Vidya Shankar – “If you have doubts, ask Vidya!”

Vainika, vocalist, musicologist annd teacher Vidya Shankar (1919-2010) was taught by Sabhesa Iyer, Sabhapathi Iyer, Syama Sastry (descendant of the composer), and T.L. Venkatarama Iyer. Vidya Shankar founded Parampara (Association for the Preservation of Classical Carnatic Music) and authored many articles and several books: She presented numerous lecture-demonstrations in India (e.g. The Music Academy Madras) and …

What’s the difference between Hindustani and Carnatic music?

At first, this question seems easy to answer: just watch performers from either strand of Indian music and you’ll know Which is Which, merely going by the instruments in use, or how they dress and watching the body language involved: harmonium or sarangi vs. violin for melodic accompaniment for most vocal recitals, and tabla drums …

A brief introduction to Carnatic music

Whatever one’s personal background and aspirations may be, Carnatic music remains a quest for undiluted aesthetic experience (rasa).1 Three basic concepts are essential for daily practice as well as proper appreciation: rāga (tuneful rendition with minute intervals and rich in embellishments), tāla (rhythmic order marked by mathematical precision), and bhāva (expression of thoughts and emotions). To …

Ramachandra Shastry

H. Ramachandra Shastry (1906-1992), a disciple of Palladam Sanjeeva Rao.1 From 1977 to 1992 he taught several flute students at Kalakshetra including the present author. OF BAMBOO AND MAGIC – A FLAUTIST AT EIGHTY* by Ludwig Pesch Sri H. Ramachandra Shastry, seniormost Carnatic musician and teacher at the international centre of arts, Kalakshetra, at Madras, completes …

TR Sundaresan

T. R. Sundaresan (Chennai) is a versatile percussionist with “A-grade” ranking at the national Indian broadcasting service (All India Radio). He performs several South Indian percussion instruments with equal virtuosity: Mridangam (the double-sided main drum of Carnatic music), Ghatam (claypot), Kanjira (small tambourine), Morsing (Jew’s harp) and Konnakkol (rhythmic solmisation) T. R. Sundaresan’s mridangam was soft, …