On a musical high
15 years, 2 months ago

On a musical high

The Hindu  

Alphons Joseph is on a high. It was a pleasant surprise when playback singer Srinivas gave me a ring and told me that Rahman Sir wanted me to sing the song ‘Aaaromale' in Goutham Menon's latest film Vinaiithandi Varuvaya,” says Alphons. “I remember Rahman asking me why I had decided to become a music director and not a singer… Little did I imagine he would give me a break like this….” The audio preview of film Vinaiithandi Varuvaya was at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts where the seven other singers in the film were also present. The faculty at the music department asked me to sing and when they heard me they were convinced that I could do the course,” says Alphons. That is when I understood how much more there is to Indian music than what is usually dished out,” says Alphons.

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History of this topic

‘Artists can now create hit songs independently’
3 weeks, 2 days ago

‘Artists can now create hit songs independently’

New Indian Express  

Jassie Gift made a sensational debut with the chart-topping Lajjavathiye and has since become an integral part of the Malayalam film industry. Excerpts You’re still celebrated widely in Kerala for your iconic song Lajjavathiye even after 21 years of its release. I’m currently experiencing a unique revival period, performing at numerous shows, reminiscent of my early days. Initially, I never …

T.M. Krishna conferred Sangita Kalanidhi title
2 months, 4 weeks ago

T.M. Krishna conferred Sangita Kalanidhi title

The Hindu  

Renowned Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna was conferred the title of Sangita Kalanidhi 2024 by Professor David Shulman, Chair, Renee Lang Professor of Humanistic Studies, and former professor of Indian Studies and Comparative Religion, Hebrew University, Jerusalem at the 98th conference and concerts — Sadas, the traditional oriental convocation — of The Music Academy in Chennai on Wednesday. Speaking at the …

Young Carnatic musicians chronicle their challenging journey to the concert circuit
3 months ago

Young Carnatic musicians chronicle their challenging journey to the concert circuit

The Hindu  

If you scan the Margazhi music schedule of sabhas in Chennai, you will find the names of several Gen Z artistes in the morning, mid-morning and afternoon slots. However, my parents supported me and even arranged fortnightly trips to Chennai for training under vidwan M. Chandrasekaran,” says this prodigy, who also learned from senior violinist Narmada Gopalakrishnan. With sir’s constant …

How Indian classical music got divided into Hindustani and Carnatic
3 months, 1 week ago

How Indian classical music got divided into Hindustani and Carnatic

The Hindu  

Day 5 of the Academic Sessions at The Music Academy featured an interesting panel discussion with Pantula Rama, Subhashini Parthasarathy, and vidwan M.A. The session opened with Pantula Rama exploring the evolution of Indian classical music and the eventual division into Carnatic and Hindustani traditions. Ramanathan’s research also highlighted differences in oscillatory techniques, with Carnatic music carrying a lot of …

I am the connecting link between two generations
3 months, 2 weeks ago

I am the connecting link between two generations

The Hindu  

As I enter the 80th year of my musical career, I look back at the many dimensions of Carnatic music that has left an indelible impression on me. Today, 9 a.m.: Bangalore Brothers; 11.45 a.m.: J. Yoga Kirtana; 1.30 p.m.: Ananya Ashok; 4 p.m.: Madurai T.N.S. Vittaldas Jayakrishna Dikshitar’s Maha Bhaktha Vijayam at 7 a.m.; Malladi Brothers’ vocal concert at …

50 years in the industry feel surreal: Hariharan on childhood, films, and all things music
4 months ago

50 years in the industry feel surreal: Hariharan on childhood, films, and all things music

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Growing up in Mumbai, a young Hariharan would often wake up to the sounds of ragas, the aroma of tea in the air and intense discussions on complex Carnatic compositions. While instilling “deep respect for the craft”, his early training in classical music also taught him the music isn't just about performance. The singer began his playback career …

Varijashree Venugopal on Spreading Indian Classical Music Globally
4 months, 1 week ago

Varijashree Venugopal on Spreading Indian Classical Music Globally

Deccan Chronicle  

Varijashree Venugopal, a child prodigy turned Grammy nominee, is redefining the boundaries of Indian classical music with her innovative fusion approach. Indian classical music in general has a huge space for improvisation, where the artist expresses their thoughts and emotions using the very intricately designed set of fundamentals of ragas and talas that we are taught to be mastered over …

Training under Jitendra Abhisheki was like a dream come true, says Mahesh Kale
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Training under Jitendra Abhisheki was like a dream come true, says Mahesh Kale

Deccan Chronicle  

Mahesh Kale, a National Award-winning vocalist, shares his journey in Indian Classical Music, from his early days of growing up in a musical household to his training under the legendary Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki. With a passion that transcends genres, Kale blends tradition with innovation, making Indian Classical Music accessible to a global audience. What motivated you to start the Mahesh …

