Ravi Narayanan presents a lively Mikeless Sunday Kutcheri

It is 530am on a chilly Sunday morning in December. The Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Madras is already buzzing with activity. It is the first Sunday of the month and we are just an hour away from the start of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park, an event organised by Sundaram Finance, that provides a platform for young children aged below 15 years to perform in an informal park setting.

By 6am, one could see the OB van of NDTV Hindu parked on the Luz Church Road, with their young reporter making all the arrangements and getting the satellite link with their studio in Perungudi, for the Channel to go live to audiences around the city.

Ravi Narayanan, a class IX student of Hindu Senior Secondary School, Indira Nagar walked in with his parents and the Violin and Mridangam artistes.

By 630am, the Kutcheri regulars had taken their seats on the stools around the Chess Square. And it was time for Ravi to present his first mikeless Kutcheri.The morning walkers too joined in after their walk to listen to the carnatic music performance.


Over the next hour, 14 year old Ravi presented some of popular compositions such as Syama Sastrigal’s Himadri Suthe (Kalyani- Rupakam), Muthuswami Dikshitar’s Hiranmayim (Lalitha-Rupakam), Mysore Vasudevacharya’s Mamavatu (Hindolam-Aadhi) and Papanasam Sivam’s Sri Ganesha (Thilang- Aadhi) that drew a big round of applause from the park audience.


NDTV Hindu features the Kutcheri LIVE


At around 715am, Ravi’s Kutcheri was put on hold for a few tense minutes as the NDTV correspondent introduced the Sunday Kutcheri concept and shortly after Ravi’s debut mikeless Kutcheri went live on NDTV Hindu to audiences across Madras. It was a big moment for Ravi and he handled admirably the pause in the momentum, that he had gathered over the last 45minutes, and recaptured the flow of the Kutcheri as the audience tapped into once again into his ragams.

One could also hear the morning walkers chatting about Ravi’s impressive performance.

Malaysian Visitor

Impressed with the performance of the artiste, Mr. Vasu Subrahmanyam, a resident of Malaysia, who had come to the Nageswara Rao Park to watch this early morning Kutcheri said, “The carnatic music performance of young Ravi Narayanan this morning has made our visit to Chennai all the more memorable. This mikeless Sunday Kutcheri in the Park concept is an excellent platform for budding musical artistes.”

Ravi Narayanan, who is learning music from Sri Thiruvarur S Ganeshan, was accompanied by Ms. Satya Mohan on the Violin and R.Venimadhavan on the Mridangam.

TT Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd., was present on the occasion and handed over mementos and certificates to the performing artistes.

Organised since February 2006 on the first Sunday of every month between 630am and 730am, Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park provides a platform for children aged below 15 years to display their musical talent. Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Sundaram Finance audition committee conducts an audition to select the artistes to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

January 2010 will see a string of morning and evening Kutcheris as part of the annual Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival.

For registration and audition, contact: sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Pavithra Balajee presents a pleasant Mikeless Kutcheri

In front of a big early morning Park audience, Pavithra Balajee, a student of M.Ct.M Chettiar Chidambaram Matriculation School and the grand daughter of yester year music director Sri D.B. Ramachandran, presented a lively carnatic music performance as part of the monthly Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore this Sunday morning (1st November 2009).

Every song Pavithra presented received a standing ovation from the audience that comprised of morning park walkers and music connoisseurs.

Some of the compositions Pavithra presented were Shakti Ganapathim (Hari Kesha Nallur Muthiah Bhagavathar) – Ragam Nattai, Rupaka Thaalam, Shashivadana ( Sri Thyagarajar) – Chandra Jyothi Ragam, Aathi Thaalam, Papanasam Sivam’s Unnai Allal (Kalyani Ragam, Aathi Thaalam) and Purandaradasar’s Venkatachalanirayam ( Sindhu Bairavi, Aathi Thaalam)

Pavithra was accompanied by R. Ragavendran on the Mridangam and by R. Amirtaraj on the Violin.

