A time to relook and relish the music

It is hard to fathom Bombay Jayashri, as she said once, “My music will tell you more about me than I ever could”. Indeed, her recent music says a lot about the diversity of her art, as well as the churning inside.

Music of M.K. Tyagaraja Bhagavatar in films

It is over six decades since M.K. Tyagaraja Bhagavatar passed away on 1 November 1959. This article is a study of the music of M.K. Tyagaraja Bhagavatar in films, that has been appended in a Compact Disc, to the book titled MKT Bhagavatar - Isaiyum Vaazkkaiyum by D.V. Balakrishnan
Unique in many ways

Unique in many ways

It is a special feeling to know that the famed Sruti magazine has completed over three decades of classic, critically creative, and ultimately contributory existence in the Mecca of Indian classical arts - Chennai! Sruti has completed 37 years and is marching forward fearlessly!
A virtually exciting musiCarnival

A virtually exciting musiCarnival

The lockdown has exposed music lovers to several online events—live performances, conversations with artists and personalities, cook-out with artists, listening sessions and more. But what we did not expect but did experience was a ‘carnival’…
Gayathri Venkataraghavan

Gayathri Venkataraghavan - Perseverance and passion

Listening to the music of Palghat K.V. Narayanaswamy as a young girl was an epiphany moment that changed her entire perspective on music. As a curious backbencher during season concerts at Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, her interest in music further swelled.
Live for you online

Live for you online

In March 2020, as soon as the lockdown in India took effect, Prakash RSV, a finance professional, event manager and an ardent music rasika, launched and pioneered a music channel, Live4You on Facebook, bringing musicians and rasikas together.
Ganesh-Kumaresh

Ganesh and Kumaresh - a quest for 'pure' music

When Ganesh (born 1964) and Kumaresh (born 1967) ascended the Carnatic concert stage in 1972, the image of the violin as an accompanying instrument in Carnatic vocal concerts had been well-etched in the minds of audiences and musicians alike.
Leveraging social media as a platform for Carnatic music

LOCKDOWN EVENTS - Leveraging social media as a platform for Carnatic music

Music has got an ethereal quality to heal the disturbed mind and provide solace. The impact of Covid-19 and the stress of confinement within one’s home have been multiplied by the disturbing news flashing across media - both visual and social.
Cyber sabhas and concerts during lockdown

Cyber sabhas and concerts during lockdown

Perhaps there will be a cyber sabha not too far in the future, fully equipped with the musicians and the enrapt audience, a virtual reality et al. — This was the concluding line of one of my articles on music published in December 2000.…
T. Rukmini: a radiant soul (1936-2020)

T. Rukmini: a radiant soul (1936-2020)

Beauty is skin deep; it is oft said. In rare cases it permeates the whole being—inside, outside, and in the body, mind and soul. Vidushi T. Rukmini, who performed the “mangalam” to her sojourn on this earth recently, was one such.
An Online Performing Arts Festival

Ties That Bind: the pandemic, technology and the arts

We, in Columbus, Ohio, have been in the isolating grip of a viral pandemic for three months now. Social interactions have been impacted in ways one could never have imagined before its onset. Our diverse humanity has been united via this singular…
Neyyattinkara Vasudevan

Neyyattinkara Vasudevan (1940-2008)

Neyyatinkara Vasudevan shone like a meteor in the field of Carnatic music. Hailing from a humble background, he attained success as a vocalist and teacher against heavy odds, facing many rough patches along the way. Born on 24 August 1940, as the son of a Dalit woodcutter, in rural Thiruvananthapuram district (Neyyattinkara), Vasudevan went on to become a leading vocalist from Kerala.