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Carnatic Music will be exalted at a Concert that promises to bring together the best of instrumentalists and a vocalist next month in Auckland and Wellington.
Perusing the names of performers, it would be hard to say if the vocalist is supporting the instrumentalists or vice-versa, since the calibre of the visiting artistes is such that one would get better off the other.
Organised by Rasikas New Zealand, Sangeetha Bharathi and New Zealand Indian Fine Arts Society of Wellington, the Programme will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 from 4 pm at Raye Freedman Art Centre of Epsom Girls Grammar School in Epsom, Auckland and on Sunday, August 20, 2017 from 3 pm at the Adam Concert Hall of Victoria University (7 Kelburn Parade) Kelburn, Wellington.
Tickets priced at $50 (Reserved) and $30 (General) per person (including refreshments during the interval) for the Auckland Concert can be obtained from Priya Srinivasan on 021-613155 (Email: rasikas.nz@gmail.com) or from Jaya Venugopalan on (09) 6208074
Details regarding the Wellington Concert can be obtained from Raghu Raman on 027- 2103477 or from TN Balajee on 021-0599405.
The following information was supplied by Priya Srinivasan:
Double Header Music Evening
A team of musicians on Violin, Mridangam and Kanjira will perform with Veena and Vocal exponents in this Double Header, treating listeners to an extended evening of melody.
The programme will commence with the lilting sounds of the Veena followed by a grand Vocal concert after a short interval during which refreshments will be available.
The Performers
Nirmala Rajasekar
Nirmala Rajasekar is a master Veena artiste and vocalist. A dynamic and vibrant performer, she began training in this art from the age of six and became a concert performer when she was 13 years old.
Nirmala’s music is marked by a repertoire that reflects her adherence to the rich patanthra (lineage and heritage) of her Gurus.
Kunnakudi M Balamurali Krishna
Kunnakudi M Balamurali Krishna is one of India’s top young vocalists.
Meenakshi Sundaram, his father and first guru, is also a musician and an eminent teacher. Trained by Neyveli Santhanagopalan and V Sundaresan, he has been under the tutelage of PS Narayanaswami since 1993.
Balamurali has enthralled audiences all over the world.
Supporting Musicians
BU Ganesh Prasad
B U Ganesh Prasad hails from a family of connoisseurs of classical music and had his initial violin training under Basavanagudi Nataraj and vocal guidance from Bangalore S Shankar during his formative years.
It was under the able guidance of Violin maestro VV Subramaniam that Ganesh was able to further hone and nurture his skills. An accomplished vocalist, he vocalises his violin style with fluency. He is currently a disciple of PS Narayanaswami of Semmangudi School.
Vidwan Tanjore K Murugaboopathi
Tanjore K Murugaboopathi hails from a family of musicians and artistes of several generations. He had his initial training under TR Srinivasan (Mridangam Vidwan and Lecturer) at the Tamil Nadu Music College, Chennai.
He was conferred the title of ‘Vadya Visharada’ with distinction by the Music College.
He has performed at several concerts in New Zealand.
B Shree Sundarkumar
B Shree Sundarkumar is a leading Kanjira artiste. Entering the musical world at the tender age of three, he has been mesmerising audiences with his intricate rhythm beats and innate creativity. Coming from a musical family, he initially learnt under his father, renowned Mridangam artiste Dr KBS Mani and then started his training from maestro Guru Kaaraikudi R Mani. Known as the ‘Kanjira Man,’ Sundarkumar’s unique way of playing the instrument has evolved a craze among the music fraternity.
