Guru Sri.Vaigal.S.Gnanaskandan - A Tribute

bhaskaran19 · Post by **bhaskaran19** » 07 May 2015, 19:48

Guru Sri.Vaigal.S.Gnanaskandan musican, guru scholar who has passed away couple of days back. Here Smt Gayathri Girish pays rich tribute to her first Guru

http://gayathrigirish.blogspot.in/2015/ ... ibute.html

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 07 May 2015, 20:37

Condolences to his family and disciples, including Smt. Gayathri Girish, Sikkil Sri Gurucharan, and our forum member, Ranganayaki. May his soul rest in peace!

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 07 May 2015, 21:13

He was also guru of V.Sankaranarayanan & several others. He was the PSN of those days. An excellent teacher. VKV

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 08 May 2015, 02:13

I didn't know anything about him, but I feel Gayathri's sadness and loss in her words, which are a beautiful tribute.

Condolences to her and her fellow students, and to family and friends too.

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 08 May 2015, 04:53

Condolences to his family and disciples, May his soul rest in peace!
Thanjavooran
08 05 2015

harimau · Post by **harimau** » 08 May 2015, 22:05

That he could trace his lineage back to Sundaramurthy Nayanar (one of the 63 Nayanmars -- saints of Saivite tradition) is probably not well known.

He might well have been the only descendant of a Nayanar in our times.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 08 May 2015, 22:23

Sincere condolences. Very nice tribute by Smt Gayathri.

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 09 May 2015, 01:35

Sorry to hear about Sri Vaigai Gnanaskandan. Condolences to his family and sishyas.

cienu · Post by **cienu** » 09 May 2015, 05:35

Extremely sad to hear this news
Sri Vaigai Gnanaskandan was the Guru of Sikkil Gurucharan too.
Heartfelt condolences

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 09 May 2015, 12:01

Very sad to hear that. Apart from GG, gurucharan , V Sankaranarayanan is also his student. Our forumite ranganayaki has also learnt from him. May I hear any of his recordings? Condolences.

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 09 May 2015, 15:07

Sri Vaigai Gnanaskandan was a disciple of SSI. I have heard him singing along with his Guru in AIR concerts. I have heard him live in TVM in 70s-80s. A vidwan of solid voice, vidwath and patantharam. I have heard many concerts in AIR. I heard that last few years he was not keeping good health and hence away from concert circuit. Sincere condolences to Gayathri Girish, Sikkil Gurucharan and other disciples and his family members. Gayathri Girish's blog was very touching.

Sreeni Rajarao · Post by **Sreeni Rajarao** » 09 May 2015, 17:08

Sorry to hear about this!
I have not heard his music - I hope a recording will become available.
A very sincere and well written tribute from Smt Gayathri Girish.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 14 May 2015, 01:08

My deepest Namaskarams to my Guru and most sincere condolences to Meena, Vidya, Mani and Kala, his children, to the rest of his family, to Gayatri Girish, Sikkil Gurucharan, V Shankarnarayan and all the students whose lives he enriched with music. In my family, only I remain to remember with affection the wonderful times, all of them would have been touched by this moment.

I did not view this page till just now, when Ravi gave me his unexpected condolences. Thank you, Ravi and Rajesh for remembering me at this moment. I miss my family a lot now, and I wish I could personally pay my respects and offer condolences and share the grief. I am grateful to be a member of this forum. Thank you.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 14 May 2015, 06:29

Condolences to Ranganayaki and Gayathri.
Music enriches our life and through our music others' like nothing else. To be good at it is not easy and the role of a guru is also a unique feature of this field. The guru shishya relationship is a complex one.
If one can really feel love and gratitude to one's guru I feel one has made real progress.

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 14 May 2015, 07:06

Ranganayaki: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am deeply sorry for all your losses.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 14 May 2015, 08:20

Rsachi and Ramesh, thank you.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 14 May 2015, 13:34

Ranganayaki, a touching message of remembrance.

