SPIRIT of INDIA
with flautist Dr N Ramani
Natesan Ramani, loved
and admired, is the most eminent flute player of modern times in the Carnatic
(South Indian) tradition. Like the North Indian flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia,
he has become a legend in his own life time, honoured by the Indian President
with the coveted “Padmashri” award. He has been invited to major Indian
and international music festivals, which include Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Dr Ramani’s flute playing has been likened to “the first birdcall” (The
Age). His simple 12-inch soprano flute is a piece of bamboo with
holes in it – nothing fancy - capable of amazing power and beauty. Pandit
Ravi Shankar, on hearing Ramani’s flute while waiting at the Madras airport,
was so moved that he asked to be taken to his home to be introduced to
him. The Sydney critic Jill Sykes found Ramani’s music “pure and unadorned
like the voice of a boy soprano…as well as a vigorous explosion of sound…complex
and subtle.”
A deeply religious man,
who observes silence one day in the week – “to improve my breathing” –
and travels barefoot for 3 days once a year to offer prayers at his
sacred shrine, Ramani faithfully renders the compositions of the 3 saint-composers
of South India, as well as his own. He is accompanied by two famous percussionists
and his brilliant son Thiagarajan, another fine flute player. The two flautists
play jugalbandhis (competing and complementary duets) - an exciting
form of music-making. |
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