Cinema Raaga

A Splendid Show which was a dream come true for me, but too soon and happened too fast.

Cinema Raagas- 28 November 2009

The entire Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir, together with the Youth Chinese and Malay Orchestra representative, Unnikrishnan, Saindhavi, Rajhesh Vaidhya and Kannan.
After a great enriching path of learning and performing, from “Navarasa Ramayana”, “SingaPOPera” and other PA Shows, This concert will be one that I will never forget.

Kannan Sir, Prabhu, Rajhesh Vaidhya and Me
Ever Since Secondary 2, my life started to change with a minute introduction to the “World of Indian Music”. In Umar Pulavar is where it started.

Since young i already had this interest in the Indian Arts, Drama and Music; but in 2002 it went to a different level. I was a tenor back then and now as well. At that age, i felt that Unnikirshnan Sir's songs were the best fitted for me. Priyalatha was the one who introduced me to his songs, starting from “Ennavalae-Kadhalan” (என்னவளே- காதலன்). This song was the first Tamil Cinema song that I'd trained myself with the help of my friends, especially Priya and sang it for The Umar Pulavar Singing Competition. Ever since then, Unnikrishnan has been my favourite singer and artiste. His unique voice and emotion that he exhales are brilliant. His humbleness and seriousness in work depicts sincerity and professionalism in his career.

The room where Man becomes Diva; My changing room and the others shared with me.

Man-Diva= Veena

I never thought i would be playing “The Veena” for him, as the BGM(Background Music).

I started my lovely relationship with Her when i was in Secondary Two as well. I always wanted to get to know her when i was young, but my Mother would say that this is not the time and money was a bigger issue back then. Then i prayed to God, asking Her to allow me to get closer with my “Love”.

In Umar Pulavar, a few days before my birthday, that had a meeting saying that they were about to start a Indian Orchestra and the were recruiting members. I was so sure that this will be a chance for me to meet her. I signed up and attended the first session- 18th May, or My Birthday.

All the student signed their names under their respective instruments that they wanted to learn, and then we were grouped according to it and the teachers.
Mrs Lalitha, who was the conductor, asked me to take the Mirdhangam instead, as i am a guy and males usually play it.

This is when i told her “No, but i think I'm more keen with Her” - The Veena

The space with the file on the corner- right, was where Rajhesh Sir sat, and behind was Me.

Nizzam, Vigneshvari, Soodamani, Chandra

Geetha, Anita, Meera

Gayathri, Maanasa, Me

“If you think the veena is too hard, you can still join the Mirdhangam and Table class”. Of course, being a Taurus, i said “NEVER” to myself and of course never regretted and continued and will continue still, with the love and devotion. Music arrangements and guitarist - Narayanan Kannan and me
Though my Journey with the Veena was and still is a Roller Coaster with lots of Sweet and Sour experience, due to My teacher, Mother, Friends, God and Financial issues; this journey will never take a break.

Eventually, being the only male Veena Player in the Orchestra gave me an identity both on stage and television interviews. Soon other boys started to join in.

While that was happening, i had a privilege to meet another Man, who is also a Veena player, or shall i say, a Veena Wizard- Rajhesh Vaidhya, the proclaimed brother of Mohan Vaidhya.

I first attended his concert in the Singapore Polytechnic's auditorium and got amaze and stunned by the wonderful essence of the veena. Playing Music and Expressing Music are Two different thing; that is when i realized. Had his first autograph and blessings. Soon after, i bought his CD, “7-11”

Met him again for another concert and he gave me his another CD, “Bharathiyar songs"

For the Third time, i met him again at his Master classes, 10 Sept, for the NATIONAL INDIAN MUSIC COMPETITION 2006. he taught us how to play Krshina Nee Bhaeganae, which i have only heard and not played before. It was a embarrassing struggle.

Cinema Raagas was a break through and allowed me to have a close tutorship and perform together with him. I always believed that observing is the strongest way to learn and i tried. No one is called a “Wizard” without a reason.

With God's Blessings and Periya Teacher's Blessings and Prayers, i was given the privilege to sit behind.

And also to gave me his recent release (23rd Oct 2009) titled “Seventh Sense”, with vocalist Sudha Raghunathan, conceived as a fusion of Classical and Western rhythms. The album was proudly launched in the presence of veteran filmmaker K Balachander, music composer Vidyasagar and Mylapore MLA S Ve Shekher.
This is a small secret within us.

The Male Veena Players: Rajhesh Vaidhya and Me

Through the show he became a friend, buddy, senior and always been an Idol and Guru for me.

Unnikrishnan and Rajhesh Vaidhya(My Idols)

Saindhavi & Unnikrishnan

Together with S. Saindhavi (playback singer), The Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir and People's Association and to have a chance to perform in The Esplanade's Concert Hall where great musicians such as Dr M Balamuralikrishna, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Maksim, Zakir Hussain and many others, have added on the beauty and speciality about this concert which i am proudly and humbly involved in.

The show poster and my Artist Pass (Esplanade)

I have to and am always thanking God and Periya Teacher for guiding me through and showering their blessings on me.

Just another seedling...

Well, was watching Macbeth by The “A Royal Shakespeare Company”; astonishing and mind blowing.

And for me these sort of videos are inspirational.

Firstly, i thought of doing it by using the veena to create sounds and melodies while the cast deliver their lines. Then i realised, “why bother take a English Classic Tale, when the Indian Civilisation consist of a multifaceted genres of Epics, Tales, Drama and etc.”

'Mahabharatham'- longest epic in world literature, 100,000 2-line stanzas

Hopefully, around this time, next year, after my ORD that is; i want to stage this epic, back again in Republic Polytechnic.

I want to use simple costumes and serious dialogues, with music and sounds from carnatic and modern; to create this production. Exhibiting the gore and rawness, together with explicit anger and love mixed and arranged in a heart shattering and astounding manner.

“I will tie up my hair only after Dukshathana has been killed – after his chest has been torn open and his hot blood had been applied onto my hair.” Draupadi

The Visvaroopa Dharshan is also a magnificent scene that will captivate any souls.

Tomorrow, stepping back into my Polytechnic once again; this is where i will get the chance to see the next Generation of Artiste in the making, batch perhaps. Nakshatra '09, Navarasam (In Tamil).

தொடக்கம்

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvignam Kurume Deva
Sarva kaala sarvada

Oh Lord with twisted tusk and great body and the one who shines with the brillinance of a millions of sunsPlease remove the obstacles in my pathalways and in all times

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa

Salutations to the supreme Goddess Saraswati...whose face is fair as a jasmine flower, luminiscient like the moon and delicate as a snow flake; who is dressed in brilliant white garments. She holds veena in her hands to bestow boons to her disciples as she sits on her white lotus throne.

சுபம்