Condolences and sympathy

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 14 May 2015, 17:39

Ranganayaki - apologies for startling you! I knew from your previous postings about the deep bond that you and your father had with Sri Gnanaskandan.
If you (or Smt. Gayahthri Girish) have clips of Sri Gnanaskandan singing, or teaching, kindly do share.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 14 May 2015, 19:29

It has always been my greatest regret that I don't have recorded music from those days.. We didn't think of it. I hope Gayathri has something. Sorry Ravi, Rajesh and others who asked. As I wrote earlier and later deleted, he had a wonderful, powerful voice. When he sang at CLT, I really felt that the mike didn't do him justice. He should have sung without one.

A powerful voice, but this was power without stress. His shruti was 1.5. He never strained his voice, it was always smooth, he didn't exert himself and risk ruining his voice.

Ravi, I read Gayathri G's blog and her memories of those days with her mother and Sri Gnanaskandan were the same as mine, to the details.. I just imbibed those wonderful songs they sang just like her.

.. My father enjoyed learning the songs he didn't know too, that we were taught, his all-time favorite was Panipatisayee in Jhankaradhwani

.. Swara raga sudha, pankaja lochana, Sharavana bhava yennum tirumanthiram, O Rangasayee, Lokavana Chatura, Dinamani Vamsa, Narasimha Mamava, Nadaloludai which was as nice as Lalgudi's, honestly, Mokshamu Galada (other than Lalgudi, I haven't heard it rendered as nicely as he would and I've heard many people sing it beautifully), Dasharathe, and omg Sri Krishnam Bhaja Manasa, Mohana Rama, Amba Kamakshi, the pancharatnams, which he taught all his students and had us sing together at Sastry Hall (the picture Gayathri Girish posted), Tappagane which I heard yesterday after the longest time in G Ravikiran's concert.

There are so many great singers, but the beauty of these pieces that I heard in my own room - wow... The concert platform and the acoustics were simply not good enough for him, but that's my opinion. I wonder what others who knew how grand his voice was would say about it, whether they would agree.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 14 May 2015, 20:07

Ranganayaki, without presuming to be an expert, I can say that concert stage success in CM is a complex and almost inscrutable function of many variables :
1. A Type A or Rajasic personality that hungers for name and fame
2. Very supportive family who make it their mission
3. Teachers who have a high commitment to launching you
4. Lucky circumstances. Almost every musician remembers his early break eg Lalgudi catching GNB's eye in that KVN MA concert
5. A staying power when things don't work out well
6. A self hypnosis that makes the world revolve around I Me Myself
7. Huge talent to learn all the time
8. High energy
9. A marketing USP
10. Raw unalloyed musical talent

No wonder the poet said, "full many a flower is born to blush unsung....."

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 14 May 2015, 20:17

RSachi, thanks.. I agree.. this would be true, and probably why Sri Gnanaskandan was happy to be a Guru or accepted the fact that he was not sought after in the concert circuit.. I don't feel so much concerned with that aspect, my comment was just about sound, the mike and the acoustics not doing justice to his voice when he did sing in a concert.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 15 May 2015, 00:31

That is a distinct possibility. To get the mike and balancing right is a continual struggle for most vocalists. I know some very knowledgeable and good singers who became professors but couldn't shine on the concert circuit.

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 15 May 2015, 06:16

Ranganayaki, Thanks for writing about your guru Sri. Vaigal.S.Gnanaskandan. Quite touching. Condolences to you, other disciples and the family of this great teacher.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 15 May 2015, 08:46

I feel that to be a successful "PLATFORM MUSICIAN" requires a CERTAIN CHARISMA & CHARACTERISTICS that some very great musicians appear to have neglected. I have been EDUCATED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE GREAT LGJ himself with whom I spent lot of time getting educated in this area as well as others.. The fact Sathur Subramaniam who was as good & great as any vocalist of his time not getting his due .BOTHERED ME NO END & LGJ clearly enunciated & explained why he did not gain public adoration he so richly deserved. I FIND LGJ'S INSIGHTS clearly fall in line in the case of SEVERAL MUSICIANS who did not get their due.....VKV

