Kamalaambike in Sri Raagam by Weslayians...

This one just blew me away....

It is really heartening to see Classical Carnatic Music being sung by Westerners.

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A related article:

Jon Higgins was an American vocalist who trained in Carnatic Classical music in India some decades ago. He attained great heights in Carnatic vocal music and was conferred the title, "Higgins Bhagavathar". He lived in India for many years and sadly, during one of his visits to his home country, was killed in an automobile accident...

There is a wonderful story involving in an incident that happened when Jon Higgins and his party of musicians went to the Krishna temple at Udupi. The American wore a dhoti and a kurta as was his custom in Madras, but he was much too fair complexioned to be an Indian, and the priests would not let him enter the temple as non Hindus were allowed inside….So Jon stood where Kanakadasa the untouchable had stood centuries ago, to catch a glimpse of the idol from a distance as best he could. His musician friends stood with him, refusing to go inside the temple if Jon was not allowed.Then it occurred to one of them to ask Jon to sing the famous song,"Krishna, nee begane baro," a composition in Kannada….

When the air was filled with the vibrant melody of his splendid voice there was no keeping away the crowds that gathered around to hear him. The priests, astonished, begged the singer to come in ...

Thought for the day

I enjoy listening to music more than playing. Thats the plain bare facts. But then I might still be too young a player to really enjoy while I am playing. It could be something that grows on you. Perhaps. But right now, when I am playing, there are 100s of things that I have to think and sweat out before I can play it right. The framework of the raga, the taala, the lyrics, the what-next dread, the bow-movement, the speed and clarity, the lubrication on the finger. Phew!

I mean, you listen to Endaro Mahanubhavulu, and you dance along with it, but if you are the one who are playing, you need to continuously remember whats coming next, how to improvise, how to keep the audience dancing along with the music...there is simply so much basics to stick to...and its at that moment, that I feel I am just imparting the enjoyment but not really enjoying the music myself because of the paraphernalia involved...

Well, many more years to go, I guess...for me to both play and enjoy at the same time...