G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB)

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 13 Jun 2011, 02:13

GNB - Kharaharapriya Alapana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMu_qBGqtOI

We have discussed before about the lack of any recordings of Kharaharapriya by GNB except for this one. I think the audio was shared before. Just noticed the above link on you tube.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 01 Jul 2011, 14:06

My radio show on GNB will go to air tonight at 9pm Sydney time on radio 2SER FM. It is being streamed online at the same time at www.2ser.com the duration of the show is 90 minutes
You can hear a few of GNB's masterpieces.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 06 May 2012, 13:12

Writeup on Shri GNB
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article3380177.ece

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 04 Jul 2012, 14:09

Shri. GN Balasubramaniam-A Profile-Part I...

Courtesy DD Podhigai Recorded on 10-01-2012...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEA0Y18-uGY

A Profile--Part II...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d9frP6Dq6s

I am having his RTP of P sivan song " tamadam En svami " about 29mts...

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 05 Jul 2012, 21:52

Thamathamen swamy-RTP-thodi-raga-(Audio Provided by Shri Shivakumar...Carnatic Music Krithi Audio Archive...(3 seperate clips of the song/raga)
Alapana/tahanam/swarakalpana of the song were added...to make the full rtp..)
Composed by .papanasam Sivan..
Rendered by.. Shri GN Balasubramaniam....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS4TAZBA00E

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 18 Jul 2012, 19:19

Sundara tara deham Raga Pantuvarali

Composer Thyagaraja...

rendered by Shri GN Balasubramaniam.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKwNMMUa4M

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 03 Aug 2012, 01:33

I have several songs in my database that are supposedly by GNB. If anayone can shed some light on any of these I would be very grateful. Thanks.

Bhava padalu-Kambhoji-
Ettanai nal inda-Yadukulakambhoji-Adi
Kurai tirka-Vardhani-Adi
Ma ramana-Todi-Adi
Mahadeva manohari-Ranjani-Rupaka
Mamava matangi-Ritigaula-Rupaka
Nannu brocheva-Shahana-Adi
Nayeda-Begada-Chapu
Ne gati nive-Kiranavali-Adi
Ni manasu-Hindola-Rupaka
Ni vegani-Nilambari-Adi
Nijamuga nammaka-Saveri-Rupaka
Ninnadi-Kanada-Rupaka
Pada sarasamulu-Kambhoji-Adi
Parameshvari-Khamas-Rupaka
Perumaiyai-Hindolavasanta-Adi
Sarangadhara-Saranga-Rupaka
Un pugazhe nan-Yadukulakambhoji-Adi
Vikasita purna-Purnachandrika-Adi
Yar ennai-Dhanyasi-Adi

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 30 Aug 2012, 15:24

Some compositions of GNB rendered by his disciples etc can be reached at this link in my blog...

http://myblogkumara.blogspot.in/2011/03 ... tions.html

vs_manjunath · Post by **vs_manjunath** » 31 Aug 2012, 15:13

Lakshman wrote:I have several songs in my database that are supposedly by GNB. If anayone can shed some light on any of these I would be very grateful. Thanks.

Bhava padalu-Kambhoji-
Ettanai nal inda-Yadukulakambhoji-Adi
Kurai tirka-Vardhani-Adi
Ma ramana-Todi-Adi
Mahadeva manohari-Ranjani-Rupaka
Mamava matangi-Ritigaula-Rupaka
Nannu brocheva-Shahana-Adi
Nayeda-Begada-Chapu
Ne gati nive-Kiranavali-Adi
Ni manasu-Hindola-Rupaka
Ni vegani-Nilambari-Adi
Nijamuga nammaka-Saveri-Rupaka
Ninnadi-Kanada-Rupaka
Pada sarasamulu-Kambhoji-Adi
Parameshvari-Khamas-Rupaka
Perumaiyai-Hindolavasanta-Adi
Sarangadhara-Saranga-Rupaka
Un pugazhe nan-Yadukulakambhoji-Adi
Vikasita purna-Purnachandrika-Adi
Yar ennai-Dhanyasi-Adi

I am sure you will have in your posession "Compositions of GNB" the tamil book publ in Dec 1971.Two Varnams and thirty Krithis of GNB are given here.I can list all this if required.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 31 Aug 2012, 21:57

vs_manjunath: I have all the three published books of compositions by GNB. The above mentioned songs are mentioned in a book by P.V.Rajagopal.

