Resonance is an album by the Madras String Quartet [1] led by violinist V.S. Narasimhan. The album consists of several compositions in Carnatic Music that are played against a background of harmonies from Western Classical Music. This album is the result of an effort to fuse Western Classical Music and Indian Classical Music. The songs are played entirely on a violin with cellos and violas providing the background.
Some Carnatic Musicians have criticized the Quartet saying that they are "Innovative but Discordant". [2] The album, however has received significant praise from many music enthusiasts all over India. [3]
The album comprises nine songs: [4]
S. No. | Song | Ragam | Thaalam | Composer |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Varnam | Ragamalika | Adi | Patnam Subramania Iyer |
2 | Palukavademira | Devamanohari | Adi | Mysore Vasudevachar |
3 | Esane | Chakravakam | Rupakam | Papanasam Sivan |
4 | Raghuvamsa | Kathanakuthoohalam | Adi | Patnam Subramania Iyer |
5 | Amba Kamakshi | Bhairavi | Misra Chapu | Shyama Sastri |
6 | Mokshamu | Saramati | Adi | Thyagaraja |
7 | Sara sara samarai | Kunthalavarali | Adi | Thyagaraja |
8 | Mohanalahari | Bilahari | Adi | V.S.Narasimhan |
9 | Krishna Ni Begane Baaro | Yamunakalyani | Misra Chapu | Vyasatirtha |
Carnatic music, known as Karnāṭaka saṃgīta or Karnāṭaka saṅgītam in the South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. It is one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu texts and traditions, particularly the Samaveda. The other subgenre being Hindustani music, which emerged as a distinct form because of Persian or Islamic influences from Northern India. The main emphasis in Carnatic music is on vocal music; most compositions are written to be sung, and even when played on instruments, they are meant to be performed in gāyaki (singing) style.
Muthuswami Dikshitar (Mudduswamy Dikshitar)(IAST: muttusvāmi dīkṣitar, 24 March 1776 – 21 October 1835), mononymously Dikshitar, was a South Indian poet, singer and veena player, and a legendary composer of Indian classical music, who is considered one of the musical trinity of Carnatic music. Muthuswami Dikshitar was born on 24 March 1775 in Tiruvarur near Thanjavur, in what is now the state of Tamil Nadu in India, to a family that is traditionally traced back to Virinichipuram in the northern boundaries of the state. His compositions, of which around 500 are commonly known, are noted for their elaborate and poetic descriptions of Hindu gods and temples and for capturing the essence of the raga forms through the vainika (veena) style that emphasises gamakas. They are typically in a slower speed (chowka kala). He is also known by his signature name of Guruguha which is also his mudra (and can be found in each of his songs). His compositions are widely sung and played in classical concerts of Carnatic music.
T. V. Sankaranarayanan, was an Indian Carnatic vocalist, known for his music that stems from the style of his guru and maternal-uncle, Madurai Mani Iyer. TVS was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 2003.
Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal, popularly known as D. K. Pattammal or DKP, was an Indian Carnatic musician and a playback singer for film songs in Tamil. Pattammal, along with her contemporaries M. S. Subbulakshmi and M. L. Vasanthakumari, are popularly referred to as the female trinity of Carnatic Music. This trio initiated the entry of women into mainstream Carnatic Music. She has been appreciated all over the world by Carnatic music lovers.
Uppalapu Srinivas was an Indian mandolin player in Carnatic classical music and composer. Because he was a child prodigy, he was sometimes called the Mozart of classical Indian music.
Kadri Gopalnath was an Indian alto saxophonist and one of the pioneers of Carnatic music for that instrument.
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M.S. Gopalakrishnan, a.k.a. MSG, was a violinist in the field of Carnatic music. He is commonly grouped with Lalgudi Jayaraman and T.N.Krishnan as part of the violin-trinity of Carnatic Music. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1997. He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Kalaimamani, Sangeetha Kalanidhi and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards.
Parakkal Unnikrishnan is an Indian Carnatic vocalist and playback singer.
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Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam is a mridangam Vidwan from a family of traditional musicians in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu, India. He is the recipient of the prestigious Sangeetha Kalanidhi award from The Madras Music Academy for 2021.
Anil Srinivasan is an Indian pianist and an education entrepreneur. Born in Chennai, India and educated at the University of Southern California and at Columbia University, New York, he is well known for his collaborative work with Carnatic vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan and for his pioneering work in music education in South India. Anil Srinivasan was awarded Kalaimamani by government of Tamil Nadu for the year 2019.
Tripunithura Viswanathan Gopalakrishnan, known as TVG, is a Carnatic and Hindustani musician from Cochin, Kerala, India. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 2014.
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Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer Subramanian is a veena player in the Karaikudi Veena Tradition. He is the grandson of Karaikudi Subbarama Iyer and adoptive son of Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer.
V. S. Narasimhan is an Indian violinist and composer who works in South Indian films.