Want to master different aspects of Carnatic music? Listen to the stalwarts
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Want to master different aspects of Carnatic music? Listen to the stalwarts

The Hindu  

Carnatic music students are often told to listen to yesteryear masters, in order to develop and finetune their art. Madurai Mani Iyer’s music appeared deceptively easy though. Ragas had quasi owners too, by the sheen engineered by some performers — Maharajapuram school came to be renowned for Arabhi and Mukhari; Semmangudi for Varali and Nilambari; and Ramnad Krishnan for Sahana …

A dissonant chord in the world of Carnatic music
1 year ago

A dissonant chord in the world of Carnatic music

The Hindu  

Krishna, the stormy petrel of Carnatic music, and this year’s winner of The Music Academy, Madras’s prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award, is an ardent artiste and an avid activist. Vidwan N. Ravikiran, recipient of the Sangita Kalanidhi in 2017 announced that he would return the award as Mr. Krishna was ‘trying to polarise and destabilise Indian classical music’. In a letter …

Careers in the music industry
1 year ago

Careers in the music industry

The Hindu  

Indian music has evolved over time to encompass classical forms, Western genres and a fusion of the two. Today, Indian music is segmented into a variety of genres and offers diverse career opportunities for budding singers. Semi-classical: With its base in classical music, semi-classical Indian music has sub-genres that include Thumri, Dadra and also folk music forms like Chaiti, Kajri, …

I have always dreamt of taking Carnatic music to every corner of the world: Varijashree Venugopal
1 year, 1 month ago

I have always dreamt of taking Carnatic music to every corner of the world: Varijashree Venugopal

Hindustan Times  

Carnatic musician Varijashree Venugopal is now the first Indian to be signed with the American music label GroundUP. “I’ve always dreamt of taking Carnatic music to every corner of the world. This milestone is facilitating the process of introducing this genre of music to audiences who probably have no idea of it,” she says, adding, “As an artiste, I would …

How a platform is making Indian classical music more accessible
1 year, 4 months ago

How a platform is making Indian classical music more accessible

Live Mint  

There has been a lot of discussion in the past few years about the need to connect younger audiences with classical music, while also promoting emerging talent. Sundar Mahalingam, who leads the initiative, spoke to Lounge about the learnings from the two-decade-long journey: In the last 25 years, how has the interest in Indian classical music evolved? The inclusion of …

INDIA, THIS SIDE | How India as a civilisation is defined by its engagement with music
1 year, 7 months ago

INDIA, THIS SIDE | How India as a civilisation is defined by its engagement with music

The Hindu  

Published : Aug 24, 2023 11:00 IST - 6 MINS READ If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken and so die. “We are many languages, many histories, many people; <EP>but we are united in our deep relation with the songs of India. ”Ganesh Devy Every time I …

Gehraiyaan: OAFF’s Bollywood debut in Deepika Padukone’s Gehraiyaan has given India reason to celebrate local music talent
3 years, 1 month ago

Gehraiyaan: OAFF’s Bollywood debut in Deepika Padukone’s Gehraiyaan has given India reason to celebrate local music talent

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “At some point, someone paid me to produce music …

Amrit Ramnath: ‘Though I respond to other forms, Carnatic music is my core’
3 years, 9 months ago

Amrit Ramnath: ‘Though I respond to other forms, Carnatic music is my core’

The Hindu  

Amrit Ramnath clearly doesn’t think much of the canons of the music world: in his realm, music is many, and to conform to one means losing out on several others. Carnatic music surely forms his core, but he doesn’t carry it everywhere — neither in terms of his personal aesthetics nor with respect to music. Though I respond to other …

'Indian Music Tradition Extremely Rich,' Says British Composer After Inclusion of 'Munni Badnaam' in UK Curriculum
3 years, 11 months ago

'Indian Music Tradition Extremely Rich,' Says British Composer After Inclusion of 'Munni Badnaam' in UK Curriculum

News 18  

The celebrated item number ‘Munni badnam hui’ was never expected to raise a debate about education. “It’s a fascinating piece,” British composer Julian Lloyd Webber tells CNN News18. “We want our children to experience the widest possible range of music and in this model music curriculum there really is quite a lot of Indian music,” says Webber. “I’m sure teachers …

Music for the Soul!
5 years, 2 months ago

Music for the Soul!

