Forever MS

Design: RK

Blessed with a rich and resonant voice, she struck an immediate rapport with the audience. Coming straight from the heart, her Mellifluous and Sublime music transported the scholar and commoner alike. The aesthetic experience was equivalent to experiencing the Brahman. Soaked in spirituality, her music reached the rasikas effortlessly.

An artiste extraordinaire, MS’ timeless and priceless music and the saintly aura was enhanced every moment of her life kaaya-vaacha-manasa and of course through her divine music.

Yet, she was so humble that her body language conveyed that all this was the Grace of God; not of her making. In his composition, “Shanthamuleka” in Sama raga, Sri Thyagaraja has pleasingly delivered the essence of Shantha rasa, which we can so easily associate with MS.

To quote Rajaji, “The way of devotion is not different from the way of knowledge or Jnana.  When intelligence matures and lodges securely in the mind, it becomes wisdom.  When wisdom is integrated with life, and issues out in action, it becomes Bhakti.  Knowledge, when it becomes fully mature, is Bhakti…”

The Bhakti-filled renditions of MS can make even a bitter truth in Bhaja Govindam seem very sweet. Not only did she possess true devotion but she could make her listeners experience what true Bhakti was.

What did MS say about her music? She knew that Sangeetha was the Sanmarga to attain divine communion. “If i have done something in this respect, it is entirely due to the Grace of the Almighty who has chosen my humble self as a tool” she said receiving the Ramon Magsaysay award.

On a personal note, I still remember MS telling  me, “Atmartha Sangeetha is the supreme form of singing. First you should love your music, only then will others love it.”

It is a different experience to see a performer on stage and off stage. Most of them are inaccessible. But there are few exceptions like MS. I had seen her during Kacheris, read articles and heard elders in the house describe her as a very humble and down to earth person. But I was fortunate to have seen her off stage at such close distance. As we were driving back, the feeling was yet to sink in that I had spent priceless moments with a legend. Listening to the stereo which was playing MS’s Bhavayami Gopalabalam…. I realized that because MS conveyed the meaning of devotion that the audience came to her. And came in millions.

Forever MS!

Yours truly gets absorbed into MS’ Sankarabharanam, Khamboji and Todi renditions.

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Posts related to MS Subbulakshmi on RwB.

Mukunda Mala Pravachana by KS Narayanacharya

Design: RK

Posts related to KS Narayanacharya on RwB.

Aside: This is the 500th post here.

Dr.Rajkumar and Obama

Also see: ‘Harry Potter’ of a different sort

Natasarvabhouma Dr. Rajkumar

Design: RK

As a kid, I loved watching films. Since it was usually the Rajkumar starrers that were telecast on Doordarshan (going to the theatres caused lots of procedural delays), I saw each and every one of them in wonderment, just like how my son today watches those lions, aircrafts, ‘amazing videos’ and rhinos on Discovery Channel. Gradually, I got fascinated by the techniques the film makers used (after hearing elders say words like ‘that’s a dupe’, ’see the separation between the 2 Rajkumars, ‘look at the lighting’…),  -  specially during a fight, or a scene where an actor is playing double and sometimes a triple role. Nowadays, there is no real thrill in seeing these scenes (unless you are a student of animation) as we all know there is an extensive use of ‘computer graphics’. No wonder the heroes are appearing in multiples of 10 roles!

Going back, I think the first film I saw an actor in a triple role was, of course, Rajkumar in ‘ShankarGuru’. There were a few films that I saw later where there were two Rajkumars on the screen. But nothing could match 3 Rajkumars on a single screen. And the game I played (with myself) was to see that thin differenciating line between the two Rajkumars! And during the shots where the two hug each other, I would be inching closer towards the screen to see the dupe. I would also wait for those fighting scenes where the hero, villain and his chamchas (dark skinned with a fully shaved oily head) would jump from ground floor to first floor, or from the top of a car to the roof of the heroine’s house. Again, the game was to see the face of the hero’s ‘dupe’ who jumped or somersaulted thrice while kicking a dozen of the villain’s chamchas, and vanished. But alas, the dupe always managed to keep his face away from the camera, and I had to wait for another week for another episode of ‘Chitramanjari’ or ‘Chitravali’, or the film to be telecast again on Doordarshan.

So, I think you have now guessed why the above picture sequence! Today (Apr.24) being Annavru’s 80th birth anniversary, I thought of paying homage by posting these pictures where Rajanna has not only sung an amazing classical number in Raaga Kharaharapriya, but also acted superbly as a Singer, Flute, Veena, Mridanga and Ghatam player. I can hardly see that separating line between each of those shots (Masking technique used). And the timing and synchronisation between each of those 5 Rajkumars is simply Sakkath!

