R.K.Srikantan is no more

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 19 Feb 2014, 17:54

A classic tribute Varsha. 'Antharanga Kadava' haunts.
Just returned from RKS house paying my last respects.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 19 Feb 2014, 21:39

Whether I heard him in a small temple or at the Music Academy, it was the same thing. A powerful voice was his, and it was filled with bhAva. It commanded your attention and yet soothed your senses.

As years went by, you wondered if that voice would lose momentum, lose its strength. That never happened!

Ramakriya,
Thanks for the interviews you have posted. Yours, I read haltingly, and Sri. Natarajan's one was easy to read (being translated into english!).

Of course, RKS deserved recognition at a much earlier age. Once he had it, he got to be appreciated by rasikAs everywhere.

His disciplined way of life--both in music and in his everyday life was a key factor in shaping him into the musician that he was. His simplicity and pleasant personality added to it all.

With all the rich traditional values which he cherished, I gather from the two interviews that along with Semmangudi and Musiri, GNB inspired him too! One or two forumites (pure traditionalists) may not be aware that he was influenced by nAdaswaram music too!

After mentioning how his family encouraged him in his musical training, he says that his wife is so good at taking care of everything, that he lives with his music without any care in the world.

I have mentioned it before in the forum: It was always a joy to see her in his concerts, sitting in one of the front rows, appreciating her husband's music with such glee. I loved watching her when she nodded her head in all her appreciative moments.

Just at this moment, his 'kari kaLabha mukham' fills my mind, clear and replete with 'naya' (gAmbhIrya in the kruti conveyed subtly, finely)--naya which he says is essential for a musician to invest in his music...

CM has lost another giant, but his music will live on...

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 20 Feb 2014, 00:01

Very sorry to hear this. He was the last one of that generation of musicians. Condolences to his family and students. This is a great loss to Carnatic Music.

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 20 Feb 2014, 00:11

Very sorry to hear Sri Srikantan's passing away. My sincere sympathies to his family, students and rasikas all over. I never saw him, but heard his music on You Tube. I wondered at his voice in his 90s. It is a very great loss to Carnatic Music. He was one of the older musicians who followed tradition.

gardabha_gana · Post by **gardabha_gana** » 20 Feb 2014, 07:27

I posted this on my fb page...
Yesterday was the end of an era in Carnatic music. The Bhishma Pitamaha, Vidwan RK Srikantan left his rasikas for a better place. For those of us who grew up listening to his music - forever - the loss is immense and personal. I last heard him in December at the music academy - he was at Ragigudda 2 weeks back - my mom attended that concert. I believe he sang in Udupi 3 days back! Well, he performed till the very end - how many of us can do what we enjoy till our end comes?

Every morning akashavani used to feature him starting with their Geetharadhane - at 6:05 in the morning - his dasa krithis, collaborations with Doreswamy Iyengar, GeethaRupakas of Pu.Thi.Na, compositions of Vasudevachar, Muthiah Bhagavathar... so on... He was the pride of Bangalore - especially Malleswaram/Seshadripuram.

His concerts always had a sense of proportion - impeccable shruthi, vast repertoire - always had some compositions that I would not have heard before. One used to feel a sense of completeness and bliss - always traditional - starting with varnam and ending with Thillana - devoid of any vocal gymnastics. One can produce good music without all the drama. His LecDems were classy. I will forever remember the one on usage of Sadharana Gandhara at the Samaja, where he complained that his shruthi was not ok that day . I followed him to many concerts upon my return to India. I noticed that his concerts used to be a full house in Madras.

He had his legion of followers and admirers - he visited the bay area few times when I was there and always very humble. Talking to him one could sense what a complete person he was! Indeed as they say, Vidhya Dadati Vinayam. Met him at Trivandrum airport last summer - and he was very warm and made us all feel so easy.

