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Thursday, October 30, 2008

Newspaper Interview with Kudamaloor Janardanan


This is an interview with Janardanan which appeared on the national daily, 'The Hindu', published on Sunday, September 14th, 2008. The interview can be viewed on the online version of the newspaper on http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/14/stories/2008091450620200.htm


‘Reality shows not to help music’


KOZHIKODE: Kudamaloor Janardhanan, flautist, believes that reality shows on television will not do much good to music.

“Such shows are popular and gives opportunities for new talents, but how many of us can remember the winners of a competition three years ago?” asked Janardhanan, one of Kerala’s finest instrumental musicians, at a meet-the-press programme here on Saturday.

“These shows are liked by people because it features melodious songs from Malayalam films.” Janardhanan, who was in the city to perform at the District Tourism Promotion Council’s Onam Celebrations, said there was a misconception that Carnatic music was just devotional. “Music has no religion,” he said.
He said he had always tried to stick to tradition even while attempting to create something new.

“I have never tried to gain popularity by using gimmicks in my music; that will only harm music,” he said. “And I have never been keen about fusion music.”

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Madhava Murali



'Madhava Murali' is Kudamaloor Janardanan's album, comprising compositions on Lord Krishna- Replete with creativity, the album is sheer pleasure to the soul.

The CD consists of six popular numbers:

  • Krishna nee begane baro - Yamunakalyani
  • Alai payuthe - Kanada
  • Karuna cheyvanenthu thamasam -
  • Krupaya palaya - Charukesi
  • Enna thavam cheythane yasodha - Kaapi
  • Raravenu gopabala - Bilahari
A Review that appeared in 'The Hindu' on Mon, March 06, 2006

(The original version is available on http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2006/03/06/stories/2006030601050400.htm)

The flute is an integral part of the Krishna myth. This is a collection of compositions that extol the glories of the Lord. Six popular tracks when played on the flute by Kudamaloor Janardanan acquire a different feel. The veena, mridangam, edakka, ghatam, tabla and other percussion effects provide sensitive accompaniment to krithis like `Krishna nee begane baro... ', `Alai payuthe... ,' Karuna cheyvanenthu thamasam... ,' `Krupaya palaya... ,' `Enna thavam cheythane, Yasoda... .,' and `Rara Venugopabala... ,' a popular swarajathi, with Janardanan chipping in with subtle improvisations. The superb recording quality enhances the charm of the music.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Ragas in the Air- G. Jayakumar

The following review of a concert performed by Shri. Kudamaloor Janardanan at Vyloppilli Sanskriti Bhavan in Trivandrum appeared on the leading newspaper, 'The Hindu' on Friday, Jan 27, 2006. The original version could be accessed online at the following url:
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2006/01/27/stories/2006012700300300.htm

With flautist Kudamaloor Janardanan it seems to be something of a mission to give the ragas their right place in music concerts.

That was clear as he played such superb ragas as Nattakurinji, Mohanam, Chenchurutti, Sarasangi, and Sankarabharanam.

Kudamaloor Janardanan began his flute concert with the raga Nattakurinji set to Rupaka talam. Without the usual lyrics, Janardanan, after a short alaap, began playing the raga as such with madhyamakala swara sancharam. As it progressed shades of Nilambari could also be felt.
The raga Mohanam wafted in the air carrying the audience to a sublime level. Set to Adi talam, resembling the varnam `Ninnu kori,' the raga was accompanied by laya jathi by Kishore. Laya jathi is the oral recital of the syllables like tha dhim tha ka dhim played on the mridangam. This added colour to the raga.

Janardanan mesmerised the listeners, mostly foreigners, with his rendition of the raga Chenchurutti. The raga, which evolved from folk tradition, was presented in its pristine form. Janardanan played the pleasing raga without any accompaniment. The raga Sarasangi set to Misrachappu talam was followed by some percussion solo on the mridangam by Vypeen Satheesh and on the ghatam by Unnikrishnan, and laya jathi. Quite distinct from the usual thaniavarthanams in Carnatic music, which lasts for less than 25 minutes and is often monotonous, here it was interspersed with the playing of the flute.

Emphasis on Melody

Janardanan started with an alaap and gradually brought forth the softness of the raga, embellishing each swara. The emphasis was on melody.

The concluding raga of the evening was Sankarabharanam based on the very familiar composition of Harikeshanalloor Muthiah Bhagavathar modelled on the Western notes Ga Ma Ga Ri Ga Sa .

True to the flautist's unconventional style, there was a near total absence of kritis, varnams and tillanas in the concert, enabling the listeners to enjoy the ragas in their pure form.

The 90-minute concert was organised by Alliance Francaise de Trivandrum.

Swathi Murali


'Swathi Murali' is Kudamaloor Janardanan's first album for Manorama's 'Heritage Series'. Mellifluous and innovative, this album comprises six compositions of Maharaja Swathi Titunal:


  • Gopalaka pahimam anisham - Revagupthi

  • Parama purusham - Vasantha

  • Jaya jaya padmanabhaanujesha - Manirang

  • Pahi jagath janani - Vachaspathi

  • Tharuni njan enthu cheyvu - Dwijaavanthi

  • Madhava - Jaunpuri