At the end of the kutcheri, a visibly happy Music Guru Smt. Sucharithra Raghu, who has been teaching Pavithra for the last one year, said
“It takes several years for young children to be recognised in music. However, this platform provided by Sundaram Finance takes youthful musical talent much closer and faster to the audience. And they get recognised immediately, which leads them to other opportunities. I believe that this launch pad for children will encourage more students to take up music as a career.”

“The mikeless Kutcheri concept for young children is a welcome approach for classical concerts. Mikeless Kutcheris require even more concentration since the artistes have to bring out the nuances of the songs sans mikes and speakers. And this serves as a motivation to prepare that much harder, ahead of the Kutcheri. I am very pleased with the performance of Pavithra this morning and the feedback from the audience is a validation of her excellent performance.”

Organised on the first Sunday of every month between 630am and 730am, Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park provides a platform for children aged below 15 years to display their musical talent. Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park. Sundaram Finance audition committee conducts an audition to select the artistes to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Interested participants can send their profile to : sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

TOI on Kutcheri in the rain

Times of India features Day 3 of the Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance

Deepthi Suresh presents a lively Mikeless Kutcheri

Deepthi Suresh captivates audience with a lively carnatic music performance at Nageswara Rao Park

The chess square in Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore was abuzz with activity by 5am this morning with flower decorations welcoming the young Deepthi Suresh to the mikeless Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance.

Accompanied by J.R. Shraddha on the Violin and Santhosh Ram on the Mridangam, Deepthi Suresh, a class 10 student at Sankara Vidyashram, Tiruvanmiyur presented a lively one hour carnatic music performance this morning that captivated the morning walkers and music connoisseurs who had gathered around the chess square. It was heartening to note that not a single person in the audience moved during the entire hour of the kutcheri, such was Deepthi's performance.


Deepthi has been learning music from Smt. Padma Sandilyan, a disciple of the renowned musician Late Sri. KV Narayanaswamy.

Songs such as Sadhasivan Maindhaney(Hamsadvani Raagam, Composer Maharajapuram Santhanam), Madhura Madhura ( Attana- Oothukadu Venkatasubiar), Evaramaduguthura ( Kalyani- Thyagarajar) and Nalley Nallanal ( Kapi - Vednayagam Pillai) that Deepthi presented was well received by the audience and drew rapturous applause.


S. Mahadevan, Head- Personnel and Administration, Sundaram Finance handed over certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.

Sundaram Finance has been organising the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park on the first Sunday of every month for the last 3 ½ years.

The idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide a platform for young children below 15 years to display their musical talent. Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Sundaram Finance audition committee conducts an audition to select the artistes to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Those interested to participate in the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park can email :
sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Navarathri Kutcheri under the Umbrellas

Muralikrishna produces a spirited performance in the rain

The early morning pre monsoon rains threatened to disrupt the concluding day of the ‘Navarathri Special’ Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. It may have dampened the spirit of the weak hearted, but not R. Muralikrishna, a student of St. Michael’s Academy, Adyar who was presenting his first mikeless Kutcheri.

Undeterred by the rains, and with umbrellas all around, Muralikrishna, accompanied by Sriram Sridhar on the violin and Thirucherai Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam produced a spirited performance delighting the morning walkers and music connoisseurs who had gathered around the Chess Quadrangle to enjoy the morning ragas.

His presentation of Sri Ganesh (Thilang- Papanasam Sivam), Kaayamalar (Suththa Thanyasi- Periyazhvar Paasuram), Hanumaney(Malayamaarutham- Arunachala Kavirayar) received a special round of applause from the park audience.

