshman
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Re: Women composers?

Post by Lakshman »

parivadani wrote:

Code: Select all

Not to forget the wonderful contemporary women composer - Dr. Baby Sriram.
Are her compositions available in book form?

shankarank
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Joined: 15 Jun 2009, 07:16

Re: Women composers?

Post by shankarank »

Smt. Abhayambika - she composed many of the tamizhAkkams of SrI tyAgaraja - one being "enai (y)ATkoLLa naDandu vantAyO?" - a translation of nanupAlimpa in Mohanam- sung by Dr. Balamurali Krishna - right?

emmaarkay
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Re: Women composers?

Post by emmaarkay »

Dr. Suvarna Nalappatt seems to be the only woman composer (also from Kerala) who has composed in all 72 mela ragas; her krithis are mostly sung by Dr. G. Bhuvaneswary and available in the web. Dr. Suvarna was the head of the Dept, Music Therapy at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Here is one of her compositions (Ragam Chakravakam)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul8X_T50fx0

Lakshman
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Re: Women composers?

Post by Lakshman »

Is a book of her compositions available?

Manian
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Re: Women composers?

Post by Manian »

Art is self inspirational. A hidden talent that sprouts if time and place is right. Did any one ask are there Female Picasso. The point is in a closed society with familial responsibilities these wonderful women did not go out to get their lyrics published. Patriarchical society did not allow them to blossom. Also there was no U.V. Saminatha Iyer like Tamil manuscript searchers were there to find these Gems. There is no consipiracy in this. It was the tale of the time. Now things are changing and society is slowly recognize their talents After all Knowledge GOD is a female Saraswati and not Brahma.

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