The Venu or flute is a bamboo transverse flute used in the Carnatic music. It is also called pullankuzhal in Tamil.
One of the oldest musical instruments of India, the flute is capable of producing two and half octaves with the help of over-blowing and cross fingering. The fingers of both hands are used to close and open the holes in the bamboo flute.
The flute finds mention in Indian mythology and folklore having been listed as among the 3 original instruments meant for music along with the Saraswati veena and mridangam (veena-venu-mridanga trinity).
The flute is associated with the Hindu god Krishna, who is often depicted playing it. Until the late 19th century, the Carnatic flute had never been used in Carnatic concerts. Sarabha Sastri is known for bringing the Carnatic flute to the fore of Carnatic music concerts. It is an extremely popular accompanying instrument in Carnatic concerts today.
During the period under consideration, R Thiagarajan, L Saravanan and V K Sivakumar have taught flute in SIFAS.
Currently, Guru L Saravanan teaches Carnatic flute.
SIFAS had its very first Carnatic flute arangetram, when a student of Guru V K Sivakumar had his inaugural flute solo concert.
One of the oldest musical instruments of India, the flute is capable of producing two and half octaves with the help of over-blowing and cross fingering. The fingers of both hands are used to close and open the holes in the bamboo flute.
The flute finds mention in Indian mythology and folklore having been listed as among the 3 original instruments meant for music along with the Saraswati veena and mridangam (veena-venu-mridanga trinity).
The flute is associated with the Hindu god Krishna, who is often depicted playing it. Until the late 19th century, the Carnatic flute had never been used in Carnatic concerts. Sarabha Sastri is known for bringing the Carnatic flute to the fore of Carnatic music concerts. It is an extremely popular accompanying instrument in Carnatic concerts today.
During the period under consideration, R Thiagarajan, L Saravanan and V K Sivakumar have taught flute in SIFAS.
Currently, Guru L Saravanan teaches Carnatic flute.
SIFAS had its very first Carnatic flute arangetram, when a student of Guru V K Sivakumar had his inaugural flute solo concert.
TUTORS
Guru L Saravanan
CARNATIC FLUTE Room No 02-04 |
Guru L Saravanan is a disciple of the late Sri K. S. Narayanan (senior most disciple of Sri Mali), the late V. Sundaresan, and the eminent violinist Nagai R. Muralidharan, Saravanan is a Yuvakalabharathy Award winner. Trained as a vocalist equally, Saravanan incorporates both the demands of vocal and instrumental techniques in his renditions satisfying the needs of the composition rather than the wants of the audience.
He began at the age of 10 in both vocal and Carnatic flute. After several years of schooling in music under renowned teachers, he started performing by the age 14 in All India Radio, Tiruchy. After several years of performing experience, he got the rare privilege of learning under the Flute Maestro, Dr. N. Ramani aided by the Govt. of India Advanced Learning sponsorship. Dr. N. Ramani himself is the direct disciple of Mali, who elevated the status of the flute in Carnatic concerts with vocal techniques. Dr. N. Ramani polished his teacher's methodology to high vocal standards and brought a new image and dimension to Indian Classical Music in the 1900s. Saravanan, being trained under vocal and violin teachers assimilated Dr. N. Ramani's techniques aptly. He performs in Ramani's Academy of Flute regularly and with Dr. N. Ramani, Saravanan has taken part in uniques flute concerts like 5-flute concert incorporating a series of flutes in a single concert. He has made solo albums with recording companies like Kalavardhini with his own gurus accompanying like the violin exponent Nagai Muralidharan and the famed mridangist Srimushanam V. Raja Rao. |