Deccan Chronicle  

When musicians hand the reins over to passion, they are bound to create extraordinary music! Talking about his album, Soumik says, “This album was born out of a long process of questioning: “What is my carbon footprint?” – something I’m still grappling with today. My music comes from questions that I ask about the world around me and the myriad …

‘The ecosystem consists of a guru, shishya and young artistes’
5 years, 4 months ago

‘The ecosystem consists of a guru, shishya and young artistes’

The Hindu  

To keep alive the age-old guru-shishya parampara, the National Centre for the Performing Arts and Citi India have been supporting young talent in Hindustani classical music for the last eight years. The NCPA and Citi India also run another programme, whereby nine scholarships are given to deserving budding artistes of Hindustani classical music for an year’s advanced training. The approach …

I have a strong foundation in music because of my family: KS Harisankar
5 years, 5 months ago

I have a strong foundation in music because of my family: KS Harisankar

The Hindu  

He was once told that his voice was not suited for playback singing. Music background It has been an unbelievable journey for him, one that he never planned, says Harisankar. The first musician who took him on board was veteran Ousepapchan for the film Karanavar and his first song that came was ‘Payye payye’ from Ormayundo Ee Mukham composed by …

‘Music without spirituality is meaningless’
5 years, 6 months ago

‘Music without spirituality is meaningless’

The Hindu  

The illustrious Agra gharana of Hindustani classical music has had distinguished exponents and teachers who have imparted this school of music to countless disciples over the centuries. Born in 1974, Waseem Khan is the grandson of Ustad Basheer Khan from his father’s side and of Ustad Ata Hussain Khan from his mother’s side. Prior to the concert, Waseem spoke to …

Looking back, looking ahead
5 years, 7 months ago

Looking back, looking ahead

The Hindu  

KRISHNA's musical journey can be mapped as past and post. They were an enlightened family: back then, my grandmother went to boarding school in Chennai, my mother was a student of literature who did her master’s in music. If Carnatic music is tagged with “classical”, I have a problem. Once, one mami asked me: “But why do you talk, you …

Sid Sriram on his upcoming album Entropy, traversing through the worlds of Carnatic, film music
6 years, 4 months ago

Sid Sriram on his upcoming album Entropy, traversing through the worlds of Carnatic, film music

Firstpost  

From Kanye West to Carnatic music and everything in between, Sid Sriram comes across as the best current example of a fearless singer, composer and producer. At the moment, he’s enjoying at least three worlds – the South Indian film music industry, Carnatic music concerts and a major push for his solo material. In the last two years of establishing …

Fr Poovathingal believes that the universality of Carnatic music is extremely important.
6 years, 4 months ago

Fr Poovathingal believes that the universality of Carnatic music is extremely important.

The Hindu  

Father Paul Poovathingal of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate is known as the Singing Priest from Thrissur. When you listen to a Carnatic music concert, you’ll be lifted to a different world, both spiritually and aesthetically,” he says. Poovathingal points out that for him singing popular kirtanas of Carnatic music, which praise gods of the Hindu pantheon, is just like …

A videsi's love for desi
6 years, 4 months ago

A videsi's love for desi

Deccan Chronicle  

When Seattle–born Nash Naubert first visited India in 1999, he realised his calling in this country. Following an impulse, Nash left his friends and family behind to pursue his dream of becoming a student of Indian classical music. A senior disciple of music maestro Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Nash left the audience mesmerised with his flute recital at a morning concert …

No country for TM Krishna: India has plenty of room for sycophants, but none for a musician with spine
6 years, 4 months ago

No country for TM Krishna: India has plenty of room for sycophants, but none for a musician with spine

Firstpost  

It happened within minutes of waking on Thursday, 15 November 2018. By mid-morning, the sense of dread and despair had changed into an incredulous exasperation: An entire two-day programme featuring four classical artistes at New Delhi’s Nehru Park, co-organised by Spic Macay and the Airports Authority of India, was suddenly scrapped ; some people had objected to the inclusion of …

On a musical sojourn
6 years, 9 months ago

On a musical sojourn

Deccan Chronicle  

Ashrita D’Souza, who recently performed at the World Music Day celebrations in Hyderabad along with several of her young students, has travelled around the world seeking knowledge to perfect her singing voice. Says Ashrita, “My childhood days were spent in New Delhi learning Hindustani classical music from my mother Mansi Arockiam. Rahman and learnt Western classical singing for about a …

Pandit Mukul Shivputra discusses life’s losses and gains and their impact on his music
6 years, 10 months ago

Pandit Mukul Shivputra discusses life’s losses and gains and their impact on his music

The Hindu  

Last month, eminent vocalist of the Gwalior gharana, Pandit Mukul Shivputra, toured South India with six concerts at Belagavi, Dharwad, Chennai, Bengaluru and Mysuru. My afternoons were in the company of my guru, Sri M. D. Ramanathan, in whose house I learnt to appreciate and sing Carnatic music and when I’d be home, I’d be consciously notating whatever I learnt… …

Music's soothing touch in conflict-ridden world: VP M Venkaiah Naidu
7 years ago

Music's soothing touch in conflict-ridden world: VP M Venkaiah Naidu

Deccan Chronicle  

CHENNAI: Asserting that Indian classical music is a treasure trove of a rich legacy we have collectively inherited, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said music is capable of providing the “much needed soothing touch” in a “conflict-ridden world.” “In our increasingly conflict-ridden world, music can provide the much needed soothing touch. Indian classical music especially Carnatic music, has woven noble …