V. Kumaraswamy, GM-Sundaram BPO was present on the occasion and presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Mrinalini presents 'Navarathri Special' Kutcheri in the Park

It was a cool morning following last evening’s downpour in Madras and the early morning walkers at the Nageswara Rao Park were drawn to the sweet ragas of 12 year old B. Mrinalini, a student of The Hindu Sr. Sec. School, Indra Nagar who presented a solo Kutcheri on the 2nd day of the Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park organized by Sundaram Finance.

Accompanied by C. Sarada (who is also doing her CA Course) on the violin and B. Venkataraman on the Mridangam, Mrinalini had the audience tapping in, to her songs.

Her rendition of Maha Ganapathim (Naatai), Broba Baaramma( Bahuthaari), Devi Neeye Thunai
(Keeravaani), Muraleedhara Gopala ( Mandu) and Eru Mayil Eru ( Bhaagyashree) came in for special praise.


Mrinalini’s father was pleased with the first mikeless kutcheri of his daughter and assured her of his fullest encouragement. He said that the Kutcheri in the Park was a nice platform for young children like her and gives them a lot of confidence to present kutcheris in the future.

S. Mahadevan, Head- Personnel & Administration, Sundaram Finance Ltd., was present on the occasion and presented certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.


Navarathri Special Kutcheri continues on Sunday morning. R. Muralikrishna, a student of St. Michael’s Academy, Adyar will present the Navarathri Kutcheri accompanied by Sriram Sridhar on the violin and by Thirucherai Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam.

‘Navarathri Special’ Kutcheri in the Park

Sisters Harini and Aishwarya present their first Mikeless Kutcheri

On the first day of the 3 day ‘Navarathri Special’ Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance, sisters - 12 year old T. Harini & 9 year old T. Aishwarya, both students of DAV Girls School, Gopalapuram presented a lively one hour carnatic vocal music performance this morning at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. This was the first Kutcheri the two sisters were presenting sans mikes and speakers.

Along side the sisters at the chess quadrangle were S. Sivasubramanian on the Mridangam, R.M. Adithya on the Dolki and by Mannargudi V. Shankarraman on the Harmonium.

Songs the duo presented such as Sri Saraswathi (Aarabhi Raagam), Panchathala (Kamala Manohari raagam), Ramanukku (Intholam), Okapari (Kalavathi), Maamavasadha (Kaanada) and Karpakambike (Bilahari) drew special applause from the early morning park audience who had gathered around the chess square.

On their experience, Harini and Aishwarya said, “ This is our first mikeless Kutcheri and we enjoyed singing in front of the early morning park audience. It was a different kind of experience for us to sing without speakers and mikes.”

Commenting on the performance of her students, Mrs. Prabha Rajaram, the Guru who has been teaching these two sisters for the last 3 years said “ I am quite pleased about the performance of Harini and Aishwarya at their first mikeless kutcheri this morning. The way they presented the songs it did not seem like a mikeless concert. There was absolutely no strain on their voice and in fact the originality was visibly seen.”

S. Sivakumar, Vice President- Operations, Sundaram Finance Ltd., was present on the occasion and presented certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.

Navarathri Special Kutcheri continues on Saturday morning(26th September) with 12 year old B. Mrinalini, a student of The Hindu Senior Secondary school, Indra Nagar presenting the mikeless kutcheri accompanied by C. Sarada on the violin and by B. Venkataraman on the Mridangam.

On Sunday(27th Sept) morning, R. Muralikrishna, a student of St. Michael’s Academy, Adyar will present the Navarathri Kutcheri accompanied by Sriram Sridhar on the violin and by Thirucherai Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam.

The idea behind the Mikeless Kutcheri in the Park is to provide a platform for young children to display their musical talent. Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Kutcheri in the Park.

Sundaram Finance audition committee conducts an audition to select the artistes to perform at the Kutcheri in the Park.

