Thanksgiving - to the great rasikas of rasikas.org

Enna_Solven · Post by **Enna_Solven** » 23 Nov 2009, 20:20

I will give credit where credit is due, here and now to you, the knowledgeable & selfless rasikas of this forum that help me in my music quest.

I started just about two years ago to listen to carnatic music seriously. My mother was visiting me and I realized I didn't have much for her Carnatic music listening. I wanted to buy good albums. After a brief search I found out sangeethapriya & rasikas.org. I read thousands of posts, listened to past masters recordings, realized how a man with a gruff (not really) voice can melt people's heart with his version of 'Giripai' that Saint Thyagaraja wrote specially for him to sing.

Two years down the road, my mother is with me again. I have thousands of songs from 500 or so CD's I bought. She listens to them with the least effort, organized and categorized by me in a computer. She is surprised that I who showed not much interest in CM, now show so much affection for MMI.

I have come a long way from not knowing anything beyond mohanam & hindolam to identifying and appreciating many of the ragas. Knowing and understanding the kirtanas made listening meaningful. All this was possible because and only because of the people of this forum. May be one day I will progress from identifying ragas to identifying swaras in them.

Thank you all.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 23 Nov 2009, 21:29

Dear E.S,
YOU ARE THE FUTURE!....Any one latching on to MMI is very likely is going to contribute in propagating the best in our music. VKV

Ramasubramanian M.K · Post by **Ramasubramanian M.K** » 23 Nov 2009, 22:36

Enna Solven: Ungal utshathai eppadi solven!! Welcome to the Rasikas "tribe"--it is a diverse group but full of genuine knowledgeable rasikas--passionate without rancor,discerning but not critical,vocal but not obnoxious,opinionated but not uncivil towards dissenting points of view. You would have found by now--- as I have been doing lately since my "intrusion" into the portals of Rasikas--that there is not a subject or a song or a musician or composer--modern,ancient and medieval-- that you could not find information on.

In short I would describe it as the best Wikipedia in this genre --like wikipedia,it can grow only thro contributions by all of us --you included!!

May your tribe increase!!!!

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 23 Nov 2009, 22:51

Careful Sri MKR... Such vigorous patting ourselves on the back may result in a dislocated shoulder

vsn207 · Post by **vsn207** » 23 Nov 2009, 23:33

Rasikas... I cannot do without reading you atleast thrice or more a day. My cure for depression and boredom and source for all Gyan- musical and otherwise. The strength of Rasikas- its cameraderie, willingness to share( in a age of petty mindedness and , and a healthy sense of homour.

Vivek

Enna_Solven · Post by **Enna_Solven** » 23 Nov 2009, 23:52

vkv sir,

In particular one release by Prasar Bharati (PBACD007, AIR Chennai 1961: Vathapi, O Jagadamba, Dharini Telusukonti & Etthanai Vidangal, accompanists: LGJ, PSP & UKI) of MMI is soul fulfilling. Pure bliss.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 24 Nov 2009, 00:46

Dear E.S,
I am about to leave for Chennai. If you have a H.D. I will be happy tocopy my collections of MMI & other GREATS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE(acc. to LGJ). I will be back in mid-april. VKV

Enna_Solven · Post by **Enna_Solven** » 24 Nov 2009, 01:00

VKV sir, I sent you a pm.

Enna_Solven · Post by **Enna_Solven** » 24 Nov 2009, 01:06

Thank you MKR sir.

Sam Swaminathan · Post by **Sam Swaminathan** » 24 Nov 2009, 01:12

ES, your humility is touching. May you grow from strength to strength and perhaps, time permitting you will start learning some instrument in the near future. Best wishes.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 24 Nov 2009, 02:40

Enna_Solven wrote:I started just about two years ago to listen to carnatic music seriously...

Well, maybe I missed or forgot your very early posts, but it is not obvious to me that you are such a late convert: you're just a rasika, one of the many here who know more about carnatic music than I do, and share.

Long may you continue to enjoy --- and to share

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 24 Nov 2009, 04:34

sureshvv wrote:Careful Sri MKR... Such vigorous patting ourselves on the back may result in a dislocated shoulder

LOL, for every content rasika, there are others who would swear everything here is going wrong. It takes all kinds of people to make the world.

