1) Identify the Veteran Vidwan in the picture given below :
Answer : Sangeetha Kalanidhi Sri Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar
Sri Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar , fondly referred to as ‘Iyengarvaal” was the uncrowned emperor of Carnatic music. His contribution to the canatic music world is immeasurable, starting from the Katcheri Padhdhathi, to his musical contributions to various tamil compositions (Ramanataka krtihis, thiruppavai, Divyaprabandams). Here are some unknown facts about Sri.Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar.
Sri Ramanuja Iyengar, learnt the veena from the elder of the Karaikkudi bothers , Sri Subbarama Iyer, in order to perfect his gamakas. He also learnt the mridangam.Such was the quest for knowledge those days, sans EGO.
Once, Sri Ramanuja Iyengar had to replace Sri. Musiri Subramania Iyer for a concert. Since it was a last minute cancellation, the public weren’t informed about the change. A lay audience, thinking that he was Sri.Musiri , requested him to sing Nagumomu (Abheri) , Thiruvadi Sharanam (Kambodhi), which were the favourites of Sri. Subramania Iyer. Iyengarval immediately sang the songs, much to the amusement of the violinist Sri.Marungapuri Gopalakrishna Iyer. Such was his respect for the music of his peers and the commitment towards the concert and his love for the listeners.
Sri. Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar’s birthday falls on May 19th. This being his 125th birth year, we offer our pranams to one of the greatest Vidwans of all time.
anecdotes source : Carnatic Summer by Sri.V Sriram
2) Identify one veteran Carnatic Musician by connecting the 3 things given in the picture below
Answer : Mahavidwan Sri M D Ramanathan
Manjapara Devesa Ramanathan is one of the greatest veterans of all times in Carnatic music. Being one of the prime disciples of Sri Tiger Varadachari , he carved his own niche style which still stands unparalleled and has stood the test of time.
Sri MDR as he was fondly known, was a musicians’ musician.
In addition to having an extremely deep, booming voice, he rendered songs at various kaalapramanams from extremely slow pace (Ati vilamba kaalams) to top speed renditions (Ati durita kaalams) , thereby enthralling the listener with a variety of exciting compositions. Sri MDR is specially known for his very innovative and niche rendition of ragas such as Sahana, Sriragam, Manirangu, Anandabhairavi, Reethigowla, Yadukula Kambhoji, Kedaram, Kambhoji, to name a few. As he himself once admitted, the Vilambita Kaala Gaanam rendering in Kathakali music had influenced his music and style of singing.
Sri MDR had a great sense of humour. His music was very expressive. His own compositions bear his distinctive style. Sri MDR’s concerts were very unpredictable and interesting, in addition to being enjoyable and educative. One of the highlights of his voice is the wonderful tonal quality in all the octaves and the perfect sruti alignment.
3) Find 5 words from the puzzle given below which are related to rhythmic cycles
Answer : Dhruva, Matya, Roopaka, Jhampa, Triputa
The five Thalas listed above are from The Suladi Sapta Tāla system (35 talas) in Carnatic music..
There are 7 thala families ( Dhruva, Matya, Ata, Jhampa, Roopaka, Tripura, Eka) and each of them can have 5 jaathis ( Tisra, Chatusra, Kanda, Misra and Sankeerna) depending on the count of the laghu.. Therefore a total of 35 Thalas arise with these combinations having lengths ranging from 3 (Tisra-jati Eka tala) to 29 (sankeerna jati dhruva tala) aksharas.
These Thalas are used mainly while teaching the “alankaram” varisaigal in Carnatic music..
There are a specific set of 7 Thalas out of the 35 Thalams which are used in the alankaram varisaigal.. These 7 talas have been used specifically for singing the Suladis, a musical form sung in Karnataka. Those specific Thalams are Chatusra Jaathi Dhruva thalam, Chatusra Jaathi Matya thalam, Chatusra Jaathi Roopaka thalam, Misra Jaathi Jhampa thalam, Tisra Jaathi Triputa thalam, Kanda Jaathi Ata thalam, Chatusra Jaathi Eka thalam..
Several compositions have been composed in these Thalams by both yester year composers and contemporary composers of today..
These Thalams are a real challenge to any musician..