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 The latest offering by Saregama is violin maestro Kunnakudi
Vaidyanathan's 'Sri Annamayya Aradhana'.
In this album, he has replicated six of the best songs from 'Balaji
Pancharatna' sung by
M S Subbulakshmi.
Track listing: Sriman Narayana: Okapari Okapari:
Aladhurashtakam: Bhavamulona: Paramapurusha: Kurai Onrum Ilai
CD: Rs.150. | MC: Rs.50.
Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan, one of the
outstanding violinists in the Carnatic genre, underwent training
from his father Ramasamy Sastry. His unique bowing and fingering
technique vocalised every poetic frame of the composition with
spell-binding effect. The mellifluous cine music flowing from
his violin is a hallmark of his performances. He composed
thousands of bhakti songs for HMV (Saregama India Ltd.) and
music for more than 50 movies. He is the recipient of many
prestigious awards and is the secretary of Sri Tyagabrahma
Mahotsava Sabha, Tiruvaiyaru, and the President Researcher for
Raga Research Centre.
Kshetradana Pancharatnam
Saregama also presents Kshetradana
Pancharatnam, one of the finest compositions on the five
elements of creation. The album takes the listener on an eternal
journey of soothing music, exploring sensations embracing the
five elements of nature.
Orchestration for the musical compositions of
this album is by Dr Bala Vaidhyanathan while his father
Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan conducts the orchestra.
Bala Vaidhyanathan is a qualified consultant
physician in Rehabilitation Medicine practising in Melbourne,
Australia. Kshetradana Pancharatnam is an amalgam of Indian and
Jazz music which evolved out of Dr Bala's love for Jazz and
classical music.
Kshetradana Pancharatnam is a fine
illustration of fusion music using workstation keyboards. The
five elements featured in this album are Earth (praise of
Prithvilingam at
Kancheepuram, Air (praise of Vayulingam at
Kalahasti), Fire (praise of Jyotilingam at
Tiruvannamalai), Water (praise of Appulingam at
Tiruvanaikaval) and Eternal Space (praise of Akasalingam at
Chidambaram).
Geetha Raja and Mahathi have rendered these
kritis of Muthuswami Dikshitar with mridangam support from
Karakurichi Mohanram.
Track listing:
Chintayama Sri Klahasteesa Arunachala Jambupathe Anandha Natana
CD: RS.150.
The albums were formally released at a
function in Chennai recently. Among those who referred to
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan's ability to handle both classical and
light music with elan were Trichur Ramachandran, Krishnaswamy
(president of Narada Gana Sabha), N Murali, president of The
Music Academy, and Ashok Krishnan, business head, HMV Saregama,
Chennai.
R Rangaraj
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