”Art revives the Human”, Dr. Kiran Seth

For the last 42 years, Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY) has been in a huge effort to introduce the rich cultural heritage of the nation to the students. Founder Chairman (Pathmasree) Dr. Kiran Seth is the guiding force of this voluntary organization. "Art revives the Human. There is no better way to refine you than the Art!", says Dr.Seth. He , during his recent visit to Kerala(m) for an Ayurvedic wellness treatment, talked with the media.

How can a mechanical engineer be a promoter of Art !

Odissi Workshop Demonstration by Manisha Manaswini

Could you tell us about the artform you like the most?

Art revives the Human. There is no better way to refine yourself than the Art!

It will be nice to know how you compare the Western Classical Music to Indian Classical Music?

Kathakali Lecture Demonstration by C. M. Unnikrishnan and group

Please express your opinion on the Fake coins in the field of art..!
A few words on the artists from Kerala(m)?
About the future actions of SPIC MACAY?

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Infinite Ocean in a Cup! Savour of music from Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh

W ith its vastness and depth beyond the sight, Music is often referred to as 'Anantha Saagaram' ( the Infinite Ocean). "Cup O' Carnatic" by Vidushi Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh, a video series which influenced a lot of viewers, was an effort to handover the flavors of the infinite ocean with the piecemeal approach at the best. "So many people write to me with queries on Veena and Music. Though initially I tried to answer them individually, due to time constraint, it became difficult. So I thought it will be nice to have a public platform to attend such queries so that every one can access it", Dr. Jayanthi explains the path that lead her to the creation of "Cup O' Carnatic". To motivate young rasikas into enjoying and appreciating Carnatic music, the videos are purposely kept to a shorter duration. Apart from its rich content and the effective presentation, what was so special about the series was its short duration. This in-fact had ins...

Janmashtami - the journey towards Oneness

I t is Janmashtami today. The day on which the Complete Avatar of Lord Narayana was born as Little Krishna as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. Krishna, if we go through the puranas, is everything. He is a good son, a brother, a friend, a lover, a protector, a destructor, a messenger, a statesman… and what not! Having the constrains of a living being, we try to limit Krishna or can only view Krishna at times as per our perception or state of mind. The fact is that Lord Krishna, the Supreme God, is beyond all space and time. For Radha, Lord Krishna is her lover. She wants to be with him always and never wants to get separated from him. But, we can see sad Radha experiencing the pain of separation a lot. The Mohiniyattam video clip by the renowned dancer Dr. Neena Prasad that is attached here depicts such a situation from Ashtapathi beautifully. Radha cannot suffer the pain of separation. She is imagining that her Lover is spending his time with his some other ...

Where the Artist Disappears, the Art Lives On - Dr. Sunanda Nair

W hat does a five-decade sadhana give to a practitioner? The sadhaka disappears, and the art speaks through the artist. What Dr. Sunanda Nair gave at Rose Theatre Brampton was a riveting 30–40 minutes of performance. The program, held on November 17, was part of the Umang Festival – Light of Hope, organized and curated by Mrudanga by Enakshi Sinha from Canada, supported by the Department of Heritage Canada and the Ontario Arts Council (OCAF). Sunanda Nair brought 'Adharam Madhuram' and 'Kubja' to the stage. When the artist speaks about what she is bringing to the stage, it feels better than an emcee reading it out. It is the emotions of the artist about the item, in their own voice, that come out, thereby giving life to the item even before it starts. Adharam Madhuram began by beautifully expressing Krishna's sweetness, slowly transporting us to the details. When he came to conso...

G.N.B, an unparalleled Genius Musician

C an a musician have a great flow to his music and yet be analytical? Can a musician sing based on Lakshya without compromise to Lakshana? Can a musician have discipline in his Kirthana singing despite having extraordinary Manodharma...? There was one musician who was a testimony to all the above. He had many firsts to his name ! It was he, who introduced the concept of “Porutham” singing. When he sang Palintsu Kamakshi, he sang Kalpana Swaram for “Kanthamagu” . It was not the hackneyed MRSRM finish. He used to finish with phrases such as SNPNM, RMPNS and PNSRM and start Kanthamagu from the adjoining note. This was a huge innovation. Of course genius musicians such as Lalgudi Sir, Balamurali Sir and Seshagopalan Sir have taken a leaf out of his books and added Kanakkus to Poruthams and further embellished. He introduced concept of Sruthi Bedham. He used to just show a glimpse of the child Raga and not dwell too much into it. When he elaborated Thodi, he would sh...

