"A great violin maestro passed away........"

So sad to know the passing away of legendary violin maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman. He was not an accompanying musician but belonged to the exclusive club of solo performers. May his soul rest in peace!

I got nostalgic of the very early phase of my life. My father dearest used to listen a lot to Carnatic music on AIR Vijayawada & Madras besides the Telugu & Hindi film music on Vividhbharati & Radio Ceylon, including that half an hour program of English songs.

Carnatic music grew on me to make me a lover from a passive listener. Father used to take me everyday to concerts of renowned artists arranged during ‘Tyagaraja vaarotsavalu’ at the other town.

Those few decades was a golden era in Carnatic music, what with such outstanding vocalists like DK Pattamal, MS Subbalakshmi, Madhuramani Iyer, Balamuralikrishna, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, ML Vasanta Kumari, Radha Jayalakshmi etc. Voleti Venkatesam was equally good in Carnatic and Hindustani. 

Of those great instrumentalists, besides Lalgudi Jayaraman, Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu too was an outstanding violinist. Palghat Mani Iyer was a great mridangist. 

Outstanding among veena players were Chittibabu and Eemani Sankarasastry. Being hopelessly forgetful, I fail to recall the names of many a gem. 

I was not following Carnatic music these past many years except that I rejoiced the performance of Yesudas and Unnikrishnan.

How I loved the programs on radio those days! Who can equal the charm of that pioneering Radio Jockey – Ameen Sayani? none whosoever - past or present - I can assure you! And can anyone who listened to that play ‘Ganapati’ on AIR Vijayawada ever forget those immortal performances of Nanduri Subba Rao & Seetaratnam?

Well this goes on and on with the end nowhere any near....enough is enough....

Isn't it the sighs of relief what I heard just now?