Mridangam – Rajesh Srinivasan

Posted on June 23, 2008

Mridangam – Rajesh Srinivasan

Ragarathnam Masters V Dakshinamurthy

Posted on June 23, 2008

Ragarathnam Masters V Dakshinamurthy

Posted on June 22, 2008

The Rex Band

At some point in all of our lives
Jesus became music to our ears….

Taking their name from the King of kings, Jesus, the band fuses together a host of music styles including elements of Indian classical and folk music as well as other popular sounds of the younger generation to evolve its own style of contemporary Christian music

The Band

Over 25 professionals active in various fields with a distinctive talent in music dare to call themselves The Rex Band in honor of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Experiencing the joy of liberating Christian Music themselves, the band came together with a commitment to take this gift of quality Contemporary Christian Music and it’s message to the new generation.

The Music

With musicians from such varied backgrounds like Indian classical or western classical to rock, pop and rap, the band has evolved a unique style over the past ten years. A rich mix of various streams of music and its trademark fusion tracks. Not surprisingly, The Rex Band has opened up new and ethnic elements in Contemporary Christian Music in India.

The Roots

Evolving out if a life-changing encounter with Jesus through the Jesus Youth movement, the band members are comfortable in using styles of the younger generation to reach out to today’s urbanized youth through music albums, stage shows and encounter programs. The band members get together regularly for practice and to deepen themselves in the Word of God.

The Ministry

Beside the mega 3 hour shows, the band also considers its Retreats for musicians, Music skill development programs for budding talents and life encounter programs as vital elements of its call. The band strongly believes that the music becomes relevant only when its quality and message brings about a genuine change of heart.

The Shows

The typical 3-hour Rex Band show is a mega extravaganza with psychedelic lights and powerful sound including music, presentations, choreography and theater performances by Living Vision, a premier Christian theater initiative. It works in tandem with the band to present the message of Jesus in a powerful and attractive way. Right across India, The Rex Band has performed over 500 shows opening up the hearts of young people to a new life in Christ.
Realizing that quality contemporary Christian music is scarce in the Indian music scenario, the band has endeavored to reach out music lovers through it’s 11 albums in various languages. Roses in Winter, the latest album showcases the trademark sounds of the band from popular music to experimental fusion music.

For more details get in touch with us at:

The Rex Band
The Ark – Jesusyouth National Office,
3A – RDS Retreat, Kacheripady,
Kochi, Kerala, India
Tel: (91) 484 398581
Email: rexband@jesusyouth.org

Dr.M.Balamualikrishna

Posted on June 20, 2008 Updated on June 6, 2015

Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna (transliterated variously as M. Balamuralikrishna, Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, M. Balamurali Krishna; Telugu: మంగళంపల్లి బాలమురళిక్రిష్ణ) b. Sankaraguptam, Andhra Pradesh, India, July 6, 1930) is a legendary Carnatic Music vocalist and musician. He has also composed a number of songs.

Balamuralikrishna was named Murali Krishna at birth. Musunuri Suryanarayana Murty Bhagavatar, a distinguished Harikatha performer, gave the prefix ‘Bala’ to the young Muralikrishna. This title has stuck to him ever since. Balamuralikrishna was a child prodigy and started performing vocal concerts from the age of five. His father was a well known musician and could play the flute, violin and the veena and his mother was an excellent veena player. Balamuralikrishna thus began his musical career at a very young age. He soon mastered a variety of instruments. He can play the violin, viola, khanjira, veena, mridangam and other instruments. He has been awarded the All India Radio’s “Top Grade” for seven different performance areas and is also the only musician ever to win National Awards in India for classical music, music direction and film playback singing.

Musical career

Not merely content with his fame as a concert vocalist, very soon Balamurali proved his immense versatility by playing the Kanjira, Mridangam, Viola and Violin. When he was barely 14 years old, he composed Raganga-Ravali, a detailed work on the 72 Melakarta scheme. He mastered all the 72 melakarta ragas by the age 16 and had composed kritis in all of them by then.

Poet composer and musicologist, balamurali krishna has restored the trinity’s composition to their original whole. he represents a new era in carnatic music. like the galaxy of giants before him, he has helped in tha preservation of the musical heritage in his own way

Concerts

Balamurali Krishna has been invited to give concerts in almost every country in the world, including USA, Canada, UK, Italy, France, Russia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Middle East etc. He has given more than 26,000 performances[citation needed] throughout the world.

While his native tongue is Telugu, he sings not only in Telugu but also in Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil etc.

