Dear rasikas,
the disciples, admirers and well wishers of the Late Padmasri, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Smt Sikkil V. Kunjumani solicit your kind presence for Smt Kunjumani's remembrance day to be held on Sunday, 13th November 2011 at Raga Sudha Hall, Luz, Mylapore, Chennai at 5:30 pm.
There is an audio-visual presentation on Smt Kunjumani's music, felicitation speeches and a vocal concert by Sri OS Thyagarajan with MA Sundareswaran, Sri Srimushnam Rajarao and Sri EM Subramaniam.
The organisers are also honouring a senior artiste Smt Mayavaram Saraswathi Ammal with a purse.
All are welcome.
Smt Sikkil Kunjumani Remembrance day - 13th Nov 2011
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Ramnath Iyer
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thanjavooran
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Re: Smt Sikkil Kunjumani Remembrance day - 13th Nov 2011
I had the pleasure attending her [ debut ] performance with her sister Neela at Thanjavur in a temple in south main street. Wishing the event every success.
Thanjavooran 06 11 2011
Thanjavooran 06 11 2011
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thanjavooran
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Re: Smt Sikkil Kunjumani Remembrance day - 13th Nov 2011
1 The function started exactly at 17 30 as scheduled .
2 The invocation song was by Dr Ganesh a ragamalika Pasuram and Thiruvarutpa in Brindavana saranga, Ketharagowla and Sindhubhairavi
3 Welcome address by Guruscharan.
4. He mentioned that Mala chandrasekar, Dr. Ganesh and Rajagopalan [?] were instrumental for organising this function
5. There was no ' Arattal Mirattal ' sangeetham in her concerts.
6 Murali of M A was asked to give his presidential address as he was to attend a function in MA on that evening and was honoured by GC with a ponnadai.
Murali
7 Kunjumani's music was simple with high proficiency.
8 She was the pioneer for women playing flute at a very young age
9 For the first time in 2002 two artistes were honoured with SK by MA at the same time. Even Alathur brothers got at different time.
10 Her devotion to chaste CM was excellent
NGS Krishnasamy
11 Behind every successful man a woman will be there. But here Venkataraman was behind her success.
12 Projection and presention are both important for a musician to come up . Shri Venkataraman was the motive power behind her.
13 He too could not stay back for the entire function as he was having a progrm at NGS in the same evening for which he took apology
Cleveland Sundaram
14 Her first concert was at the age of 9 as a small child with no proper recognition.
15 Her attainment of this status tells upon her knolwdge and efforts [ saadhagam]
16 A difference of 10 yrs between her and young Neela made her to be a Guru with motherly affection.
17 The deep gnanam and maturity of Kunjumani are evident from Neela's vidwath.
18 Older generation did not recognise the Gayaki style of playing.
19 SSI mentioned that one can note down the lyrics perfectly while sisters are playing.
Prof SRJ
20 Bhavam, Ragam, layam and Sruthi the basics of Sowkya Sangeetham are fully utilized by the sisters. Becuase of this they got such good recognition.
21 This acheivment is because of God's grace and they are blessed fully by Easwaran
22. Between 1939 and 1945 he had chances of listening to Kunjumani's perfomance quite number of time.
23 The practice of playing or singing anupallavi below is not aesthetic and sisters will never play like that.
24 One can notice more kuzhaivu like vocal concert.
25 Her playing is Venu gana ganam
26 The music will be measured and will be very apt and chaste
SK R Vedavalli
27 Sisters are known to her ever since her coming to Chennai
28 Neela is known as baby Neela only.
29 Affection and love are required for imparting music which Baby Neela got from her sister Kunjumani
30 During concert each one will enjoy others pidi, bruga and sagathi thus appreciating one another which was a rare feature in conerts.
31 Whenever Kunjumani talks over phone will discuss only music and no gossiping.
32 The pleasant atomosphere while playing was unique and sound coming out of the flute will be very soothing.
33 ' Adwaitha ' anubhavam or synchronisation of blowing air along with karvai or kuzhaivu emenating from it is praise worthy.
