26th Dec'05 with Sri L Krishnan for 'MUDRA'

Sathya had the great opportunity to be a part of the effort of “Mudra” to recognize Sri L Krishnan, a veteran in the field of Devotional, semi-classical audio field. A concert titled ‘Light – classical Jugal bandhi’ by sri L Krishnan was organized by Mudra, an organization always patronizing new ideas. The songs rendered was of musical compositions of Sri L Krishnan, Who has been the instrumental factor for the growth of leading vocalists like Sri Unnikrishnan as said by him yesterday while felicitating Sri Krishnan and also presented a golden ring to him.

Sathya had the privilege to perform back ground music with Sri Krishnan’s team of Sri Madusudhanan - Tabla, Sri SAnthanam – Tabla, Gnanandham – Timing, Sri Ramanujam – Flute, Sri Sasi – Sitar. The programme was conducted by Sri L Krishnan who at this age of 80+ he was full of energy. The show had the legendary P B Srinivas and Rajkumar Bharathi to name a few. The hall was full and indeed the concept was well received by the audience with their presence in large number particularly till the end of the concert.

The song list along with the singers name is given below for the information:

S.No Tiltle Song by
01 Pachai Mamalai - Charulatha Mani
02 Jagajanani - Dharsini
03 Kanna Va - Dr Radha Baskar
04 Arumugam (Thirupugazh)- Srikanth
05 Stharadha nahi - Saidavi
06 Thanthi thai - Geetha Raja
07 Amaidhiyil - Subiksha
08 Vandheham - Dr GAnesh
09 Vanathin Meedhu - Charulatha Mani
10 Dhikketum - Dharsini
11 Sarvam brahma mayam - Dr Radha Baskar
12 Vittu Vidudhalai - Srikanth
13 Rama Nama - Subiksha
14 Kanigal kondu tharum - Saindavi
15 Nadhavindhu - Geetha Raja
16 Thunbam Nergayil - Dr Ganesh
17 Yethani inbangal - Dharsini
18 Koovi Azhaithal - Dr Radha Baskar
19 Thunukku - Srikanth
20 Kelathi mama hruthaye - Saindavi
21 Kaliyugavaradhan - Geetha Raja
22 Sandhana sarchidha - Saindavi
23 Bo sambo - Dr Ganesh
24 Shanthi nilava vendum - by all singers & audience
The audience gave a standing applause to Sri L Krishnan for his great contribution to music and also to Mudra for having thought of this wonderful concept.

25th Dec'05 for Brahma Gana Sabha with ESK

Christmas this year was definitely a memorable day for all the rasikas who were fortunate to listen to Keyboard Sathyanarayanan, a 10-year old musician, and Embar Kannan at the Brahma Gana Sabha. No doubt when a brilliant violinist performs a concert in tandem with a prodigy, the music delights the senses, more so when the violinist uncle openly enjoyed performing with the young nephew. What added colour to the occasion was that Sathya and Kannan chose to present chaste Carnatic music to the accompaniment of Arun Kumar on the Rhythm pad, Sridhar on the Drums and Suriyanarayanan on the Bass Guitar. This was quite likely a first-of-its-kind performance where all the instruments are originally alien to Carnatic music. The performance of all the artistes, however, ensured that the audience never gave that a thought.

Starting briskly with the Mallari in Gambheera Nattai in adi thalam, the beauty and majesty of the Bhairavi ata thala varnam was brought out enhanced by the chords that Sathya played while Kannan played the melody. Gam Ganapathe followed in Hamsadwani with Kannan and Sathya preceding the krithi with a short alapana. The bubbly and effervescent krithi with crisp kalpanaswaras sparkled in the hands of these talented artistes.

For Sathya’s first public concert in 2001, Kannan had composed a piece in Srothasvini and that followed. Kannan’s skill as a composer coupled with his excellent understanding of the western musical idiom was highlighted in this composition which quite seamlessly merged the melody and the western rhythmic patterns. Arun and Sridhar complemented the artistes very well.

What came next was a purely Western composition, a Hungarian Dance song. The scale changes, the precise and soothing rhythm by Arun and the melody which was vaguely reminiscent of a Carnatic raga (Kiravani?) was executed perfectly.

