for students and lovers of Carnatic music
Kalaimamani TR Sundaresan (Chennai) is a versatile percussionist with “A-grade” ranking at the national Indian broadcasting service (All India Radio). He is known for his mastery of several South Indian percussion instruments in addition to the Mridangam (double-sided drum), Ghatam (claypot), Kanjira (small tambourine), Morsing (Jew’s harp) and Konnakkol (rhythmic solmisation). The Kalaimamani title is the … Read more
A challenge to enjoy on a daily basis (30 min.): Select a popular melakarta raga to get into the “flow” >>(e.g. the 65th Mecakalyani) before exploring others (01 to 72) in 36 daily sessions, over and over again – Happy Flowing! Over a longer period, start each practice session with a mela having Prati Ma for … Read more
Ludwig Pesch (1955) is a German-born musicologist, educator and musician. Interested in “other” ways of teaching and sharing music, he completed his Diploma Course in Carnatic Music (First Class) at Kalakshetra after serving as church organist and studying music and musicology in Freiburg (Germany). He specialized in playing the bamboo flute under the guidance of Ramachandra Shastry (1906-92) – musical heir to … Read more
“The most thorough study of Carnatic music is by Ludwig Pesch.” – Historian of religions and musicologist Guy L. Beck in “Hinduism and Music” (OXFORD HANDBOOKS ONLINE , 2014) “I frequently dip into your books when in need of some clarification. Marvellous work.” – Ramnarayan Venkatrama, Editor-in-Chief, SRUTI MAGAZINE (unsolicited response by email, 18 July 2013) “useful … Read more
a = middle octave (madhya sthayi)‘sa = higher octave (tara sthayi) The above svara pattern may be sung, hummed or practiced silently with any svara variants: those you are already familiar with (e.g. raga Mayamalavagaula, mela 15, raga Dhirasankarabharanam, mela 29, raga Mecakalyani, mela 65) or any other you want to practice. Enjoy practicing by … Read more