34 Harikambodhi is given life by the sisters.
35 Their korvai s are special and no ' thadaladi ' while playing
36 The whole sangeetham with melody only
T. Rukmani
37 She has accompanied her for more than 30 yrs and travlled all over india with them including Andaman
38 She has played for AIR and TV too
39 Kunjumani's planning of the concert will be excellent and time management [ for ragam, Niraval and Swaram ] was her main aim.
40 She used to encourage and appreciate at appropriate places and also got brick bats after the concerts for any lacuna .
41 In case of kanakku and other technical aspects used to discuss seperately before and after the concerts.
42 Playing of Shyama, Sudhdha saveri, Mohanam and Manirangu were all excellent.
43 She used to discuss A to Z of techniques mastered by different musicians.
44 Used treat other Artistes as a family member
TK Murthy
45 [Anecdote not connected with this] At his 12 th year he accompanied SSI along with his guru Thanjavur Vaidhyanatha Iyer as double mirudhangam. Kumbakonam rajamanickam pillai was on violin.
46 He also mentioned about one handed Ghatam player who performed along with him and his vidwath was excellent.
47 He played kantam , misram and thirsra nadai etc with his single hand.
48 He and Rukmini accompanied sisters for all concerts through out India.
49 As regards to disbursement of Sanmaanam Kunjumani used to do it gracefully and whole heartedly unlike few musicians who offer as alms.
50 Sikkal mala presented a purse and shawl to Mayavaram Saraswathi ammal a senior Flautist. Vote of thanks by Mala covered each and everyone.
The concert by OST started by 19 40 hrs accompanied by Srimushnam , MAS and KM Vadhyananthan.
Hari kombodhi piece of T
Manjari Pattividuvaradho T R S
Sankarabaranam. [ as it was late i could not enjoy the full concert ]
My observations.
The entire function was well organised and conducted. All spoke in tamil only excepting Murali of Hindu. The hall was full. Chithur Venkatesan and Sanjay were the musicians other than the guests . PSN was absent though his name found a place and reason for his not attending not known. The DJ was Podhigai famous 'Isaiyodu naan' Anu. She conducted the show nicely. All praised Kunjumani's affection and love towards co musicians and family members. As a musician she has not left any family duties unattened and only after finishing it she will go to concerts. Her husband was helping and encouraging her through out her career. She had left a legacy of musicians in her family viz, Mala and Gurucharan. An audio visual depicting Kunjumani's progress was screened . Lot of black and white photos and clippings were kept the audiance engaged for 20 mits. If possible and feasible uploading of it in this forum will be appreciated. As usual only senior citizens could be seen. Definitely would have left few important information which may kindly be excused. If corrections are required please indicate.
Thanjavooran 14 11 2011
2 The invocation song was by Dr Ganesh a ragamalika Pasuram and Thiruvarutpa in Brindavana saranga, Ketharagowla and Sindhubhairavi
3 Welcome address by Guruscharan.
4. He mentioned that Mala chandrasekar, Dr. Ganesh and Rajagopalan [?] were instrumental for organising this function
5. There was no ' Arattal Mirattal ' sangeetham in her concerts.
6 Murali of M A was asked to give his presidential address as he was to attend a function in MA on that evening and was honoured by GC with a ponnadai.
Murali
7 Kunjumani's music was simple with high proficiency.
8 She was the pioneer for women playing flute at a very young age
9 For the first time in 2002 two artistes were honoured with SK by MA at the same time. Even Alathur brothers got at different time.
10 Her devotion to chaste CM was excellent
NGS Krishnasamy
11 Behind every successful man a woman will be there. But here Venkataraman was behind her success.
12 Projection and presention are both important for a musician to come up . Shri Venkataraman was the motive power behind her.