Lastly, my dad was a huge fan of his. I still remember him tell me while in the US in the 90s - how he went all the way to Seshadripuram from Jayangar to listen to RKS - left a little early to catch the bus back, and when he started singing Sanmukhapriya sat in the park opposite I am sure he is welcoming him....

gardabha_gana · Post by **gardabha_gana** » 20 Feb 2014, 07:46

Thanks a lot varsha for the tribute. Ver moving and nostalgic. Nice to see HP Ramachar, TS Tathachar in the archives. That took me back to my younger days....

Malleswaram of old....

ramanathan · Post by **ramanathan** » 20 Feb 2014, 08:04

Selected pics of the maestro that I was lucky to capture in the last 5-6 yrs... please CLICK HERE

Meenalochani · Post by **Meenalochani** » 20 Feb 2014, 18:58

I want to share with all a great tribute to the Maestro appearing in the Hindu during Google search (R K Srikantan)

The title of the tribute by one of his nephews is a follows. Somehow I could not get the link working when I pasted it here. Please have a look.

RK Srikantan: Devotion of a lifetime

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 20 Feb 2014, 20:23

Here is the link referred by # 50- Meenalochani.

http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday ... 709539.ece

gardabha_gana · Post by **gardabha_gana** » 20 Feb 2014, 20:46

One more - from his disciples:
http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday ... 709633.ece

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 20 Feb 2014, 20:58

Purist wrote:Here is the link referred by # 50- Meenalochani.
http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday ... 709539.ece

Isn't the author one of the Rudrapatnam Brothers? Beautifully written.

mkal · Post by **mkal** » 20 Feb 2014, 21:17

This may have been posted earlier, but here is a wonderful lec-dem from a couple of years ago. Even the kannada he speaks is music to one's ears (there are subtitles in English)!

http://shabda.co.in/?q=node/67

girish_a · Post by **girish_a** » 21 Feb 2014, 12:18

Yes, the Kannada is exquisite

smala · Post by **smala** » 21 Feb 2014, 12:47

Padma Bhushan came to him only in 2011. Surprising, considering how some others in music and dance have got it much earlier in their lifetime.

keerthi · Post by **keerthi** » 21 Feb 2014, 13:09

smala,

The Padmabhushan was conferred very early in R.K.Srikantan's career (some may even say prematurely) in 2011.

There is a composition of the haridAsa srIpAdarAya, who lived for long in Srirangam, and used the signature 'ranga-viTTala' that goes bhUSaNakke bhUSaNa idu bhUSaNa! shESagirivAsa! srIvara! vEnkaTEsha!. RKS used to sing this one with his characteristic sonorous voice, with suitable emphasis at various points in the sAhitya. It describes how, in the case of VenkaTeswara, he adds beauty to the ornaments laden on him, rather than the other way round.

smala · Post by **smala** » 21 Feb 2014, 13:41

keerthi wrote:smala,

The Padmabhushan was conferred very early in R.K.Srikantan's career (some may even say prematurely) in 2011.

There is a composition of the haridAsa srIpAdarAya, who lived for long in Srirangam, and used the signature 'ranga-viTTala' that goes bhUSaNakke bhUSaNa idu bhUSaNa! shESagirivAsa! srIvara! vEnkaTEsha!. RKS used to sing this one with his characteristic sonorous voice, with suitable emphasis at various points in the sAhitya. It describes how, in the case of VenkaTeswara, he adds beauty to the ornaments laden on him, rather than the other way round.

Keerthi, in 2011 - he was 91 - early?

Aditto · Post by **Aditto** » 21 Feb 2014, 21:52

It was sarcasm on the delay !!.

smala · Post by **smala** » 21 Feb 2014, 22:27

Makes me wonder if sincerity and tributes coming in go together given the "hollow" recognition in 2011.

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 22 Feb 2014, 16:03

Interview of Mar 2013 with Sri RKS is available at:

http://sahapedia.org/r-k-srikantan-1920-2014/

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 25 Feb 2014, 11:43

There was a concert of RKS on Saturday in Podhigai morning 9 AM. Any body has recorded the audio of this? If so, I will like to have it.
There was NP concert on Sunday night. Simply great- with Pahitharakshu-Jaganmohini of ST, Koluvamaregada etc. I have recorded that.

