TEAM INDIA - THE WORLD CHAMPIONS !!!

Hats off to the Indian Cricket Team.. They have done us all proud.
What a match it was !
Equally thrilling were the quarter-finals against the Aussies and the Semis against Pakistan.

I also liked Dhoni's short speech during the presentation ceremony and it was great to see that everyone in the team wanted to unanimously win this for the legend, Sachin.

Emotional Yuvi, Dhoni, Sachin, Harbhajan, on winning - these were unforgettable moments last night...

The score of 274 to chase looked scary, particularly after the early dismissal of Sehwag and Sachin. But, what an anchoring role Gambhir played ! And of course, our Captain took the real pressure on to his shoulders and steered the way for history to repeat itself after 28 long years !!!

It was a great Finals and a true test of handling the huge pressure out there.

A great moment for the entire nation and a big THANK YOU to our Team India from all of us - your ardent fans and supporters :-)).

Sivaji Virudhu - 15/3/11

Marumalarchi Arts Academy and All India Sivaji Manram gave the annual " Sivaji Virudhu" awards on the 15th of March, 2011 at Kamarajar Arangam, Chennai, to artists from various fields.

It was a happy moment for me to receive the award from Mr. Ramkumar,the eldest son of Chevalier Sri.Sivaji Ganesan.

















Incidentally, here is a photo of me as a school student where I receive a prize from Nadigar Tilagam Sri.Sivaji Ganesan :-)

Tyagaraja Aradhana at Tiruvaiyaru - 24/1/11

It was a wonderful experience giving an introduction to the Aradhana (in Tamizh and English) at Tiruvaiyaru, which was telecast Live on Podhigai and National TV Network.





(Photo Courtesy : Kutcheribuzz Website)

International Music Conference 2011 - Bangalore, 26/1/2011

The Indira Nagar Sangeetha Sabha, Bangalore conducted an International Music Conference and Festival in January 2011.

I presented a Lecture-Demonstration on the topic "Bhairavi as handled by the Music Trinity".

Chairperson for my session was Dr. Suma Sudhindra and reporteur was renowned violinist,H.K.Venkatram.

















Talking briefly about the pre-Trinity period, I explained the usage of the Dasa Vidha Gamakas in the Ata Tala Varnam-Viribhoni in Bhairavi and also the characteristic "Bhairavi phrases" in a Kshetragna Padam.


I talked briefly about the evolution of the Raga Bhairavi and went on to explain in detail, the similarities and differences in the handling of the Bhairavi Raga by the Music Trinity, Tyagaraja, Muttuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.







(A section of the audience)

KALAIMAMANI AWARD - 13/2/2011

The Tamizhnadu State Government "KALAIMAMANI" awards (instituted by the Tamizhnadu Iyal isai Nataka Manram) for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 were given on the 13th February, 2011, at Valluvar Kottam, Chennai, by Hon.Chief Minister Of Tamilnadu, Kalaignar.Dr.M.Karunanidhi.

































Also seen in the picture below are writer Sri.T.Jayakanthan, who received the "Bharati award" and Isaignani Sri.Ilayaraja,who received the "M.S.Subbulakshmi award". (Dr.Padma Subramanyam was the recepient of the "Balasarasathi Award". - not seen in this picture)

Tiruvaiyaru - 23/1/2011

This year's Aradhana was very special because it was a wonderful blessing for Vishruthi to sing at the Saint's Samadhi for the first time.










Accompanists were Sri.V.L.Kumar on the violin and Sri.Papanasam Kumar on Mridangam.

60th Birth Year Celebrations of Sringeri Jagadguru Mahaswamigal - 13/11/10

On the occasion of the 60th Birth Year Mahotsavam Celebrations of Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal 60 personalities from different fields were honoured at Meenakshi College For Women, Chennai on 13th November,2010.

Among musicians, Sri.Vijay Siva, Sri.Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Sri.Manoj Siva,Smt.S.Sowmya and I were honoured. It was a very memorable experience.
















Guests of Honour were Dr.V.R.Gowrishankar(CEO and Administrator, Sri Sringeri Math), Hon'ble Justice Sri.R.S.Ramanathan (Judge, Madras High Court) and Sri.T.S.Krishnamurthy(Former Election Commissioner of India). Also seen in the picture is Miss.K.S.Lakshmi, Principal, Meenakshi College and an ardent devotee of Mahaswamigal. The college was the venue for a series of Pujas and Homams from 8th to 13th of November.