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Strings Attached  - Thematic Concert

Jayanthi (Veena) & Kumaresh (Violin) with
Neyveli Narayanan (Mridangam)
Trichy Krishnaswamy (Ghatam)


Sunday, May 20, 5:00 PM

Venue

HHH Cowles Auditorium
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Kumaresh (Violin) / Jayanthi (Veena)Neyveli Narayanan
Tickets:

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Advance $12.00 $17.00
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Strings Attached is a collaborative production, of two of the very innovative, expressive and exciting artists of Carnatic music. Violin Kumaresh an integral part of the Ganesh Kumaresh duo, is a performer, composer, and teacher of distinction; teams up with Veenai Jayanthi, who is a world-class performer, composer and teacher as well. The duo, both musically and in life, converse (Samvada), through their instruments creating imagery from the most profound to the most endearing. This is the first time this collaboration is presented in the US.

What the artiste's say:

A musical performance for an artiste is all about expressing his/her emotional connect with the art form and try and reach out to the listening audience with those musical moments.
Strings Attached is an expression where in we, more as musicians in conversation, try to connect with the audience our musical thoughts, musical exchanges, the converging and diverging points, the climaxes, the beginning, the profound, the subtle etc. It is a journey of expanding and exploring the musical emotions and expressions of our soul through the sounds of our individual instruments, which has been our dearest friends.
Veena and Violin that way are very accommodative and dynamic instruments which move and sway along with our ideas and help us connect not only with ourselves, but with each other and more importantly with you, the listening audience.
Strings Attached is truly a culmination of many a thought process coming together to express the celebration of the art as the musical expression of the way of life !!!!!



About the Artists


Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh
Jayanthi has been enthralling audiences the world over with her graceful, emotive and expressive music for the last 25 years. The Statesman, a well acclaimed daily quotes that Jayanthi is “The best and most versatile Veena artiste we have today.”

Born into a family where music has been the mainstay for the last seven generations, Jayanthi started playing the Veena when she was barely 3. Winning her way through several laurels and awards right from her childhood, Jayanthi was soon one of the youngest artistes in Veena to receive A-TOP grading from All India Radio (the highest grade offered by the only grading body in India).

In recognition of her artistry, the Government of Tamilnadu has honoured her with the title of Kalaimamani. She has also been the recipient of prestigious awards like the 'Best Main Musician', 'Best Veena concert of the year', 'Sathyashree', 'Veena Nada Mani' and the like.  

Jayanthi has been invited by prestigious organisations across the world like Theatre de la Ville in Paris, the UN and World Music Centre in New York, Music Guimet in Paris, Woodstock in United States, Indo- German Societies, the Indian embassy at Sharjah and several such platforms to represent the National instrument of India – the Saraswathi Veena.

Apart from solo performances, Jayanthi has performed several jugalbandhis and has also collaborated with musicians from other types of music in her own World music band called Indian Spice. As a composer, Jayanthi has scored music for a host of dance productions and musicals that have premiered in India and abroad, including Krishna Bhakthi, Abbakarani and Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya. She has also composed for the National South Asian Youth orchestra of the UK.

Jayanthi is the disciple of her maternal aunt Smt. Padmavathy Ananthagopalan and Veena Maestro Dr.S.Balachander. Her maternal uncle, the Violin Legend Lalgudi Sri. Jayaraman is a great influence and inspiration for her.

Jayanthi has recorded several CDs for companies all over the world like Times Music, Music Today, Sense World, Earthsync, Navras, Home Records etc. She recently came out with an album called 'Mysterious Duality' in which for the first time one artiste and one instrument have created an orchestral effect. This album focuses on the multi-dimensional persona of the self. Mysterious duality is her tribute to the most majestic instrument that India has contributed to the world – the Veena.

Jayanthi was awarded a Doctorate by the University of Mysore for her work on the subject "Analytical Study of Different Banis and Playing techniques of the Saraswathi Veena".
Jayanthi has evolved her own identity and style by making the Veena her voice in expressing many a new musical thought to the audiences across the globe. She has today made the Veena the focal point of musical essence and experience.

For more information and sample music clips of the artist please visit www.veenaijayanthi.org

R.Kumaresh


R.Kumaresh is part of the well known prodigal violinist duo - Ganesh and Kumaresh.  The brothers, who were hailed as ‘Child Violin Prodigies’, gave their first public performance in the year 1972, when Ganesh was just 7 years and Kumaresh 5 years. Since then, the brothers have performed in different places in India and in a number of countries across the globe.  Ganesh Kumaresh have been the only violin duo to have performed for more than three decades together. The brothers have carved a niche for Indian instrumental music with their impeccable and remarkable technique both in playing the instrument and in interpreting the musical forms. Their music is laden with virtuosity and brims with soul stirring creativity, soaked in classicism.

Trained by their father Shri T. S. Rajagopalan, a veteran violinist, Ganesh Kumaresh completed their hundredth stage appearance before the younger brother was ten years of age. By the time they were into their teens, they were performing with the veterans in the musical field.

Ganesh Kumaresh are today a much honored and widely traveled musical team. They have made inspirational and exhilarating forays into world music teaming up with such luminaries as Dr. Balamurali Krishna, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakaram, Late Valangaiman Shanmugasundaram,A R Rehman, John Mclaughin, Illayaraja, Rajan Mishra, Sajan Mishra, Umalayapuram Sivaraman, Palghat Raghu, T K Murthy, Steve Thornton, Trilok Gurtu and the list is truly long.

