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Location: Virginia
Violinists Sweet As Honey
Sweet as honey: Classical Indian Women Violinists
01/17/2006 Contributed by: cranky crow
Kala Ramnath - Nectar (Sense World Music, 2005)
N. Rajam & Sangeeta Shankar - Violin Dynasty (Sense World Music, 2005)
Nectar marks the illustrious Indian classical violinist Kala Ramnath's third solo recording with Sense World Music. "Kala Ramnath is a tradition-bearer of one of the Indian subcontinent's most respected and most unique musical dynasties. She can be described 'unique' in its precise sense. Like her cousin Sangeeta Shankar (mentioned later in this review), she is a fourth-generation dynasty of musicians, the first three generations having been court musicians specializing in vocal music in Tripunittura in Kerala on the southwestern flank of India." (liner notes).
Born in 1967, Kala began studying violin under the tutelage of her grandfather, A. Narayana Iyer. She was 2-years old at the time and playing a full-size violin. Obviously from reading her brief biography included in the liner notes and hearing her perform on her three solo recordings and a duet recording with Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee on Samwad, Kala is an artist who enjoys performing challenging music, a real musical dynamo.
I enjoy Kala's recordings because she blends the rigorous workout of classical Indian music structure and technique and a great deal of instinct that comes from the feminine side of the brain. Her music strikes a balance between right and left, female and male to a point of oneness. This quality of course can be found in the music of many classical Indian music masters, but now-a-days, we are seeing an enormous range of talent in classical Indian musicians under the age of 40, leaving us to wonder the essence that is flowing in India's rivers. While many music lovers in North America know of Anoushka Shankar (Ravi Shankar's daughter and Sitarist), she is only the tip of the iceberg and perhaps a good introduction to amazing Indian classical music talent that is waiting to be discovered, Kala Ramnath among these musical gems.
On her 2005 recording, Nectar features Kala performing in the Hindustani classical musical style of North India. However, Kala is trained in both the carnatic tradition of southern India and the Hindustani style. For those of you familiar with these two styles of music understand that interpreting the two styles take a great deal of brain power and instinct. Kala performs Raag Bihagada on this recording. The Alap gently unfolds and Kala's performance informs her listeners of the mood, tone etc... of the raga. Track 2 is played in a slow roopak tal (beat cycle). The result is entrancing. The composition is performed in both a 16 beat and a 12 beat cycle then Kala returns to a slow 10-beat cycle on tracks 4 & 5, then returning to teental on the 6th track.
The final track is a Hindu praise song, "Mayi Saanvre Rang Raachi is Meera bhajan--a form of Hindu praise song set in Bhairavi." (liner notes) On this recording Kala is joined by Tabla player, Vijay Ghate whose steady beats gently anchors Kala's flights of fancy.
For those folks that enjoy Indian classical violin and especially performances by women players, also check out, the mother-daughter violin virtuoso duet recording, Violin Dynasty, featuring N Rajam and her daughter, Sangeeta Shankar. This fabulous CD was recorded live at the Saptak Festival in India last winter. N Rajam is the daughter of A. Narayana Iyer and the aunt of Kala Ramnath. While N Rajam's brother, TN Krishnan was guided in the carnatic tradition, N Rajam was taught the Hindustani tradition. She is known for her 'gayaki ang' style of playing. Today she has mastery of both the carnatic and Hindustani traditions. On this live recording she demonstrates her emotional palette as well as her perfected technique.
N Rajam's daughter, Sangeeta Shankar, the other half of this powerful duet began her training at the age of 4 and under N Rajam's tutelage. She began performing at the age of 13. She has recorded both Indian classical music traditions with her mother. "In Indian classical music successful duet playing, or jugalbandi, demands spontaneous musical improvisation with a high level of mutual understanding and aesthetic rapport, and takes on a special significance when performed by mother and daughter." (liner notes).
While it's almost cliché to say that each player nurtures the other's performance and that mother and daughter intuitively read each other's hearts, that does seem to be the case with this live recording. The Divine Feminine raises her beautiful head. Add the energy of a passionately enthusiastic audience and in listeners are in for a powerful experience generated by two violins and tabla performed by Ramkumar Misra.