To quote from an earlier post of mine:

When I met Rajanna a few months before his death, I had asked him which his favourite role was. He smiled and remained silent for a few seconds. “Kumbara, Kalidasa” he said. He told me that when he watched his movies, he felt very embarrassed seeing his acting. But then he also told me that there were times when he said to himself, “Baddi maga, parvagilla, acting baratthe ivanige.”

The first time I watched this song probably in 1980 (Kapali Theatre [yes, after the procedural delays]), I simply couldn’t wait till I watched it again and again to my heart’s content. Hats off to the actor, and  all the technicians (director, cameraman, editor, light boys, make-up guys, setting team, sound engineer, and all assistants to name a few) who have worked behind the scenes of this wonderful song.

Trivia:

• When DD started in Bangalore, I vaguely remember seeing a programme where Rajkumar sang ‘Aaradhisuve Madanaari’ with an orchestra in a studio setting. Never seen that video again.
• Every time I hear this song, I am in awe of Rajkumar’s singing skills. And every time I see this song, the picturisation where the 5 Rajkumars are in a single frame reminds me of  the song ‘Shivashankari’ set to Raaga Darbari Kaanada (*ing NTR, Film: Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Music: Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Singer: Ghantasaala and Lyrics: Pingali). The lyrics went hand in hand with Ghantasala’s highly talented singing.
• Since Rajkumar was trained  in music, his acting in this song (as the singer and accompanists), and in Sanaadi Appanna (as a Shehnai player), looks more authentic and natural, than NTR in the song ‘Shivashankari’ (For  eg., the NTR playing Tamburi has not touched all the 4 strings as the song progresses), and Sivaji Ganesan as a Mridanga player in ‘Mirudanga Chakravarthi’ (Unrealistic portrayal).

For quite a few days now, there is news that a Stamp will be released in Rajkumar’s honour. Seeing the delay, I thought of designing and releasing one here at RwB! And feels nice to be doing that on Raj’s b-day

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Videos:

• Aaradhisuve Madanaari (Babruvaahana)
  
• Shivashankari (Jagadeka Veeruni Katha)
  
• A scene from Mirudanga Chakravarthi
• Karedaru Kelade (Sanaadi Appanna)
  

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Visit Dr. Rajkumar page on RwB.

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Update: Fever 104 ran a contest ‘Duplicate Rajkumar’ this week. I spoke a dialogue and sung a song from the film Babruvaahana. Just now Fever 104 FM called up to say that Puneeth Rajkumar has picked me the winner amongst scores of contestants. Feeling really excited. To win it on Annavru’s B-day, sooper alwa?!

Happy Birthday Harry Belafonte

Design: RK
[Click on the image for a larger view]

Harry, here’s wishing you a wonderful 82nd birthday!

My favourite English album of all time. And every time I hear this album, it makes me want to go to Jamaica.

Read the full article: Belafonte at Carnegie Hall [LIVE]

Slumgod Millionaire!

Happy Sankranthi

Photos: Simplemonk, Oochappan, Priyam Dhar
Design: RK

Sankranthi is a time to celebrate “togethemess” and as in most folk festivals the season of harvest finds expression in celebrations. It is a day of goodwill and friendship.

Read the full article.

‘Terrorism’ anagrams to ‘Tremor Sir’

Bangalore Book Festival 2008

The ‘Bangalore Book Festival’ is 4 days old as of today. Still I am going ahead with this post. Every booklover feels very close and attached to this event. Right after buying the entry ticket, I walk around with a sense of belonging at this one event year after year. While designing the above creative, I felt very vibrant seeing the brick red and the wonderful architecture of the City Central Library, Cubbon Park, Bangalore (Photo: courtesy Roshan). I thought this building ought to be associated with the Book Fest.

My family and a few relatives had been to the fest yesterday morning. A list of unread books at home reminded me not to buy a single book. I could control myself for only an hour. At the end of the day, a dozen more books have been added to my list. Going to the exhibition is like going to a temple. And going back home with a few books is like taking the prasada.

Close to 300 stalls. Lakhs of books. Only a pair of hands to browse them. How unfair?

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Don’t miss:

• And everyone read happily ever after… - About Bangalore Book Festival 2006
• Don’t forget to feed your reading habit by Melvin Durai
• International Day of the Book
• Today is International Children’s Book Day
• A book will never let you down

Famous Five !

Design: RK

Everyone keeps referring to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and VVS Laxman as the Fab Four of Indian cricket. That Anil Kumble isn’t included in the group is a major blunder.

I felt it appropriate to call Sachin, Rahul, Anil, Saurav and Laxman as Indian cricket’s Famous Five !