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 25 Feb 2014, 16:11

There was a very rare radio prog of RKS with LGJ and PMI, of AIR Trivandrum or some other of Kerala.
It had a splendid Paramathmudu & Nadatanu and a Thodi as well. Unfortunately I am not able to locate the link or
get a recording of it. Just memories of a classy one.

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 25 Feb 2014, 16:54

I have got that concert.Not PMI. VR. It was held in Swati Tirunal Sangeetha Sabha TVM, Thyagaraja Utsavam in early 80s. If you are in Chennai, contact me.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 25 Feb 2014, 21:11

Just memories of a classy one

Pl Add this to those memories
http://chowdaiahandparvati.blogspot.in/ ... rance.html
Given the correct credits now.

smala · Post by **smala** » 25 Feb 2014, 23:13

Awesome celestial music with the violin taking it to Goloka. Thanks, yummy indeed.

Purist · Post by **Purist** » 26 Feb 2014, 11:40

Thanks a lot Varsha.

#72- CRama , can you please upload just the 'Paramathmudu' number. Remember it as very authentic.

espras · Post by **espras** » 26 Feb 2014, 22:25

Thanks Varsha for the Parvathi concert. The lilting and brisk opener in the form of Darbar varnam sets the tempo for the music to follow.

Incidentally, RKS’s Darbar figures in Amruthavarshini (FM100.1) which is broadcasting music lessons from the doyen on a daily basis in 15 minute segments. The kruthi being taught by RKS is the rare Thyagagaraja composition ‘Nithyarupa’. The art and science of singing the kruthi is being explained lucidly by him with generous sharing of nuggets of wisdom.

Narada Guru Swami is another Thyagaraja composition in Darbar that RKS used to excel in.

keerthi · Post by **keerthi** » 28 Feb 2014, 12:03

Narada Guru Swami is another Thyagaraja composition in Darbar that RKS used to excel in.

and enduNDi veDalitivO, and mundu venuka, and aparAdhamula mAnpi and rAmAbhirAma.. and ela teliyarO and yOcana kamalalOcana.

...and Shaure vitara kushalam ayi and smara sadA mAnasa.

Darbar particularly suited his style of singing, with a predominance of plain notes, interspersed with bright birkas and sparkling sphuritams that were likes sparks off a grindstone. Musiri is said to have complimented him, after an academy concert where RKS sang Mundu venuka, which was considered a Musiri stronghold.

His neravals and swarakalpana in Darbar were special, and had a stentorian, authoritative effect that suited the dominant bhava associated with the rAga. Staccato bursts of sarvalaghu studded with janTa swarams and long breathless tapestries of tricky dAtu passages, while maintaining the rAgalaksaNa, often shedding light on an lesser known passage [snpmr, in nAradaguruswami pallavi]; everything he sang turned into gold.

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 28 Feb 2014, 12:26

ST Durbar kriti is Smara manasa padmanabham and not Smara sada manasa. Smara sada manasa is Bilahari.

keerthi · Post by **keerthi** » 28 Feb 2014, 15:51

You're right. I stand corrected.

espras · Post by **espras** » 01 Mar 2014, 12:05

Keerthi,

Thanks for your intricate analysis of how and why RKS’s Darbar expositions always sounded so special.

If he stood out in the handling of Darbar, his Nayaki also could not have been far behind.

A day or two after RKS’s passing away, Doordarshan paid its tribute in the form of a telecast of an earlier recorded concert of the stalwart.

It was the turn of Nayaki ( Nee Bhajana ) to come out in all its grandeur in that concert.

