Eternity visits Los Angeles….Rendezvous with Dr. BalaMuraliKrishna..Living legend of Carnatic Music…

There can be no words to describe the enthralling performance of a great legend of our times….I have been watching him from the first Mile Sur Mera Thumara days in 80’s and watching him live is nothing but a great blessing.

 
A multifaceted personality, a gifted soul, a rendition that is equivalent to the supreme souls of Indian Classical Music and he joins the connoisseurs of Carnatic world including Annamaya, Thyagabhrama, and so many other legends. The simplicity of the man in his smile, the beautiful artistic interaction with his fans…and the competitions he brings in with his accompanists is a visual treat, a divine grace and above all a soul stirring dive into the music of Carnatic songs….the bhavas, the ragas and the samskruthi….. there can be no par!....I am so glad I was able to show this great legend to my child, a budding artist and she would realize what an opportunity it was to see him singing sitting in the first few rows… an awakening experience


His first opening song of ‘Endaro Mahanubhavulu….’ ,. I felt amongst all, he was the biggest Mahan!. ‘Samajavaragamana…’ made the crowd sway in an eternal ecstacy..and ‘Akilandeswari’ evoked goddess Durga just before the duga puja celebrations week to begin..and people were waiting for him to continue…when he smiled and said ‘over’….’Muruga…. ‘was an wonderful performance having B.U.Ganesh Prasad on Violin and Tanjavur K Murugaboopathy on Mridangam…what a great percussionists he had..young talents and wonderful. Saraswathi who gave the introduction of his songs and anecdotes was not only perfect…but very gifted. His song in Hindi calling Bala Gopala…was taking us all into the world of Bridhavanam…just can feel lord krishna dancing in the corners of the fully packed high school auditorium in Norwalk, Los Angeles, CA here in USA.

The one mystical minute was when he explained his love of travelling in train between ‘Bejawada’ to ‘Madras’ now called Vijayawada and Chennai…. And the way he recited all the stations in a musical way…as a child who took this route for several years, I could be nothing but overwhelmed..shouting my town, my city, my route,…my maestro! He ended the recitation like a child who finished his first poem recitation and smiled in fact giggled with blushes….it was such a treat to watch him like a little child feeling pride and happy after every song…such a humility and happiness in an artist of his caliber is a rare phenomenon. His ‘Tilana’ was the last song in the concert and it made us feel like wanting to dance…and I could see all people around tapping their feet in a happiness….the real happiness and success of an artist is when he can get his audience spell bound and rejoice in the presence forgetting everything else around and stay glued to the seat and eyes on him all the moments.

At the age of 81 his ardent dedication and physical strength, is only possible when the soul is truly submerged in the endeavor he is doing…and it is his inner enormous love for music that is giving him that ability to manage the pressure of concerts and sitting down for 3 hours continuously ….In all ways…for us who are blessed to be alive during his times, who are privileged to get to see him and enjoy his life….it gives a greater meaning of what we called is eternity of Indian Music….a lasting memory of happiness for rest of our lives. Long live Sir,…and hope you would bless many more children around you to see this mystical performances….To me, you are an eternal bliss

And for those who were were wondering, what are the stations he mentioned between Vijaywada and Chennai , here is the list:

Vijayawada Junction

Krishna Canal Junction

Kolanukonda

Peddavadiapudi

Chiluvur

Duggirala

Kolakalur

Tenali Junction

Tsunduru

Modukuru

Nidubrolu

Machavaram

Appikatla

Bapatla

Stuartpuram

Ipurupalem

Ipurupalem Halt

Chirala

Jandrapeta

Vetapalemu

Kotta Pandilla Palli

Kadavakuduru

Chinna Ganjam

Uppugunduru

Raparla Halt

Ammanabrolu

Karavadi

Ongole

Surareddipalem

Tanguturu

Singarayakonda

Ulavapadu

Tettu

Kavali

Sri Venkateswarpalem

Bitragunta

Alluru Road

Talamanchi

Kodavaluru

Padugupadu

Nellore

Nellore South

Vedayapalem

Venkatachalam

Manubolu

Gudur Junction

Odur

Pedapariya

Nayadupeta

Doravari Chatram

Polireddipalem

Sullurupeta

Akkampet

Tada

Arambakkam

Elavur

Gummidipundi

Kavaraippettai

Ponneri

Anuppambattu

Minjur

Nandiyampakkam

Attippattu

Ennore

Kathivakkam

Wimco Nagar

Tiruvottiyur

V.0.C. Nagar

Tondiarpettai

Korukkupettai Junction

Basin Bridge Junction

Chennai Central•

It took me around 7 hours always to travel this distance but surely would take more than that to get these names byheart .....and doubt it if I can ever can :-) 

Online Carnatic Music Class

Today was my daughter's first carnatic music class online...It was really a very beautiful experience. The power of technology and Internet... irrespective of the time zones and the distance, nothing stopped from achieving the objective of being connected to the roots in today's world. It was Saturday 8 am, over the webex meeting, here in Los Angeles, California, USA, my pre-teen was ready for the tutor sitting on the other side of the planet across 3 oceans and continents.

I have done many a conference calls and webex meetings in my professional life, have counselled people on Internet and addressed many complex life situations sitting anywhere in the world as part of being a physcology counsellor...but this was truly an enriching experience.

One that my kid was excited to find a teacher who gives her fullest attention and next was not discontinuing her passioned learning despite of her relocation. Though it is not a very cost effective solution, it is surely an optimal one, as the attention is on, the teacher is focused as much as the child and the music is in the air.... today there is nothing that is not possible with internet to satisfy our quest buds of learning.

From E-Partying, to virtual marriages and virtual offices, the world is going towards a "Best Shore" option which my mentor and role model in office, Mrs Sudha Sastry emphasis in her speeches and motivational seminars....today as she receives this year's EWIT excellence award for the 3rd time in row, I am too proud of having knowing her and being in her path of success...to me women achievers beyond the personal calling, when they set themselves in the path of success managing both as a parent and professional, the person in me is excited and motivated....Love you Sudha, god bless you for more success and I am very very proud of you....

Glad I am part of this world where virtual aspects still have the human touch, the required emotional quotient and beyond all, the reality surviving in it....

Music School in Nanganallur Chennai

Music is a ocean of joy and finding the eternity is like searching pearls in this ocean. Music bring in happiness, creates a manifestation of oneself in divinity, transforms one's situation to a different world, creates a syndrome of peace and tranquility. It bonds across borders, re vibrates emotions and refreshes mind, body and soul. Carnatic Music forms the basic essence on which any kind of music can find its roots to. The immense value of ragas and the rejoice of finding different compositions, songs, talams, kirthanas and singers is itself a bondage. A binding relationship. For those who are in the quest of finding a school for music for your children in the neighbourhoods of Adambakkam or Nanganallur in Chennai, here is my recommendation

Smt. Vasanthi Gopal
Sree Krupa Institute of Music
H.O. A55/2. No.26, 3rd Main Road
Nanganallur, Chennai - 600 061

Branch: New No 6, Old no.5
Income Tax, 4th Street
Adambakkam
Chennai- 600 088
Mobile: 9841271539
Phone: 22323269.

As a parent, I liked the way, Vasanthi Mamm teachers her disciples and also the way she handles the needs of each child. Its a sure destination for zestful mothers whose children have interest in music and learning.
You would enjoy being part of this lovely growing Music school in your neighbourhood.
Enjoy Music, learning and Singing to your heart's content!!! In the Divine Saga