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Learn Carnatic music digitally
 Generally people have a preconceived notion that
Carnatic music belongs only to a section of society and Brhaddhvani is out to prove that it is not so. This musical research and training centre
in Chennai affirms that music is not intangible and that it is a feeling which can be experienced by one and all, irrespective of language, caste or religion.
Brhaddhvani
is the brainchild of Subramanyam and Seetha, whose enthusiastic and tireless efforts made it possible to establish this training and research centre on November 30, 1989. The main aim of this centre is to take
Carnatic music to the global level and to make people understand the basics or the fundamentals of music.
Professor Subramanyam, a postgraduate in English
literature from University of Madras, and who has also acquired the Asian Cultural Council Fellowship degree in
New York, has the distinction of serving as a professor in Amherst (USA)
College, National University of Singapore and University of Madras.
"I left my family when I was 13 and came to learn
veena from my grandfather Karaikudi Veenai Sambasiva Iyer. He belonged to the family's seventh generation of
veena exponents," says Subramanyam.
When his grandfather played
veena, Pudukottai Dhakshinamurthy accompanied him on mridangam and Muthaiah Bhagavathar was the vocalist.
This is his musical lineage. Subramanyam used to play for nearly 8 to 10 hours on his
veena when he was young.
"There cannot exist anything without foundation. I wanted to lay a strong foundation in music. There are many common basics between Sarali Varisai and Jhanda Varisai. Music is
universal, one has to learn the basics of Carnatic music, jazz and folk music. But the main basic for all these types of music? This question was the one which prompted me to start this centre for
music," cites Subramanyam as the reason for starting Brhaddhvani.
 He adds
that music is just not an art but an instrument to raise one's soul to the highest level and his ambition is to take such kind of music to the global stage through
Brhaddhvani.
It is no exaggeration to say that
Brhaddhvani serves as a bridge linking the traditional gurukulam method of learning and the modern method of learning. The reason being that in those days the guru-sishya relationship was on
a one-to-one basis and there was personal involvement too. Each student's growth and progress was perceptible by the guru while in
the modern method of teaching special attention is given to each individual's progress and growth.
Both these methods are amalgamated into one and thus COMET (Correlated Objective Music Education and Training) was formed through which research, method of recording, self-learning, explanations and many such intrinsic aspects of music
are taught at Brhaddhvani.
One can say that it is the magical key which opens the door to learn the
diminutive details about music and from one to 14 ways.
"Students who learn at Brhaddhvani
not only excel but also develop a bond with us. It paves the way for quality music and equality. Our teaching not only enhances one's voice but also enables them to write what they have heard. Music cures diseases and augments one's memory power," according to
Subramanyam.
The educational programme in music for children is one of the the most important programmes of
Brhaddhvani. By teaching traditional Carnatic music, children's memory, multi-lingual learning capacity and
logic develop further. They are able to understand the basics of music clearly when it is taught through audio-visual methods.
Modern and latest recording tools and the amenities to learn the finer aspects of music are the special features of
Brhaddhvani. The huge music library here contains rare tapes and that too in digital
format.
One can say that the undergraduate course at
Brhaddhvani is equivalent to that of the same in Music College, Chennai. Varieties of layas and
talas in advanced stage are taught and intensive training is given in notation,
composition for presenting musical programmes for nearly two hours.
It is important to note that music is taught here under the direct supervision of the teachers and in a salubrious ambience.
There are six semesters and at the end of each semester the students have to sing
in front of renowned musicians who also train them in their respective fields.
Postgraduate course for two years is also conducted here and in these two years the students are trained to do research, conduct classes and compose songs. After completion,
Brhaddhvani provides them with the opportunity to present a musical programmes.
"We have two students who are doing their postgraduation and after completion they will be enrolling themselves as life-term members of
Brhaddhvani," claims Subramanyam.
Brhaddhvani
also presents concerts every year with veena as accompaniment and seminars are held where the subject discussed is
veena. They help the families who make veena by giving financial assistance.
When he was an 'A' grade artiste with All India Radio, he had travelled to
North America and European countries to give concerts. His album Music Fur Vina (1975) won the Preis Der Deutschenschallplatten Kirthik award. This album was produced by his sister Rajeshwari. Another album of his,
'Sunanda', won the Naird award in 1993. He was honoured with the Suryakanthamma award by the prestigious Music Academy in 1991 for his folk and
Carnatic music compositions.
He has written many books on music and his articles on musical instruments and lessons on music have been published in many magazines worldwide.
It is astounding to see many foreigners coming to
Brhaddhvani to learn music and surprising to see the respect they have for
Carnatic music.
The number of students who come to
Brhaddhvani to learn vocal, drums, saxophone and other instruments are on the rise, which goes on to prove that music has no barriers.
With a noble intention of teaching students without any monetary benefits,
Brhaddhvani has arranged for a fund-raising musical programme on January 9 and 10.
The first day's programme, called
'Within Boundaries', will be presented at Vani Mahal Auditorium. Many popular, eminent musicians and accompaniment
artistes are participating in the programme. The chief feature of that day will be a
presentation called 'Traditions of Lalgudi'. This will be presented by G J R
Krishnan, Vijayalakshmi and Lalgudi's students.
The next day, at Image
Auditorium, the programme, called 'Beyond Boundaries' will be presented. Folk songs, Sastriya type (traditional) of songs, Jazz and many more can be heard on that day. A mega musical programme by
Lalgudi G J R Krishnan, Pushpavanam Kuppusamy and artistes from Brhaddhvani will also take place.
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