Shravan RP presents Mikeless Sunday Kutcheri

PSBB student at the Sunday Kutcheri at the Park

Notwithstanding the additional noise of the vehicles on the Eastern side of the Nageswara Rao Park (the outer wall of the park has been knocked down for reconstruction work), 12 year old R.P. Shravan, a class VII student of Padma Seshdri Bala Bhavan, T. Nagar presented a stand out carnatic music performance this Sunday morning (6th September 2009) at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore in what was his first ‘mikeless’ kutcheri.

Many of his songs came in for loud applause from the audience as did the performances of the accompanists, R. Shyam on the Violin and Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam, both regulars at the Sunday Kutcheri.

Shravan has been learning music from Kalaimamani Srimushnam Shri. V. Raja Rao for the past 6 years.

Shravan impressed the audience with his rendition of Neelakanda Sivan’s Innamum Irakam(Atana Ragam, Adi Thaalam), Thayagarajar’s Sarasa Sama Dana (Kapi Narayani Ragam, Adi Thaalam), Ongi Ulagalandha-Thiruppavai (Arabhi Ragam, Adi Thaalam) and Sachidananda Swami’s Tripure(Naattai).

TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance handed over certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.


Also present on the occasion was The Hindu Business Line’s Deputy Editor Mr. D. Murali for whom the Nageswara Rao Park has become a regular venue in recent months for his ‘Guest Interviews’.

Sundaram Finance has been organising the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park on the first Sunday of every month for the last 3 ½ years.

The idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide a platform for young children below 15 years to display their musical talent. Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park. Over 250 budding music artistes have presented mikeless kutcheris at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park, many of whom have gone on to the next stage of their career path(in carnatic music).

Sundaram Finance audition committee conducts an audition to select the artistes to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Sundaram Finance MD with the performing artistes

Kuwait Student presents Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Big crowd and a lively performance mark Akshara’s maiden mikeless Kutcheri

Heavy overnight rain did not deter morning park walkers and music enthusiasts to gather in large numbers around the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore this morning to watch 13 year old V. Akshara, a student from Kuwait, present her first mikeless Kutcheri.

Last month, another student from Kuwait (Raghavi Vishwanath) had presented her maiden Kutcheri in India at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance. Incidentally, both Raghavi and Akshara study in the same class in Kuwait.

Lively Performance

It was sweet music to the ears as Akshara, who completed her Arangetram at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai last year, unmindful of Television camera in front of her (NDTV Hindu was present on the occasion to cover Akshara's first Kutcheri in India), displayed great confidence and poise presenting some of the popular keerthanais and compositions.

Jegadhanandakaraka (Pancharathna Keerthanai- Naattai), Vathapi Ganapathim ( Hamsadvani), Sobillu (Jeganmohini, Roopakam) and, Sri Valli Deva Senapathey ( Nata Bairavi- Aadhi) drew loud round of applause from the audience.

Akshara even had the audience tapping in to her presentation of Sabaapathikku Veru Deivam and Bhaaro Krishnaiya.

Commenting on the Mikeless Kutcheri concept, Akshara said, “When I heard about the Mikeless Kutcheri concept organised every month by Sundaram Finance in Chennai, I was not too sure about my capability of singing without a mike as it is not easy for every one to perform sans mike. However, my father convinced me to send the CD to Sundaram Finance as part of my audition process and to give it my best shot at this different kind of a kutcheri.”

“The kutcheri this morning turned out to a new experience for me. Though I was initially apprehensive, I actually quite enjoyed the mikeless kutcheri in this very informal setting of the park and in front of this big crowd that had gathered to watch my performance.”

Akshara, who has been learning carnatic music for the last 6 years, was accompanied by Mavelikkara Satheeschandran (Disciple of Sri Krishnapuram Ramakrishnapillai) on the Violin, Peruna Harikumar (Disciple of Changanassery Gopakumar) Mridangam and Manjoor Unnikrishnan (Disciple of Allepey Chandrasekara Nair) on the Ghatam. Akshara’s Guru is Sangeetha Vidwan Smt. Jayanti Siva.

T. T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd., presented certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.