Top Hindustani musicians have collaborated with him in “jugalbandhis” (duets): including Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and Kishori Amonkar, among others.

He appeared as featured soloist with an award-winning British choir, performing the “Gitanjali Suite” with words from Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel Prize-winning poetry and music by Dr. Joel, the noted UK-based Goan composer. His clear diction in several languages prompted an invitation to record Tagore’s entire Rabindra Sangeet compositions in Bengali, preserving them for posterity. He has sung in French, and even ventured into jazz fusion, collaborating with the top Carnatic percussion teacher, Sri T.H. Subash Chandran, in a concert for Malaysian royalty.

He has recently become increasingly interested in music therapy, and now performs only occasionally. He gave its authorization to S. Ram Bharati to found “Academy of Performing Arts and Research” in Switzerland and is also working on music therapy. He established the ‘MBK Trust’ with the objective of developing art and culture and for carrying out extensive research into Music Therapy. A dance and music school, ‘Vipanchee’ is a part of this Trust and is run by his managing trustee Kalaimamani Saraswati.

Famous Compositions

Omkaara Pranava- Shanmukhapriya (Padha Varnam), Amma Aanandha dhaayini-Gambheera Naattai (Varnam), Ye Naadhamu-Naatai (Varnam), Sri Sakala Ganadhipa Palayamam-Aarabhi, Mahadevasutham-Aarabhi, Gam Gam Ganapathim-Ganapathi, Ganaadhipam-Nattai, Pirai Aniyum Perumaan-Hamsadhwani, Uma Sutham Namaami-Sarvasri, Mahaneeya Namasulivae-Sumukham, Mahaneeya Madhura Moorthae-Mahathi, Guruni Smarimpumo-Hamsavinodhini, Heera Ganapathiki-Surati, Varuha Varuha-Panthuvaraali, Thunai Neeyae-Charukesi, Nee Dhaya Raadha-Poorvikalyani, Gathi Neevae-Kalyani, Sadhaa Thava Paadha-Shanmukhapriya, Thillana-Brundhaavani, Thillana-Chakravaaham, Thillana-Dhwijaawanthi, Thillana-Kunthalvaraali, Thillana-Kathanakuthoohalam, Thillana-Garudadhwani, Thillana-Behag (On Sri Thyagaraja), Thillana-Raagamaalika (Amruthavarshini/Mohanam/Kaanada/Hindholam), Thillana-Raagamaalika (Taaya Ragamaalika-Based on Sruthi Bedham), Thillana-Raagamaalika (Pancha “Priya” Raagas-Gathi Bedham), Maamava Gaana Lola-Rohini (Using Two Madhyamas), Maa Maanini-Thodi (Swara Saahithyam), Gaana Lola – Raagamaalika (on Thirupathi Venkateswara), Bruhadheeswara-Kaanada (on Tanjore Bruhadheeswara).

Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna (Gam Ganapathim)

Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna (Sri Rama Naamam)

Balamurali Sir remembers watching a video of me making some students sing this song along with me, uploaded at youtube by my friend musiquebox and suddenly asks us to join him, much to our surprise and delight. It is a composition by Bhadrachala Ramadas, tuned by Balamurali Sir in Shankarabharanam and set to Thisra Gathi Eka Thaalam.

Global Painting Competition by ISC Abu Dhabi – Invitation for participation

Posted on June 19, 2008 Updated on June 6, 2015

Global Painting Competition by ISC Abu Dhabi – Invitation for participation

The heat is on…

Posted on June 19, 2008 Updated on June 6, 2015

The heat is on…
By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Feature Writer GULF NEWS Published: June 19, 2008, 00:04

There’s no better time to be in Dubai than now. Starting today, the annual extravaganza Dubai Summer Surprises 2008 presents its myriad entertainment options.

FOR THE SOUL ….

Amara DSS 2008 Spa Packages

The Summer Ritual

Validity: June 19 to August 22
Cost: Dh890
Duration: 2 hours
Contact: 04 6021234
With the mercury rising, there’s no better way to cool off than standing under an artificially induced rain-shower in a private terraced garden. This is followed by rose-petal bath for your feet and hands. A body polish using peppermint is then administered. The package also includes a full-body massage, a reflexology massage and a phyto-aromatic facial to cleanse and revive your complexion. The offer allows you a full day use of the swimming pool, lounges and gymnasiums.

