Violin in hollywood - Page 2

KALA RAMNATH - THE SINGING VIOLIN

Young Maestro KALA RAMNATH, the contemporary torch bearer of the Mewati Gharana, stands today amongst the most outstanding instrumental musicians in the North Indian classical genre. Born into a family of musical talent, Kala began playing the violin at the tender age of three under the tutelage of her grandfather Vidwan. Narayan Iyer. Simultaneously she received training from her aunt Dr. N. Rajam. For the past eleven years she has put herself under the training of Mewati vocal maestro, Pandit Jasraj. This has brought a rare vocal emotionalism to her art.

Kala's violin playing is characterized by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique, command over all aspects of laya, richness and clarity in sur. All this innate artistry and technical brilliance combined with a rare and exquisite emotional quality are the hallmarks of the style. She has completely revolutionized the technique of playing the violin by taking this instrument so close to vocal music that today her violin is called "the singing violin".

Kala has performed at all major music festivals in India, such as the Dover Lane Music Conference and others.

Besides being a brilliant and charismatic musician; Kala has also an outstanding academic record. A University first in her graduation and post graduation, she won the junior and senior government scholarships in the year 1979 and 1984 respectively. She is also an A-grade artist in Radio and Television.

Kala has won the acclaim of discerning audiences and critics worldwide. She has extensively toured the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Russia, Australia, Africa, Middle East, Mauritius, Nepal, Bangladesh etc. Her lecture demonstrations and workshops in Music have been highly appreciated in these countries. She is the principal of the Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation in Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Los-Angeles, California. She is also invited teacher at the Sangit Academy, Brussels and the Sangit Summer Seminar in Neufchateau, Belgium.

Notes by Daniel Schell.

Ms. Kala Ramnath

Young Maestro Kala Ramnath, the contemporary torch bearer of the Mewati gharana, is an outstanding instrumental musician in the North Indian Classical genre. Born into a family of prodigious musical talent which has given Indian music such violin legends as Prof. T N Krishnan and Dr. N Rajam, Kala's genius with the violin manifested itself from childhood. She started learning the violin at the age of three from her grandfather Vidwan Narayan Iyer and was later trained by her aunt Dr. Smt. N. Rajam. For the past eleven years, she was trained by the Mewati vocal maestro Sangeet Marthand Pandit Jasraj. Kala's violin playing is characterised by an immaculate bowing and fingering technique. There is a rare cultural blend of innate artistry and technical brilliance in her renderings which has a soul-uplifting character.

Kala has performed at all major music festivals, prominent among them being Tansen Samaroh, Swami Hardas Sangeet Samaroh, Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Sammelan, Doverlane Music Conference, Baba Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Pandit Motiram Sangit Samaroh, Sprit of Unity concerts, etc.to name a few. In 1988 Kala became the first ever Hindustani musician and violinist to record for CBS India Ltd. She is an A-Grade artist of Radio and Television. Her awards include "Gaan Hira" Paaritoshik award in Music, Pandit Jasraj award in 1999, and titles of Surmani and Surratna, to name a few. Kala has won the acclaim of critics and discerning audiences alike. She has extensively toured the USA, Canada, UK, Russia, Australia, Middle East, Bangladesh, Nepal, etc. Her lecture demonstrations and workshops in music have been highly appreciated in these countries as well. She is the Principal of Pandit Jasraj School of Music Foundation in Tampa, Florida.

Thx Bob Da.
One of the most expressive instruments 😊

Originally posted by: arun_8687

Thnx Bob Da.
One of the most expressive instruments 😊

Arun thanks, Yes love that instrument and my daughter she also play Violin she is her 4 th year only. Love it every time she plays that.