S. Prasanna.

munirao2001 · Post by **munirao2001** » 01 Mar 2014, 14:17

Bengaluru forunites

I got the invitation for "Naada-Nudinamana"-Homage to Sangeetha Kalanidhi Shri R.K.Srikantan on SUN2nd March,2014-tomorrow at Kinchana Auditorium of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan at 10 a.m. Besides the unveiling of the portrait and the bust, homage speeches by Vidushi T.S.Sathyavathi and Dr.N.S.Krishnamoorthy; Concerts by Vidushi M.S.Sheela and Pandit Vinayak Torvi. Please join me in participating and paying our homage to the great maestro.

munirao2001

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 01 Mar 2014, 17:34

With the passing away of RKS , my apprenticeship in appreciating CM at its most intense , has reached a defining moment .It has taken a good 40 years but It is only now that I realize what it means to live to a ripe old age . What it takes not to get disillusioned as the world supposedly progresses. And the value of artistic integrity .

I must have been a ten year old in my small town , deep inside the hindusthani penumbra of Karnataka , when I first saw this Vidwan . ( And how little he changed in appearance , over the years ! ) . He had come down to our place to inaugurate a local music sabha which would be part of a nodal activity to host concerts , with Bangalore as the epicenter . It was in the 70s .
Looking back , it is amusing to note how slim were our chances to imbibe a cultural nicety like CM ,given our backgrounds . One must give it to the Tamilian middleclass .Who moved into all parts of the country for careers and grew localized gardens of CM. The story of my town was very similar to those of say a Bhilai , or a Jamshedpur , a Nagpur , Rourkela , or a Wadi .We too had a Tamilian as the head of Finance in the prominent Factory in our place . And it was these kind of guys that RKS had linked up to , from Bangalore .
We urchins , would be playing in the temple premises when these concerts would come up . I remember a Doreswamy Iyengar concert that did not interest me a bit . For I had already fallen in love with RK Suryanarayana’s method (which went tring tring every now and then).
But the sight of boys like me , taking a peek , with a half eaten guava in hand did not deter RKS . For the artists came in wave after wave. Mahadevappa-Nagraj, Ganesh Kumaresh , RK Suryanarayana ,MS Sheela , Gottuvadyam Narasimhan and many others .
He must have had the perseverance of an early Christian Missionary. For some of that stuff did get into our systems . Years later , when I watched him sing at Chennai festivals to sparse audiences , I shed a tear or two . Which makes the fanfare , these last few years , a bit poetically tragic .

For he remained a stoic , in his adherence to values he cherished .
A friend of mine recently sent me a photograph of him in a T shirt saying it was so jarring .
I replied that it was because he never needed a sleeve because he never wore his credentials on them.

He gave some of his most compelling performances for Swathi festivals , but never swore by the Swathi tag .
https://archive.org/details/RksLalgudi

He displayed an unmatched devotion to the Trinity , but was never condescending to other composers .
He revelled in the minimalist approach to Alapanas and flights of fantasy in swara prastharas , but it was more in the nature of a tribute to Ariyakudi’s methods , perhaps .
He dallied with ragas like Janaranjani , Darbar , Nayaki , Dhanyasi but never stressed the “ allied raga “beyond a point . Oh ! his Mandari is such a classic !
https://archive.org/details/RksTribute
He did a great deal of silent work on tuning Kannada pieces , but never painted himself to a corner of bigotry.
He displayed a toughened no-nonsense approach to music that was similar in many ways to the methods of Steve Waugh in cricket .(the ultimate cricketer , in my books)
He lectured with a stern face towards the audience but never talked down to us .
He never tried to demystify CM , and in that process avoided undervaluing the merits of tradition .

The purpose of this tribute is to place on record the impact his work has had , on an unsuspecting young mind like mine . He impressed me early on when I remained rooted to songs like Samajavaragama, Vathapi , Raghuvamshasudha …. .
And he continue to fascinate me as I grew , wading through the slush of Begada , Anandabhairavi , Reethigowla ( And what a lecdem he gave for Ananya !- priceless ), Harikhamboji and many others .
He was so many things to so many grades of rasikas .
I cannot think of any word better than the one in Kannada – Acchukattu – to describe his music .
There was this ancient elegance in his music . Like the one we can find in Trees .
Picture perfect ? Perhaps yes .
A picture that has moved on but will never fade .
As long as I keep listening to music .

