Men have owned the nagaswaram musical instrument as their own over many years. The sacred art of playing the nagaswaram has generally been seen as belonging to the masculine domain. But that is changing. Today, many women are taking up the instrument at a young age, learning how to play it, and...
Three nagaswaram artistes on stage was itself an awe-inspiring sight. For the artistes, it seemed routine. Throughout the concert they played naturally. Within five minutes of playing, they left a mark on the listener – evidence that they were veterans. The trio consisted of TC Karunanidhi, his...
So when did Nagaswaram and Raga Gambiranattai form a bond? The answer is not known but the bond has sustained to this day. And that bond was vividly brought out by the alapana that Ochira Sivadas and his wife, Prasanna Sivadas started their concert with. The kriti was the famous Sri Jalanthara...
The tell-tale moustache seemingly unkempt, eyes taking a measure of you as they look through the spectacles, a disarmingly contained laughter not loud, a pattern of talking that tended to bite the words as they are being rendered - those close to him will miss all of this. Na Muthusamy,...
Nagasvaram may be the king of instruments in Tamil Nadu. Musically, it has the pride of place in the Carnatic system. It is to the nagasvaram that vocalists turn to for the nuances. Yet, though the Carnatic music “market” has a flock of ‘disciples’ learning vocal, violin, veena or the flute,...
Aruna Sairam's constant touch with Chennai, albeit being primarily a Mumbaikar seemed to have run her in good stead. At least that has been proven by her being chosen for the Sangita Kalanidhi that is to be conferred on her by the Music Academy, Chennai at the beginning of next year. She won...