The musicians perform the popular night Raga Bageshri. It begins with a slow and mesmerizing Alap. The first composition is performed in the manner of classical khayal (vocal) style. Although these passages are slow, the the atmosphere created by the musicians is playful. The tempo does speed up and the performances gather steam in the middle of the CD and the playing is breathtaking at times.
The final raga, Misra Khamaj is performed in a light classical style and is set to a slow 16-beat cycle. I find the raga whimsical. Towards the end of the piece, Ramkumar performs a brief tabla solo. This is followed by one of the most enthusiastic audience responses I have heard on these live recordings and that's saying a lot. I also felt incredibly elated and at peace by the end of this fabulous recording.
We certainly do not need to worry about the future of the classical Indian music traditions based on these 2 recordings. And as long as blissful and ecstatic music of this nature exists on the planet, we will find peace and harmony amongst ourselves.
Last edited by sur on 18 Jan 2007 23:03; edited 1 time in total
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
BIODATA
Kala Ramnath - The Singing Violin
Maestro KALA RAMNATH, the contemporary torch bearer of the Mewati Gharana, stands today amongst the most outstanding instrumental musicians in the North Indian classical genre.
Born into a family of prodigious musical talent, which has given Indian music such violin legends as Prof. T.N. KRISHNAN and Dr. N. RAJAM, KALA's genius with the violin manifested itself from childhood.
KALA began playing the violin at the tender age of three under the strict tutelage of her grandfather Vidwan. NARAYAN IYER. Simultaneously she received training from her aunt Dr. Smt. N. RAJAM. For fifteen years she put herself under the training of Mewati vocal maestro, Sangeet Martand PANDIT JASRAJ. This has brought a rare vocal emotionalism to her art.
KALA's violin playing is characterized by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique, command over all aspects of laya, richness and clarity in sur.
All this innate artistry and technical brilliance combined with a rare and exquisite emotional quality are the hallmarks of the style.
She has completely revolutionized the technique of playing the violin by taking this instrument so close to vocal music that today her violin is called "THE SINGING VIOLIN".
KALA has performed at all major music festivals in India, prominent among them being Shankarlal Festival-Delhi, Tansen Samaroh-Gwalior, Saptak- Ahmedabad, Pt Motiram and Pt. Maniram Conference- Hyderabad , Spirit of Unity concerts-Delhi, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan-Mathura, Sawai Gandharva Music Conference-Pune,
Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh-Varanasi, Doverlane Music Conference-Kolkata, Baba Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan-Jullunder, Ustad Amir Khan Sangeet Samaroh-Bhopal, Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan-Mumbai,Delhi and Bangalore and IMG Xaviers Festival Mumbai etc to name a few.
Kala Ramnath - The Singing Violin
In 1984, she won the President’ award in the prestigious AIR music competition. In 1988, she became the first ever-Hindustani musician and violinist to record for CBS India Ltd. Besides being a brilliant and charismatic musician; KALA has also an outstanding academic record.
She is also an A-grade artiste in Radio and Television. She also has won many prizes and awards, PANDIT JASRAJ GAURAV PURASKAR, SUR RATNA, SUR MANI etc. to name a few.
KALA has won the acclaim of discerning audiences and critics worldwide. She has performed in some of the most prestigious international festivals internationally which also feature some of the most famous musicians of the world.
Some selected ones are: World Music Festival in Montreal Canada, Rhythms of India in Ottawa- Canada presented by the Canadian Arts Council, Festival of India presented by Government of India in Dhaka Bangladesh, Celebrations of India’s fiftieth year of Independence in Europe by ICCR, North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, Bath Festival in Bath, England and the South Asian Heritage Festival in Toronto, Canada.
She has also extensively toured the United States, Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, France, Belgium, Greece, Russia, South Africa, Seychelles, Middle East, Trinidad, Kenya, Tanzania, Australia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Mauritius etc. Some other concerts have been in some of the most prestigious venues like Queen Elizabeth Hall London, Sydney Opera House etc. Her lecture demonstrations and workshops in Music have been highly appreciated in these countries.