Organised by Sundaram Finance on the first Sunday of every month, the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park provides a platform for young children below 15 years to display their musical talent. Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park. Sundaram Finance audition committee conducts an audition to select the artistes to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

For registration and audition, contact: 94440 40748

Lively debut Kutcheri by Kuwait’s Raghavi Vishwanath

Late on Saturday evening, one wondered if the un-seasonal rains in Chennai would force the organisers to postpone the maiden kutcheri of Raghavi Vishwanath, a class 8 student of Delhi Public School, Kuwait.

Thankfully, and much to the relief of the morning walkers at the Nageswara Rao Park, the rain Gods stayed away on Sunday morning. By 6am, there was a buzz around the Chess quadrangle. There was a neat flower decoration.

Raghavi, along with her Guru, had reached in early for her debut Kutcheri at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance. A few of her relatives had also come in to watch the teenager perform in this open air, mikeless kutcheri.

A cloudy morning, the chirping of birds, a nice breeze and an audience that sat just a few yards away - It was a setting Raghavi had not experienced before. However, she did not seem at all to be over whelmed. In fact, this seemed to bring out the best in her. Raghavi displayed great composure and a cool attitude that speaks volumes about her confidence levels.

630am - Mrs. Malini Vishwanath, Guru of Raghavi welcomed the audience and introduced Raghavi and the songs she was going to present today.

Guru introducing Raghavi
Accompanied by Sriram Sridhar (Disciple of Smt. Padma Shankar) on the Violin and by Sumesh Narayanan (Disciple of Shri. Tiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam) on the Mridangam, Raghavi started with the varnams that seemed to lure the morning walkers, with some of them cuting short their walk to position themselves around the artiste to listen in to the 13 year old present her first ever kutcheri.

Hard Work pays off
The hard work put in by Raghavi and her Guru was clearly visible. Her kutcheri was much appreciated by the audience. Her presentation of Saravana Bhava Ghambeera Natta, a new composition of Kolaigaal Subramanyam received rapturous applause from the morning walkers at Nageswara Rao Park. Some of the other songs presented by Raghavi were Sreeman Narayana (Annamacharya), Bhuvaneshwariya (Mohana-Kalyani), Maru-Balka(Thayagaraja-Sri Ranjani) and ThiruPugazh(Aruna Girinathan).


After her debut kutcheri, Raghavi said, ‘The mikeless kutcheri is very challenging for the artiste. I found out today that it truly tests out the voice quality of the performer and the ability to reach out to the audience. I enjoyed this experience.’

Mrs. Malini Vishwanath, mother and Guru of Raghavi said, ‘It is a good and a challenging platform for young talent. Anyone would be deeply honoured to be part of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.’

On the mikeless kutcheri concept, Mrs. Malini said, ‘Every voice has a genetic quality. One cannot go beyond the domain. We had worked, in preparation for this kutcheri, for almost 6 months. I think Raghavi was her natural self this morning and enjoyed presenting the kutcheri in front of the park audience.’

Presence of Guru's Guru
The Sunday Kutcheri in the park also brought back nostalgic memories for Mrs. Malini Vishwanath with the presence at the kutcheri of her first Guru Smt. Kamala Narayanan, from whom she learnt the basics of carnatic music in Ahmedabad.

Fourth Overseas Artiste
Raghavi is the fourth overseas artiste to perform at the mikeless Kutcheri at Nageswara Rao Park. Students from the US and Dubai have earlier presented mikeless Kutcheri at the Park. Co-incidentally, the mother of Arul Priya, who was the first overseas artiste to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri 2 years ago, was also present on the occasion to encourage Raghavi in her maiden performance.

Keeping up Chennai’s tradition
Despite being based out of Kuwait for the last 10 years, Raghavi, with her lively performance, show cased to everyone this morning that distance need not necessarily be a constraint, especially if one had the inclination and the passion to learn carnatic music.