A RTP in Sumanesaranjani (Sathya announced the name of the raga and sang the pallavi with that sweat mazhalai voice) was a very pleasant surprise. Set to Thisra Triputa talam, the pallavi was ‘Vaa guha muruga shanmuga valli manalane vadivelava’. Excellent expositions of the raga by Sathya and Kannan and brilliant swaras were the highlight of this effort and an excellent thani was the crowning glory.

Indicating the genius within him, Sathya next played his own composition set to ragamalika – Kaapi, Kiravani and Gowri Manohari. The lyrics for the song were penned by Panneerselvam, an ardent admirer of Sathya, and Sathya’s father Krishna Babu sang the first few lines of the song.

A medley consisting of Aiye methakadinam, Adamodigalada, Nadavindu and Chenikulanagar was a sampler from Sathya’s latest album – Vatapi to Vandematharam released by Kosmic Music – and then the concert ended with a reverberating and emotional Vande Mataram.

It was noteworthy that celebrities like playback singer S.Janaki, Anuradha and Sriram, Isai Mazhalai Ramji and Chitraveena Ravikiran attended, with Janaki also speaking a few words of appreciation and encouragement and, on earnest requests, sang a few lines from one of her film songs. Janaki also remembered to praise Krishna Babu for his singing and urged him to not give it up.

Sathya has recently passed the 8th Grade Western exams from Trinity College, London. His guru for Western music, Mr. Alphonse, was honoured on the occasion and Sathya played a short piece from his 8th grade lessons. This was a very nice gesture, indeed.

The quality of sound is a very major contributor to the listening experience, and in the excellent Sivagami Pethachi auditorium, Nagaraj (the auditorium’s resident engineer) and Sound Engineer Akhilesh Aswin worked hard to provide that backup.

Janaki was also the vehicle for presenting Sathya with a gold bracelet from a rasika who wished to remain anonymous. This presentation must have reminded rasikas of similar instances in the early days of Mandolin Srinivas and Balamuralikrishna. But to the listeners that day, so did Sathya’s musical acumen and his skill on his chosen instrument.

23rd Dec’05 for Mylapore Fine Arts Club at Mylapore.

Sathya has gone from strength to strength in terms of crowd pulling and it was seen here at the Mylapore Fine arts with a good amount of audience turning up for his concert at 130 pm. Sathya did give them a treat with Mallari on Gambeera naatai set to Kandajathi Thiruputa thalam. It was nice tosee that Kumbakonam Swaminathan – mrudhagist, strted off with konnakol for the madyma kalam and then continued playing mrudhangam for the rest of the keezh kalam, thisra and mel kalam. Ananthakrishnan’s violin was really enchancing the piece with bass notes and parts played along.

Sri Mahaganapathim of Gowla had a sketch of the raga alapana and the keerthana was performed in the vistharam manner and the kalpana swarams with the required flavour for the raga. The star of the day was the alapana of Rasikapriya ragam and the keerthana “Arul seiya vendum aiya” followed with kalpanaswaram. While it is difficult for any one to deal this raga as a small deviation would also lead it to another raga, Sathya not only passed this acid test but also excelled. Anathakrishnan did a good job of playing second to ensure the keyboard’s flavour was more here.

Oothakukadu venkatakavi’s keerawani sapatharathna keerthana was perofmed with great care nd the influence of Sri Ravikiran seen in this presentation by Sathya. This was followed by Alaipayudhey – on audience choice.

The main krithi Mathurambike on Hemavathya was a master piece and the raga, swara expansions showed the great gnanam Sathya pocess and the crowd was left spell bound at the end. Sathya dedicated the song Enna thavam seidhanai – Kaapi, for his paternal grand mother as his birthday gift.

The strength of Sathya is being bold and a pleasing presentation on stage and this was evident when there was little power problem due to fluctuation and he handled it very professionally. His sense of timing was great and the only disappointment to Sathya that day was that he could not entertain a child request to play Chinanchiru kiliye, due to paucity of time.

