The Music Academy-Tag Raga Identification Competition for Rasikas- 2017
By Sumathi Krishnan
For the concert audience, identification of ragas is something to look forward to. Some can relate to the raga and recognize a similar song the moment a raga phrase is uttered, yet others carry a pocket book and browse through the raga name once the alapana is over and the song begins. Yet others couldn't care less about the raga name and are happy to hear the singer as long as the music is pleasant.
There are hundreds and thousands of ragas and it is impossible for a lay person or even musicians to relate to all of them. The only difference is that a musician can immediately identify the svara combinations and svara sthanas.
Each raga has typical raga phrases that may be unique and that helps in identification but unfortunately the trend is to sing based on the svaras and not the murchanas or raga phrases. Two or more ragas may have similar svara combinations and the difference being only in the prayogas thereby making identification difficult. At other times the singer may stay within a range common to many ragas without moving up or down to the significant svara that differentiates the raga.
One might ask, is it necessary for a rasika to know the name of the raga? Actually rasikas take pride in guessing the raga name. There is a twinkle in their eye when the guess is correct. There are some veterans who have attended concerts for years and have a little notebook where they write the song list and raga names for their own memoirs.
As a rasika, how does one start identifying ragas. Initially it is easy to recognize ragas like Mohanam, Hamsadhvani, Kalayani or Shankarabharanam. It becomes a little more complex when Jaganmohini or Chhayatarangini is rendered. At the next level, sitting next to a person who identifies ragas in concerts can help. Loud whispers spell out the raga being sung. Many rasikas are quick to say which song it resembles and that is satisfying enough.
Mr. Chari of the Tag group of companies has made a concerted effort in this direction. He has compiled a lot of raga information, songs, snippets in cds and there are many rasikas who have heard these and benefitted from this endeavor.
To challenge the rasikas a new event is being organised. Can ragas be identified by a person through sheer listening and an intuitive understanding rather than spelling out the grammar of the notes? It is up to the interested rasikas to find out in a fun-filled way.
The Music Academy-Tag Raga Identification Competition for rasikas has been jointly organised by Music Academy and the Tag Corporation & Ramu Endowments especially for “Carnatic Music Rasikas”.
Why this event promises to be interesting:
· The first of its kind
· Open to all ages (performing musicians and advanced students of music do not qualify to participate in the event) Each contestant will be alone... No teams!!
· Winners will receive cash awards. The cash awards will be given immediately after the event.
· Certificates will be posted in a week’s time.
How to register:
· Provide your name, age, e-mail address and phone number to soomty@gmail.com and rajagopalk@tagcorporation.net. Further details will be given to the participants in the beginning of September
· Date of Competition- 15th October, 2017
· Time- 9 a.m. -12 noon
· Venue - Music Academy
· Last Date for Registration- 1st October 2017
Dr. Sumathi KrishLnan
Coordinator
27th August, 2017
Dear Participant,
Thank you for your interest in the Music Academy- Tag Raga Identification Competition. We have registered your name and look forward to your participation. The following details are for your information:
· Registration will begin at 9: 30 a.m. Please come early to avoid a rush
· The seating arrangement will be given to you at the venue.
· Avoid big bags. A small handbag or purse will be fine.
· The program will be between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon.
· No performing artists will qualify for the event.
· It is open to all. There is no age limit.
· Gold Winners of the last year will not qualify to participate in the event.
· Paper and a pad will be provided. Kindly carry a ballpoint pen with you as there will be a carbon copy.
· The competition is for individuals and no assistance can be taken from anyone.
· The number of prizes will depend on the number of entries
· Incase there are more than three contenders for any prize, there will be a tie breaker.
· The judge's decision will be final
· Minor spelling errors will be accepted as long as the raga name does not change
· No overwriting or deleting and rewriting will be accepted
· A traditional lunch has been organized for all the participants after the event. Please stay back and enjoy.
The whole idea is to have an enjoyable experience listening to music.
Please respond with a mail confirming that you will be coming on the 15th October, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. to the Music Academy Madras. Also for our future reference we would like to have a feedback as to how you came to hear about this event.
Thank you and looking forward to seeing you,
Regards,
Sumathi Krishnan
Coordinator
Dear Participant,
Thank you for your interest in the Music Academy- Tag Raga Identification Competition. We have registered your name and look forward to your participation. The following details are for your information:
Registration will begin at 9: 30 a.m. Please come early to avoid a rush
The seating arrangement will be given to you at the venue.
Avoid big bags. A small handbag or purse will be fine.
The program will be between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon.
No performing artists will qualify for the event.
It is open to all. There is no age limit.
Gold Winners of the last year will not qualify to participate in the event.
Paper and a pad will be provided. Kindly carry a ballpoint pen with you as there will be a carbon copy.
The competition is for individuals and no assistance can be taken from anyone.
The number of prizes will depend on the number of entries
Incase there are more than three contenders for any prize, there will be a tie breaker.
The judge's decision will be final
Minor spelling errors will be accepted as long as the raga name does not change
No overwriting or deleting and rewriting will be accepted
A traditional lunch has been organized for all the participants after the event. Please stay back and enjoy.
The whole idea is to have an enjoyable experience listening to music.
Please respond with a mail confirming that you will be coming on the 15th October, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. to the Music Academy Madras. Also for our future reference we would like to have a feedback as to how you came to hear about this event.
Thank you and looking forward to seeing you,
Regards,
Sumathi Krishnan
Coordinator