Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Centenary celebrations

ramanathan · Post by **ramanathan** » 14 Jul 2008, 16:52

Posting on behalf of the Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Golden Jubilee Foundation:

July 25th 2008 is the birth centenary of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, the doyen of Carnatic Music. The Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer Golden Jubilee Foundation and the Centenary Celebrations Committee have planned a mega celebration of the life and times of this legend of Carnatic Music on the occasion. The foundation was created by Semmangudiâ€™s disciples in the year 1976 to commemorate 50 years of his service to Carnatic Music. The Foundation has been serving the cause of music since inception. Its activities include an annual music festival where a senior musician is honoured and a monthly pension scheme for musicians in indigent circumstances. Semmangudi played a signal role for nearly seven decades and his achievements are of no mean nature .He was a complete musician who excelled in all the aspects of vocal music. His knowledge of musical theory and practice were equally great thus blending the Lakshana and Lakshya of music in the right proportion.

The celebrations commence with a curtain raiser concert by Ranjani and Gayatri at 6.30 pm on 24th July 2008 at the TTK Auditorium of the Music Academy , accompanied by B. U. Ganesh Prasad (Violin) and Arun Prakash (Mridangam)

On 25th July, the birth centenary of Semmangudi, the celebrations would be formally inaugurated by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India. He will release a commemorative coffee table book on Semmangudi authored by V. Subrahmaniam and V. Sriram. The book covers the musical prowess and life of Semmangudi. The book is accompanied by a CD containing excerpts from his concerts.

Two recordings of live concerts featuring the maestro, published by the Carnatica Archival Centre for Music & Dance will be released by M. A. Baby, Minister for Education and Culture, Govt. of Kerala. One recording is of a live performance of Semmangudi in the year 1974, accompanied by maestros Lalgudi Jayaraman & Trichy Sankaran. The second one, titled â€˜SANGAMAM â€“ The Celestial Confluenceâ€™, is a unique chamber concert featuring three Sangita Kalanidhi awardees: Semmangudi, M. S. Subbulakshmi & Vina vidwan K. S. Narayanaswamy. Another CD being brought out by Carnatica on this occasion contains the three Swarajathis of Shyama Sastri rendered by the senior disciples of Semmangudi as obeisance to their guru. A special postal cover is also being released to mark the centenary event by Indira Krishnakumar (Principal Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle ). The releases will be capped by an audio-visual presentation on Semmangudi. Also speaking at the function will be G. Srinivasan, (Chairman, United India Insurance Co. Ltd.) and Sangita Kalanidhi Madurai T. N. Seshagopalan. Sangita Kalanidhi R. K. Srikantan will perform a special concert after the function, accompanied by R. K. Shriramkumar (Violin) and Maanrgudi A. Easwaran (Mridangam).

On the 26th at 9.30 am, veteran musician Parassala Ponnammal will give a vocal concert accompanied by Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi (Violin) and J. Vaidyanathan (Mridangam). This will be followed by an interactive session on Semmangudiâ€™s music, with Sangita Kalanidhi R. Vedavalli as moderator. At 5.30 pm Swarajatis of Shyama Sastri will be rendered by senior disciples of Semmangudi, followed by a concert of Sudha Raghunathan with M. R. Gopinath (Violin), Neyveli Skandasubramaniam (Mridangam) and R. Raman (Morsing).

On the 27th is a vocal concert of Seetha Rajan with B. U. Ganesh Prasad (Violin) and Patri Suresh Kumar (Mridangam) at 9.30 am, followed by Sangeethanjali by disciples of P. S. Narayanaswamy and V. Subrahmaniam. The grand finale at 6.30 pm will be a vocal concert of T. M. Krishna with R. K. Shriramkumar (Violin), Guruvayur Dorai (Mridangam) and B. S. Purushothaman (Khanjira).

s_hari · Post by **s_hari** » 14 Jul 2008, 19:27

great to hear about the news...glad to hear about book and CD release.. Any amount of celebrations will not be enough for this mahan....

-hari

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 14 Jul 2008, 19:47

Wish we were all in Chennai-the happenig place!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 15 Jul 2008, 06:47

srkris,
A very nice picture of SSI on the intro page for the centenary celebrations!

sraja · Post by **sraja** » 15 Jul 2008, 07:45

Who is acccompanying TMK on mridangam? The post above says Guruvayur Dorai, whereas somewhere else I read it was Sri Umayalpuram Sivaraman. Will someone clarify?

kamavardhani · Post by **kamavardhani** » 15 Jul 2008, 09:54

Dorai Sir is indeed accompanying TMK... there has been a change, from what I understand. Reasons not known.