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 01 Mar 2014, 18:46

Very poetic and heartfelt!

Sreeni Rajarao · Post by **Sreeni Rajarao** » 01 Mar 2014, 20:18

Varsha's beautiful tribute says "I cannot think of any word better than the one in Kannada – Acchukattu – to describe his music"

That is how I have also found Sri RKS's music, and his conduct, on stage, off stage and always.

I will cherish the few opportunities I had to interact with the doyen and I will cherish the music he has given us.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 01 Mar 2014, 23:17

Wonderful write-up Varsha!

smala · Post by **smala** » 02 Mar 2014, 00:04

The compliment on the write-up and the jalra seems to me to evade something. The sad and hollow state of affairs in CM recognition.

The life of a dedicated gifted R.K. Srikantan, possibly no less than LJ, grossly under-valued and under-appreciated in his lifetime, appreciated more in Karnataka than its eastern sister state.

smala · Post by **smala** » 02 Mar 2014, 05:07

Some lovely pics here - from a very young RKS to the nonagenarian. Some articles are in Kannada.

http://www.impu.in/documents/rksrikantan.pdf

A couple of pics RKS with LGJ - can someone upload a recording?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 02 Mar 2014, 08:45

Varsha,
Poetic is your praise to this no-nonsense, 'I breathe and live music' giant
who rooted us to the essentials of CM. Engaging were his expositions, none the less. AchukaTTu is the word (close to it is vegu cachitham in tamizh, I guess)!

But that cachitham included imaginative flights which had contained patterns, and they charmed us. As they did, the classical core was always present, and such a rare combination made us smile and relish the music (our reflecting his own joy).

achukaTTu in every sense of the word...

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 02 Mar 2014, 08:58

Varaha, straight from the heart! He came, he sang and he lives!

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 02 Mar 2014, 11:41

keerthi,
Great recollection of darbar post . Let me also add chalamela jEsuvara - darbar varnam- TT.

Varsha,
Lovely write up. I do know your love of CM in early days was indeed significantly fashioned by shri RKS. By any chance if you have early photos of those days and share few of them that would be great.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 02 Mar 2014, 11:49

smala wrote:
The life of a dedicated gifted R.K. Srikantan, possibly no less than LJ, grossly under-valued and under-appreciated in his lifetime, appreciated more in Karnataka than its eastern sister state.

smala
In the last 9 years or so , the eastern sister state atleast chennai indeed appreciated him. There were quite few awards and most importantly There were many concerts of his .Last year at the age of 93 in 2013 RKS gave an academy morning slot concert . Two years back in mudhra RKS performed with about 600 to 700 rasikas in a ticketed concert(bilahari and I reviewed the same)

In general ,There was a lull period of CM in terms of rasikas interest - after 1968 when GNB , MMI passed . Till 1979/1980 or so till shankarabharanam movie was released -many artists did not have any kind of recognition. Cm was bit low.After the tide swang back kvn , dkj , nedanuri , RKS etal got more recognition especially in eastern sister state. They were little late bloomers - that is the order of GOD. RKS was not like SKR etc where recognition happened only after death.

gardabha_gana · Post by **gardabha_gana** » 02 Mar 2014, 12:47

I agree with rajeshnat. I have attended many concerts of RKS in Bangalore - pre 1986 and post 2008. I have attended 3 concerts of RKS in Madras ( 2 in MA and one in PSS).
RKS Sir was revered in Bangalore - but crowds varied. I have been to some that were well attended, but many at best could be described as modest. Well, while I felt bad that folks missed on concerts of high quality, I had little to complain - one could come just before the concert started, get good seating and listen to excellent music. Seeing the adulation now, definitely, I wonder where were the crowds when he performed in Bangalore - and performed often. Actually, to be honest in the 70s and 80s - my family used to go to RKS concerts and definitely had a very high appreciation of his music - but if there was a madras performer at an alternate venue (such as KVN, Santhanam, Nedunuri....) we will say - srikantanavaru bengaloorinalli hadthane iruthare... and run to the visitors from madras.