Of late Kala has been experimenting with several types of genres of music - both within the traditions of Indian Classical music and also crossovers to other types of music.
Her violin-vocal duets with SANJEEV ABHYANKAR and violin-sitar duets with PURBAYAN CHATTERJEE have taken the music world by storm and have been highly acclaimed by critics and connoisseurs.
Her recent forays into fusion and world music have been a very great success.
After having worked and experimented with some world famous musicians like Ray Manzarek of the Doors who plays the keyboards in the genre of Rock music, Eduardo Niebla who plays Spanish Flamenco music on the Guitar, with Eyvind Kang and his new age music, with the classical orchestra in Bologna, Kala now performs for an unique group called "Raga Afrika" which is a collaboration with some world famous South African musicians - among them are jazz guitarists Odutayo Kunle and Lucas Khumalo and percussionists John Hassan and Frank Paco.
This is for the 1st time that Indian and African music have come together, a concept initiated by Kala Ramnath with producer Nisaar Pangarkar. This group has performed in some of the TOP festivals internationally like the “North Sea Jazz Festival” in Cape Town and has got rave reviews for their performances.
Besides all these, she has many cassettes and CD's to her credit. The prestigious Songlines Magazine reviewing World Music voted the Sense World Album “KALA”,and “SAMVAD” Top of the World in its charts for the year 2004
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
KALA RAMNATH
Violin in hollywood
Rajiv Vijayakar Posted online: Friday, October 06, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
Kala Ramnath was born into a family of prodigious musical talent, like violin legends Prof. T.N. Krishnan and Dr. N. Rajam. She began playing the violin at the tender age of three under her grandfather Vidwan Narayan Iyer, aunt Dr. N.Rajam and later for 15 years with Pandit Jasraj. Maybe it is this quality that has resulted in her violin being so close to vocal singing that it has been termed the “Singing Violin”.
And now this “Singing Violin” will be contributing to the Hollywood film Blood Diamond.
In a rapidfire chat, Kala Ramnath talks about this and her music to Screen. Excerpts
What exactly will you be contributing to the musical score of Blood Diamond?
• James Newton Howard, the composer of Titanic, King Kong, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and other blockbusters has invited me to play a solo piece for this film, which stars Leonardo Di Caprio and Jennifer Connolly.
How did he get to hear about you?
• Well, it’s an involved and quite amusing story. I was performing in Montreal way back in 1995 when an Iranian couple that owned an art gallery there noticed me and invited me to perform. Music composer George Acogny heard me there by accident, and it took him 11 years to trace me! So I recently played in his musical Dark Street and that led to this assignment.
How does it work for you - do you compose the pieces yourself?
• George gave me live chords and the rhythm and told me to employ my violin the way I wanted. The challenge was in the fact that it had to be done spontaneously and after hearing all the chords at the same time. Let me see how Mr Howard will work.
Would you like to play for Indian cinema too?
• Why not? But I should be offered work! My father T.N.Mani played for films and worked with top composers like M.S.Vishwanathan and Ilayaraja.I recall Pyarelalji (of Laxmikant-Pyarelal) wanting him to work in Mumbai too, but my father was busy in the South.
What are the special features in your instrument?
• It is a 4-string violin, not even a 5-string one.In a 5-string instrument, it is very easy to play one more octave. In my violin, it requires a lot of practice and effort.
Why is a violin called a complete instrument?
• To begin with, it can do anything that a human voice can, and more. It can also accomplish everything that any other instrument can - and more too. Take the sitar or the sarod - a plucked instrument cannot maintain the continuity like the voice.
Your violin is known as the ‘Singing Violin’. Why is this?
• It’s about the same continuity. When the bow reaches the end of the stem there has to be a break in the phrase, which is not so in the case of the human voice. But I have devised a technique whereby the gap is not heard at all when you change the bow. This becomes more important in Indian music, in which the notes are interconnected unlike the staccato, harmony-based phrasing of Western music.
