Saraswathamrutham – Carnatic Music Workshop – 2022
(Training in Voice Culture & Navavarana Kritis)
When: 14th May 2022 to 18th May 2022
Where: Brahmaswom Madom, Near Kesavatheeram, Puracheri, Kannur, Kerala
As part of fulfilling the objectives of Sangeetha Sabha, it was decided to impart the information on the traditional way of learning and practice of carnatic music. As a first step, it was decided to conduct a five-day workshop on ‘Sadhakam’, mainly aiming at imparting knowledge on voice culture. Sangeetha Sabha would like to conduct ‘Saraswathamrutham’ as an annual program on various rare and most significant topics.
Sadhakam
In sanskrit Sadhaka means “Sadhayathi iti Anena Sadhakam”.The practice of music scientifically is the basis of Mastering Indian classical music. The practice of ascending, descending and sequencing the Saptha Swaras with ‘A’ kara, ‘E’ kara, ‘U’kara has existed since ancient times. This will helps to sing Raga and helps to perform music concert for hours. The ‘Sadhaka’ scheme is based on Yoga. The proper ‘Sadhaka’ will also help to stimulate nerve system and enhances the immune system. The music and Sadhaka assumes greater significance in the daily life.
Navavarana Kritis
Along with Sadhaka, classes on Navavarana Krithi and other krithis will also be conducted in this program. The Kamalamba Navavarana kritis by Shri Muthuswami Dikshitar are treasure which embody not only the technical brilliance of the composer but also peep into the Adavaitic school of Hindu Philosophy and elements of Tantric rituals. Navavarana Kritis usually performed during the Navarathri festival in worshipping Devi. In Navarana Kriti, nine Chakras of Devi is explained. It includes – Thripura Chakram, Sharvasa Paripooraka Chakram, Samkshobhana Chakram, Sreekara Chakram, Malini Chakram, Hrimkara Chakram, Thrikona Geha Chakram, and Sarva Shakthi Chakram. In Navarana Kritis all these chakras explained. The Alapana of these Kritis requires continuous practice of music.
Yoga
Along with the ‘Sadhaka’ and classes on Kritis, a session on the Yoga will also be conduct in each day. The traditional musical forms of Kerala – Kathakali Sangeetham, Sopana Sangeetham and Ashtapathi – will be presented in the evenings. In the fifth day evening a Carnatic Music Concert will be conducted.
Selected Musicians as Participants
There will be 15 selected participants comprising music teachers and scholars attending the class. The students who have been studying carnatic music continuously for at least five years only will be selected for the workshop.
Time Schedule
The five-day music workshop will start by 14/05/2022. The schedule of programs each day is given below.
| 5 AM to 6 AM | Sadhaka |
| 6.30 AM to 7.30 AM | Yoga |
| 8 AM | Break Fast |
| 9 AM to 12.30 PM | Navavarana krithis |
| 1 PM | Lunch |
| 2 PM to 5 PM | Classes on carnatic music krithis |
| 5.30 PM to 7 PM | Cultural programs |
| 7.30 PM | Dinner |
| 8.30 PM to 9.00 PM | Satsanga |
Resource Persons (Master Trainers)
Two well-known carnatic musicians and one master yoga trainer were selected as the resource persons for the workshop.
Thamarakkad Govindan Namboothiri
Thamarakkad Govindan Namboothiri born into a family with musical background on 30-05-1960.He passed Ganabhushanam in 1980 and Ganapraveena in 1984 with Ist Rank. He had won the cultural talent scholarship of the Central Government of India from 1982 to 1985 under the tutelage of late Mavelikkara R Prabhakara Varma, retired Principal of R.L.V.College of Music and Fine Arts, Thripunithura, who was the disciple of Padmabhushan Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He had the opportunity to learn under Shri Kumara Kerala Varma and Parasala Ponnammal. He is a B-High Grade Artist in Carnatic Vocal of the All India Radio Since 1986.He had performed many musical concert all over India and in Television channels like Doordarsan, Amritha, Asianet and Surya. He retired from R.L.V.college of Music and Fine Arts as principal where he worked as Head and Professor in vocal department. He received awards such as KalaDarpan in 2002, and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Accademy award in 2017, for his valuable contribution to Carnatic Music.
A.D. Reju Narayanan
Reju Narayanan born into a family with musical background on 18/02/1972.He passed Ganabhushanam in 1993 and Ganapraveena in 1997 from RLV College. He had completed MA and Mphil in Music from MG University and Kerala University respectively in the year 2002 and 2008. He had the opportunity to learn Carnatic Music under Shri.Mavelikkara P.Subrahmanyam, Mavelikkara Ponnammal (Late), Shri.Ponkunam ramachandran, Smt.Ambalappuzha Thulasi and Shri. Thamarakkad Govindan Namboothiri. He is a B-High Grade Artist in Carnatic Vocal of the All India Radio, Thrissur. He received scholarship from the Ministry if Human Resource and Cultural Affairs, Govt. of India. He had served as lecture in Music in the Sri Sathyasai Mirpur College of Music and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit. Presently he is working as Guest Lecturer in Kerala Kalamandalam-DU.
Dr. (HC). Balakrishnan
Along with this Yoga class will be handled by Dr. (HC). Balakrishnan, Chairman, Yogabharathi Charitable Trust, Vadakara.