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 25 Sep 2012, 11:33

Dear Rasikas

Is there any Katcheri recordings ( live ) available with GNB singing 'Vasudevayani.....' in Kalyani?

Sivaprasad

ranjanimalavi · Post by **ranjanimalavi** » 25 Sep 2012, 17:59

Search for 'vasudeva' in the following link
http://www.sangeethapriya.org/tributes/ ... ithis.html

Raman

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 26 Sep 2012, 14:10

'Vasudevayani ....' as given in the list is a studio recording ( 1942?) by GNB.

Sivaprasad

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 20 Oct 2012, 15:26

E Swara-005-GNB-marivErE-gati--Anandabhairavi--cApu--Shri.GN Balasubramaniam-Shyma Sastri....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--TrVqqdQe0

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 27 Nov 2012, 09:18

Dear Rasikas

Is there any recording available where in GNB sings " SHRUTHI BHEDAM" ?

Sivaprasad

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 05 May 2013, 19:11

E Swara 008-GNB-RTP-Pallavi line..Tharaka Brahma-Kalyani....one hour 15 mts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3te6y0o49a0

E Swara009-GNB-RTP-Bhiravi...one hour 12 mts...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiADd1l8coM

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 01 Jun 2013, 07:28

E Swara 010 GNB 11 Slokam and Smaravaaram ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qc_J5KpDT4

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 01 Jun 2013, 12:37

E Swara 012 GNB Aaragimpave Thodi Thyagaraja...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyNWSOZu ... fA&index=1

I have a doubt..

whether the violin support is by Chowdiah or MSG?

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 03 Jun 2013, 22:38

Have heard that GNB never sang kharaharapriya after he felt that he could never surpass Semmangudi's KHP.
I am not sure whether this is true..
I personally have never come across (in recordings) of GNB handling KHP as the main piece.

E Swara 010 GNB 11 Slokam and Smaravaaram ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qc_J5KpDT4

This is a very rare clip of Sri GNB singing Karaharapriya.

Listen to the first 3 minutes of this Viruttam.It shows how Sri GNB handled Karaharapriya.

Seems to be one of his last concerts held at Pudukkottai in the year 1965

Thanks to shri Jayadev Menon for providing the clip..

Quoting him here..

"There is a very interesting incident mentioned in "Gamakas No Bar" written by V N Muthukumar and M V Ramana.A rasika by the name Shivaramakrishnan remembers a concert of Sri GNB in Calcutta in the year 1950 where he sang a Ragam Thanam Pallavi in Karaharapriya and went on to append the famous Papanasan Sivan Krithi Dayavillaya Dayaalo.Late Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman to recalls a memorable Karaharapriya of GNB at Rasika Ranjani Sabha.So there is ample evidence that Sri GNB used to sing Karaharapriya elaborately in his younger days.I have also heard about a rendition of Pakkala Nilabadi by Sri GNB in which he has sung Neraval at Pakkala Nilabadi itself. "

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 04 Jun 2013, 09:45

Wonderful. Thanks, Sri Venkatakailasam.
The concert was actually on 26 July 1964 with LGJ and CS Murugabhoopathy.

SrinathK · Post by **SrinathK** » 07 Jun 2013, 13:00

Dear mahavishnu, you sure that's 1964? His voice is in fantastic form. I have this concert and the Shanmukhapriya RTP is mind blowing. Because in that alapana his voice went all the way to the ati tara sthayi Sa and the replies by Lalgudi are breathtaking, especially the high speed neraval.

This slokam is one of GNB's all time bests :ymapplause: for the remarkable raga phrases and the unbelievable replies by Lalgudi sir showing his own genius in phrasing -- could hardly take it by the time they finished the Sindhubhairavi -- Lalgudi is also gone now

( . The raga bhavam is just so beautiful. And it was just lilting how Murugabhoopathy takes up the rhythm at start of Smaravaaram.

By the way, for all the discussion on Kharaharapriya, isn't anyone paying attention to the fact that this is probably the one and only recording of GNB singing Rishabhapriya?

B-)

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 09 Jun 2013, 14:55

Listen to a 3 hour concert by GNB..

E Swara 013 Concert GNB Lalgudi G Jayaraman & Ramanathapuram C S Muruga boopathi ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8raz2e_KQbs

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 10 Jun 2013, 20:36

removed

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 10 Jun 2013, 20:45

Shri Rajasekar (Sir GBR )..

I hope postings the above concert at 422 is in order..Please confirm..

