Topic started by Vydianathan (@ 203.197.172.4) on Fri Nov 16 01:06:27 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

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I would like to know if anybody could help me with reference materials (Online or Printed) about the "History & Evolution of the Nagaswaram" (South Indian Wind Musical Instrument).
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Interesting anecdotes about Nagaswaram by Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana.
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Other musical vidwans opinion, observations, appreciation & other points of view regarding to the art of Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana.
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Incidents and references, interviews, recorded documents reinforcing the intense devoution to Lord Sri Ranganatha opf Srirangam.
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Responses:

• From: Balakrishnan (@ adsl-67-118-2-211.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net) on: Tue Aug 19 20:59:48
  
  I've a basic doubt - Is it "nadhaswaram" or "nagaswaram"?
  
  In my observation the late Sangeetha kalanidhi 'Karuvadhikara Sheik Chinna Moulana' was a left hander. Unlike the other artists, he held the instrument with his left hand (with his right hand near the sheevali). I suppose the difference is not conspicous, since the instrument is held in-line with the body, facing the audience.
  
  BTW, I'm curious to know if there are any left-handed Violin/Veena carnatic musicians ? Would they need to use special instrument in that case ? Wonder if any LH Flute carnatic artists made it big...
  
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-1121e7s.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Tue Aug 19 22:40:06 EDT 2003
  
  The Nagaswaram (often referred to as Nadaswaram owing to its rich tone), belongs to the wood-wind family.
  
  
  All nagaswara players, both of Tamil Nadu and Andhra, generally use the fingers of the left-hand for stopping and closing the upper holes— the holes closer to the air-blowing orifice— and the fingers of the right hand for the lower ones. Sarangadeva's treatise Sangeeta Ratnakara, which offers guidance on this subject also in its passages on wind instruments, specifies that the left-hand fingers are to be employed for the upper holes. It is the sastra, then. But Sheik Chinna Moula has reversed the roles of the left hand and the right hand— perhaps without deliberation. He explains that this had been done earlier by some members of the earlier generation of his family and he had learnt it that way. He then quickly adds: "This has in no way handicapped my playing."
  
  Deviations from the norms in the methods of playing instruments have to be judged, at bottom, on the acceptability or otherwise of the musical result. Chinna Moula's deviation, which is copied by his grandson Kasim, has not placed him in an unfavourable light vis-a-vis other nagaswara players sticking to the sastra; nor has it in any way compromised the technical and artistic integrity of the music he produces. For that matter, he is not alone in deviating from the norm: there are masters of other instruments who have done the same, like, for example, the renowned violinist and composer Kocherlakota Rama Raju of Andhra, who wielded the bow with his left hand and employed the right hand for fingering.
  
  
  
  
  
• From: Balakrishnan (@ adsl-67-118-2-211.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net) on: Tue Aug 19 23:47:27 EDT 2003
  
  thanks meena. excellent explanation with proper reference.
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-1121dh4.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Wed Aug 20 13:31:10 EDT 2003
  
  thanku balakrishnan.
  
  
• From: Balakrishnan (@ adsl-67-118-2-211.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net) on: Thu Aug 21 13:33:25 EDT 2003
  
  From where Can I get more details about Sangeetha Ratnakara of Sarangadeva? Is there any link briefing that subject?
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-vcaukrr.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Thu Aug 21 17:55:48 EDT 2003
  
  Sarangadeva book Sangita Ratnakara (13th Century).
  This is the most authoritative and important work on music. It deals with almost all aspects of music. Authored by Sarangadeva, it has 7 chapters titled Saptadhyayi, out of which 6 are devoted to music and 1 to dance. The titles of the chapters are Swaragatadhyaya, Ragavivekadhyaya, Prakirnakadhyaya, Prabhandhadhyaya, Taladhyaya, Vadhyadhyaya and Narthanadhyaya. This treatise has been a trendsetter for all future Lakshanagrandhas.
  Contains classification of ragas; theory of rhythm; musical instruments.
  
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-vcaukrr.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Thu Aug 21 18:16:29 EDT 2003
  
  Deals with swaras, ragas, gamakas, prabandhas, talas, instruments and dance.
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-1121co6.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Thu Aug 21 20:44:02 EDT 2003
  
  My friend provided this info:
  U can find in print Sangita-ratnakara of Sarngadeva : Sanskrit text and English translation with comments and notes / English translation by R. K. Shringy, & Prem Lata Sharma.
  Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass.
  Comes in few vol.
  
  
• From: Balakrishnan (@ adsl-67-118-2-211.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net) on: Thu Aug 21 22:59:44 EDT 2003
  
  Wonderful! Thanks a lot meena. Whatever you want you get it in this forum in no time. Really I am thrilled. Once again thank you. A portion of my compliment be shared by your friend also.
  
  
• From: Idiappam (@ cache139.156ce.maxonline.com.sg) on: Thu Aug 21 23:37:29 EDT 2003
  
  //A portion of my compliment be shared by your friend also.//
  
  How big a portion? I hope they won't squabble over the pro-portion! :}}
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-vcaupsr.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Fri Aug 22 00:50:50 EDT 2003
  
  balakrishna,
  
  These titles KMBC (Karnatic music book center, chennai) carries at present.
  
  Sangita Ratnakara of Sarngadeva in English Part I and Part Ii set of two books costs Rs. 1025 authored by Dr. Premalatha Sarma and Shringy.Eng and sanskrit.
  Sangitaratnakara of Sarngadeva in Sanskrit Part I,III and IV are available.It was published by Theosophical Publishing House, Chennai-600020 three book costs Rs. 400.00
  Musical forms in Sangita Ratnakara authored by Dr.N.Ramanathan. Rs. 1100.00
  Sangitaratnakara conference. Dr.Premalatha Rs. 800.00
  Sangita ratnakara Vol IV in English. chapter chapter IV Rs. 40.00
  
  
• From: Balakrishnan (@ adsl-67-118-2-211.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net) on: Fri Aug 22 15:12:48 EDT 2003
  
  More details! Thank U meena. BTW Does CHATURDANDI PRAKASIKA of Venkatamahi refer this anywhere? Also I am interested to know whether any information is available now regarding 'Swarnarnavam' the book gifted by sage narada to St Thyagaraja? Thanks.
  
  
• From: meena (@ user-vcaukvs.dsl.mindspring.com) on: Fri Aug 22 18:16:39 EDT 2003
  
  balakrishnan,
  u can get in touch with Kmbc regarding any books and its info.
  email : kmbc@eth.net
  
  goodluck
  
  
• From: Balakrishnan (@ adsl-67-118-2-211.dsl.sntc01.pacbell.net) on: Fri Aug 22 18:26:23 EDT 2003
  
  Thanks meena.
  
  

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