Professor Parasala Ravi. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Mridangam player V. Ravindran Nair, known as Prof. Parasala known as Ravi, is a renowned guru, administrator and educationist. With decades of teaching experience in leading music colleges of Kerala, this octogenarian percussionist has guided innumerable students. He is currently a member of the curriculum committee at the University of Kerala and MG University.
Ravi was born on 10 August 1944 in a musical family. Of his father. Vishwanath Pillai, hailing from Parasala, was a Nagasvara scholar and his mother was G.I. Gomathi Amma was a music teacher. His maternal grandfather was a nattuvanar at the Padmanabhapuram Palace, and Ravi learned the basics of rhythm from him. He started learning Mridangam from Kaliyappan Annavi and received advanced training under the guidance of renowned Mridangam scholars like Chennithala Krishnankutty Nair, CS Krishnamurthy, Mavelikkara Velukutty Nair and TK Murthy. Although mridangam is his favorite instrument, he has also played ghatam and kanjira in concerts.
In his long and illustrious career, Ravi has played for many legends. He is an A-top grade artiste of All India Radio and has also conducted programs for All India Radio.
The veteran percussionist is the author of several books on rhythm, such as Mridangam – A Carnatic Musical Instrument, Adi Thalam, Chappu Thalam, Mridanga Bodhini, Mridangatinte Thani Avarthanam and Mridanga Padanam. He has also written many articles on music and musical instruments. The veteran has continued his research on percussion instruments.
Parasala Ravi’s books are documentation of the rhythmic insights he has gained over years of experience. He has arranged the methods of making mora and korvai with ease. He says that by experimenting with techniques, mridangists can explore the vast possibilities of the instrument and showcase its versatility. The ‘Parasala Ravi style’ combines tradition with innovation, encouraging creativity and aesthetics in mridangam playing. He believes that learning should not be limited to the classroom, but should also include absorbing the guru’s teachings, observing his playing style in concerts, and learning beyond formal lessons.
For his contribution to the performance and propagation of Mridangam, Ravi has been appointed Asthana Vidwan of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Asthana Vidwan of Thripunithura, and received several awards including Laya Vadya Vichakshan, Laya Ratna, Mridanga Bhupathi, Vadya Shrestha, Mridanga Kala Shiromani. Was honored with. Sangeetha Thilakam and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award (and later, its fellowship as well).
Geeta Raja: Adherence to Classicism
Geeta Raja. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Geeta Raja is a renowned music artist, musician and guru. Geeta was born on 5 June 1955 in a family with a keen interest in music and art. He received his initial education in music from the learned Bombay Ramachandran and later had the privilege of coming under the tutelage of the learned T. Brinda. Geeta has also learned the nuances of Veena from Vidwan KS Narayanaswamy and rhythm from Vidwan Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.
As one of the pioneers of the T. Brinda school of music, belonging to the Veena Dhanammal tradition, Geeta’s singing is marked by a strong commitment to classicalism. His repertoire is extensive.
Geeta is actively involved in teaching Carnatic and devotional music. She has been conducting workshops and classes on Padam, Javalis, Abhang and old compositions. In 2020 and 2021, Geeta and her disciples made a series of video recordings that included rare compositions of Trinity, Padam and Javalis – the legacy of her guru T. Brinda.
Geeta is an A-top grade artiste of All India Radio, Chennai, and performs regularly on radio and television. He has sung for many recording companies.
published – December 31, 2024 02:19 PM IST
