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Radel Newsletter Jan-Jun 2009
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| Sangeetha Kala Acharya Vid S Rajam |
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A Complete Artist: S. Rajam
Radel is honoured to felicitate Vidwan Sangeetha Kala Acharya Sri.S.Rajam on his 90th birthday, which was celebrated recently. This multifaceted personality is an inspiration to all of us.
Sri.Rajam was born on 10.02.1919 to Sri.V.Sundaram Iyer and his wife Smt.Chellammal. His father was a reputed advocate and a great scholar in Carnatic music. Sri.Rajam’s own genius and the environment at home attracted him to not one, but several art forms: Drawing, Painting, and Music. He also acted on stage and in a few early films.
Music: Sri.Rajam had some of the greatest musicians and composers as his teachers: Ambi Dikshitar, Papanasam Sivan, Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar, Ariyakkudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Madurai Mani Iyer and many others. Sri Rajam started performing concerts from a very young age of thirteen. He won the first prize at the first ever music competition organised by the Music Academy, Chennai in 1931.
While working for Akashvani, Sri.Rajam recorded rare songs of Vaggeyakars, and produced many operas and musicals. He has sung and brought out a series of cassettes to popularise the 72 Melakarta Kritis of Koteeswara Iyer. He has performed all over India and across the globe. He is a member of the expert committee of The Music Academy. Sri.Rajam is a teacher nonpareil and has trained several students. His uninhibited, free-flowing imagination creates ragas and kalpana swara patterns that stand out for their spontaneity and creativity. It is this innovative mind that prompted him to become one of the earliest users of the Radel Sruti box and tambura. Frank and outspoken, he would express his views boldly to those who opposed the use of electronic musical instruments. Till today, he continues to be our honoured customer.
Art: At the age of fifteen Sri.Rajam developed his drawing skill. He joined The School of Arts and furthered his skills. He is a reputed traditional painter. His paintings have been used in several publications, the latest of which was the L&T calendar of 2008 with the 72 Melakartas as its theme.
Theatre and Cinema: Sri Rajam acted in several operas in his youth. He was one of the first heroes of Tamil cinema. He acted in ‘Seetha Kalyanam’ (1933). He sang while acting in ‘Radha Kalyanam’, the music director for this film being the renowned Sri Muthaiah Bhagavathar.
Sri Rajam has been on the editorial committee of Sruti Magazine to which he has contributed scholarly articles on raga lakshana discussions, as well as his art.
Sri Rajam has been honoured with many awards - the Sangeet Natak Academy award, Sangita Kala Acharya award from the Music Academy, Chennai & the Isai Kalai Chemmal award.
Radel offers respectful pranaams to Sri Rajam and wishes him many more years of fruitful service to Indian music and Art.
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| Digital Veena Demonstration |
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Raj Narayan and
Radhika presented a paper at the International Conference on 'Indian
Music in the perspective of Globalization', held by the Delhi
University in March, under the auspices of UGC. A galaxy of
luminaries of the music world participated in the event, excellently
organized by the Music Department headed by Prof Anjali Mittal, ably
assisted by Prof Suneera Kasliwal. The photo shows Mr Raj Narayan
demonstrating the Swaroopiini Digital swarmandal, while Radhika
accompanies him on the Taalmala digi-100. This was followed by a
demonstration of the Radel digital veena, the patented Indian music
synthesizer.
Further details of
the conference can be seen on this link: http://www.omenad.net
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| Conference at Bhopal |
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Radel's founders
also presented a paper at the international conference at Bhopal, on
'The Role of Instruments in Indian Music' organised by Madhukali and
Omenad, two premier music institutions of India. This paper too, was
well received as can be seen from the report on the website
http://www.omenad.net
The participants
were treated to some fine musical performances on both evenings.
The photos show
Prof Suneera Kasliwal giving a sitar performance and Dr Soubhagya
Vardhan giving a vocal concert.
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| Workshop at Pune |
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Radel participated in the special workshop arranged by the Bharat Gayan Mandal in Pune, recently. Many students benefited from this workshop, conducted by Mr Yashwant Dev, Mr Ashok Patki and Mr Shreedhar Phadke. The photos show the group song presented by the participants and the actual workshop session by Mr Yashwant Dev.
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