If you have any objection I can with draw the same..

vs_manjunath · Post by **vs_manjunath** » 11 Jun 2013, 04:02

Sri V Kailasam

Your post # 418 and your doubt reg the violinist : It's neither Chowdaiah nor MSG nor Lalgudi.

SrinathK · Post by **SrinathK** » 12 Jun 2013, 01:39

Dear vsm & venkatakailasam, the violinist is indeed Sri Lalgudi only. That concert happened in 1960 in Bombay Shanmukhananda Sabha. Pazhani Subramania Pillai played on the mridangam. The concert also has Yochana in Darbar, Enna Gaanu Raama Bhajana, Etha Nerchitivo, Sarasa Saama Daana (incredible) and the Kalyani Pallavi "Un Darisanam Kidaikkumo Nataraja Dayanidhe" -- only Lalgudi sir could play like that with such glides and brighas and replies.

vs_manjunath · Post by **vs_manjunath** » 12 Jun 2013, 02:39

Probably Lalgudi was not well that day.Although i also felt it must be Lalgudi only at some places thete was a doubt.

SrinathK · Post by **SrinathK** » 12 Jun 2013, 08:44

Dear vsm, it's the audio quality that's pretty crappy there -- most often the violin is barely heard (perhaps they had only one mic?). But that is actually some outstanding playing there. The electrifying replies in Darbar and the neraval in Enna Gaanu, as well as the superb support in the Kalyani pallavi, not to mention one of the greatest renditions of Sarasa Saama Daana in both alapana and kalpanaswaras. Though bad audio can make any violin sound mute and lifeless.

vs_manjunath · Post by **vs_manjunath** » 12 Jun 2013, 18:35

Dear Srinath-ThX for the clarification.
Secondly,GNB's KHP link i am unable to listen.If u have url pl do provide, i would love to listen.
Lastly,Ennagaana of Bhadrachala Ramadas in Pantuvarali has become out of circulation.Even MS Amma has sung this song ...it was an EP those days!!!

gb_rajasekar · Post by **gb_rajasekar** » 14 Jul 2013, 11:56

Dear Lakshamni,

We can confirm Vistaka Purna - Purnachandrika as my father's. Charumathi has talked about it .

Rgds
Rajasekar

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 27 Jul 2013, 12:03

A rare video of GNB, LGJ and PRR circa 1959...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=43 ... =2&theater

I hope the link will work here.

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 27 Jul 2013, 18:16

Thanks GBR. Hopefully we find confirmation about the other songs.

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 07 Sep 2013, 06:36

Dear Rasikas

Which is the oldest concert recording available ( other than AIR) of GNB? 1957 Shanmukhananda? Is this connected to the demise of T R Balasubramanyam, the most favorite desciple of GNB, who passed away in 1956?

Sivaprasad

SrinathK · Post by **SrinathK** » 10 Sep 2013, 10:40

There is a very old recording of GNB taken in the early 30's I think. I have seen this on his Facebook page. It shows a very different style of the old GNB (and sung in a high pitch) than what we have come to associate him with. It was on soundcloud somewhere and you will not even believe you are listening to GNB at first.

Then there are some film songs of his in the late 1930s. The Vaasudevayani LP, Radha Sametha Krishna, Himagiri tanaye, etc... are all from c.1940. Other LPs are his Jayati jayati bharata maata and Sonnadhai seivida which are all from his peak period. There is an early recording of Saketha Nagara with Rajamanickam pillai on the violin that shows his voice at his effortless peak. At the very latest I would put it in the early 50s.

There is an excellent concert in 1952 with Papa Venkatramiah and PMI with Kaddanu Variki, Maragatha vallim, Ramachandram bhaavayaami and others. There are also some incredible RTPs in the 50s and 60s with MSG, TNK and LGJ. The AIR concert with Chowdiah is another one. Also there is another kutcheri with LGJ supposedly in 1964, but I have a feeling it was earlier. I do not know if there are any recordings later than the last Academy concert in 1964 -- perhaps many more will be somewhere down in the archives of the AIR. It's a pity most of it doesn't come out -- if it ain't commercially viable then it ought to be turned from LP/Cassette into modern .mp3 or .wav of high quality and released to public.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 11 Sep 2013, 02:36

http://archiveofindianmusic.org/artist_sound_clips/55

Fellow member Vikram Sampath who is the curator of this site could probably direct you to more and provide an exact date on this. My sense (as Srinath also observes) is that this predates his work in the Ellis R. Dungan movie Shakuntalai with MSS (1940).

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 11 Sep 2013, 05:47

Dear Srinathji

Would you please give the reference for the Papa-GNB concert 1952? Where it was held?