The violin is a rare instrument that belongs both to Indian and Western music. Where did it originate?
• The violin came originally from the ravanahatta, which is still used in Rajasthan. It has a hollow body and the width of the stem is four times that of the modern violin. From India, the modified versions travelled to the Arab countries in the 6th century AD and from there to the West.
Why is Indian music not received on a large-scale abroad the way other music is welcomed in India?
• The reason is that they respect their own music and we don’t respect ours! We don’t respect our culture, our instruments, music and musicians unless and until they are acknowledged by someone abroad! Then we begin to appreciate them! Our media too is indifferent to our music - we have channels for international music, but not for our own classical and folk. The ironic part is that the foreigners are greatly interested in our music and performers. They are amazed at our gift of spontaneous sangat and improvisation. Once acquainted with it, they accept immediately that our music is not only better than theirs but also the best in the world.
But is that the only reason for this lacuna?
• There is also another fundamental stumbling-block - granting the fact that our music is very spiritual,l the approach to its teaching leaves a lot to be desired. Learning anything should be basically fun. The words of our basic compositions through which raags are taught are romantic or generally unsuitable for a kid who may be anything from 3-years-old upwards. What will a kid understand of words like saiyyaan and baiyyaan? It is through something more suitable like the equivalent of nursery rhymes that our children should be initiated into our music
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
Violin Virtuoso, Smt. Kala Ramnath
Emerging rapidly as one of the most outstanding violinists in the Hindustani Classical genre in India today, young Kala Ramnath, from the Mewati gharana has adapted this western instrument to express the deep and intense spiritual lyricism and power of the classical Indian tradition. Hailing from a family to which the music world owes two of its front-ranking violinists, Prof. T.N. Krishnan in Carnatic and Dr. Smt. N. Rajam in Hindustani music, Kala began playing the violin from the age of three. She started her training with her grandfather, Vidwan Shri Narayan Iyer and simultaneously, from her aunt, Dr. Smt. N. Rajam. For the last seven years, she has been undergoing intensive training with Pandit Jasraj, master vocalist of the Mewati gharana.. This has brought a rare vocal emotionalism to her art.
Kala's violin playing is characterized by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique, command over all aspects of laya, richness and clarity in sur. All this innate artistry and technical brilliance combined with a rare and exquisite emotional quality are the hallmarks of her style.
Kala has performed at many major music festivals like Tansen Sangit Sammelan, Swami Haridas Sangit Sammelan, Pandit Motiram Sangit Samaroh, Sangit Natak Academy's Music and Dance festival, Ustad Amir Khan Samaroh, Spirit of Unity Concerts, Harvallabh Sangit Sammelan, Vishnu Digambar Jayanthi etc. In the year 1984, she won the first prize in the prestigious All India Radio Music competition. In 1988, she became the first ever Hindustani musician and violinist to record for CBS India Limited.
Beisdes being a brilliant and charismatic musician, Kala has also an outstanding academic record. A University 1st in her Graduation and Post-Graduation, she won the junior and senior Government scholarships in the years 1979 and 1984 respectively. She is also an A-grade broadcaster and telecaster.
Kala has won the acclaim of critics and discerning audiences nationwide. She recently performed in the world music festival at Montreal, and the Canada Council's festival 'Rhythms of India' in Ottawa, both in Canada. She has also extensively toured in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Mauritius. Her 1995 tour in the United States and Canada has been specially fruitful for Kala, as she blazed a whirlwind trail across the continent, gaining accolades and ovations wherever she went. Soloing in June last year in Los Angeles, for Pandit Ravi Shankar's 75th birthday celebration, Kala left an unforgettable imprint on the minds of her listeners.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
PRESS CLIPPINGS
Sultana of Strings (Times of India on 10th Dec 2005 by Sanjay Pendse)
Dressed in an ethnic chic Punjabi suit, you may mistake Kala Ramnath for a gujju bahu from a television soap. But the girl with a singing violin is a true blue Tambram, with as khandani an upbringing in Hindustani Classical music as you can get.