T. T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd., presented certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.

The Hindu Downtown on Madhumathy's Sunday Kutcheri

The Hindu writes on the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park presented by Madhumathy
at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on 7th June 2009

Aishwarya's Sitran Chirugaale captivates audience at Sunday Kutcheri

Aishwarya , a student of Srimathi Sundaravalli Memorial School, Chromepet presented an hour of brilliant vocal music performance at the 'mikeless' Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri held at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on Sunday(3rd June 2007) morning.

Aishwarya's beautiful rendition of Kaliyuga Varadhanai Kankanda (Brindaavana Saaranga), Sitran Chirugaale (Tirupaavai), Unmai Ellaal (Kalyani), Karunai Deivamey (Sindhu Bairavi) and Mooladhaara Moorthy (Hamsadvani) captivated the audience at the Nageswara Rao Park.

She was accompanied by Ms. R. Priyamvadaa on the violin and Master Santosh Kumar on the Mridangam.

T.T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd., was present on the occasion and gave away certificates to the performing artistes.

Highlights of Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Promotes budding youngsters showcase their musical talent
Open to Children below 15 years
No mikes and speakers are used
Organised on the first Sunday of every month between 6:30am and 7:30am
An audition committee conducts an audition to select the artistes

Musical morning at Nageswara Rao Park, Mylapore

Vani Vidyalaya, K K Nagar student presents Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Nature and music lovers had a rapturous and enjoyable musical morning on Sunday (4th June 2006) at the Nageswara Park in Luz, Mylapore.

This time, in addition to the "dawn chorus" with which birds greet the people every new day, they had the sweet Carnatic vocal performance of Master V Shreyas to experience and applaud.

Just after the break of dawn, one could hear a heart rendering vocal performance by a 13-year-old boy. It seemed a perfect setting amidst falling leaves and curious birds, humming around the park. With overnight drizzle, the cool and cloudy early morning weather proved to be an ideal setting for the young boy to showcase his talent in front of 100 plus music connoisseurs.

In the fifth of the ‘Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ series, Shreyas, an eighth standard student of Vani Vidyalaya, K K Nagar, presented an outstanding vocal performance for an hour this morning at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

He was accompanied by R Bharathi on the violin and R Sriram on the mridangam. Shreyas is learning vocal music from P P B Srirangachari and Murali Parthasarathy. He is also learning violin from Srinivasamurthy.

T T Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd, said, "Master Shreyas’s vocal performance this morning was truly outstanding. Our idea, when we started this Sunday Kutcheri concept in February this year, was intended to promote budding youngsters to showcase their talent and provide opportunities to kids under 15 to perform in an open-air, ‘no mike-no speaker’ environment."

" From the performances we have seen in the last few months and the outstanding response from the community, that can be seen from the large number of music connoisseurs who have gathered here to witness and applaud the young, budding artistes, I think the ‘Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ has kicked off in right earnest."

Sruti and Jayshree Sarathy present mikeless ‘Kutcheri’ in Madras

First Kutcheri in India for the Calif based sisters

January 2008: California, US based sisters, 13 year old Sruti Sarathy and 11 year old Jayshree Sarathy, presented a carnatic music performance at the Mikeless Kutcheri organized by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. This was their first ever Kutcheri in India.

Sisters Sruti and Jayshree have been learning Carnatic music, for the last 6 years at the Trinity Center for Music from Smt. Anuradha Sridhar, daughter and disciple of Lalgudi Srimathi Brahmanandam.

Says Mrs. Vatsala Sarathy, the mother of Sruti and Jayshree, "We heard, from our friends in the US, of Sundaram Finance’s Kutcheri in the Park and the platform they were providing for young musical talent in Chennai. I was keen that my kids participate in this prestigious and very different kind of Kutcheri.

We approached Sundaram Finance in November 2007 and sent them music audio files of Sruti and Jayshree via the internet. The audition team at Sundaram Finance was happy with their presentation of songs.”