13 He too could not stay back for the entire function as he was having a progrm at NGS in the same evening for which he took apology
Cleveland Sundaram
14 Her first concert was at the age of 9 as a small child with no proper recognition.
15 Her attainment of this status tells upon her knolwdge and efforts [ saadhagam]
16 A difference of 10 yrs between her and young Neela made her to be a Guru with motherly affection.
17 The deep gnanam and maturity of Kunjumani are evident from Neela's vidwath.
18 Older generation did not recognise the Gayaki style of playing.
19 SSI mentioned that one can note down the lyrics perfectly while sisters are playing.
Prof SRJ
20 Bhavam, Ragam, layam and Sruthi the basics of Sowkya Sangeetham are fully utilized by the sisters. Becuase of this they got such good recognition.
21 This acheivment is because of God's grace and they are blessed fully by Easwaran
22. Between 1939 and 1945 he had chances of listening to Kunjumani's perfomance quite number of time.
23 The practice of playing or singing anupallavi below is not aesthetic and sisters will never play like that.
24 One can notice more kuzhaivu like vocal concert.
25 Her playing is Venu gana ganam
26 The music will be measured and will be very apt and chaste
SK R Vedavalli
27 Sisters are known to her ever since her coming to Chennai
28 Neela is known as baby Neela only.
29 Affection and love are required for imparting music which Baby Neela got from her sister Kunjumani
30 During concert each one will enjoy others pidi, bruga and sagathi thus appreciating one another which was a rare feature in conerts.
31 Whenever Kunjumani talks over phone will discuss only music and no gossiping.
32 The pleasant atomosphere while playing was unique and sound coming out of the flute will be very soothing.
33 ' Adwaitha ' anubhavam or synchronisation of blowing air along with karvai or kuzhaivu emenating from it is praise worthy.
34 Harikambodhi is given life by the sisters.
35 Their korvai s are special and no ' thadaladi ' while playing
36 The whole sangeetham with melody only
T. Rukmani
37 She has accompanied her for more than 30 yrs and travlled all over india with them including Andaman
38 She has played for AIR and TV too
39 Kunjumani's planning of the concert will be excellent and time management [ for ragam, Niraval and Swaram ] was her main aim.
40 She used to encourage and appreciate at appropriate places and also got brick bats after the concerts for any lacuna .
41 In case of kanakku and other technical aspects used to discuss seperately before and after the concerts.
42 Playing of Shyama, Sudhdha saveri, Mohanam and Manirangu were all excellent.
43 She used to discuss A to Z of techniques mastered by different musicians.
44 Used treat other Artistes as a family member
TK Murthy
45 [Anecdote not connected with this] At his 12 th year he accompanied SSI along with his guru Thanjavur Vaidhyanatha Iyer as double mirudhangam. Kumbakonam rajamanickam pillai was on violin.
46 He also mentioned about one handed Ghatam player who performed along with him and his vidwath was excellent.
47 He played kantam , misram and thirsra nadai etc with his single hand.
48 He and Rukmini accompanied sisters for all concerts through out India.
49 As regards to disbursement of Sanmaanam Kunjumani used to do it gracefully and whole heartedly unlike few musicians who offer as alms.
50 Sikkal mala presented a purse and shawl to Mayavaram Saraswathi ammal a senior Flautist. Vote of thanks by Mala covered each and everyone.
The concert by OST started by 19 40 hrs accompanied by Srimushnam , MAS and KM Vadhyananthan.
Hari kombodhi piece of T
Manjari Pattividuvaradho T R S
Sankarabaranam. [ as it was late i could not enjoy the full concert ]
My observations.