Personifying musical eclectism
7 years, 2 months ago

Personifying musical eclectism

Deccan Chronicle  

The eighth edition of the Hyderabad Literary Festival kicks off with storytelling sessions, stage talks and cultural events that will be hosted and attended by poets, literary enthusiasts, writers, performing artists, etc. It’s all about expressing oneself through music and art.” Recalling her childhood days, when she started learning Carnatic music, Keertana shares, “I was very passionate about music. It …

Violin virtuoso Dr L Subramaniam on how Indian classical music took on the world stage
7 years, 3 months ago

Violin virtuoso Dr L Subramaniam on how Indian classical music took on the world stage

Firstpost  

On Saturday, 9 December, the world-renowned violinist and composer Padma Bhushan Dr L Subramaniam performed at the CITI-NCPA Aadi Anant Indian music festival held at Mumbai’s iconic National Centre of Performing Arts. In addition to that, there’s an inner voive that guides you — what notes to play, how to play, how to approach a note and how to get …

Global artist by choice, but Indian at heart
7 years, 4 months ago

Global artist by choice, but Indian at heart

Deccan Chronicle  

Malavika’s roots originally stem from Kerala, but she is very much a Chennai ponnu at heart. “At the age of four, I had a profound love for music and garnered the confidence to explore performing arts, even though I didn’t hail from a musical family. I, eventually, received a scholarship to realise my dream at the Berklee College of Music.” …

Film music makes as many demands of a singer as Carnatic does, says T. M Krishna
7 years, 7 months ago

Film music makes as many demands of a singer as Carnatic does, says T. M Krishna

The Hindu  

Here is an excerpt from T.M Krishna's interview with Film Companion's Baradwaj Rangan: What is your general attitude towards the film song, because you know in your writings, and also in your book, you tend to kind of club it together — light music and film music. I think it’s the Tamil Nadu scenario where light music and cinema music …

Music gets a young' touch
7 years, 9 months ago

Music gets a young' touch

Deccan Chronicle  

As the city is gearing up to celebrate World Music Day on Sunday, with participation from more than hundred musicians, a young group is getting ready to present Hindustani music under the guidance of their teacher Harini Rao. It’s also fun to learn with a teacher who inspires you.” Dedeepya Annabattun, another student, appears to have imbibed a bit of …

Unity in diversity
7 years, 10 months ago

Unity in diversity

The Hindu  

The Sangeet Natak Akademi recently organised a two-day workshop on Carnatic music conducted by eminent vocalist Dr Radha Bhaskar. Carnatic music relied heavily on presentation through compositions while Hindustani music developed a distinct instrumental style and differences in gayeki that Carnatic music was not subject to. Purandara Dasa in the late 15th Century formulated a lot of the technique of …

Indian music really makes you fly: Yuichiro Tokuda
9 years, 1 month ago

Indian music really makes you fly: Yuichiro Tokuda

Deccan Chronicle  

Yuichiro Tokuda, who was born in Japan, studied music at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA. “I have met many wonderful musicians from India — Gino Banks, Dhruv Ghanekar, Sheldon D’Silva and Tala Faral at the Borneo Jazz Festival in Malaysia. My new project is ‘RALYZZ DIG’ which literally means ‘to dig into jazz that sends out hot ray …

Music and musings
14 years, 11 months ago

Music and musings

The Hindu  

There are many ways of describing the interaction at the Fullcircle bookstore at Chamiers, where Carnatic singer T.M. “I'm putting my foot in my mouth… as usual,” said the outspoken Krishna ruefully at one point, after a denunciation of the chauvinism prevalent in the Carnatic music industry. I'm trying to set up a concert series every quarter, featuring talented youngsters …

Global appeal
16 years ago

Global appeal

Live Mint  

New Delhi: With A. R. Rahman’s musical genius gaining recognition worldwide, Indian music has reached another milestone in its long global journey that started more than 50 years ago. 1ac872d0-0662-11de-b39f-000b5dabf636.flvPeter Lavezzoli, who has traced this journey in his book “Bhairavi - The Global Impact of Indian Music”, says the next stage has now arrived. “People are just now beginning more …

The pitamaha of Carnatic music
21 years, 4 months ago

The pitamaha of Carnatic music

The Hindu  

Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, 1908-2003. Village Semmangudi had no music teachers, and little Cheenu had to follow the gurukula mode of moving to the teacher's home. Semmangudi's voice quivers when he describes `Rayarval' coming home for his puja after the morning dip in the river, "in fresh kachham, his forehead streaked with the sacred mark, looking as venerable as Tukaram swami …

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