On the stage she is a tigress, as Pune witnessed during her Sawai Gandharva Festival debut on Thursday. When she is not quietly wreaking havoc with awesome dexterity on the chords, she can be caught rattling away on her nokia communicator with the same deftness and vigour. Her official website, complete with streaming music is testament to her techno savvy.
While on the phone, you can catch her needling through chaste Bangla, English, Hindi and “Manager”ese. Considering she is the founder of the first ever African-Indian fusion band, Raga Afrika, and transgenre band “Four Elements” one would’nt be surpised to hear her speak in Zulu, Swahili or Afrikaans.
These are but less known facts about the Sultana of Strings which are not available on the website. What is well known that she began playing at the age of three, under the guidance of her grandfather, Narayan Iyer and violin legend and aunt, N. Rajam.
She followed it up with 15 years of Hindustani training under singing legend Pandit Jasraj, to bring the unique singing quality to her instrument.
Ask her about the secret of her versatility and she says, “My strict grandfather decided for me at seven that I needed to learn Hindustani Music. I just did everything honestly.”
“ I am glad today because I realize I really do not have an ear for Karnatic which may sound strange considering I am South Indian”. She is equally frank about the poor treatment meted out to classical music by the TV channel boom.
“ These reality game and fame shows are trivializing Classical Music. They ask contestants if they have learnt classical music and then ask them to present something else. The channels can use their reach to popularize classical music in a sensible and successful way” she notes. She also admits musicians have themselves to blame to some extent.
“ Since ages we have given the impression that classical music is difficult and it si not for everybody. Now all od us have realized that we need to open up.” She does her reaching out through fusion.
“ The reason I am able to adapt to other forms of music is because in classical music we have been taught to see music through our ears. We read music through our ears and see the notes mentally. Our ears are our eyes. In the West, they need a paper in front of them,” she concluded.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
Ms. Kala Ramnath
Young Maestro Kala Ramnath, the contemporary torch bearer of the Mewati gharana, is an outstanding instrumental musician in the North Indian Classical genre. Born into a family of prodigious musical talent which has given Indian music such violin legends as Prof. T N Krishnan and Dr. N Rajam, Kala’s genius with the violin manifested itself from childhood. She started learning the violin at the age of three from her grandfather Vidwan Narayan Iyer and was later trained by her aunt Dr. Smt. N. Rajam. For the past eleven years, she was trained by the Mewati vocal maestro Sangeet Marthand Pandit Jasraj. Kala’s violin playing is characterised by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique. There is a rare cultural blend of innate artistry and technical brilliance in her renderings which has a soul-uplifting character.
Kala has performed at all major music festivals, prominent among them being Tansen Samaroh, Swami Hardas Sangeet Samaroh, Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Sammelan, Doverlane Music Conference, Baba Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Pandit Motiram Sangit Samaroh, Sprit of Unity concerts, etc.to name a few. In 1988 Kala became the first ever Hindustani musician and violinist to record for CBS India Ltd. She is an A-Grade artist of Radio and Television. Her awards include "Gaan Hira" Paaritoshik award in Music, Pandit Jasraj award in 1999, and titles of Surmani and Surratna, to name a few. Kala has won the acclaim of critics and discerning audiences alike. She has extensively toured the USA, Canada, UK, Russia, Australia, Middle East, Bangladesh, Nepal, etc. Her lecture demonstrations and workshops in music have been highly appreciated in these countries as well. She is the Principal of Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation in Tampa, Florida
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
In Concert with Pt. Jasraj & Ustad Zakir Hussain
With Vijay Ghate in London.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
My Gurus
My grandfather Vidwan Shri Narayan Iyer, was my first Guru under whom I started my basics in music. He was a very strict disciplinarian and could brook no disobedience from anyone at home.
Whatever he said had to be followed and so my childhood was spent in riyaaz (practice) and academics.
No outings , no picnics or excursions with school mates-it was all music and no play. But today I feel I'm reaping the fruits of those years of sheer hard work.