The entire function was well organised and conducted. All spoke in tamil only excepting Murali of Hindu. The hall was full. Chithur Venkatesan and Sanjay were the musicians other than the guests . PSN was absent though his name found a place and reason for his not attending not known. The DJ was Podhigai famous 'Isaiyodu naan' Anu. She conducted the show nicely. All praised Kunjumani's affection and love towards co musicians and family members. As a musician she has not left any family duties unattened and only after finishing it she will go to concerts. Her husband was helping and encouraging her through out her career. She had left a legacy of musicians in her family viz, Mala and Gurucharan. An audio visual depicting Kunjumani's progress was screened . Lot of black and white photos and clippings were kept the audiance engaged for 20 mits. If possible and feasible uploading of it in this forum will be appreciated. As usual only senior citizens could be seen. Definitely would have left few important information which may kindly be excused. If corrections are required please indicate.
Thanjavooran 14 11 2011
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arasi
- Posts: 16873
- Joined: 22 Jun 2006, 09:30
Re: Smt Sikkil Kunjumani Remembrance day - 13th Nov 2011
Thanjavooran,
You are really something!
Thanks for bringing such a detailed description of the event.
The sisters were a treat to listen to. Funny, when I was young, when they were part of any social scene, I saw them as gruha lakshmis--though I had heard them on stage as performers! No airs, no glamor. After so many years, I chanced to see them again, sitting outside the Academy canteen (about a dozen years ago), and someone introduced me to them, and they were still the same!
After a long time, I was lucky enough to listen to them several times in Chennai and in Bengaluru--and once, walking behind them, I saw how they paid attention to each other while climbing the stairs to the hall!
You really brought the event vividly to my mind and I felt almost as if I was there to salute Srimathi Kunjumani for her contribution to CM and for her being the person she was...
It's heartening to see that Mala Chandrashekar and Gurucharan are continuing her legacy. Gurucharan has certainly made an impression on the rasikas in the US during his recent tour here.
You are really something!
Thanks for bringing such a detailed description of the event.
The sisters were a treat to listen to. Funny, when I was young, when they were part of any social scene, I saw them as gruha lakshmis--though I had heard them on stage as performers! No airs, no glamor. After so many years, I chanced to see them again, sitting outside the Academy canteen (about a dozen years ago), and someone introduced me to them, and they were still the same!
After a long time, I was lucky enough to listen to them several times in Chennai and in Bengaluru--and once, walking behind them, I saw how they paid attention to each other while climbing the stairs to the hall!
You really brought the event vividly to my mind and I felt almost as if I was there to salute Srimathi Kunjumani for her contribution to CM and for her being the person she was...
It's heartening to see that Mala Chandrashekar and Gurucharan are continuing her legacy. Gurucharan has certainly made an impression on the rasikas in the US during his recent tour here.
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thanjavooran
- Posts: 3038
- Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 04:44
Re: Smt Sikkil Kunjumani Remembrance day - 13th Nov 2011
Arasi avl,
ThanQ very much for your kind words. As a boy of 12 I was forced to escort my sister [ a student of OVS ] for the debut performance of Sikkil Neela. For OVS, the next day students should review and discuss the concerts attended by them. Hence I was initiated to [listen ] CM by my sister and attended almost all stalwarts' concerts that were taking place in all temples in early 50 s. [ Incidentally there was only a sabha in Thanjavoor named after Thyaga Brhmam in those days. ] I well rember, the sisters in their pattu paavadai sattai kept the audience spell bound for 3 hrs. The audio visual presentation covered their enire journey in CM.
Thanjavooran 17 11 2011
ThanQ very much for your kind words. As a boy of 12 I was forced to escort my sister [ a student of OVS ] for the debut performance of Sikkil Neela. For OVS, the next day students should review and discuss the concerts attended by them. Hence I was initiated to [listen ] CM by my sister and attended almost all stalwarts' concerts that were taking place in all temples in early 50 s. [ Incidentally there was only a sabha in Thanjavoor named after Thyaga Brhmam in those days. ] I well rember, the sisters in their pattu paavadai sattai kept the audience spell bound for 3 hrs. The audio visual presentation covered their enire journey in CM.
Thanjavooran 17 11 2011