The Konnakkol King

Percussion Wizard late Sri. T.H.Subhash Chandran's performing in his God-gifted voice tailor made for konnakkol. The 'naadam' (resonance, pranic energy) of his voice arises from the base of his Deiva Veena (spinal chord) aided by a fully-activated kundalini and channelized through his divine konnakkol.

ELECTRIFYING

THE NEW LABEL ''WOW!!" FEATURES CAPTIVATING SUBJECTS/GENRES/PERFORMANCES.

Electrifying display on mridangam by Vidwan Sri.T.R.S.Manikandan and his student Anirudh Raj. (LISTEN WITH PHONES)

ACOUSTIC VEENA

Veena recorded acoustically for the title music of Tamil film- BHADRAKALI (year-1976)

SHREEJA

 BLUE BLUE SKY- THE BEATLES 

My roots.....

L

LEFT TO RIGHT- MR.L.MAHESH-treasurer, MR. JONAH- general secretary, MR.DHINA-President of Cine Musicians Union

4th March, 2022- Overwhelmingly happy to get back to my roots. Cine Musicians' Union (affiliated to FILM EMPLOYEES FEDERATION OF SOUTH INDIA) presented me with Honorary Membership. As the youngest member of Cine Musicians' Union (from March 1970), it was simply great to receive the Honorary Membership after half a century, from the field that gave me immense knowledge.
 

RETROMAGIC - ACOUSTIC VEENA (MEDLEY OF FILM SONGS)

EXCERPTS FROM A CONCERT FOR A 
PRIVATE FUNCTION IN CHENNAI IN 2012. (Please listen with phones for clarity).

1) KAATRU VELIYIDAI KANNAMMA

2) KALYANA THEN NILA

3) ROJAPOO ADI VANTHATHU

4) KALYANA MALAI

5) ROJAVAI THAALATTUM

6) MOUNAMANA NERAM

7) NAAN THEDUM SEVVANTHI POO

Karana Shareeram in Karachi

 

 Saint composer, Sri Sadasiva Brahmendram.(Sthoola Shareera samadhi in Nerur, Tamilnadu and Karana Shareera samadhi in Karachi, Pakistan). (Kreedathi Vanamali, Sindhubhairavi, composed by saint composer Sri Sadasiva Brahmendram. A practice session recording on mobile on 15th February, Hyderabad).

Jasmine Fragrance

 

I recorded Lata Mangeshkar hits in early 80s (produced and marketed by Music World). Above is “Dikhayi Diye Yun” from Bazaar. The second is an incredibly haunting melody, “ Aap Ki Nazron Ne…” (an impromptu mobile phone recording during my practice session yesterday- on a worn out string). 

MAATALLO THENE VAANA JALLULU….

 Recorded in early 80s for the album Dasa Geetha Geetha Sandesham. (vocals- Sri P.B.Srinivas and myself).

Release function of the above album in 1983. Sri. P. B. Srinivas and Sri M. S. Reddy 

The Original "Saraswathi" Veena

Earlier I had posted a video of Sri. Sashank Mallya's demonstration of mikes for acoustic and electric Veenas. Here sound engineer Sri. L.Baba Prasad himself has explained how an acoustic Veena is recorded. The Veena Artist who's demonstrating is Sri. Sashank Mallya.

To know the difference between acoustic and electric Veenas kindly go back to Sashank's video where he has demonstrated a magnetic pickup with magnetic strings for an electric Veena.

Decades ago Veenas were recorded using an acoustic mike. Veena Vidwan Late Sri. Raghavan was a respected name in the film industry who had recorded for memorable and hit film songs. As Baby Gayathri I had the honor of sharing acoustic mikes with him for many film songs.

In recent trends electric Veenas are also being recorded (in films/studio recordings) bypassing the usage of acoustic mikes. The pickups of electric Veenas are directly plugged into the recording console, like in the case of electric/bass guitars. 

Someone I know asked me, "Just let me know very simply how I can make out the difference between an acoustic Veena and an electric Veena".

I replied, "Close your eyes. It's an electric Veena when the Veena sounds like a guitar, mandolin, shrill like a sitar, or a cross between guitar and gottuvadhyam marked by an unnaturally even tone (various tones fixed by tonal adjustments on the amp). If it has a softer tone with a lilting resonance, an unevenness and a raw quality marked by natural sweetness, then it's an acoustic Veena. Listen carefully, you yourself will understand."

"Then why is it that there are even electric Veenas in the market?!"

 "The electric Veena player needs much lesser effort than an acoustic Veena player in bringing out nuances. The acoustic Veena player depends on his energy in handling basic to tough phrases as whatever he plays is drawn from the energy source that is within himself. In the case of an electric Veena player, the player's energy is substituted by the electric energy that supplies ample, even resonance and playing is made simpler and easier, which is why we find so many electric Veena players today."

I added, "And an electric Veena player can never be identified by 'veena nadham' (or lack of it) or by the tonal quality of the Veena he/she's playing. An electric Veena player is identified only through his/her technique, musicianship and repertoire. Whereas an acoustic Veena player can be identified by his/her 'Veena nadham' as his/her playing is due to the source of energy within himself/herself."

VEENA AND MELATONIN (3)

ANANDAAMRUTHAKARSHIHI- AMRITHAVARSHINI (SRI MUTHUSWAMY DIKSHITHAR)

Rendered by Sri. T.M.KRISHNA

AMRITHAVARSHINI (RAGA FOR ACTIVATING SECRETION OF MELATONIN)-Ragas are activated when 'jeeva swaras' (main notes of each raga containing the life or core of the raga) are stimulated through perfect rendition by voice or musical instrument. Veena, a divine instrument and the inner voice of a human being is ideally suited for activating ragas .

Amrithavarshini is popularly known for invoking rains. The name of the raga means Amrith- elixir, Varshini- showers. This raga is most effective in drawing out the elixir from the agna chakra (pineal gland), scientifically known as Melatonin. Activation of the Raga Devatha of Amrithavarshini kindles the secretion of Melatonin. Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar in His krithi states-ANANDAAMRUTHAKARSHINI- Draws out the bliss giving elixir 

AMRITHAVARSHINI- showers of Elixir.

The saint composer hints in the madhyamakalam-"AMRITHESHVARI SALILAM VARSHAYA VARSHAYA VARSHAYA"!

In the real sense Sri. Dikshithar pleads for great showers (Varshaya repeated thrice)  of abundant water (elixir) from the pineal gland in his composition, "Anandaamruthakarshini Amrithavarshini."

RAGA THERAPY OF AMRITHAVARSHINI- Rains (macrocosm), activation of melatonin (microcosm), deep sleep, calmness and tranquility of mind.