Concerts in Mumbai
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prashanth
we are all waiting with throbbing anticipation.
May God give you the Strength and Luck to make the concert as pure as you have always wished this genre ,called carnatic music, to be.
The need for purists is getting excruciatingly painful,day by day.
we are all waiting with throbbing anticipation.
May God give you the Strength and Luck to make the concert as pure as you have always wished this genre ,called carnatic music, to be.
The need for purists is getting excruciatingly painful,day by day.
Last edited by coolkarni on 15 Mar 2008, 08:08, edited 1 time in total.
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Thanks to CML Sir, Punarvasu, Lakshman Sir and Coolkarniji for their kind words of encouragement. Here's the list of songs our team presented earlier today:
1. sadA bAla rUpApi - slOkA - hamsadhvani
2. pankajAkshi [varNam] - kAmbhOji - adi [2] - rAmasvAmi sivan
3. munnu rAvaNa - tODi - jhampa - tyAgarAjA [N at 'rAja rAja virAja vAhA ravikula jaladhi', S]
4. karuNA nidhiyE tayE - bauLi - misra CApu - pApanAsam sivan [S]
5. ninnADa nEla - kannaDA - adi - tyAgarAjA [R,S]
6. shri raghukula nidhim - husEni - adi [2] - ramnAD srinivAsa iyengAr [R]
7. ambaramE taNNIrE - kalyANi - khaNDa CApu - ANDAL [R,N at 'SempOr kazhalaDi CelvA baladEvA,S]
8. krpajUCuTakuvElarA - chAyAtarangiNi - adi - tyAgarAjA
9. shri rAjagOpAla - sAvEri - adi [2] - dikshitar [R,N at 'nArAyaNa tAraka divya nAma',S,T]
10 iDattu padam tUkki - khamAs - adi - pApanAsam sivan
11. slOkam 'kara CaraNa kritam' + siva siva siva bhO - nAdarAmakriyA - jhampa - jayaCamarAja ODEyAe
12. bhujaga shAyinO nAma mangaLam - yadukulakAmbOdhi - rUpaka - svAti tiruNAL
A special note to rshankar: I had planned to sing a verse from naTarAjA pATTu before iDattu padam. Time constraints put paid to that as well as the planned RTP in rItigauLa. I promise to make it up to you next week
.
Thanks again to all of you for your encouragement and to vijay for attending.
1. sadA bAla rUpApi - slOkA - hamsadhvani
2. pankajAkshi [varNam] - kAmbhOji - adi [2] - rAmasvAmi sivan
3. munnu rAvaNa - tODi - jhampa - tyAgarAjA [N at 'rAja rAja virAja vAhA ravikula jaladhi', S]
4. karuNA nidhiyE tayE - bauLi - misra CApu - pApanAsam sivan [S]
5. ninnADa nEla - kannaDA - adi - tyAgarAjA [R,S]
6. shri raghukula nidhim - husEni - adi [2] - ramnAD srinivAsa iyengAr [R]
7. ambaramE taNNIrE - kalyANi - khaNDa CApu - ANDAL [R,N at 'SempOr kazhalaDi CelvA baladEvA,S]
8. krpajUCuTakuvElarA - chAyAtarangiNi - adi - tyAgarAjA
9. shri rAjagOpAla - sAvEri - adi [2] - dikshitar [R,N at 'nArAyaNa tAraka divya nAma',S,T]
10 iDattu padam tUkki - khamAs - adi - pApanAsam sivan
11. slOkam 'kara CaraNa kritam' + siva siva siva bhO - nAdarAmakriyA - jhampa - jayaCamarAja ODEyAe
12. bhujaga shAyinO nAma mangaLam - yadukulakAmbOdhi - rUpaka - svAti tiruNAL
A special note to rshankar: I had planned to sing a verse from naTarAjA pATTu before iDattu padam. Time constraints put paid to that as well as the planned RTP in rItigauLa. I promise to make it up to you next week

Thanks again to all of you for your encouragement and to vijay for attending.
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The concert was as good as the list suggests. I am presently enjoying a breather from a desperate househunt so will have to make this brief. I also took some snaps but will need a couple of days to upload...
One attends such concerts driven more by goodwill, and perhaps some curiosity, than expectation. Given Prashant's background in music I knew I could expect his refined taste to sculpt some lofty musical structures. But I did not expect them to be so finely attired.
