Ganesh and Kumaresh
– the ace violin duo of
Carnatic Music, hit the headlines in 1972, with their very first stage
appearance at the ages of 7 and 5. Over three decades, the brothers have more
than lived up to the promise they showed at that debut, carving a niche for
themselves in a field where violin playing has been taken to heights of
international excellence by great Carnatic maestros.
The brothers are unique. Their violin technique is impeccable and remarkable –
powerful, precise, with platinum tonality and incredible virtuosity. Their music
is highly creative, vigorous and stretches the seams of aesthetic possibilities.
Compositions flow with precision, alacrity and a deep sense of individual
interpretation, raga alapanas are essays of mystical originality, rhythmic
improvisations swell and descend like cascades of radiance.
The Violin duo have taken the Audio world by storm with the releases of their
albums ‘Uthsav’, ‘Vasantham’, Nada Tarangini’, ‘Shantham’, ‘Anantham’,
‘Manoranjani’ and many more.
Ganesh and Kumaresh have developed their own unique style of playing the Violin.
Their style is the true representation of the blend of tradition and creativity.
Ganesh and Kumaresh have always believed that each instrument should have its
own scores of music that would project the beauty and tonality of that
particular instrument. By playing only Vocal music on the instruments, they feel
that artistes are limiting the scope of the respective instruments. In this
connection, they have composed many purely instrumental raga based compositions
that they have termed as ‘RAGAPRAVAHAM’.
Mannargudi Easwaran is a top-ranking mridangam artiste with over 35 years performance experience. He is a descendant of the legendary Appayya Dikshitar. He commenced his training at the young age of eight. Easwaran has accompanied most of the leading vocalists and instrumentalists including Dr Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Dr M.S. Subbulakshmi, the Dr M. L. Vasantakumari, the Maharajapuram Santhanam, Prof. T. N. Krishnan and Sri Lalgudi Jayaraman. Clear dexterity, melodic percussion and spontaneous brilliance mark Shri Easwaran’s playing. His tani avartanams are thrilling and intellectual. He had the privilege of teaching mridangam at the San Francisco State University during 1979 and at the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Kalluri as a visiting professor for the year 2002-2003. He works for All India Radio and was the first staff artiste to be graded at the top rank by the AIR. His skilful accompaniment has won him many prizes and titles from prestigious institutions including the title of Asthana Vidwan by Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and Best Mridangist from Kalarasana in 1993. In December 1995, Sri Thyaga Bramha Gana Sabha honored him for 35 years of service to music.
S.V. Ramani
Ramani is one of the leading Ghatam players in India. Over the years, he has accompanied most of the leading vocalists and instrumentalists in India.
About the Instrument: The Ghatam is a bulgy clay pitcher with thin neck which is open on top. It comes from South-India. It is played on the lap or is set on a tabla ring. The Ghatam is struck with the fingers and both hands. Belly, Neck and upper edge sound different in pitch and sound. Striking the opening with the palm plays a typical modulatable bass tone.