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| Madurai Mani Iyer |
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| Tanjore S Kalyanaraman |
Advice to students of Carnatic music is simple – practice a lot, but also listen a lot. Listening
to masters of the art inspires and pleases, and also gives young learners ideas and a sense of where
they have to get.
This idea was taken forward by Veenavaadhini, by way of two evening listening sessions, of
Madurai Mani Iyer and Thanjavur Kalyanaraman respectively. Students and rasikas, young and old,
took part in the sessions of listening and analysis of the masters.
Madurai Mani Iyer needs no introduction, of course. A Sangita Kalanidhi awardee, he
gave full-house concerts till nearly the end of his life. His fan following was immense and later the
tukkada section of his concerts became more or less fixed. He was renowned for his pure voice and
sruti suddham. He was also a great human being.
The enthralled audience listened to pieces like Nada Tanumanisam, Dharini Telusukonti and
the immortal classic Kaana Kan Kodi Vendum. The latter was preceded by an alapana which seemed
simple but was very intricate. The presence and inputs of Sri Sriram Parasuram, and our Gurus Sri JT Jeyaraaj Krishnan and Smt Jaysri Jeyaraaj Krishnan enhanced the session.
If the creativity and sruti suddham of Madurai Mani Iyer stood out, for Thanjavur S
Kalyanaraman the following month it was his clarity. Each note shone like a gem in every phrase.
Students were enamoured by his bhrigas. He proved to be competent in all speeds – the transition
from a slow, meditative, contemplative Ganamurte to a racy piece was notable. The main piece was
a moving Shanmukhapriya. Towards the end, a piece played by S Balachander also made a cameo.
Through all this, time flew by without anyone realising. This was followed by a pot luck dinner.
This pleasurable form of learning was enjoyed by all, and will be taken forward in the
summer for a week.
REPORT BY APARNA SHANKAR