The Spirit of Summer

Validity: June 19 to August 22
Cost: Dhs790
Duration: 1hr 45 mins
This package begins on a similar note like the first two steps described above. But here the signature treatment starts with Aleppo Soap, whose recipe dates back to 8th century Syria. A “kese mitt” is used in your private outdoor rain shower to slough away dead skin, leaving you clean and refreshed.This prepares you for a full-body massage with oil of frankincense, amber, myrrh and sandalwood, replete with the rich Perfumes of the Orient.

FOR THE KIDS ….

Modhesh Fun City, the largest indoor edutainment venue in the region, has included a host of new zones for this year’s 11th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS).

Spread over more than 30,000 square metres at the Airport Expo Dubai, Modhesh Fun City has 30 zones and for the first time in the history of DSS, an ice skating rink.

Some of the new zones for 2008 include the Toy Store Zone, the Magic Planet Zone and the PlayStation Zone. For Spiderman fans there’s an exclusive Spiderman zone, apart from the Heritage Zone, Arts and Crafts Zone, a Modhesh Saloon for the fashion conscious and an Extreme Sports Zone for the adventurous.

Modhesh Fun City will be open to visitors from June 19 to August 22. The venue is open from 10am to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday, from 3pm to midnight on Friday and from 10am to midnight on Thursday and Saturday. The entry tickets cost Dh20 and includes numerous free games and rides.

MALLS, MOVIES AND MORE ….

IBN BATTUTA MALL

June 19-26 (Kung Fu Panda)
This mall will screen some of the most popular children’s classics of this generation during the next nine weeks at discounted ticket rates. The movie fest will start off with Kung Fu Panda. A special combo deal is being offered for this Angelina Jolie-Jack Black-Jackie Chan starrer. At Dh55, a combo deal comprising a movie ticket with jumbo popcorn, drinks and chocolates is up for grabs.

MODHESH PARTY

June 26
If your knowledge of DSS is knee-deep, than this party is a must-attend. Competitions ranging from DSS quiz to hula hoop will be held on June 26.

The party begins at 5pm and is free for all.

DEIRA CITY CENTRE

June 19-25
Shoppers visiting Deira City Centre during the DSS extravaganza will have the opportunity to take a walk on the wild side by watching some cool hip-hop choreography.

This week, a group of UAE-based dancers will entertain the crowd with their hip-hop freestyle choreography. They will play three sets a day until June 25. Fans wanting to catch their cool moves will have the opportunity to see them repeat their performances between July 24 and 30. It’s not just the activities that you can look forward to this summer.

Customers who spend Dh300 in any of the outlets will be entered into a weekly draw to win Dh25,000, and a prize of Dh500,000.

MALL OF THE EMIRATES

June 19-28
DSS celebrations at Mall Of The Emirates will kick off with Aquasync, a demonstration of synchronised swimming by a team who are known by the same name. The performance will be an act of water-borne ballet which combines choreographed movements and athletic leaps into a specially constructed pool. The show will underline how elegant and artistic the body can be when supported by the medium of water.

AL GHURAIR CITY

JUNE 21-28
Your favourite bedtime stories come alive this summer. Head to Al Ghurair this week to watch a group of talented actors enact fairy tales including Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood. Watch out for their costumes and music too.

SAHARA CENTRE, SHARJAH

June 26
Starting next Thursday, the Shaolin Troupe will put together a martial arts show to demonstrate their observations of agile animal movements and physical endurance.The show will be featured from 6pm to 8 pm.

TRY YOUR LUCK HERE ….

Dubai Summer Surprises Grand Raffle
This DSS, you have the chance to win a 2009 model BMW X5 and Dh100,000. Five lucky draws will be conducted over the next several weeks. Raffle coupons are available in 80 locations including select fuel stations of Emarat, Eppco, and Enoc, in addition to kiosks at Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, BurJuman, Baniyas Street, Al Fahidi Street, Gold Souq and Modhesh Fun City.

THE STAR ATTRACTION …

We promised to give you the weekly highlights so as not to flood you with the details of events that are weeks away, But this one is a deal-breaker. When news reached us that Enrique Iglesias will be in Dubai for a concert this August, we couldn’t wait to share the tidbits of the grand finale with you. Though the details of the ticket rates and the venue are yet to be finalised, this will give you ample time to gear up for the big night.

Ragarathnam Finals – Varnam – Mahadevan – Part 2

Posted on June 12, 2008

Ragarathnam Finals – Varnam – Mahadevan – Part 2

Ragaratnam Finals – Bhajan – Harishankar

Posted on June 12, 2008

Ragaratnam Finals – Bhajan – Harishankar