Articles by Chitra Srikrishna

For a recent show, I'd researched movie songs in a variety of Indian languages with the intent to trace the classical ragas behind these songs. While some of them were based directly on a specific raga, others were a mix of several ragas while some barely resembled a coherent melody. It was fascinating to see how the same melody sounded when it moved from the stage to the screen. Here are some of the more interesting ones I encountered.    Many older Hindi movies, such as Tansen and Baiju Bawra were based on the life stories of legendary musicians. They…

Classical music afficianados besides their love for music seem to share two other common interests. One is clearly food, given the roaring canteen business at many sabhas. The other seems to be the strong opinions that they seem to have on the state of classical music. There are several schools of thought such as "classical music is going to the dogs," and "there is a new renaissance with a breed of young musicians" to "fusion music is a cacophony". However all these schools agree on two things. That the audience for classical music, particularly Carnatic music needs to grow and…

Classical music afficianados besides their love for music seem to share two other common interests. One is clearly food, given the roaring canteen business at many sabhas. The other seems to be the strong opinions that they seem to have on the state of classical music. There are several schools of thought such as "classical music is going to the dogs," and "there is a new renaissance with a breed of young musicians" to "fusion music is a cacophony". However all these schools agree on two things. That the audience for classical music, particularly Carnatic music needs to grow and…

As Sivaratri is being celebrated tonight by millions of people, here are some Carnatic songs that extol the greatness of the Hindu God Shiva. Tyagaraja's Naada Tanumanisham in raga Chittaranjani, Shambho Mahadeva and Shiva Shiva Yena Radha in raga Pantuvarali, Raga Sudha Rasa in raga Andholika, Ilalo Pranatharthi in raga Atana to Dikshithar's Akshaya Linga in raga Shankarabharanam, Shri Matrubhootham in raga Kannada and Shri Vishwanatham Bhajesham Chathurdasa Ragamalika are some of the songs heard on the Carnatic platform. There are innumerable compositions on Lord Shiva in Carnatic music by different composers. Some of the popular ones in Tamil are…

As Sivaratri is being celebrated tonight by millions of people, here are some Carnatic songs that extol the greatness of the Hindu God Shiva. Tyagaraja's Naada Tanumanisham in raga Chittaranjani, Shambho Mahadeva and Shiva Shiva Yena Radha in raga Pantuvarali, Raga Sudha Rasa in raga Andholika, Ilalo Pranatharthi in raga Atana to Dikshithar's Akshaya Linga in raga Shankarabharanam, Shri Matrubhootham in raga Kannada and Shri Vishwanatham Bhajesham Chathurdasa Ragamalika are some of the songs heard on the Carnatic platform. There are innumerable compositions on Lord Shiva in Carnatic music by different composers. Some of the popular ones in Tamil are…

Gayathri Kesavan and family The story of Putana is part of the Lord Krishna folklore. Putana which means “devoid of virtue” was a demon sent by Kamsa to kill his nephew, the baby Krishna. When Putana in the guise of a stunningly beautiful woman came to Yashodha, the latter believed the demon to be a virtous woman and gave the baby to her for nursing. Little did Yashodha realize that it wasn’t mother’s milk but a poison that the baby was meant to suckle. Putana’s plan backfired and Krishna ended up killing her. This was the central theme of Gayathri…

Gayathri Kesavan and family The story of Putana is part of the Lord Krishna folklore. Putana which means “devoid of virtue” was a demon sent by Kamsa to kill his nephew, the baby Krishna. When Putana in the guise of a stunningly beautiful woman came to Yashodha, the latter believed the demon to be a virtous woman and gave the baby to her for nursing. Little did Yashodha realize that it wasn’t mother’s milk but a poison that the baby was meant to suckle. Putana’s plan backfired and Krishna ended up killing her. This was the central theme of Gayathri…

“I see many young people wanting to learn the veena. Whether they want to take it up as a profession is something I’m not sure about.” I'm talking to Jayanthi Kumaresh, renowned veena artist, at her home. We're seated in what's obviously a prayer room, with its large pictures of the Chandrashekara Saraswathi, the revered former head of the Kanchi Mutt. Three or four veenas stand upright against one wall. Her observation was in response to my query about the state of veena playing and where she saw it headed.    Jayanthi puts me at ease with her charming personality…

“I see many young people wanting to learn the veena. Whether they want to take it up as a profession is something I’m not sure about.” I'm talking to Jayanthi Kumaresh, renowned veena artist, at her home. We're seated in what's obviously a prayer room, with its large pictures of the Chandrashekara Saraswathi, the revered former head of the Kanchi Mutt. Three or four veenas stand upright against one wall. Her observation was in response to my query about the state of veena playing and where she saw it headed.    Jayanthi puts me at ease with her charming personality…

All of us have preconceived notions about artists - be they movie actors, theatre personality or musicians. R.K.Padmanabha, carnatic vocalist and composer, defies being cast into any simple mould of a classical musician that we may have. His accessibility and humble demeanour belie the popularity he enjoys in Karnataka, as both a singer and a teacher. His passion to spread the practice of Carnatic music across the state and all ages, is infectious.   “If one can introduce a grandmother to the joys of appreciating classical music, then her grandchild would simply follow suit.” This is Padmanabha's simple philosophy, as…