Violin maestro Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan expired today

10yearslate · Post by **10yearslate** » 10 Sep 2008, 12:59

I guess not even his progenies are into music ,

Ganesh-ji, a correction if I may. His son Balasubramanian is a medical practitioner in Melbourne, and as recently as April performed in a CM ensemble on the synthesizer. He admittedly keeps a low profile in the CM circle here, however is well regarded.

Soundar

ganesh_mourthy · Post by **ganesh_mourthy** » 10 Sep 2008, 13:10

Dear 10yearslate,

I stand corrected.But if he had nurtured someone in his bani his playing style woudl not have stopped with him.

shriroop · Post by **shriroop** » 10 Sep 2008, 17:52

Very sad and shocking. I heard his recital durimg the Ramanavami concerts at Fort High school Bangalore. May his soul rest in peace

Garumugam · Post by **Garumugam** » 10 Sep 2008, 19:31

Usually I spend hrs with the rasikas.org.... Just opened to learn about thala.
It is really very shocking news.
One of the musician servered lot to South Indian Classical Music.

A big loss.... we lost a great expert... May his soul rest in peace.

GArumugam
London, U.K

manakkalsriram · Post by **manakkalsriram** » 10 Sep 2008, 21:42

Can't believe it. I was there dumb folded in the morning with my parents standing near his body shocked with despair. In my childhood days I remember how I used to run after his kutcheries as I was crazy after speed. Listening to Sri Kunnakudi brought such inspiration to me. (Songs like Evarani, Raghuvamsa, Ninuvina, evarani, etc.) . He used to play night Kutcheri in the Tamil Isai Sangam and there woud be direct relay in the Radio those days. I would listen regularly and the beginning would be Mallari. The Mallari he would play in different Nadais, even Nadaswaram and Thavil experts will be stunned. At that time, little did I realize that I would be a recipient of his love and affection and a regular artist in the Raga research performances he conducted. It was a dream coming true. Recently also, I wrote a letter about his Kalakshetra concert and he was so impressed by the letter that he told me that he would keep the letter throughout his life in his drawer.

I have had the fortune of moving very closely and intimately with him. He is a child at heart. He would be the first person to receive us and say â€œVango, Vangoâ€

mns · Post by **mns** » 10 Sep 2008, 22:02

Salutes NAADHABRAHMAM

suma · Post by **suma** » 11 Sep 2008, 03:42

Very sad news. Condolences to the family and friends of the Artist.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 11 Sep 2008, 04:11

Sriram,
Thank you for your personal recollections. Reminded me of the old saying: we do not speak of a person as to how rich he was, powerful and influential--we do speak of a good man long after he is gone--which KunnakkuDi obviously was. Only goodness and Art live on...

manakkalsriram · Post by **manakkalsriram** » 11 Sep 2008, 12:20

Arasi,
Absolutely right. It is the quality of goodness that lasts for ever.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 11 Sep 2008, 20:29

I join with Arasi to thank you Sriram for the recollections with KV. It is indeed heart-warming to hear about the compliment from the speed master about the genius of Maestro Manakkal Rangarajan. It reminds me of the anecdote on the 'yAzh muRi paNN' of Thirug~nAna sambandar. KV was unique both in Music and Politics.

manakkalsriram · Post by **manakkalsriram** » 11 Sep 2008, 22:34

Thank you, cmlover. Hope you are doing in high spirits.
One correction, please. I had mentioned previously the navagraha krithi 'Chaya devi priya tanayam' as Swathi Tirunal. It was a slip on my part. It is actually Muthiah Bhagavathar's navagraha krithi.
"Chaya devi priya tanayam sada smarami savinayam".

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 12 Sep 2008, 22:40

He is one of the best violinist I have heard. I remember in my childhood, my interest in CM was limited to listening to MS . Then one day I listened to Kunnakudi's violin and my interests in CM got renewed and expanded to other artists. I kept listening to lots of Kunnakudi's album.

Actaully one of my friend is a great fan of Lalgudi and he played his bilahari piece in a recorder (I think Naa jeevadhara) and he fooled me saying that it is kunnakudi's song. I beleived so. Those days I couldnot easily distinguish between the two violinists. But kunnakudi is the first person to renew my interests in CM and in general music.

Later I had an oppurtunity to attend his concert with Zakir Husain in Blore. I have to say that I went for Zakir. But I was surprised that the entire crowd was there for Kunnakudi. There is a huge CM fan following for kunnakudi in Blore though he is not the favorite among the usual CM sabhas. Only very few people wanted Zakir to play more for which Zakir politely said no.

manakkalsriram · Post by **manakkalsriram** » 13 Sep 2008, 11:48

This is from the Hindu about a raga research programme in which I participated.
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/10/06/stor ... 480800.htm

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 13 Sep 2008, 20:09

Sriram
it will be nice hear about the reminiscences of Manakkal over the years of his association with KV. He may have accompanied your father a few times in his hey-days. The disappearance of KV from mainstream CM is indeed paradoxical which deserves a considered historical enquiry!

kaapi · Post by **kaapi** » 14 Sep 2008, 12:35

KV was a good violinist. However for unknown reasons his name got associated with virtuosity only. However he excelled in that also.
I still remember a thrilling concert at MA when he accompanied M.S.Balasubramania Sarma , another speed king.
May his soul rest in peace.