Purbayan Chatterjee & Kala Ramnath

Lately I've been reviewing a lot of recordings by young traditional musicians. Sitar player, Purbayan Chatterjee and violinist Kala Ramnath represent two of India's brightest talents. Both performers show great musical dexterity and innovation with their respective instruments as well as, a contagious joy for Indian classical music. According to the liner notes on Purbayan's CD, there are literally thousands of sitarists in India today. In order to reach the height that Purbayan has reached, one needs to have mastered his instrument as well as, adding something extra, something brilliant. Purbayan has done that and considered one of the finest musicians in India today. Purbayan comes from a musical family steeped in tradition. His father and guru, Partha Chatterjee, a distinguished sitarist has performed in India and abroad and is highly respected worldwide. Purbayan hails from the Senia Maihar gharana founded by Baba Allaudin Khan. The young sitar maestro incorporates the Khayal and Dhrupad vocal styles into his discipline. Purbayan also studied with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, considered one of India's greatest sarod players. On Nirman, Purbayan performs the romantic late night Raga Behag and tabla player Satyajit Talwalkar accompanies the sitarist. After completing the slow Alap, Purbayan performs Bandish in teentaal (16 beats). As the tempo increases so does the excitement of this wonderful raga, expertly rendered by Purbayan and Satyajit. Tracks 3 through 6 feature the passionate and sensual Raga Misra Khan which is performed in the romantic thumri vocal style of the light classical genre. John Ball (liner notes) describes this raga, "According to one poet this raga holds the ability to 'turn the flowers red with passion'." And certainly it is a fiery raga that can ignite the senses. Born into a family of renowned musical talent, violinist Kala Ramnath that include Prof. T.N. Krishman, Dr. N. Rajam (Kala's aunt) and her grandfather, Vidwan Narayan Iyer. Under the watchful eye of her grandfather, aunt and Pandit Jasraj, the young violinist has developed a unique style of playing that includes complex improvised phrases, lyricism as well as, immaculate bowing technique. Her studio recording, Kala is impressive as well as, more accessible than her last Sense World Music release, Touching Air. Her latest CD, Kala in many ways marks a coming out event or as the CD cover states, "a milestone in Kala's development into a great artist." The mirthful violin master is certainly poised for a brilliant career. Even the Indian classical vocal maestro and guru Pandit Jasraj showers much praise on Kala's behalf. "I'm thankful to the Almighty that he has given me Kala, who with her immense talent and musical abilities is all set to carry forward my tradition and legacy." Tabla player Subhankar Banerjee joins Kala as they explore the intricacies of the Raga Jogkauns and Raga Bhatiyar. The first raga actually combines two ragas, Jog and Chandrakauns, creating a unique musical personality. All of the compositions that appear on this studio recording were composed by Kala. She also exhibits a great deal of skill in performing the second composition. Raga Bhatiyar, an early morning melody is also complex and can only be handled by a highly experienced artist, which Kala is already at her young age. The raga includes a short alap, two traditional compositions, one in teentaal and the other performed at a fast tempo twelve beat cycle. The third recording, Samwad reviewed here combines the talents of these two fabulous musicians. Performing the traditional Jugalbandi, Kala Ramnath and Purbayan Chatterjee's instruments marry and create a third entity that exist somewhere between the sitar's twang and the violin's slides. And the musical duo add a sense of excitement and delight to their studio performance. A collection of photographs showing the musicians smiling, laughing and happily engaging in each others presence while they perform outdoors is the visual equivalent of the spirited music that appears on this CD. Tabla player Subhankar Banerjee (who appears on Kala) returns to handle the beats on the evening Raga Kedar and Raga Bageshri. The musicians are known for their lilting quality and so it is no surprise that the quality is represented here. While I did enjoy listening to this CD, my player which is now suffering from old age decided to cause all sorts of problems that hindered my listening pleasure (creating loops where there are none and skipping). However, from what I could hear, I found the recording mesmerizing.

So there you have it, three new wonderful CDs released on Sense World Music. If you're unable to pick up all three CDs, then get the Jugalbandi with the violin and sitar. Otherwise pick up all three recordings because you'll be listening them for years to come.

Thanks Bobda. And thanks to Sonyaee too

As usual a new artist for us from you. Frankly speaking had never heard about her earlier. Good for us Dada....

Loved the first picture.😛 Chooo chweett.....

Originally posted by: Qwest

Arun thanks,Yes love that instrument and my daughter she also play Violin she is her 4 th year only. Love it every time she plays that.

Aww..thats sweet 😊

Ilayaraja Ji has done wonders with the violin,Noone has used Violin as well as the master,Ilayaraja 😊 😊

Originally posted by: Bhaskar.T

Thanks Bobda. And thanks to Sonyaee too

As usual a new artist for us from you. Frankly speaking had never heard about her earlier. Good for us Dada....

Loved the first picture.😛 Chooo chweett.....

Thanks Dada.!!!!