My aunt Dr.Smt.N. Rajam who trained me simultaneously was not a strict person like my grandfather. She would gently remind us if we did not touch the violin for a week.
Then even after repeated reminders if we did not practice one could rest assured that hell would break loose on us very soon. If my grandfather gave me the technique then it was my aunt who honed it to perfection and gave me my first introduction to audiences in India.
Not only that, she brought me in contact with ( my Mamaji) Pandit Jasrajji from whom I started training eventually in 1989.
When I started training under Mamaji, to reproduce what he sang was a challenge. Training also included that I accompany him on the violin at his concerts.
It was under him that my violin started "TO SING" as everybody put it. He firmly entrenched my feet in the field and whatever I'm today is totally due to him.
My humble salutations to all my Gurus and I seek their blessings forever.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
KALA RAMNATH - THE SINGING VIOLIN
Young Maestro KALA RAMNATH, the contemporary torch bearer of the Mewati Gharana, stands today amongst the most outstanding instrumental musicians in the North Indian classical genre. Born into a family of musical talent, Kala began playing the violin at the tender age of three under the tutelage of her grandfather Vidwan. Narayan Iyer. Simultaneously she received training from her aunt Dr. N. Rajam. For the past eleven years she has put herself under the training of Mewati vocal maestro, Pandit Jasraj. This has brought a rare vocal emotionalism to her art.
Kala's violin playing is characterized by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique, command over all aspects of laya, richness and clarity in sur. All this innate artistry and technical brilliance combined with a rare and exquisite emotional quality are the hallmarks of the style. She has completely revolutionized the technique of playing the violin by taking this instrument so close to vocal music that today her violin is called "the singing violin".
Kala has performed at all major music festivals in India, such as the Dover Lane Music Conference and others.
Besides being a brilliant and charismatic musician; Kala has also an outstanding academic record. A University first in her graduation and post graduation, she won the junior and senior government scholarships in the year 1979 and 1984 respectively. She is also an A-grade artist in Radio and Television.
Kala has won the acclaim of discerning audiences and critics worldwide. She has extensively toured the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Russia, Australia, Africa, Middle East, Mauritius, Nepal, Bangladesh etc. Her lecture demonstrations and workshops in Music have been highly appreciated in these countries. She is the principal of the Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation in Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Los-Angeles, California. She is also invited teacher at the Sangit Academy, Brussels and the Sangit Summer Seminar in Neufchateau, Belgium.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
Purbayan Chatterjee & Kala Ramnath
Lately I've been reviewing a lot of recordings by young traditional musicians. Sitar player, Purbayan Chatterjee and violinist Kala Ramnath represent two of India's brightest talents. Both performers show great musical dexterity and innovation with their respective instruments as well as, a contagious joy for Indian classical music. According to the liner notes on Purbayan's CD, there are literally thousands of sitarists in India today. In order to reach the height that Purbayan has reached, one needs to have mastered his instrument as well as, adding something extra, something brilliant. Purbayan has done that and considered one of the finest musicians in India today.
Purbayan comes from a musical family steeped in tradition. His father and guru, Partha Chatterjee, a distinguished sitarist has performed in India and abroad and is highly respected worldwide. Purbayan hails from the Senia Maihar gharana founded by Baba Allaudin Khan. The young sitar maestro incorporates the Khayal and Dhrupad vocal styles into his discipline. Purbayan also studied with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, considered one of India's greatest sarod players.
On Nirman, Purbayan performs the romantic late night Raga Behag and tabla player Satyajit Talwalkar accompanies the sitarist. After completing the slow Alap, Purbayan performs Bandish in teentaal (16 beats). As the tempo increases so does the excitement of this wonderful raga, expertly rendered by Purbayan and Satyajit. Tracks 3 through 6 feature the passionate and sensual Raga Misra Khan which is performed in the romantic thumri vocal style of the light classical genre. John Ball (liner notes) describes this raga, "According to one poet this raga holds the ability to 'turn the flowers red with passion'." And certainly it is a fiery raga that can ignite the senses.