On their first performance in India, Sruti and Jayashree said, “When we think of Chennai, we only think of kutcheris in the Sabhas. We have never heard of mikeless kutcheris and open air park kutcheris.”

“While we have given several music performances in the US, this is the first time we have performed in India. Also, this is the first time we have sung without mikes and speakers.

This was a different kind of experience for us. The audience was very close to us. Without the mike, we had to put in more effort and I think our voice came out much better.

We were really surprised by the big crowd that was present that early in the morning (630am) and their encouragement really motivated us to perform even better."

T.T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd., was present on the occasion and presented certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.

Sivaswamy Kalalaya Student performs at the Sunday Kutcheri

As part of the ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’, G Vishwanath, a class 9 student of Sri Sivaswamy Kalalaya Senior Secondary School presented a vocal music performance, sans mike and speakers, this Sunday morning (7th October 2007) at the Chess Quadrangle of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Vishwanath was accompanied by R Priyamvadaa on the Violin and by Gohidayan on the Mridangam.

He has been learning carnatic music for 6 years. He is now learning music under Guru – Shri. Delhi Muthukumar, a disciple of TN Seshagopalan.

The idea behind the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide a launch pad for budding artistes aged below 15 years to showcase their musical talents and to encourage them to perform without inhibition.

For registration, email : sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Mikeless Kutcheri by Shrihari

On a pleasant December(2nd December 2007) morning, S Shrihari, a class 7 student at PS Senior Secondary School, Mylapore presented a brilliant vocal music performance in front a big audience at the monthly mikeless ‘Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Shrihari’s rendition of Vanajakshi, Mahaganapatim, Balla Kanakanya, Ninuvina and Enna Ganura drew special applause from the music connoisseurs and park walkers who had gathered at the park to watch the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri.

Shrihari has been learning carnatic music since the age of 5 under Guru - Sri S P Ramh. Shrihari was accompanied on the Violin by Ananthlakshmi, a class 4 student at National Public School, Gopalapuram and on the Mridangam by P V Srivathsa, studying in class 10 in PS Senior Sec School, Mylapore.

T. T Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd., was present on the occasion and presented certificates to the performing artistes.

The idea behind the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide a launch pad for budding artistes aged below 15 years to showcase their musical talents and to encourage them to perform without inhibition.

No mikes and speakers are used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Sundaram Finance’s audition committee conducts an audition to finalise the artistes


For audition and registration details, email: sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Sunday Kutcheri in the Park completes one year

Badrish presents mikeless kutcheri

In the first ‘Sunday Kutcheri’ of 2007, 14 year old S. Badrish of Jain Vidyalaya School, Triplicane presented a lively carnatic music performance for an hour on Sunday (5th February 2007) morning at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Badrish was accompanied on the Violin by Shiva Kumar and on the Mridangam by Venkatraman. He has been learning music from Guru Sulochana Sampath, Triplicane.

It was exactly a year ago that Sundaram Finance launched the concept of Sunday Kutcheri in the Park with a group kutcheri by Vandalur Vishwa Vidyalaya students. The speciality of the ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ is that no mikes or speakers are used and the Kutcheri takes place in an open air environment in the early morning hours amidst the chirping of birds.

The ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ is intended to promote budding youngsters to showcase their talent and is open to children aged below 15 years.

'Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ is organised on the first Sunday of every month between 630am and 730am at the Nageswara Rao Park. An audition committee, set up by Sundaram Finance, conducts an audition to finalise the artistes.

Summer of 2007-Mikeless Sunday Kutcheri

Shruthi presents carnatic Music at Chess Square

Shruthi S. Kumar, a Class VII student of Vidya Mandir, presented an hour of Mikeless Kutcheri at Nageswara Rao Park, Mylapore, on Sunday (6th May 2007) as part of the `Sunday Kutcheri in the park' organized by Sundaram Finance.