For those of you who do not know him personally, Prashant's background in music exposes him to being labelled a dabbler by those who do not know better (which until yesterday included myself. Oh! Did I mention that my hotel had no tomatoes to spare!!). His family business makes a heavy demand on the professional in him. Being in Mumbai does not help - musical training is limited to irregular lessons from visiting vidwans.
When Prashant'c concert prompted the organizer to say that this was "a senior level performance", one was, therefore, compelled to give credit for more than just a keen musical ear. His brighas, kanakkus and in particular, his neravals, would give many Chennai "sub-seniors" a run for their money. This was a point I was making to his dad after the concert - his talent deserves a more serious exposure in Chennai.
The same can be said of his accompanists, Rajesh Srinivasan being particularly impressive on the mrudangam. To hear such a top quality performance in a distant suburb of Mumbai from little-known artistes is so heart-warming. The bench strength of CM would appear to rival that of the Aussie team at the height of its success! A little pat for the rasikas too - more people turned up for Prashant's concert than did for Sanjeev Abhaynkar and Parween Sultana put together during the same week!
My own favourites included the alaapanas in Kannada and Useni - two difficult ragas handled without compromising either bhava or grammar...I do hope the concert is uploaded soon...
One attends such concerts driven more by goodwill, and perhaps some curiosity, than expectation. Given Prashant's background in music I knew I could expect his refined taste to sculpt some lofty musical structures. But I did not expect them to be so finely attired.
For those of you who do not know him personally, Prashant's background in music exposes him to being labelled a dabbler by those who do not know better (which until yesterday included myself. Oh! Did I mention that my hotel had no tomatoes to spare!!). His family business makes a heavy demand on the professional in him. Being in Mumbai does not help - musical training is limited to irregular lessons from visiting vidwans.
When Prashant'c concert prompted the organizer to say that this was "a senior level performance", one was, therefore, compelled to give credit for more than just a keen musical ear. His brighas, kanakkus and in particular, his neravals, would give many Chennai "sub-seniors" a run for their money. This was a point I was making to his dad after the concert - his talent deserves a more serious exposure in Chennai.
The same can be said of his accompanists, Rajesh Srinivasan being particularly impressive on the mrudangam. To hear such a top quality performance in a distant suburb of Mumbai from little-known artistes is so heart-warming. The bench strength of CM would appear to rival that of the Aussie team at the height of its success! A little pat for the rasikas too - more people turned up for Prashant's concert than did for Sanjeev Abhaynkar and Parween Sultana put together during the same week!
My own favourites included the alaapanas in Kannada and Useni - two difficult ragas handled without compromising either bhava or grammar...I do hope the concert is uploaded soon...
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Thanks Vijay for trying. The song list is quite tempting and we could use those tomatoes for an appetiser. I am sure Prashant will have them u/led from somebody else who recorded them. Now get settled down at Mumbai (and try to locate good housekeeper 
Prashant
The song list is sparkling with very nice ragas. You even included a Wodeyar which is thrilling. Belting out a Nereval and svaram in the Thirupppavai would thrill ARI if he were alive to hear it !
Of course RTP and natarajapaththu next time. Since you are coming back to the concert circle this augurs well opening up a bright future. Keep practising and expand your repertoire. CM is a God-given gift ! Congratulations and sincere Blessings!

Prashant
The song list is sparkling with very nice ragas. You even included a Wodeyar which is thrilling. Belting out a Nereval and svaram in the Thirupppavai would thrill ARI if he were alive to hear it !
Of course RTP and natarajapaththu next time. Since you are coming back to the concert circle this augurs well opening up a bright future. Keep practising and expand your repertoire. CM is a God-given gift ! Congratulations and sincere Blessings!
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All of you are very kind and Vijay has been way too generous with his words. Whatever little I am able to sing is entirely due to the blessings of my dear and respected Guru Sri NS Chandrasekharan and my musical ideal Sangita Kalanidhi Smt. Vedavalli. I have a long, long, long way to go but the road to that musical goal, while difficult, is enriching and rewarding . Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. It means a lot.