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 15 May 2015, 09:01

Sir, yes! In that marketing USP point I included the mystery and charisma that is essential to creating the attractive image.
Just yday, Anushka Sharma (significant other of Virat Kohli), a talented and acclaimed young movie actress, lamented that the present-day social media and the TV/print/radio gives constant overexposure to stars which erodes their mystique and elusive image essential to sustain their charisma. She said it woul be better if people could relate to a star only by going to a movie and the star's image was maintained only through such controlled exposure.

Please capture some more details of Lalgudi's theory. I am very curious!

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 15 May 2015, 19:24

Dear CACM, Rsachi,
I just want it to be clear that my tribute to my Guru described only the wonderful things that came to mind and only the wonderful things came to mind. The moments spent with in music lessons over many years are pure joy and still comfort me and uplift my mind. Nothing in my post raised the question of fame. It was just my feelings about him. Just my feelings about the inadequacy of the audio system when I heard him, because I knew how great his voice really was. I have no questions about fame eluding him, it is not a mystery to me. I would really appreciate it if the discussion about fame be moved to another thread. That certainly has its place, and I too am looking forward to hearing Lalgudi's views and understanding. But please not here. It's not relevant at all here.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 15 May 2015, 20:32

Ok Ranganayaki, respect your sentiments.

cacm · Post by **cacm** » 15 May 2015, 20:59

I REALISE THE SENSITIVITY INVOLVED; I am NOT interested in sharing my views& esp. INVOLVING OTHERS LIKE LGJ here or for that matter if the subject matter is CONSIDERED PERSONAL BY OTHERS. VKV

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 15 May 2015, 21:07

That is kind, rsachi.. thanks.. please make sure we hear about it.

Nick, Vasanthakokilam, thank you for your kind words..

CACM, I hope "not here" only means "not in this thread". Please do share more of what Sri LGJ's views were on recognition and fame, it would be interesting and educative.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 16 May 2015, 00:47

I have heard about his being an exceptional guru. Gayathri Girish and other students prove his mettle. I was moved by what Gayathri, Ranganayaki and others had to say about him.

We have lost another precious guru...

Condolences to his family and students whose music will speak of him in the future.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 18 May 2015, 03:12

Rajesh, rshankar, Sreeni Raja Rao, I searched and found this single recording..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV1uGdrJjxA

I recognize it in part.. the song itself, it was one he used to sing and I can picture him singing it, but I do not fully recognize the timbre of his voice - the distortion of the mike and of the rather old recording on top of that.. It took a couple of plays for me to get a feel for it.

Also, Harimau, could you explain what you said about his family history? How did that come to be known?

ganeshkant · Post by **ganeshkant** » 20 May 2015, 16:46

saw this thread just now accidentally.

I have listened him a few times in person and in radio.the one concert that I vividly remember is the one in KGS in 85 or 86;that concert was sponsored by mahArajapuram family and santAnam with his sons was sitting in the first row.T.Rukmini and Tvr.bhaktavatsalam accompanied and I heard varamu for the first time.he beautifully sang that followed by manasulOni and the main was O rangasayee. He is a vAgyEyakArA also and there is a recording with AIR where he sings exclusively his compositions.I always like his composition in kEdAram -"AdipoorathammaVe ungaLai vaNanguhirEn".A great artist.

Sreeni Rajarao · Post by **Sreeni Rajarao** » 20 May 2015, 17:42

Thank you for the YouTube link - I like his music!
I wish there is more recorded music hidden somewhere and it will come out in the near future.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 20 May 2015, 17:56

Ranganayaki- thank you for the link!
Ganeshkant- thank you for the information that he composed as well. I do hope that Smt. Gayathri, SrI Gurucharan, and Sri Sankaranarayanan will include their guru's compositions in their concerts.
Ranganayaki - have you learned any of them?

