TR Subramaniam-Chalakudy Narayanaswamy-Suchindram S Krishnan- Dikshitar Bicentennial (12/26/1975)

Muthuswami Dikshitar Bicentennial concert- Music Academy (December 26th 1975)

Prof TR Subramaniam- vocal
Chalakudy NS Narayanaswamy Iyer- violin
Suchindram S Krishnan- mridangam

1) SrI mUlAdhAra cakra vinAyaka- Sri, Adi (2 kalai), Muthuswami Dikshitar
2) sAmi kandasAmi- bilahari, rUpakaM, D Pattammal
3) SEshAcala nAyakaM- varALi, rUpakaM, Muthuswami Dikshitar
4) SrI mAtR bhUtam- kannaDa, miSra cApu, Muthuswami Dikshitar
5) shaNmukhapriyA RP (guham guruguham sad guruguham smarAmi nAdajyotim namAmi) w/ rAgamalika (anyone want to guess the rAgams?)- miSra jhampa (2 kalai) or sankIrna matya (need confirmation as it's 20 beats)
6) mOhanaM thillAnA (dhim dhim kitathaka dhim thadhimjhunakitathaka)- Adi, Harikeshanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar


Thanks to Sri Lakshman for sharing. I believe there are some more missing pieces as this recording has to be close to 150 mins. If anyone has the full recording, please send it to me and I will reupload.

To celebrate the birthdays of Prof TRS and Chalakudy Narayanaswamy (centenary falls this year) this month, here is a birthday present dedicated to the memories of the veterans.

TRS sir has become one of my favorites over the years. What I love about him is the brilliant scholarship, superb spontaneity and love for the music. His style was a cerebral one which he made it pleasing to listen to. He is a perfect example of the ever learning student of music who never rested on his laurels and wanted to bring music lovers together with a smile on his face. He would sing krithis of the "then" new vaggeyakkaras like Dr. BMK sir and LGJ sir to name a few and made every krithi his own. Most importantly, he was always encouraging of the upcoming artists and would attend their concerts until his passing in 2013. My praNAms to the departed legend.

Here we get mostly Dikshitar krithis which he renders in his inimitable style. What pure class he puts into each krithi. And the RTP must have been on the spot!

Chalakudy Narayanaswamy is at his supportive best, complimenting the genius TRS throughout. He brings so much purity and beauty in his violin playing. Though he followed the "traditional" way of playing, his real best was with those who pushed the boundaries of Indian classical music, namely GNB, TRS, BMK and TNS. And this concert is no exception. My pranAms to the departed legend on his centenary year.

As for Suchindram S Krishnan, he does a bravura job on the mridangam. It is a pleasure to listen to veterans that we don't usually get to listen to. Being the prime disciple of Nagercoil Ganesa Iyer, he plays with so much gurubhakti and high aesthetics. I request his disciples and those who saw him live to expound more in the comments.

Those who attended this concert definitely had the time of their lives. I request those who attended to share their reminiscences. Those who are listening for the first time, please share your thoughts.

As a bonus, you can get to listen to Dr. BMK's Dikshitar Bicentennial concert w/ Annavarapu Ramaswamy and V Kamalakara Rao:    • Dr. M Balamuralikrishna-Annavarapu Ramaswa...  

Long live this concert and we may never forget TRS sir, Chalakudy sir and Suchindram sir!