For those of you with strong stomachs, here's the audio from a voice recorder. Your feedback is appreciated - I am always looking for ways to improve myself. Thank you.
http://download.yousendit.com/FD82B13035F98FD6
For those of you with strong stomachs, here's the audio from a voice recorder. Your feedback is appreciated - I am always looking for ways to improve myself. Thank you.
http://download.yousendit.com/FD82B13035F98FD6
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Dear Prashant,
Forced to stay at home, recovering from an injury has its advantages. We have a little more time than usual, and are glad we downloaded your concert. We are at halfway point on the audio. It has been quite sometime since we heard a concert as good as this. Care to enunciate words correctly, sincerity of approach, dedication, hardwork, methodicity, extra effort taken to ensure that you are "correct" everywhere. And what we liked most was your emphasis on, and elaboration of manodharma aspects of raga alapana and swaraprasthara, which are the true indicators of professional competence. Compliments also to the artists who have accompanied you.
Our best wishes.
Jeyaraaj & Jaysri
Forced to stay at home, recovering from an injury has its advantages. We have a little more time than usual, and are glad we downloaded your concert. We are at halfway point on the audio. It has been quite sometime since we heard a concert as good as this. Care to enunciate words correctly, sincerity of approach, dedication, hardwork, methodicity, extra effort taken to ensure that you are "correct" everywhere. And what we liked most was your emphasis on, and elaboration of manodharma aspects of raga alapana and swaraprasthara, which are the true indicators of professional competence. Compliments also to the artists who have accompanied you.
Our best wishes.
Jeyaraaj & Jaysri
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A word about the senior vidvAns who accompanied me. Sri V. Balakrishnan is the senior disciple of Sri K. Sivakumar, the senior most violin vidvAn and Guru of Mumbai. Sri Rajesh Sreenivasan is a senior disciple of Sangita Kalanidhi Palakkad Sri Raghu. Sri Rajesh was awarded honors this year for his performances at the Music Academy [IIRC he accompanied Ms. Nisha Rajagopal]. Sri Ganesh is a disciple of Sri Rajesh. All three of them are senior level corporate executives with very demanding professional careers, and manage to balance professional life with dedicated and serious pursuit of musical excellence.vijay wrote:To hear such a top quality performance in a distant suburb of Mumbai from little-known artistes is so heart-warming. The bench strength of CM would appear to rival that of the Aussie team at the height of its success!
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Prashant,
THANK you for sharing that with us. Lord knows I have no qualifications to critique a concert, except to say that the music that was created engaged my mind and/or heart! - AND that it has done a plenty...
However, my priceless moment was when my daughter wanted to know who the artists were, and I explained to her about you and your team, and how you were not professional musicians, but people with busy careers outside of the music world. To her credit, she realized at once the commitment of people like you, and promptly took off to practice her dance (first, self motivated practice session!). While the cynical realist in me knows that the half-life of her realization/motiation will be shorter than the attention span of fruit-fly, it, nevertheless, was a MasterCard moment for me
...so, double thanks!
Best Wishes for a music-filled life!
Ravi
THANK you for sharing that with us. Lord knows I have no qualifications to critique a concert, except to say that the music that was created engaged my mind and/or heart! - AND that it has done a plenty...
However, my priceless moment was when my daughter wanted to know who the artists were, and I explained to her about you and your team, and how you were not professional musicians, but people with busy careers outside of the music world. To her credit, she realized at once the commitment of people like you, and promptly took off to practice her dance (first, self motivated practice session!). While the cynical realist in me knows that the half-life of her realization/motiation will be shorter than the attention span of fruit-fly, it, nevertheless, was a MasterCard moment for me

Best Wishes for a music-filled life!
Ravi
Last edited by rshankar on 17 Mar 2008, 22:04, edited 1 time in total.
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Prashant
Just down loaded and started listening. The Varnam is beautifully executed with the full coperation of the accompanists. I note from TVG that it was by Maha vaidhyanatha Iyer (but you refer it as Ramasvami Sivan). The tOdi is very nicely done and the nereval and svaras flow just naturally. At times I noticed a little hurry on your part (but your accompanists are quite understanding
Perhaps it is due to being out of practice for a while. The shruti is immaculate and you remind me of KVN if you were a tad higher shruti (you are at 1.5 and could work up a little higher to capture the glowing taara svarams. Perhaps you should capitalize on your bass which is somewhat weak. Todi has wonderful potential in that range!