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 20 May 2015, 19:31

rshankar wrote:Ranganayaki- thank you for the link!
Ganeshkant- thank you for the information that he composed as well. I do hope that Smt. Gayathri, SrI Gurucharan, and Sri Sankaranarayanan will include their guru's compositions in their concerts.
Ranganayaki - have you learned any of them?

No, Shankar, I'm afraid I did no even know of them, or of him as a vaggeyakar. This must have been after my time with him..

I think I've been stuck in my memories.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 22 May 2015, 17:15

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d18lx7899umwr ... i.mp3?dl=0

searching for a concert that will be remniscent of his singing in a room in personal settings .will upload later tonight

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 22 May 2015, 17:55

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kgs1eioe3esw3 ... y.MP3?dl=0
RN

It has always been my greatest regret that I don't have recorded music from those days..

Hope this is some consolation

Sreeni Rajarao · Post by **Sreeni Rajarao** » 23 May 2015, 05:36

Varsha avare,

I had you in mind when I made the earlier comment about some more recordings seeing the light of the day, and you have delivered once more, as always!

I am enjoying the 72 minute album as I write this!

Aha! This Neelambari is beautiful!

Thank You!

CRama · Post by **CRama** » 23 May 2015, 21:34

Thank you Varsha for the rare concert of Vaigai. And a bonus of MD kritis by R.Vedavalli. Thank you again.

Ranganayaki · Post by **Ranganayaki** » 25 May 2015, 13:19

varsha wrote: Hope this is some consolation

It certainly is, Varsha, you are kind!! It is not exactly his voice, his real voice was fuller, this voice sounds thinner and almost confuses me, but the singing definitely has his stamp, I remember it all so well and it all comes back so much more real, sangati after sangati.

It is so wonderful that you found this. In which year was this recorded?

You posted this several days ago, it seems, but I only just saw it. Thank you !!

Sreeni Rajarao · Post by **Sreeni Rajarao** » 25 May 2015, 16:39

Sreeni Rajarao wrote:Varsha avare,

Aha! This Neelambari is beautiful!

Thank You!

I now realize there is Smt R Vedavalli's music as well in this 72 min album!
I was enjoying the music so much when I first listened to the recording that I did not even notice the shift from Sri Vaigal to Smt Vedavalli!

harimau · Post by **harimau** » 02 Jun 2015, 05:39

Ranganayaki wrote:
Also, Harimau, could you explain what you said about his family history? How did that come to be known?

A close relative was learning music from Sri Gnanaskandan. I got to know Sri Gnanaskandan because of that.

One day, while discussing our respective family background and interest in music, he told me that he was a descendant of Sundaramurthy Nayanar.

I don't think that he would have shared that with any of his students, nor would that have come out unless the conversation veered off in the direction of family history, as it did that day.

harimau · Post by **harimau** » 02 Jun 2015, 05:45

Ranganayaki wrote: No, Shankar, I'm afraid I did no even know of them, or of him as a vaggeyakar. This must have been after my time with him.. I think I've been stuck in my memories.

Sri Gnanaskandan had brought out a booklet with about 20 of his compositions -- lyrics only, no notations.

As a guru, he was extremely encouraging of his students. He held an annual function where his students would perform and the best students received the title Sangeetha Bhaskara.

I dare say that would have been the first ever title received by the likes of Gayathri Girish and Sikkil Gurucharan.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 02 Jun 2015, 07:40

Harimau,
Thank you for your post.It gives more of a glimpse into his music for us.

shrivi64 · Post by **shrivi64** » 27 Apr 2017, 09:01

Hi Ranganayaki, are you the daughter of Sri Venugopal of IIT? Vedu is your sister right? Am sree vidhya d/o of sri vaigal.s.gnanaskandhan