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 15 Jul 2008, 23:41

arasi wrote:srkris,
A very nice picture of SSI on the intro page for the centenary celebrations!

Thanks should go to our friend Ramanathan... it came from http://www.carnatica.net/ramanathan/semm.jpg

ramanathan · Post by **ramanathan** » 23 Jul 2008, 16:35

Srkris, that pic actually appeared in a Malayalam newspaper many years ago...

Anyway... here are some more details about the Semmangudi recordings being released during the Birth Centenary celebrations at the Music Academy on July 25th:

1) Live concert recording of Semmangudi in 1974, accompanied by Lalgudi Jayaraman & Trichy Sankaran (3 CD pack)

CD 1

Vatapi - Hamsadhwani
Deva Deva - Mayamalavagaula
Ma Janaki - Kambhoji
Siddhi Vinayakam - Chamaram

CD 2

Vinaradana - Devagandhari
Janani Ninnuvina - Ritigaula
Kshinamai - Mukhari
Chetashri - Dwijavanti
Nenarunichinanu - Malavi

CD 3

RTP - Kalyani
Emandune (Javali) - Mukhari
Slokam - Ragamalika
Kelati Brahmande - Sindhubhairavi
Parulanna Mata - Kapi
Mangalam

--------------------------------------------------------

2) SANGAMAM - The Celestial Confluence
Live recording of a chamber concert featuring Semmangudi & MS Subbulakshmi, accompanied only by K.S. Narayanaswamy (Vina)

CD 1

Deva Deva - Mayamalavagaula
Teliyaleru - Dhenuka
Dakshinamurthe - Sankarabharanam
Kamakshi - Bhairavi

CD 2

Hiranmayim - Lalita
Chakkani Rajamargamu - Kharaharapriya
Rama Jogi - Khamas
Ennaga Manasu - Nilambari
Sakhi Prana - Senchurutti

-----------------------------------------------

3) SWARAJATI - Masterpieces of Shyama Sastri

The three swarajatis of Shyama Sastri, rendered by disciples of Semmangudi Srinivasier, as a tribute on the occasion of Semmangudi's Birth Centenary, July 2008. Artistes: P. S. Narayanaswamy, V. Subrahmaniam, Pala C. K. Ramachandran, P. R. Kumarakerala Varma, Seetha Rajan, Radha Namboodiri & M. K. Visalakshi. Accompanied by R. K. Shriramkumar (Vioiln) & J. Vaidyanathan (Mridangam)

Kamakshi - Bhairavi - Mishra Chapu
Kamakshi - Yadukulakambhoji - Mishra Chapu
Rave Himagiri Kumari - Todi - Adi

--------------------------------------------------------------

All the above albums will be available at the Music Academy lobby from 6.30 pm on July 25th (just after release) and will continue to be available throughout the 3-day centenary celebrations. Also available at Samskriti (Carnatica's showroom) located at Jammi Buildings, 60, Royapettah High Rd, Mylapore, Chennai - 4 (Beside Royapettah flyover). Ph. 044-45535576.

Outstation patrons can order the CDs from the website: www.carnatica.net/shopping

Proceeds from the sale of these albums will accrue to the Semmangudi Srinivasier Golden Jubilee Foundation.

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 23 Jul 2008, 20:55

For Tamil rasikas, here's an article in Kalki about SSI which also publicizes the centenary celebrations: http://www.kalkiweekly.com/thisweekissue/page5.asp

s_hari · Post by **s_hari** » 24 Jul 2008, 08:56

Bilahari - nice article... Worth preserving it, and translating in English. Any takers?

-hari

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 24 Jul 2008, 19:30

Being the100th birth anniversary of the Pitamaha, I have recently updated the article about Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer: http://www.carnaticcorner.com/articles/semmangudi.html

s_hari · Post by **s_hari** » 24 Jul 2008, 21:06

Some funny episodes mentioned from kalki weekly article - seem to be written by Kalki Rajendran - Husband of Vijaya Rajendran - Daughter of MSS

1. Once before a concert, SSI called Rajendran and asked - can you go and buy liquid paraphine from nearby medical shop? Rajendran didn't understand anything, and wondered why SSI is asking for this before a concert. Yet, he went, bought it, and gave to him. SSI, after taking the bottle from him asked him do you wonder why this is required? If i gargle my throat with this, it will be easy to sing!!! This is one of such attempts made by SSI to imrpove his "sareeram" which is not very co-operative.