The bowli was quick and neat. I somehow felt Revagupti since the Nishaadam seemed to be very sparingly used. perhaps our Arun will educate me on the subtlies. Now let me hear the rest and get back to you. By the by the voice recording does not do justice to the Kutcheri since it has distorted the sounds of the mridangam who has kept a lovely rhythm and has muffled the violin who has done a superb accompaniment. Now give me some time to hear the rest...
Just down loaded and started listening. The Varnam is beautifully executed with the full coperation of the accompanists. I note from TVG that it was by Maha vaidhyanatha Iyer (but you refer it as Ramasvami Sivan). The tOdi is very nicely done and the nereval and svaras flow just naturally. At times I noticed a little hurry on your part (but your accompanists are quite understanding

The bowli was quick and neat. I somehow felt Revagupti since the Nishaadam seemed to be very sparingly used. perhaps our Arun will educate me on the subtlies. Now let me hear the rest and get back to you. By the by the voice recording does not do justice to the Kutcheri since it has distorted the sounds of the mridangam who has kept a lovely rhythm and has muffled the violin who has done a superb accompaniment. Now give me some time to hear the rest...
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Jeyaraaj,
That wrist injury is bound (!) to be painful. Speedy recovery!
You were so right about Prashant's performance. His manOdharmA sparkles. His enormous amount of rasanA shows as well.
Prashant,
I have been listening to you now and you are doing neraval at SemboR kazhalaDi SelvA.
Yes, a great selection of songs and rAgAs. What a pleasing presentation too, starting with the beautiful but not often heard varNam which I heard Sanjay sing this season. Munnu rAvaNA took me back to vintage times. A Sivan song which I love, a sweet husEni and again, a not often heard one. The kalyANi rAgam had such fine touches.
Prashant, you make us proud. I have to say it again--your love for CM accompanies you all along. We wish you a great time with your singing. Who knows? Some day, you may sing one of my songs too...
PS: the SAvEri I am listening to now is very pleasing too...
That wrist injury is bound (!) to be painful. Speedy recovery!
You were so right about Prashant's performance. His manOdharmA sparkles. His enormous amount of rasanA shows as well.
Prashant,
I have been listening to you now and you are doing neraval at SemboR kazhalaDi SelvA.
Yes, a great selection of songs and rAgAs. What a pleasing presentation too, starting with the beautiful but not often heard varNam which I heard Sanjay sing this season. Munnu rAvaNA took me back to vintage times. A Sivan song which I love, a sweet husEni and again, a not often heard one. The kalyANi rAgam had such fine touches.
Prashant, you make us proud. I have to say it again--your love for CM accompanies you all along. We wish you a great time with your singing. Who knows? Some day, you may sing one of my songs too...
PS: the SAvEri I am listening to now is very pleasing too...
Last edited by arasi on 18 Mar 2008, 04:45, edited 1 time in total.
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Jeyaraaj, wish you a speedy recovery. When I saw your wrist a few weeks back, it bore an uncanny resemblance to the spinner from Lagaan. With the South Africans coming to town and their dislike for the turning ball, it might not be a bad idea to place a cricket ball in your palms.arasi wrote:Jeyaraaj,
That wrist injury is bound (!) to be painful. Speedy recovery!
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You bet, Sriram. I took your suggestion and called Lalit Modi. He is thrilled. And India Cements is completely over the moon because they will get extra space to display their logo (the cast on my bowling arm, that is). I am negotiating, since they also want me to grow my hair longer for me to get more than six crores. So I will let you know whether you will see me in action at MA Chidambaram or Raga Sudha Hall in the coming weeks!!
Thanks Prashant, arasi, vijay and meena and Sriram for your wishes.
Thanks Prashant, arasi, vijay and meena and Sriram for your wishes.
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Thanks to all of you for your valuable comments and encouragement after hearing the recording.
CML Sir - your comments about shruti are especially noted and pertinent - usually I sing at 1.75 but lowered my shruti a bit for the concert due to a muscle pull in my neck and shoulder that had me in some physical discomfort. Very nice of you to listen and comment so astutely.
CML Sir - your comments about shruti are especially noted and pertinent - usually I sing at 1.75 but lowered my shruti a bit for the concert due to a muscle pull in my neck and shoulder that had me in some physical discomfort. Very nice of you to listen and comment so astutely.