Their deep-rooted strength in playing Carnatic Music in the traditional way has made them the favorites with the purists as well as the uninitiated.  Their strict adherence to classicism and their virtuosity with an innovative approach in their presentation has earned the appreciation of thousands of music lovers across the globe. The brothers have given new dimensions to the realm of music and have brought out a refreshingly original content and style for this form of art. Having performed in several top notch global festivals, their creative idiom is international in nature and their communication through music crosses all boundaries. Their musical caliber is recognized worldwide.  They have been responsible in making violin, which was all along considered a mere accompanying instrument, occupy the centre stage of a concert platform.

For more information and sample music clips of the artist please visit www.ganeshkumaresh.org

Neyveli Narayanan

Hailing from a family of music connoisseurs at Neyveli, Narayanan was initiated into the art of Mrudangam playing at the young age of seven, under the guidance of Sri S.K. Ganesa Pillai. He made his debut at the age of 11 and ever since, he has been rising in his art by furthering his horizons and making a mark in the field of carnatic music. An intensive training under the Maestro Late Thanjavur Sri Upendran brought about a great amount of professionalism in Narayanan's playing. His guru taught him the intricacies and specialities of the Tanjore Style of playing on the mrudangam.

Narayanan is now blessed with the rare opportunity of being one of the favourite disciples of the Mrudangam Legend Padmabushan Umayalpuram Sri K.Sivaraman. This great influence has brought in a great amount of clarity, precision and perfection in Narayanan's style.

Narayanan is a post graduate in rhythmology from Madras University. He has accompanied almost all the veterans and present day stars of carnatic music, to name a few, M/S. Madurai T.N Seshagopalan, T.V. Sankaranarayanan, K.V. Narayanaswamy, T.R. Subramanyam, O.S. Thyagarajan, T.N. Krishnan, Mandolin Srinivas, FluteRamani, Chitravina Ravikiran, Sudha Ragunathan, Sowmya, Aruna Sairam, Hyderabad Brothers, Malladi Brothers, M.S. Gopalakrishnan, E.Gayatri, BombayJayasri, and others. He had the privilege of sharing the stage with the Grammy Award winner, Tabla Wizard Maestro Zahir Hussian recently with Violin Vidwans Sri Ganesh Kumaresh. He has cut several commercial records, released by recording institutions like Charsur, Rajalakshmi Audio, Music India, HMV, etc.

Narayanan has performed in all the leading sabhas in India. He has also won acclaim in other countries like USA, Canada, Australia, Newzeland, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Dubai, Muscat, Doha, Abudhabi, Singapore, Malaysia and Hongkong. He has also participated in many National and international festivals like the Festival of Asia in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, National Arts council in Singapore etc.,

As an 'A-TOP' grade artist, Narayanan has been featured regularly by the All India Radio and TV networks, which also included prestigious broadcasts like Southzone Hook-up, Sangeetha Sammelan and National Programme of music.

Narayanan has students both in India, USA, Canada and UK . They are taught through internet and phone and refresher classes during the visits to those places.

Narayanan is indebted to his parents Sri Rajagopalan and Smt.Meenakshi , who with their insight and vision nurtured his talent as well his family who have been a constant source of support.

For more information and sample music clips of the artist please visit http://neyvelinarayanan.com

Trichy Krishnaswamy

Trichy Krishnaswamy began his training in Ghatam and Mridangam at a tender age of 10 from Tanjai Sri V Srinivasan and B Harikumar respectively.

He has performed in All India Radio, Doordarshan (Indian National Television)  several sabhas all over india including the well known sabhas in Chennai, Kolkota, Thiruananthapuram, Trichy and Pune.  He has provided accompaniment to Chengalpat Sri Renganathan, TV Shankaranarayanan,  O S Thyagarajan, Padmashri Sudha Raghunathan, Nithyashri Mahadevan, T M Krishna and Sikkil Gurucharan among others.  He has also provided accompaniment to well known instrumentalists including Sikkil Sisters (flute), R Kumaresh (violin), Jayanthi Kumaresh (Veena), Geetha Bennet (Veena),  Kadari Gopalnath (Saxophone).

Trichy Krishnaswamy has been awarded with several accolades including Aasthana Vidwan of Kamakoti Peetham of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Iyal, Isai, Nataka Manram (Tamilnadu Sangeeth-Natak Academy).  He has also been awarded the scholarship in the field of Ghatam from Ministry of Culture, Government of India.  All India Radio audition Panel has accorded him the rank "Direct B-High Grade" artiste.





About the Venue:
The Cowles Auditorium is located across the street from the 19th Ave Ramp, in the Hubert H Humphrey Center, University of MN, West Bank campus, Minneapolis. The 21st Ave Ramp is also convenient.

Map of Hubert H. Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota, West Bank, Minneapolis

To get to the 19th Ave Parking Ramp:

  • 35W to U of MN exit (Washington Ave S). East on Washington to Cedar Ave S. South on Cedar Ave S to 3rd St S. East on 3rd St S 1/ 2 block.
  • I94 to Cedar Ave S. North on Cedar Ave S to 3rd St S. East on 3rd St S 1/ 2 block.
  • Washington Ave SE from U of MN east bank. Exit on Cedar Ave. S. South on Cedar Ave S to 3rd St S. East on 3rd St S 1/ 2 block.

Acknowledgments:

IMSOM’s Spring 2012 Concert Series has been made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Honeywell "Dollars for Doers" Grant, a matching grant from US Bank and IMSOM members and donors. These concerts are co-sponsored by KFAI Radio (90.3FM in Mpls/106.7FM in St. Paul).
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For further information contact:
 
Durgesh Manjure
durgeshmanjure@yahoo.com
Ameeta Kelekar ameeta@imsom.org

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