Date:08/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/08/stories/2006120816650500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Audio CD of veena compositions launched

Staff Reporter

English Professor's passion for music praised

CHENNAI : `Karpagame', an audio compact disc of veena compositions by K. G. Vijayakrishnan, was launched at Music Academy on Thursday.

Though Mr. Vijayakrishnan was Professor of English and Linguistics at Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages in Hyderabad, veena was his passion that had led him to release his second music CD. Mathioli R. Saraswathy, founder of Nandalala Seva Samithi Trust, released the audio CD and N. Murali, Managing Director of The Hindu and president of Music Academy, received the first copy.

Mr. Murali appreciated the efforts of Mr. Vijayakrishnan for balancing his profession and passion. He briefed about the yet-to-be released book on `The Grammar of Carnatic Music' authored by Mr.Vijayakrishnan.

Commending the venture, Mr. Murali said that Mr. Vijayakrishnan's music must continue unabated.

Sanjay Subrahmanian, a Carnatic singer, said that the CD comprising veena compositions of Mr. Vijayakrishnan was a "throwback to the music of earlier age." He suggested that several keerthanais of classical age must be recorded for the benefit of younger generation. This would be useful as the practice of written notations of Carnatic music may fade away in future, he added.

Kalpagam Swaminathan, a renowned veena artiste, said that veena was a rhythmically demanding instrument. She wanted more people to come forward to learn and pass on the traditional veena compositions to the younger generation. Mr.Vijayakrishnan said that the CD was a tribute to his mother and veena guru Karpagavalli Gopalakrishnan. Priced at Rs.175, the CD would be available at music stores. For details, contact Soundarya Ramji at 98844 91909.