Looking forward to Sathya’s fusion presentation on the 25th Dec’05 for Brahma Gana Sabha.

kb

20th Dec’05 Cocnert for Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha

20th Dec’05 Cocnert for Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Vani Mahal

It was indeed a pleasant afternoon with cool weather and Sathya and family at their best of spirits what with the information of Sathya having cleared the 8th Grade Practical exam on Keyboard conducted by Trinity College, London. Probably he would be the youngest in the world to achieve this. If any one can assist finding this please mail them at keyboardsathya@gmail.com with details.

Sathya once again has proved that he has established himself and the instrument Keyboard in the carnatic field and this was evident from the fact that Vani Mahal mini hall was almost full. While he had some technical power problem which hold up the concert for few minutes, Sathya gave a performance with full power in his mind and act.

The lists of songs selected were of high quality covering different composers and of rare ragas. The concert enhancement duty was handed over to Sri Vijay on the violin and Ramnarayanan on the mrudhangam and both did their part to the best satisfaction of the audience.

His raga alapana for Aboghi – Sri Mahaganapathim and Chandrajothi – Bagadhanaiye were short but a great presentation exploring the nuances of the carnatic on the western instrument. He went on to elobarate Saveri raga alapana for Thayai nee maravathe and Kaapi for Inthasowkyama. Both these were of high standard and the short redemption of both showed the time restriction he had in hand as this was only a 90 mts concert and almost 5-10 taken away by the electricity problem. He concluded the concert with Revathy – Thillana.

The crowd following has been continuing Sathya and this adds more responsibility for him to maintain his high standards.

Words of Shayam Prakash the lead singer who performed before Sathya’s concert, as said:

“All the keerthanas played were relay good especially the raga Chandrajothi and Kaapi. He is playing the keyboard with a melody (gamaks he means!!) and if he tries and gives little more it will be great. The kalpanaswarams were also presented with great care and with more and more exposure and experience he will be developing into a great quality musician. His method of announcing the song name, ragam and thalam is welcoming and if he can also mention the composers name it will be appreciated.”

Sathya should be reading this msg and am sure will take all the advices.

See you all on 23rd Dec’05 at Mylapore Fine arts, oliver Road.

13th Dec'05 concert for Nungambakkam Cultural Academy

13th Dec’05

Sathya wasgiven Shri Venkateswara Rao on the violin and Mayavaram Siva on the Mrudhangam as enhancement artists.

Sathya’s list for the day was as per following:

1) Varnam Vasantha Athi
2) Gajana Nayutham Chackravagam Athi
3) Ninuvina Navarasa Kanada Rupakam
4) Rama Bakthi Suddha Bangala Athi
5) Gopika Manoharam Mohanam Athi
6) Aiye Metha Kadinam Ragamalika Ekkam
7) Thillana Jonpuri Athi

While you cannot expect any fan following in the audience section for this auditorium it was i.e. even Fan was not provided on stage which left Sathya under great discomfort. He could relax only after he got a fan from one of his fans on stage.

Looking forward to Sathya’s good shows which are lined up from 15th Dec’05 starting with Sri Ravikiran’s Mel Harmony

05 Dec’05 performance at TTD, Chennai

05 Dec’05

Concert enhanced by: B Ananthakrishnan on violin, Arjun Ganesh on mrudhangam and Harihara Subramaniam on the ghatam.

Starting with Navaragamalika varnam, Sathya maintained a good tempo throughout the concert with the second one being Gum Ganapathim on ragam Hamsadhwani. He showed his kalpanaswara gnana in this song apart from the main kirthna Guruleka on Gowri Manohari.

It was mentioned by one of the audience that Sathya’s raga alapana on the main raga of the day Gowri Manohari was commendable and that the co-artists in true spirits performed so well that the concert was a success in all terms.

The selection of songs for the day was wonderful what with Ramabakti – Suddha Bangala, Jagadhanandakaraka – Naatai, Marukelara – Jayanthasri followed by Neepathamegathi in Nalinakanthi, each one was a real gem of presentation.

Sathya was in his top gear for Ravichadrika ragam keerthana – Niravathisukadha and this was followed by Venkatachala nilayam on Sindhu bhairavi with a crisp raga alapana. The main kirthana Guruleka in Gowri Manohari had the best exploration of the raga’s essence and was followed with kalpana swaras which were of highest order with B Anathankrishnan enchansing with his experience.