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 24 Nov 2009, 05:01

'lOkO binna ruchihi'.

Enna_Solven · Post by **Enna_Solven** » 24 Nov 2009, 06:09

Sam, I started to learn violin when I was 28 but could not continue. Since then many Deepavali's have come and gone. I do not know what the future holds in store. I am just concentrating on listening now. My mantra is "My kingdom for a Khambhoji alapana!"

Nick, you play the mridangam. It follows that you know more than I do

Sam Swaminathan · Post by **Sam Swaminathan** » 24 Nov 2009, 14:04

And not forgetting our Coolji whose immense contribution has helped many fringe rasikas in to the main stream!!

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 24 Nov 2009, 15:24

Sam Swaminathan wrote:And not forgetting our Coolji whose immense contribution has helped many fringe rasikas in to the main stream!!

I really miss his uplifting posts on music and life in general... Cool ji please come baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack...

grsastrigal · Post by **grsastrigal** » 25 Nov 2009, 18:07

I agree with Sri VKV. Any one who likes MMI is a "class apart" from other Ordinary music lovers. MMI liked Somu. If you listen to Somu, you will understand why MMI liked Somu and you too start loving his music.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 25 Nov 2009, 20:21

Dear GRS,
None other than S.Rajam told me that when SOMU is ON, HE is in the TOPMOST TIER in our system of music. The total merger of SRUTHI, BHAVAM, & other aspects like HIS complete immersion in the composition itself to me is the MUSICAL equivalent of Jeevatma-Pramathma merger in our philosophy OR the Brain-Mind Conjunction being currently explored by Charlie Rose in his ground breaking 15 part series. on PBS....VKV

doyoucare · Post by **doyoucare** » 25 Nov 2009, 21:07

Artistes like MMI are single-handedly responsible for the distortion of MD krithis!! There, I said it! I am also a big fan of MMI's music (from an aesthetic perspective) but claiming his music represents the best there is in our music is nothing short of hero worship!!!!!!!!!

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 26 Nov 2009, 00:13

IT IS HERO WORSHIP ESP. AS WE HAVE SO FEW HEROES .........I DO NOT KNOW ANY ONE WHO IS PERFECT YET; HOWEVER MMI KNEW SANSKRIT VERY WELL. Studied & was well versed in Sanskrit & Tamil.Went to the "EXPERTS" & learnt from them. Actually he was the first to say its almost IMPOSSIBLE to render MD'S KRITIS perfectly & tho' he had rendered VATAPHI thousands of times HE was still looking to render that one kriti perfectly to composer's intent just ONCE & HAD NOT DONE THAT! According to MOST SCHOLARS who count HE was excellent......
Would very much like to know your credentials. I am not here to pick a fight or try to put you down. GENUINELY love to learn more from you as a student of MD, MMI, CARNATIC MUSIC etc......My email is: [email protected] This is not a forum to pursue this in detail it deserves. VKV

Enna_Solven · Post by **Enna_Solven** » 26 Nov 2009, 03:22

doyoucare, I started this thread in a positive note. Please do not drag it down. Start one on your own if you think some aspect of MMI's music is not good.

Why do I care about his music so much? He might have 'distorted' MD's krithis as you say. I cannot contest as I have very few MD krithis sung by MMI; but those few are enough convince me of his caliber. His meenAkshi mEmudam, mayE tvam yAhi are so filling emotionally that I could care less if words are distorted as you say.

Here I am, listening to a song by this man, sung before I was born, recorded on poor quality instruments of those days, noisy, full of drop outs & hisses, spoilt by periodic blasts of electric train horns (or in the case of the great old man, with plane take offs: asuran vanduttAn). What comes through clearly, even to an 'unpud' like me, is the soul touching music. I am sure if I had heard him in person, I would say exactly what vkv said. Never mind if MMI didn't do something right.