I was refering only to non- AIR concerts ( studio recorded songs in LPs not included) of GNB

Is Someswar Babu, desciple of GNB alive now?

Sivaprasad

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 22 Sep 2013, 20:30

A rare image.WITH GNB,MLV and TRB...

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 30 Sep 2013, 09:31

Dear Rasikas

In one of the Katcheri Recordings of GNB, one Mosiah is appearing as the Violinsy. Can somebodt throw some light on this artist!?

Sivaprasad

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 25 Jan 2014, 07:41

Dear Rasikas

Does anybody know what all instrument(s) are being played in the disc recording of Sonnathai Cheythida (1940s) by GNB? Who are the instrumentalists in this?

Siva

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 05 Jun 2014, 10:20

Dear Rasikas

In one of his compositions, GNB has used " Koshanthara Sthitha Poshithe...." . Has any other Vaggeyakaras ( Diskshitahar?) used this usage?

Sivaprasad

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 08 Jun 2014, 13:45

Gamakam-Lalitharam
This is just wonderful. You are surely born post GNB. What is so important is you are helping unearth those rasikas like Shri V Ramanarayanan and many more who lived when GNB was there , by your sheer depth in understanding and sharing the passion of GNB to those after and before you.

Keep it up gamakam, I do know personally you for many years .best wishes your thamizh was difficult to read now I am happy that you are also writing the book in english. I took three to four months to read your thamizh book (the tortoise that I am ), I think I will read your english book soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9uStR3zZHI .

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 19 Jun 2014, 10:25

Lalitharamji

Great contributions from you to the Carnatic Music world!

GNB was gifted with a golden voice ( the gift his many of his contemporaries lacked) and having lost this, he tested even 'Thanthrika' route. GNB approached Moorkanad Nampoothiri who was connected with Kochi Royal Family and did some rituals to regain his lost voice. These types of details may also be included in your upcoming book.

Sivaprasad

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 13 Jul 2014, 19:49

Here is an article in TOI, dated 29/12/2012 shared from his brother Shri GN Balakrishnan....

" I reproduce the last paragraph from an article in TOI, dated 29/12/2012 , which I accidentally saw just now, in which there is a reference to my brother. I quote " The first superstar of Carnatic music, GN Balasubramaniam was charged with causing torrential rains in Madras, which caused a section of wall in Paragon Theatres to collapse on December, 5, 1948. This tragedy was blamed on the rain-invoking ragas of the maestro that played out during the screening of RUKMANGADA. GNB acted and lent his voice to the songs in the movie".
He acted as the hero RUKMANGADA in this movie ."

Also read at: yet another on GNB..

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp ... 790330.ece

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 26 Jul 2014, 17:45

GNB's composition Sada Palaya in a recent film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt8WyEbIAkI

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 29 Jul 2014, 12:35

Dear krishji

The song is not by GNB, it is Sada Palaya "Sarasakhi" ( GNB's song is "Sarasakha",am I right?)

Siva

sivachinta1965 · Post by **sivachinta1965** » 29 Jul 2014, 18:46

Dear Krishji

Please read as " Sarasaksha" & Sarasakshi instead of "Sarasakha" &"Sarasakhi"

siva

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 21 Sep 2014, 03:32

http://www.karnatik.com/c1209.shtml

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 21 Sep 2014, 05:23

srkris,
A lovely song, sung very well too as we hear them in malayALam films, but visually, Mr. Fraud character was something else! :-ss

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 21 Oct 2014, 21:26

Deepavali Special..
Concert 277- GNB 1963 Calcutta concert with TNK and Palaghat Ragu
Listen at:

http://myblogkumara.blogspot.in/2014/09 ... art-x.html

01-ninnu kori – varnam-Mohanam-Poochi
02-pranamamyaham-Mysore Vasudevachari-Goula
03-paraloka—Poorvikalyani- Thygaraja
04-samajavara gamana-Hindolam-Thyagaraja
05-ma janaki-Kambhoji- Thyagaraja
06-telisirama chintanato-Purna Chandrika-Thyagaraja
07- dasaratha bala ramachandrayya dayanidhe -RTP Thodi

Audio courtesy: Shri. Sridhar Seshagiri..

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 18 Dec 2014, 19:10

GNB 057-RTP_tODi with TNK and Palagad Ragu.

Pallavi line: dasaratha bala ramachandrayya dayanidhe

http://mfi.re/listen/542e5a853541s1y/GN ... d_Ragu.mp3