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A revolutionary
movement called ‘Issai Mazhalai’ in the year 2000 by Shri. Ramjhi.
Initially, it started off with a group of 14 children singing light music.
After a couple of years, a concept called ‘Bala Brahmam’ was evolved,
where the children sang Carnatic, Hindusthani, Western and Film Music,
based on the concept of allied ragas. At present, Shri. Ramjhi is doing
yeomen service to Carnatic music, by having developed Issai Mazhalai into
a group of more than 50 children, who professionally perform Carnatic
Music in various stages. For the purpose of training children in the
concert pattern, Shri. Ramjhi has been organizing advanced coaching camps
with eminent gurus, for the past two years, during the Summer vacations.
In addition to this, purely for the development of the already performing
children, Shri. Ramjhi intended organizing a Ragam Tanam Pallavi workshop.
With the help of Kalaimamani Srimushnam Shri.V. Raja Rao, Trichy Shri. J.
Venkatraman has been brought to Chennai to train the children in pallavi
singing. A house has been rented in T.Nagar for two months and the Pallavi
classes have been happening successfully for the past one month.
Shri.Venkatraman will be handling the students till the first week of
June. After that, Shri. Raja Rao has kindly agreed to take classes for the
rest of the month.
ABOUT SHRI. J. VENKATRAMAN
Trichy Sri. J. Venkatraman,
born on 5.7.1934, had his initial training in music from his father Sri. K. V.
Jayarama Iyer. He then had advanced training from Harmonium and Sangeetha
Vidwan Alathur Sri.Venkatesa Iyer. He is an A Grade artist at All India Radio,
Trichy. The veteran Musician has many awards to his credit, to name a few are
the Best Junior Artist award from Music Academy Chennai, Gold Medal for Best
Pallavi concert from Music Academy Chennai, Mridangam Maestro Palani
Subramanya Pillai Award, ‘Sangeetha Chintamani’ from Tanjore presented by
Dr.Balamuralikrishna, Ramanathapuram Shankara Shiva Bagavathar Memorial Award
from Madurai and many more. Shri.Venkatraman, a veteran vidwan of high
reputation, humbly dedicates all his accolades and laurels to his parents and
Guru.
When asked about his experience at the
workshop, JV says …
‘I consider this a golden
opportunity that has come my way. It is absolutely wonderful to stay here in
Chennai and teach these lovely Children. As much as it is important for
students to get good gurus, it is important for gurus to get good students. In
that way, I should say these students I’ve got are so very good. It is a
pleasure teaching them. I consider this as a god-given opportunity to pass on
my knowledge to these children, who are budding stars of tomorrow. I sincerely
pray to the almighty that these children should always work hard and reach
great heights in their career.’
The students speak…
"We enjoy every minute we
spend here. It is wonderful to learn such new concepts everyday. The lessons
mama teaches us are all so interesting and intellectual. Mama’s affection
towards us makes the learning process more wonderful and easier. We are all
truly blessed to learn from such a great man", says Suchitra
Badrinarayanan says, "It is
such a blessing to attend mama’s classes everyday. We look forward to learning
from him every year. I also pray that many more people should be blessed to
learn from mama in the forthcoming years."
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Vidya Kalyanaraman. |