People say he had perfect sruthi, in spite of his voice affected by poor health. I wouldn't know but I what I know is that some of his (and a few other greats') alapanas and phrases are what I instinctively perceive and use as standards even with my zero training. This is beginning to interfere with my enjoyment of current artists renditions, crisply recorded in modern studios. I think, well this is not as good the version of.../.../..., etc.

I remember my father listening to MMI on our Philips radio. Woe to that child that made the slightest noise. I used to wonder why, now I think I know.

Suji Ram · Post by **Suji Ram** » 26 Nov 2009, 03:54

Nice thread. Happy thanksgiving to all...

A few years back I could not even identify the voices of SSI, MMI GNB, TVS, TMT TSK -one from the other, let alone identify ragas. All I knew was MSS, Santhanam and BMK. Now I am remembering the days of X-drive when few of the rasikas started uploading the recordings of the greats. Then we had Coolkarni uploading some gems. More important though was the discussions on how to appreciate the stars of the yesteryears. It's only then I brought back my pAttu book from home and realized I was taught some wonderful kritis in beautiful ragas but hardly absorbed it.

I still remember and laugh to myself when I first heard MDR. I had made a audio CD and played it for the first time while driving. Having never heard his style before I thought my CD player was kaput. When I realized later the beauty of his renditions I was hooked

I have come a long way and WE have as rasikas. Be postive!

Thanks to all!

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 26 Nov 2009, 06:20

Happy thanksgiving. I am thankful to everyone who share their wealth of knowledge for enriching others.

Yazh · Post by **Yazh** » 26 Nov 2009, 07:02

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Nia Rmohan · Post by **Nia Rmohan** » 28 Nov 2009, 07:58

To think rasikas is composed of such strange and wonderous beings...It makes my head spin. Not in a bad way either. it makes my head spin like when you listen to a particularly bansuri flute player and they play a ragam like krishnaa did so many eons ago...

that harmonious gathering of sound into the perfect result is the contribution of all rasikas and this website...

VK is a sir?

chalanata · Post by **chalanata** » 28 Nov 2009, 08:23

yes; my thanks giving will be especially to VK the most sensible and level headed moderator!

Lakshman · Post by **Lakshman** » 28 Nov 2009, 08:26

Nia Mohan wrote: VK is a sir?

Should it make any difference?

Nia Rmohan · Post by **Nia Rmohan** » 29 Nov 2009, 03:58

rshankar wrote:Lji I think Nia made the same mistake that is usually made - assuming VK to be a lady!

So, yes, Nia - he is not like the 'namesake' he chose for the forum. - He is indeed a 'sir' in that sense, although I am sure that he's yet to be featured on the queen's birthday list!

It would be quite fun if he was...But now i know to address him as sir Lakshman sir.

doyoucare · Post by **doyoucare** » 30 Nov 2009, 18:40

KMH - Enunciation of lyrics is the least of my concerns!!

rajaglan · Post by **rajaglan** » 30 Nov 2009, 19:22

grsastrigal wrote:I agree with you Shri VKV again. Rikshawallahs stopped and refused to take "savaari" and listened to these concerts in rain... something marvellous.
dyc- please read MMI topic in "vidwan" category. You will know plenty about this great.

My feeling of MMI is this. When artist starts impressing the common men (rikshawallah stroy), they eventually fail to
impress the knowledgable crowd . Just avoiding naming artist here just avoid any controversy. But MMI impressed both the crowds.
And there are very few examples here like TNR, MSS , may be more.

From what I read in books, he had a difficult life including health problems from begining. And had voice problems twice in his career.
But he fought all those and still sounded sweet always.

smala · Post by **smala** » 02 Dec 2009, 06:29

My belated 2 paisa into the kitty. Glad to be here and nanni, nanri to this forum and members of all shades.

Karthigai greetings to all. Let the light shine into our hearts and lives.

Aditya R · Post by **Aditya R** » 03 Dec 2009, 10:20

Dear Enna Solven,

I am really happy to tell you that I'm following the same path which has led you here. My interest in CM has led me to this great site (and sangeethapriya) with extraordinary people willing to help in every way we want. Hope to gain more knowledge in this great art which our Motherland has provided us to reach the almighty. A very happy Karthigai to all.

Aditya