2. Kalki used to write - whoever has good sareeram (voice), they would have done honey abhishekam to god in previous janma. But SSI would have done two container full of honey abhishekam with both his hands. That's why his popular "errattai sareeram" (not sure how to translate this(;- twin sareeram or double voice???

3. once SSI asked rajendran - do you know that i am guru for your father and father in law? I wondered when father and sadasivam mama learnt music from him? SSI immediately said, i thought them how to play rummy (card game)!!
After music, SSI like Rummy, and next to that - Adai (a dosa like dish made in tamil nadu..) He used to ask Vijaya Rajendran - when are you going to make adai fro me? Vijaya used to ask him - why don't you give an appointment for this also, just like you give for a concert? I will make hot adai for you. Sadasivam used to say, i will also come with Guruji. Then, date and time will get fixed.

4. Krishna Iyer was chef in MSS/Sadasivam home. SSI used to tell him - krishna - in the dough, mix half lemon and make "tenkuzhal" (a murukku type snack). It will be very tasty. Krishna iyer used to rush to kitchen after this, and made the snack. Along with card game, the snack will get over pretty soon.

5. SSI used to like kids very much. In Sadasivam's home - his grand children and other relatives kids will be making merry. SSI used to go to them, pointing to sadasivam - he is your grandpa, and i am belly 'ed grand pa - pointing to his tummy. Kids used to laugh, and used to call him 'thonthi tatha " - belley'ed grandpa.

He also used to tell kids - you have made your hair very well, and flower looks great in your hair. Can you also make my tuft like your hair, and keep flowers? His wish will be full filled then and there.

6. Once a girl kamakshi said - tomorrow is iindependence day - we are all going to sing "jana gana mana" in our school. SSI told - O, I too know, and deliberately - he used to sing national anthem in chowka kalam with gamakam. Kamakshi immediately closed her ear - and said - "shame on you - you don't know how to sing national anthem?" - SSI laughed like anything on this 'certificate' from the girl.

There is more in the article on his life, his music etc... Hope to translate them when i find time...

SSI mama - Wish you a very happy 100th birthday... We all miss you... Do bless all of us from heaven.

-hari

erode14 · Post by **erode14** » 24 Jul 2008, 22:43

true.... we miss semmangudi mama........

s_hari · Post by **s_hari** » 25 Jul 2008, 13:41

mohan wrote:Being the100th birth anniversary of the Pitamaha, I have recently updated the article about Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer: http://www.carnaticcorner.com/articles/semmangudi.html

Mohan - A well written article.. Few hours ago, before reading your article, i made a concert list out of SSI's other recordings and circulated in sangeethapriya. Many of the famous keerthanas mentioned by you find place in my list too(;-

My concert list is here..
http://sangeethamshare.org/hariharan/SS ... d_Concert/

-hari

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 25 Jul 2008, 14:28

hari .wonderful.thanks. gobilalitha

vijay · Post by **vijay** » 25 Jul 2008, 19:38

Thanks Hari...one does not easily associate the frail old SSI with a "thonthi thatha"!

kriyative · Post by **kriyative** » 26 Jul 2008, 02:04

Posting on behalf of the T. N. Krishnan Foundation for Performing Arts:

In celebration of the centennial birthday of the "sangeetha pitamaha," Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, the T. N. Krishnan Foundation is proud to offer a podcast featuring Sri T. N. Krishnan and Sri Palai Ramachandran, two of the great master's illustrious disciples. Both musicians fondly remember the life and music of their beloved guru, and share their gurukula experience with him.

More details at: http://www.tnkrishnan-foundation.org/20 ... enary.html

s_hari · Post by **s_hari** » 26 Jul 2008, 08:25

Report on MA function

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/26/stories ... 381300.htm

Hope to see concert review in kutcheri review section

-hari

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 26 Jul 2008, 17:10

By the way, Sanjay's latest podcast is also sort of a tribute to SSI: http://sanjaysub.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=359407