Arjun Ganesh and Harihara Subramaniam were at their best today in particular for the thani avarthanam. Sathya’s enna kavi padinalum – Neelamani was one of the pleasing songs which was almost next to sounding like a vocal chord followed by Kurai onrum illai and Harivarasanam (these probably has become the audience choice where ever he performs). Thillana on ragam Revathy was performed with great accuracy and with the apt tempo and the day ended with Bagyadha laxmi baramma in Madhyamavathi, with the audience going back with the satisfaction of having heard a good concert. It is sure that we are going to see Sathya continue to perform at his best during this season.

3rd Dec'05 at Ayodhya mandapam for Balakalasagaram

03 Dec’05

Balakalasagaram – Ayodhya Mandapam

KeyboardSathya’s Dec’05 Music festival series concert started off with the concert at Ram Samaj, Ayodhya Manadapam under Sri Ramjhi’s Balakalasagaram on the 3rd Dec’05. This was indeed a memorable concert as this was Sathya’s 210th concert.

Due to heavy rain in the past week or two there was some problems in the electric connections due to which Sathya could not use his Korg keyboard and it was indeed after 1 year Sathya gave a full length concert in his Yamaha 640 instrument. H/ever he had his new Roland NS 30 Cube Monitor now presented by Sri Parthasarathy, a bank officer.

Starting the concert with Abogi varanm with thisram the team of Sathya on keyboard, Sudha R S Iyer on the violin and Sumesh Narayanan on the mrudhangam gave an excellent concert throughout. Sathya explored the nuances of carnatic in this instrument in both his sub-main Narayana in Suddha Dhanyasi and Inthasowkkyamu in Kaapi. While Sudha R S Iyer gave support and executed her skills in playing bowing techniques, Sumesh Narayanan was wonderful in his thani avarthanam. The list of songs included the following:

Vinaya - Hamsadhwani - Athi
Seethamma mayamma - Vasantha - Rupakam
Sadhimchane - Arabi - Athi
Kuzhaludhi - Kombodhi - Athi
Ramannuku Mannan - Hindolam - Athi
Bo Sambo - Revathy - Ekkam
Kurai onrum illai - Ragamalika - Athi Audiene choice
Radha Samedha - Misrta Yamen - Athi
Sriman Narayana - Bowli - Athi Audiene choice
Chinanchiru kiliye - Ragamalika - Tisra Ekkam Audiene choice
Harivarasanam Audiene choice
Jaga Janani - Rathipathipriya - Athi

The team ended the concert with Raghupathy Raghava Rajaram which was very moving and inspired the audience present to chant the Rama Mantra while being played.

18thDec’05 Sakkarai Amman Koil, Thiruvanmiyur

18thDec’05 Sakkarai Amman Koil, Thiruvanmiyur

It was a raining heavily and infact one thought if the kutcheri will actually be there. However it proved to be so much of worth for 50 odd rasikas who had gathered to listen to the team under Sathya for Ramjhi’s Issai Mazhalai.

The audience were really left spell bound with the performance of the team in particular with that of Sathya and the mrudhangam artist from USA, Ms Rajna Swaminathan apart from Koushik Sivaramakrishnan on violin.

Sathya started with Mohana varnam and in the charanam went on to play two kalams and surprised the audience. Both Koushik and Rajana came out with great performance and enhanced the varnam which was an indicator to what was to follow.

The crisp alapana on Nattai followed with Mahaganapathim and kalpanaswara was well received by the audience with good applause. The next krithi Ninuvina – Navarasa Kananda was really jaiving presented in apt kalapramanam. The sangathis were explored to the core and Rajna made a great impact in the edupus. This followed with Thaye thrupurasundhari – Sudhha saveri with allapana and it was to note that the kutcheri has now already 4 different thalams. Sathya sang two lines of the pallavi of a song composed by Sri Ravikiran titled the Destiny on Boopalam and played the same with great care. Nalinakanthi on Keyboard was explored well by Sathya ably presented with care by Koushik on the violin for the krithi Neepathamegathi.