"And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest...", Dr. Bombay Jayashri at Narada Gana Sabha

V idushi Bombay Jayashri culminated her musical yagnas Margazhi season Chennai appropriately at a Sabha whose name is synonymous with the Vedic sage holding Tampura singing songs of Vishnu and Sadguru Gnanananda . Yes Sadguru Gananda Auditorium of Narada Gana Sabha was chocked with ardent music lovers from Chennai and rest of the ‘world’ to listen to Carnatic music by Bombay Jayashri. While, on 30 December 18, people started queuing up outside the gates in 'tune' with the anticipated calm and meditative music, there was a celestial event of invisible line up of ragas waiting to waft in and gently enter the vocal chords of the divine singer framed between two Tampuras . And when curtain was raised at 4 pm. Bindumalini, Kalyani, sriranjani, Sindhu Bhairavi, Desh - to name a few Gandharv Beings - came one by one in a very orderly manner. In contrast to the melody , the applause was higher than 6 on the Richter Scale and the standing ovation appeared to be unend...

Violin Maestro, Padmabhushan Sri T.N. Krishnan turns 90

T oday is a red letter day for me as I attended Kanakabhishekam of Prof T N Krishnan Sir and his Dharampatni Smt Kamala Ji on the occasion of 90 th Birth Day celebration of the violin Legend. Amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, Havan, Pooja to Lord Guruvayurappa, Nadaswaram by Vidwan Seshampatti Sivalimgam, felicitation by Governor of Tamil Nadu the celebration culminated with Abhishekam of the couple from the vessel of yagna rituals with everyone singing Gowri Kalyana Vaibhavame. Post the Abhishekam the Couple were resplendent while seated, as people lined up to touch their feet and obtain Mangala Akshadai. I am very very blessed to witness Parameswar Parvathi and was so overwhelmed that I could wet their holy feet with Aananda Bashpam ( tears of joy ). May God Bless them with many more Jayanthi so they can, in turn, Bless millions like me. Sri. C.S. Pancham with Sri T.N. Krishnan and his Dharampatni Smt Kamala on the occasion of 90th B...

Pandit Samta Prasad - Resonance unlimited

I f each year is a beat, today the second cycle of the twelve beat Ekthal is completed, after the demise of the Maharaj of Thaal - Pandit Samta Prasad (Gudai Maharaj). Of course, his life was not different from his own words: "The whole life of a tabla artiste is dedicated to finding a special beat with the tali and the khali . They reside in his heart, because his soul rests and throbs with the thaala of measured matras" . He is a musician who had dominance over both the baayan and tabla. He was an illustrious soloist and accompanist. In Pandit Kishan Maharaj's ( tabla exponent ) opinion, "Tabla in Gudai ji's hands seemed like a fish trapped in an eagle's claws". He had such an astonishing control over the instrument. It is said that in those days, the organizers felt like- without Gudai Maharaj the concerts were incomplete and they will first attest to the date of Gudai Maharaj before they finalize the main artist ! He was awarded the...

"Birju Maharaj: The Master Through My Eyes" - Saswati Sen

P resents layers of the Kathak maestro's personality as witnessed by one of his foremost disciples. This book reveals how this icon of Indian dance, who is a mentor for thousands and an inspiration for countless people across the globe, is actually an unassuming, simple person outside his artistic world. Saswati Sen has known Pandit Birju Maharaj for over forty-five years. Gradually, she began to see the divinity in her talented master and decided to write a book on his life and work. Birju Maharaj: The Master Through My Eyes presents layers of the Kathak maestro. Title - Birju Maharaj: The Master Through My Eyes Author - Saswati Sen Publisher - Niyogi Books, 2013 ISBN - 9381523827, 9789381523827 Length - 216 pages Subjects- Biography & Autobiography › Composers & Musicians Buy this Book >>

DLit. for Gopi Aasaan, Prof. M.K.Sanu, Dr. N.V.P. Unithiri

S ree Sankara Samskritham University, Keralam will be conferring Dlit. for the renowned Kathakali exponent Pathmasree Kalamandalam Gopi, writer Prof. MK.Sanu, Samskritham scholar Prof. NVP Unithiri for the lifetime contribution in their respective fields. Vadakke Manalath Govindan Nair, popularly known as Kalamandalam Gopi (Gopi Aasaan), is a Legendary figure in Kathakali. Though he is famous for his 'Pacha Veshams' like Nalan, Karnan, he had portrayed his expertise in characters Arjuna (Subhadraharanam), Yudhishthira (Kirmeeravadham) etc too. 'Kathi veshams' like Ravana, Keechaka; 'Chuvappu Thaadi Veshams' ( characters in red beard) like Bali by Gopi Aasaan too had conquered the hearts of the Kathakali fans. The Government of India had awarded him the civilian honor of Pathmasri in 2009. Prof. M. K. Sanu is a prominent Malayalam literary figure. He is a retired professor and has imprinted his name as a critic, biographer, editor, translator, journ...

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