Honestly, I was stunned at the response by numbers at the 3 concerts in Madras. The MA concert in 2008 - had MC, UKS as accompanists and I wondered between them they had over 2 centuries of concert experience! It was a full house. PSS was a ticketed concert last year (2012 season) - with a rare Sarasangi song (w/ Todi?) and had a good crowd. This year at MA he got a standing ovation.
Also folks like Ravikiran, GJR (who never accompanies these days) have accompanied RKS Sir recently. That said, I feel IMO he probably should have got the kalanidhi a decade earlier. Definitely in the last 10+ years he was acclaimed well. Of course, let's not discuss the govt award Padma Bhushan that he got only 3 years back - less discussed the better.

He sang the same whether there were 30 people in the audience or 300 people or many more....

smala · Post by **smala** » 02 Mar 2014, 12:57

A very nice documentary on RKS in 4 parts.

sAdhanEya hAdi

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55tblc8RF3M
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRaglHzqLVI
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obiBjvwfRrk
Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8NShh1oTvA

kvchellappa · Post by **kvchellappa** » 07 Mar 2014, 09:35

Write-up in The Hindu:
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp ... 758005.ece

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 07 Mar 2014, 10:45

Varsha: Great heart-warming tribute--YES such true Nadopasakas like RKS have to be venerated--as I pointed out in one of my earlier posts on this,he was given a prominent platform with the leading Senior violinists and Mridangists by the Music Academy in the early FIFTIES but somehow did not catch on--as GNSir would say it is not that RKS improved over the years but rasikas' gnanam had improved--hence the recognition in the last two decades of his career!!

My wife always used to remark after every concert that we had attended in the US--"Listening to him sing a Thygaraja Krithi, you get the feeling that this is how the Saint himself would have sung --I mentioned this to him when I interviewed him for a local TV station in NY and he was immensely pleased with the remark!!

Above all his humility and respect for the previous generation of musicians were noteworthy!!!

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 07 Mar 2014, 13:06

In the hindu writeup , it is mentioned that he is 97 even though officially for records RKS was just 94. I used to think he could have gone more than SSI (95) , now he also gone one more than Mysore Vasudevacharya (96). Actually looking at RKS , he looks more like 80 to 85, certainly music has kept him young.

RK Srikantan must be the musician who lived maximum in the history of CM.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Mar 2014, 14:05

who lived and performed maximum?

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 07 Mar 2014, 14:07

I am sure each can relate to the economic struggle that a carnatic musician faces deep inside - however as rasikas we just enjoy their music. I can relate so many struggles of my grandmother and grand aunts who underwent this kind of struggle of raising half a dozen or more kids with just a meagre income.
RKS wife Maitreyiamma talks about her all things simple

http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday ... 757405.ece

braindrain · Post by **braindrain** » 07 Mar 2014, 16:57

Nick H wrote:who lived and performed maximum?

I thought it could probably be Gangubai Hangal .. But wiki says, her last performance was in Mar 2006 at the age of 93. Sri RKS did perform after his 94th birthday. Was the concert at Ragigudda Temple the last ?

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 07 Mar 2014, 19:18

Jayan
Officially RKS was 94 and unofficially as per the the hindu article he lived upto 97. I thought his last performance was a month before his death was at Hyderabad . The longest living musician/Vageyakkara is RKS(97 years) if we are ok with unofficial records.

Interestingly in the same hindu article in the hard copy in a small colored box it was mentioned where RKS says "This year in 2012 I must have sung 60 concerts" . That is simply phenomenal.