Shruthi was accompanied by R. Ram on the Violin, Madurai B. Sundar on the Mridangam and S. Krishna on the Ghatam.

Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is organised on the first Sunday of every month between 630am and 730am. An audition committee set up by Sundaram Finance selects children below 15 years of age to perform as part of the series.

For registration: sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Muralidhara Guruji Vidyalayam students present Group Kutcheri

Six Students from Shri Muralidhara Guruji Vidyalayam, Perambur presented a Group Kutcheri on Sunday morning (11th November 2007).M Shwetha Murlidharan, S Aishwarya, P K Ranjith, C Ashwin Parthasarathy, Sri Bhargavi and Vardhini were accompanied by R. Swathi on the Key Board, R.Raghavendran on the Ghatam and Sai Narayanan on the Tabla.

These 6 students have been learning music under Guru Mrs. Uma Murali.

The November 2007 edition of the ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ organized by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore was postponed by a week (to the 2nd Sunday) because of the monsoon rains on 4th November. This was the first time that the Sunday Kutcheri has had to be postponed because of the rains.

Varsha presents Mikeless Kutcheri at Nageswara Rao Park

The September 2008 edition of the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park saw V. Varsha, a Class 9 student of SBOA Anna Nagar present an hour of carnatic vocal music performance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on Sunday ( 8th September 2008) morning between 630am and 730am.

Varsha was accompanied by Priyamvadaa on the Violin and by Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam.

Some of the songs Varsha presented were Namaami(Hamsadvani), Srirama(Naasika Bhooshani), Shivananda(Panthuvaraali) and Paripaalayamaam(Reethi Gowla).

Launched in February 2006, Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park takes place on the 1st Sunday of every month between 6.30am and 7.30am and is open for children below 15 years. Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park. Sundaram Finance’s audition committee conducts an audition to finalise the artistes.

The aim of the ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ is to provide a launch pad for young musical talent.

Those interested in participating in the Sunday Kutcheri can email: sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Sai Sahana presents a lively mikeless kutcheri

Monsoon rains stayed away. It was a cool morning. The Sun was just on the way up. One could hear the chirping of birds. The Chess Quadrangle at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore was decorated with flowers by 6am.

By 630am on Sunday (5th October 2008) morning, Sai Sahana, a Class 10 student of Kendriya Vidyalaya Ashok Nagar who had impressed the Sundaram Finance audition committee, was all ready for her first mikeless Kutcheri.

One found that many of the morning walkers had switched off their MP3s and audio players as they tuned their ears to the sweet ragas of Sai Sahana.

Other regulars to the Sunday Kutcheri sat around the Chess Square sipping their morning coffee while listening to Vatapi Ganapathim (Hamsadvani, Aadhi Thaalam), Sharavanabhava (Shanmughapriya, Aadhi) and Yengum Un Aruley (Kalyani, Aadhi Thaalam).

Sai Sahana was accompanied on the Violin by B Sudha and on the Mridangam by Mambalam Shekar. Sai Sahana has been learning carnatic music from Mrs. Lalitha Subramaniam.


TT Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.

Morning Ragas from Suvasini at the Nageswara Rao Park

As part of the monthly mikeless ‘Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’, 15 year old B. Suvasini, a student of SBSM Senior Secondary School, West Mambalam presented an hour of carnatic vocal music performance on Sunday morning (4th May 2008) at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Suvasini was accompanied on the violin by Shyam and on the Mridangam by K.R. Narayen.

Some of the songs Suvasini presented were Kamkanapathey Namo Namo (Hamsadvani- Roopaka Thaalam), Karikalaapa Mukam (Saaveri- Thisra Ekam), Thikku Theriyaatha Kaatil (Raagamaaligai- Aathi Thaalam), Unnai Allaal Verey Gathi Illai Amma (Kalyani- Aathi Thaalam) and Thirupugazh (Shanmugapriya-Misra Saabu).