Music Matters

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…

As India celebrates its 65th Republic Day today, here are some songs that invoke the spirit of patriotism in different languages. The song Ae mere watan ke logon in film Haqeeqat described one's deep love for the motherland. The crystal clear sweet voice of Lata Mangeshkar left a strong impression in the hearts of millions of people.      Here is a Kannada patriotic song presented by H.S.Venkatesh Murthy and Ricky Kej. The visuals highlight the natural beauty of the land and its rich cultural heritage.       When MS Subbalakshmi sang the popular Bengali patriotic song of Dwijendralal…

As India celebrates its 65th Republic Day today, here are some songs that invoke the spirit of patriotism in different languages. The song Ae mere watan ke logon in film Haqeeqat described one's deep love for the motherland. The crystal clear sweet voice of Lata Mangeshkar left a strong impression in the hearts of millions of people.      Here is a Kannada patriotic song presented by H.S.Venkatesh Murthy and Ricky Kej. The visuals highlight the natural beauty of the land and its rich cultural heritage.       When MS Subbalakshmi sang the popular Bengali patriotic song of Dwijendralal…

Songs are but poetry set to music some would argue. In Kannada, such poetry set to music, is called Bhavageethe. From the vachanas to the dasarpadas to the poems of Kuvempu, composers have added to the allure of the poetry, by setting them to music. Vachanas are devotional octets composed by Veerashaiva saints from Karnataka such as Akka Mahadevi and Basavanna. They are characterized by simple lyrics that speak directly to the listener. By bringing poems to non-readers, Bhavageethe have enjoyed great popularity in Karnataka. As with many fields, specialists that focus singing Bhavageethe have emerged. One such popular singer…

Songs are but poetry set to music some would argue. In Kannada, such poetry set to music, is called Bhavageethe. From the vachanas to the dasarpadas to the poems of Kuvempu, composers have added to the allure of the poetry, by setting them to music. Vachanas are devotional octets composed by Veerashaiva saints from Karnataka such as Akka Mahadevi and Basavanna. They are characterized by simple lyrics that speak directly to the listener. By bringing poems to non-readers, Bhavageethe have enjoyed great popularity in Karnataka. As with many fields, specialists that focus singing Bhavageethe have emerged. One such popular singer…

Photo by: Karthik Dwaraknath The mridangam is a barrel-shaped drum used as a percussion instrument in a classical concert. It is a double-headed drum, with multiple layers of stretched leather skin covering either end of the cylindrical body. The word “mridangam” comes from the union of two Sanskrit words mrida (clay) and angam (body) as the instrument is made from hardened clay. Mridangams are of two types – kutchi and kappi. In the former, thin wooden sticks or reed (from a plant) are inserted under the top layer of the skin, which gives the mridangam its distinctive sound.  In kappi…

Photo by: Karthik Dwaraknath The mridangam is a barrel-shaped drum used as a percussion instrument in a classical concert. It is a double-headed drum, with multiple layers of stretched leather skin covering either end of the cylindrical body. The word “mridangam” comes from the union of two Sanskrit words mrida (clay) and angam (body) as the instrument is made from hardened clay. Mridangams are of two types – kutchi and kappi. In the former, thin wooden sticks or reed (from a plant) are inserted under the top layer of the skin, which gives the mridangam its distinctive sound.  In kappi…

The upcoming Sontakke Global Music Festival from 15th December to 25th December 2013 in the city promises to bring a variety of music genres ranging from carnatic, hindustani through jazz and all the way to Rabindra sangeet. The festival is organized by Prakash Sontakke, a phenomenally talented and popular musician from Bangalore who has carved a niche for himself in hindustani classical and fusion music. Citizen Matters caught up with Prakash Sontakke in a freewheeling conversation about the upcoming festival and his thoughts on the music scene in Bangalore. What is your motivation to conduct such a music festival? Tell…

The upcoming Sontakke Global Music Festival from 15th December to 25th December 2013 in the city promises to bring a variety of music genres ranging from carnatic, hindustani through jazz and all the way to Rabindra sangeet. The festival is organized by Prakash Sontakke, a phenomenally talented and popular musician from Bangalore who has carved a niche for himself in hindustani classical and fusion music. Citizen Matters caught up with Prakash Sontakke in a freewheeling conversation about the upcoming festival and his thoughts on the music scene in Bangalore. What is your motivation to conduct such a music festival? Tell…

In popular imagination the Vindhyas represent the boundary between north and south India. In the case of music, that boundary while far more diffuse inarguably runs through Karnataka. While Dharwad, Hubli and Belgaum in the northern parts of the state have spawned Hindustani musicians such as Bhimsen Joshi and Gangubai Hangal, Bangalore and Mysore in south Karnataka have been nurturing grounds for Carnatic musicians. The Mysore school of music has produced several renowned Carnatic musicians from veena vidwans such as Veena Seshanna, Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar to violinist Chowdiah and the present-day violinists (brothers) Mysore Nagaraj and Mysore Manjunath to name…