Sathya presented Ithinyama on Malavi with a great speed to be followed with a great rendition of Hindolam raga alapana for Samaja varagamana by both himself and Kousik. The variations on different patterens in the kalpanaswarams by Sathya was appreciated well and then Rajna carried the audience with her good thani. With the request of the audience Sathya finished the concert with Bo Sambo and as felt by the rasikas it is evident Sathya is moving slowly and steadily to the next stage and with growing rasika following him he is sure to ensure that he keeps performing his best in all the concerts to follow.

Abaswaram in the name of Ramjhi was redefined as Abaraswaram and it is true that with this gentleman around all the budding artist have their best of time and place to exhibit their talents. The successful show in the morning of Master Anantharaman’s DVD release function is the perfect example for this.

17 Dec’05 Bharat Kalachar

17 Dec’05 Bharat Kalachar

It was Sathya’s own ground (home ground in cricketing terms!) as you can say and he was comfortable with regard to audio and other arrangements as it was another concert in his own school premises (even though in different location). Performing for Bharat kalachar is always an enjoyable one for Sathya and so was for all the rest of the artists who enhanced the show today, K P Nandhini on violin, Srivanchiam Sriram on the Mrudhangam and Prashanth on the Ghatam under Issai Mazhalai.

The start with Bhairavi varnam in two kalams showed that Sathya is trying his hard to get the nuances of the carnatic sangathis and he was really successful to the effect that the audience had a big applaud after the rendition of the varnam. He then moved on to a little alapana on ragam Reethigowla for Thathvamariya tharama and both Sathya and Nandhini showed their proves on their kalpanaswaram prayogams with able and apt support from the percussion team of Sriram and Prashanth. This was followed by the krithi Saraswathi on ragam Saraswathi.

The impact of being on stage with Sri Ravikiran was shown with Sathya playing one of Oothaukadu Venkatakavi’s saptharathna, Balasarasamurali on ragam Keerawani which had the essence of ragam in the alapana by both Sathya and Nandhini. What was evident here was the fact that Sathya has started exploring the bender to a great extent and is now almost using it with such an ease that the fineness is brought out on the lower octaves also. The new monitor speaker is also adding flavour to his efforts to a larger extent with its clarity of output. Sathya went on to Marugelara on Jayanthashri and it was presented with the apt speed.

Raga alapana on Valaji for Sathathamu by both Sathya and Nandhinee were of great quality and the entire team was complemented by Smt. Y G P the chairman, Bharat Kalachar for their great show of talents. Sriram and Prashanth gave a crisp and good thani which added value to the concerts. Sathya wanted to end the concert with Lalgudi’s Jonpuri Thillanna and after request from the audience finished the concert with Bharathiyar’s Chinanchirukiliye.

The surprise factor for the concert was the presence of good number of audience close to 50 and more for this 9am concert which only goes to show that Ramjhi’s ‘ISSAI MAZHALAI’ has made a big impression in total and so with Sathya’s popularity rating also growing.

15th dec'05 in Sri Ravikiran's Mel Harmony

15th Dec’05 KeyboardSathya in Chitraveena Ravikiran’s ‘MELHARMONY ‘


Pandit Ravishankar on seeing Ravikiran render a concert in his very early ages said “If you don’t believe God see Ravikiran”. Sathya was blessed to perform on stage today with the Music Maestro Chitraveena Ravikiran accompanied by Ghatam – Konnakkol exponent Subash Chandran, Ganesh Kumar on Ghanjira, Triplicane Sekar on Thavil, Upcoming Violin Virtuoso Akkarai Subhalakshmi and Chaitanya on Flute for the Jaya TV’s Margazhi Maho Utsavam.


The group presented 7 Gems namely

Sankara on Raaga Hamsadhwani composed by Shri Subash Chandran with own creations on Kalpanaa Swara by the melody team.

The Haunted Brook – Sri Ravikiran’s Composition on Raaga Hamsanaadham was presented with perfection that it was lingering in the minds of the audience.

No Nonsense Five – Sri Ravikiran’s Composition on Raaga Jana Ranjani was a peace presented to the synonym to the Raaga’s itself proved by the audience rhythmic taps.