Born into a family of renowned musical talent, violinist Kala Ramnath that include Prof. T.N. Krishman, Dr. N. Rajam (Kala's aunt) and her grandfather, Vidwan Narayan Iyer. Under the watchful eye of her grandfather, aunt and Pandit Jasraj, the young violinist has developed a unique style of playing that includes complex improvised phrases, lyricism as well as, immaculate bowing technique. Her studio recording, Kala is impressive as well as, more accessible than her last Sense World Music release, Touching Air.
Her latest CD, Kalain many ways marks a coming out event or as the CD cover states, "a milestone in Kala's development into a great artist." The mirthful violin master is certainly poised for a brilliant career. Even the Indian classical vocal maestro and guru Pandit Jasraj showers much praise on Kala's behalf. "I'm thankful to the Almighty that he has given me Kala, who with her immense talent and musical abilities is all set to carry forward my tradition and legacy."
Tabla player Subhankar Banerjee joins Kala as they explore the intricacies of the Raga Jogkauns and Raga Bhatiyar. The first raga actually combines two ragas, Jog and Chandrakauns, creating a unique musical personality. All of the compositions that appear on this studio recording were composed by Kala. She also exhibits a great deal of skill in performing the second composition. Raga Bhatiyar, an early morning melody is also complex and can only be handled by a highly experienced artist, which Kala is already at her young age. The raga includes a short alap, two traditional compositions, one in teentaal and the other performed at a fast tempo twelve beat cycle.
The third recording, Samwad reviewed here combines the talents of these two fabulous musicians. Performing the traditional Jugalbandi, Kala Ramnath and Purbayan Chatterjee's instruments marry and create a third entity that exist somewhere between the sitar's twang and the violin's slides. And the musical duo add a sense of excitement and delight to their studio performance. A collection of photographs showing the musicians smiling, laughing and happily engaging in each others presence while they perform outdoors is the visual equivalent of the spirited music that appears on this CD.
Tabla player Subhankar Banerjee (who appears on Kala) returns to handle the beats on the evening Raga Kedar and Raga Bageshri. The musicians are known for their lilting quality and so it is no surprise that the quality is represented here. While I did enjoy listening to this CD, my player which is now suffering from old age decided to cause all sorts of problems that hindered my listening pleasure (creating loops where there are none and skipping). However, from what I could hear, I found the recording mesmerizing.
So there you have it, three new wonderful CDs released on Sense World Music. If you're unable to pick up all three CDs, then get the Jugalbandi with the violin and sitar. Otherwise pick up all three recordings because you'll be listening them for years to come.
Last edited by sur on 02 Dec 2007 01:43; edited 1 time in total
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Violinists Sweet As Honey
Kala Ramnath, the contemporary torch bearer of the Mewati Gharana, stands today amongst the most outstanding instrumental musicians in the North Indian classical genre.
KALA began playing the violin at the tender age of three under the strict tutelage of her grandfather Vidwan. NARAYAN IYER. Simultaneously she received training from her aunt Dr. Smt. N. RAJAM. For fifteen years she put herself under the training of Mewati vocal maestro, Sangeet Martand PANDIT JASRAJ. This has brought a rare vocal emotionalism to her art.
KALA's violin playing is characterized by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique, command over all aspects of laya, richness and clarity in sur.
All this innate artistry and technical brilliance combined with a rare and exquisite emotional quality are the hallmarks of the style.
She has completely revolutionized the technique of playing the violin by taking this instrument so close to vocal music that today her violin is called "THE SINGING VIOLIN".
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Brilliant violinist Kala Ramnath playing the closing section -always in fast tempo- of raag Dinki Puriya
with great tabla accompaniment of Satyajit Talwalkar and with Celine Wadier on tanpura.
It's footage of Kala's concert in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on April 23rd, 2006.
This is just a tiny bit of my footage of the complete concert in Utrecht and just a small excerpt of Kala's brilliant
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
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Radio
Kala Ramnath - Nectar (Sense World Music, 2005)
For those folks that enjoy Indian classical violin and especially performances by women players, also check out, the mother-daughter violin virtuoso duet recording, 
