Sri Ashok Madhav
Ashok Madhav is a contemporary composer of Carnatic music, he currently resides in Washington D. C., USA. He composed kritis in Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, and KannaDa, and has to his credit a set of 72-melakartha kritis (1 in each melakarta) that has been published in book form as “Melakartha Ganamalika” (1977). The book was given a wonderful review by Sruti magazine. In addition, he has composed several other kritis in janya ragas including tillanas, a varnam and ragamalikas. His compositions have been rendered by various artists including TR.Subramanian, SR.Janakiraman, TK.Govinda Rao, Tanjavur Kalyanaraman, TV.Sankaranarayanan, OS Thyagarajan, Malladi brothers, MS Sheela, Sukanya Prabhakar, RN.Sreelatha, S.Sowmya, Raji Gopalakrishnan, Neyyatinkara Mohana Chandran, Pemmaraju Surya Rao, Srikanth Chary and others like Raju Soundararajan, R.Manian, Seethalakshmi Madhavan, Sujana Mulukutlaveena, Sudha Raghunathan, and others. He is also responsible for creating the raga “hamsa kalyaaNi,” a combination of hamsadwani and kalyaaNi. He has been active in the Carnatic music world, with many articles and compilations of works by great artists
by Ashok Madhav madhav_pgh@yahoo.com
Throughout India, over the generations, many creative personalities have enriched lives by contributing to literary works and music. In this article, an attempt is made to document the efforts of some imaginative individuals like vaggeyakaras (music composers) from Andhra Pradesh. This article while attempting to identify the composers is by no means exhaustive….(more)
by Ashok Madhav madhav_pgh@yahoo.com
There are several interesting types of krutis in the musical literature. As a general rule, compositions of the Trinity do not have chittaswarams at all. If chittaswarms are sung along with the krutis of the Trinity, they have been added later on by their disciples or other musicians...(more)
Questionable Compositions of Muthuswami Dikshitar
by Ashok Madhav madhav_pgh@yahoo.com
Many compilations are available on Muthuswami Dikshitar kritis, each quoting a different number of kritis composed by him. However, authentic information about Dikshitar kritis can be obtained from Subbarama Dikshitar’s compilation –Sangeeta Sampradaya Pradarshini (SSP). It is the most sought after treatise to check on Dikshitar’s compositions. There are 223 compositions listed in the compilation. ..(more)
Memorable Moments at the Music Scenes!
by Ashok Madhav madhav_pgh@yahoo.com
Musicians like all of us have had interesting and unusual events occurring in their lives some of which are quite fascinating to read or listen to. Here are some interesting anecdotes about musicians that have been gleaned and collected from various sources… (more)
Bangalore Nagarathnamma – the Philanthropist & Savant
by Ashok Madhav madhav_pgh@yahoo.com
Thyagaraja – the most prolific and significant member of the musical trinity has long been an inspiration to music lovers. His musical outpourings, thought to be divinely inspired were creative and original. The benefaction of his music continues to be enjoyed by Carnatic music enthusiasts all over the globe, long after his demise over 150 years back… (more)
Chitta Swarams In Carnatic Music Compositions
by Ashok Madhav madhav_pgh@yahoo.com
Many composers have created beautiful compositions in Carnatic music. Adding chittaswaram to a music composition or a kriti embellishes it. Having chittaswaram for a kriti was not in vogue in early periods. Only in the past 150 years or so, adding a chittaswaram to a kriti and singing it has become popular. … (more)