Saptharathnam on Raaga Keeravani composed by renowed Uthukaadu Venkatakavi brought out the nuances of carnatic with foot tapping rhythmic support.

Mel-Harmony a master piece of Ravikiran’s composition on raga Keeravani presented with the support of Audio CD and Live support by the artists on stage. This piece owns the pride of being the first Indian Composition incorporated for a Thesis presentation in University of Boston by a renowned music composer from US.

Divine Brotherhood on Raaga Kalyani brought out the best from each of the artist in terms Raaga alaapana Kalpana Swara Prayogams and Laya Koravai. A basic piece composed by Shri Subash Chandran had elaborate Raaga alaapana by the melody team and ending with Thani aavarthanam by the percussion team which left the audience spellbound.

Thillaana the final piece for the day was full of life which made audience feel the impact of goodness of music and its therapeutic values.


It was indeed a great opportunity for Sathya to perform with a Galaxy of Star studded musicians and he matched them with his brilliant performance. His knowledge on Chord progression, which is the basics of Western Music, was evident in all the pieces. He excelled with his exploration on the nuances of carnatic music on Keyboard during his presentation Raaga alaapana and Kalpana Swara Prayogams.

Everyone present had the greatest satisfaction of being a part of the MEL-HARMONY and it is sure that this would be his launch pad to get into the next horizon in the field of music.

16 Dec'05 concert review of KeyboardSathya's performance

December’05 concert review updates
16 Dec’05

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Arts Academy, Meenakshi College, Kodambakkam.

It was a different day, venue, co-artist and in particular ambience after the earlier day’s show for Jaya TV. It was an audience which was youthful, energetic and with great fragrance as the venue today was Meenakshi College for Women.

Sathya had to finish an exam today in his school and reached the venue in his uniform where he changed himself to the artist costume with his patent of a red line on his forehead. He started with Navaragamalika varnam in the appropriate speed and went on to perform two kalams with madhyama kala pramanam in the charanam. The team of Ananthapadmanaba – violin, Kumbakonam Saravanan – Mrudhangam, Papanasam Sethuraman – Kanjeera and Akyilesh – Sound Engineer and bass chord started enhancing the concert right from the word go and the first number really gave the indication of what was in store for the day.

Sathya took up Vathapi Ganapathim on Hamsadwani with crisp but spaced raga alapana and niraval on Pranavaswarupa. The kalapana swaram that followed was a real charm with interaction between Sathya and Ananthapadmanaba peaking with able support from Sri Saravanan and Sethuraman. He then went on to show glimpse of raga alapana on Suddha Dhanyasi before rendering Purandaradasar’s Narayanan krithi.

Sadimchane was rendered next starting with a good tempo and the team went on to jet speed while performing the charanam thus exhibiting Sathya’s talent in using the instrument and his fingering techniques. With elaborate raga alapana of Vasantha Sathya showed how this instrument can be handled to give out the nuances of carnatic i.e. gamakas with ease. Ananthapadmanaba probably gave his best of vasantha for his part. It was in the next krithi of Nagumomu Sathya showed signs of little lapse in concentration and he skipped playing the anupallavi.

Sathya came back with great presentation of Alaipayudhey and it almost sounded as if some one was really singing. His presentation of raga alapana on Charukesi as that of Ananthapadmanabha were well applauded by the audience and the full house hall was treated with bonus when Sathya performed swararagamalika with Valaji, Hamsadwani and Rathipathipriya. After elaborating in each raga Sathya went on to play an aruthi which took great applause. Saravanan and Sethuraman excelled in their thani and it was indeed a great opportunity for all laya lovers as they exhibited all the colours of athi thalam.

Inspired on working with Sri Chithraveena Ravikiran Sathya went on to perform one of his composition titled ‘Destiny’ o raga Boopalam which was presented with great care and perfection. Infact he sang the pallvi lines of the composition and it is to be mentioned here that his vocal chord was also very good.

The krithis Radhasamedha, Kuraionrum illai followed by Desh Thillana were all presented with precision and he made the audience involve themselves in the final number Raghupathy Raghava Rajajaram where almost the entire hall started chanting Rama nama. A succeful day indeed for Sathya and he has added few hundred more well wishers / rasikas in his bank.