Search - Dr. N. Ramani (Classical Karnatic Flute), T.S. Veeraraghavan (Violin), Srimushnam Rajarao (Mrdangam) :: Music in the Ragas: Kannada / Kalyanavasanta / Natakuranji / Ranjani / Des - Dr. N. Ramani, Flute

The Vedic Way

Orpheus | on the road | 10/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The most famous exponent of Hindustani flute music is off course the great Hariprasad Chaurasia playing the bansuri (the bamboo flute) and to a lesser extent Ronu Majumdar. In the West, North Indian music has always overshadowed South Indian (Carnatic) music, which is a pity as the latter is as profound and beautiful as the former.



North Indian music has changed through the Middle Ages by the Arabian, Turkic and Persian influences the Mogol Invaders brought with them. It had become music played predominantly at the courts aiming to evoke a great variety of moods for any occasion and concentrating on the virtuosic prowess of the musician(s).



Carnatic music, on the other hand, remained for the most part 'pure' - as Muslim rule could never really subdue the southernmost reaches of the Indian subcontinent. As a result the culture of South India is the last place in the world with an unbroken line with it's origin and source: the Vedic way of life, the world's most ancient civilization.



Dr Ramani has a very expressive flute (Pullankulal) tone, sometimes resembling even the human voice; an emotive and visceral sound that is at the same time sensual and devoted. This unmistakably forges the rasa (feel) of the music: Solemn yet playful, Exalted yet grounded, Relaxed yet full of anticipation - the interweaving voices of the flute and violin produce, supported rhythmically by the mrdangam and ghatam, a strange delicacy I have never heard before in Carnatic music.



This is music of a very high order. Dr. Ramani and his ensemble present an organic, yet deliciously complex sound (brilliantly recorded by the sound-engineers of Nimbus). I am surprised to be the first to review this disc, as it contains such quiet joyous rapture one can hardly imagine people not wanting to share the experience.



A few years ago I visited India and the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and this music - as no other recording I own - revivifies the experiences I had during that time: the luscious and awe-inspiring landscape: verdant green vegetation starkly contrasted by the flaming red earth. The mysterious elegance and quiet confidence of the people of South India. The majestic and expanded temple comlexes. This otherworldly beauty cannot possibly be described, it has to be experienced.



There are several reasons to get this recording:



Anyone who loves Carnatic Music cannot go without this remarkable recording, If you like Indian music and you want to explore the rich tradition of Carnatic music. If you have been to South India and want to revisit it through the means of music. If you are going to South India and want to understand this extraordinary place. If you love the sound of the flute, or just perhaps if you like great music.



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