Last edited by prashant on 18 Mar 2008, 11:35, edited 1 time in total.
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kAvEri tIr mEn kalyANap piLLai khaDA hai
kAmini kidhar hai, hum tO kahEngE--Eh tO
ek catch hai, is mE kyA shakh hai? sundar tO hai,
man mE, dimAg mE bhI, suntA sangIt sundar bhi,
bAt kartA sundar, calan mE aur photO khInchnE mE bhi...
tU chipI hO kahAn? hum hain tai mAs kA kalyAN khAnE kI intazAr mE...
Vijay,
To change the subject before we are asked to mind our own business--thanks for the pics! The lighting was not that great, I presume. We couldn't see that 'light up' smile on Prashant's face that well...
Back to tai mAsam--Did anyone attend Ninja's wedding in Chennai last marriage season? He had kindly invited us all. Haven't heard from him in a while...
kAmini kidhar hai, hum tO kahEngE--Eh tO
ek catch hai, is mE kyA shakh hai? sundar tO hai,
man mE, dimAg mE bhI, suntA sangIt sundar bhi,
bAt kartA sundar, calan mE aur photO khInchnE mE bhi...
tU chipI hO kahAn? hum hain tai mAs kA kalyAN khAnE kI intazAr mE...
Vijay,
To change the subject before we are asked to mind our own business--thanks for the pics! The lighting was not that great, I presume. We couldn't see that 'light up' smile on Prashant's face that well...
Back to tai mAsam--Did anyone attend Ninja's wedding in Chennai last marriage season? He had kindly invited us all. Haven't heard from him in a while...
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In the photo titled "a great team effort" Prashant even resembles Nednuri in his sitting posture !!!

Great Stuff Prashanth..That was wonderful.
You had me humming "Ninnada" all day yesterday

Great Stuff Prashanth..That was wonderful.
You had me humming "Ninnada" all day yesterday
Last edited by coolkarni on 19 Mar 2008, 06:46, edited 1 time in total.
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Glad to finally have the heat off my back! Yes, the lighting is not satisfactory - I guess I should have overcome my natural reluctance to use flash during a performance...the photos are a little too contrasty...
As for the shirt, that would appear to be inspired by a certain gentleman who's lately developed a taste for north indian recipes...
As for the shirt, that would appear to be inspired by a certain gentleman who's lately developed a taste for north indian recipes...
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Dear All
Unfortunately due to some constraints, I was not able to attend this concert of Prashant.
I know him for the last 7-8 years through Sangeetham.com and personally after relocating to Mumbai.
Since his concert has been uploaded, I would like to point out to the world one other quality of Prashant as a person - his enthusiasm to SHARE music with anyone who may be interested. The one aspect of him that both me and my wife feel so good about is that no matter what it is - whether it is a big magnum opus like Sri Rajagopala or a small viruttham, Prashant is ever ready to share it - not just the recording, but even teach it, sangati by sangati, line by line, if needed. We have had several such music sessions at our home or his home, where it is just music for the sake of music, sharing for the sake of love of music. His eagerness itself makes one want to go the extra mile.
My wife especially has been associated with people people who are so secretive about their music and their repertoire that Prashant's attitude is like cool breeze on a hot humid afternoon.
It is always enlightening and rewarding to discuss music and related aspects with him.
May his tribe increase.
Unfortunately due to some constraints, I was not able to attend this concert of Prashant.
I know him for the last 7-8 years through Sangeetham.com and personally after relocating to Mumbai.
Since his concert has been uploaded, I would like to point out to the world one other quality of Prashant as a person - his enthusiasm to SHARE music with anyone who may be interested. The one aspect of him that both me and my wife feel so good about is that no matter what it is - whether it is a big magnum opus like Sri Rajagopala or a small viruttham, Prashant is ever ready to share it - not just the recording, but even teach it, sangati by sangati, line by line, if needed. We have had several such music sessions at our home or his home, where it is just music for the sake of music, sharing for the sake of love of music. His eagerness itself makes one want to go the extra mile.
My wife especially has been associated with people people who are so secretive about their music and their repertoire that Prashant's attitude is like cool breeze on a hot humid afternoon.
It is always enlightening and rewarding to discuss music and related aspects with him.
May his tribe increase.
Last edited by arunsri on 19 Mar 2008, 15:19, edited 1 time in total.