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).

Flute recital at Sunday Kutcheri

It was a Sunday Kutcheri with a difference. For a number of people, for whom the mikeless kutcheri had become a regular feature over the last 12months, there was a pleasant surprise in store when they gathered around the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore at around 615am on the first Sunday of April 2007.

The park walkers too on Sunday morning were drawn towards the chess quadrangle by the sweet tunes emanating from the flute of 10 year old N Visveshwar, a class 6 student of Modern Senior Sec School, Nanganallur, who captivated the audience with a heart rendering flute recital at the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park between 6:30am and 7:30am.

Visveshwar was accompanied by N Ram on the violin, R Santosh Kumar on the Mridangam and Shri Sainath on the Ghatam.

Visveshwar has been learning flute from his Guru - Sri S V Ramaraja.

The aim of the ‘Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ is to promote budding youngsters showcase their musical talent. Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is open to children aged below 15 years and is organised on the first Sunday of every month between 6:30am and 7:30am.

An audition committee, set up by Sundaram Finance, conducts an audition to finalise the artistes.

An interesting feature of the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the park is that no mikes and speakers are used.

Those interested in participating in the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park can mail sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

The Hindu Online on the Mikeless Kutcheri

The Hindu Online features an indepth interview with T. T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance on the idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by the company on the first Sunday of every month at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore and the reasons for not using mikes and speakers at the Sunday Kutcheri.

The Hindu Online on Sunday Kutcheri

Mikeless Kutcheri - Sree Chitra competes with chirping of birds

In the ninth of the monthly Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park', V Sree Chitra, a class-9 student of Jawahar Vidyalaya, Ashok Nagar, enthralled the audience with her sweet voice and korvais of the ragas on Sunday(8th October 2006) morning at the Nageswara Rao Park.

It seemed a perfect setting amidst falling leaves and curious birds, humming around the park. Sree Chitra had to compete with the chirping of birds at that early hour to be heard and yet kept the audience spellbound right till the end. She sang with enthusiasm, ably backed by Prajeeth Kumar's violin and Punish Davay's mridangam.

The open air environment at the park proved to be an ideal setting for the girl to showcase her talent in front of 100-plus music connoisseurs.

Sree Chitra has been learning music from guru Lalitha Subramanian, Rasikapriya School of Music.

Mikeless Kutcheri at Nageswara Rao Park

As part of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance, 14 year old Darshana Mahadevan, a student of Padma Sarangapani Matriculation Hr. Secondary school, Saligramam captivated the big early morning audience for an hour at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore with a beautiful vocal music performance on Sunday (1st July 2007) morning.

Darshana's songs included Amma Anadha Dhaayani (Gambeera Nattai), Gananathaya Namasthe (Gowla), Sundhara Aara Deham (Panthu Varaali), Thantha Naana((Bowli), Kuzhaloothi(Kamboji) and Nathajana Palini (Nalina Kaandhee).

Darshana has been learning music from Smt. Binni Krishnakumar (disciple of Dr. Balamurali Krishna). She was accompanied by Shri. Ambur Padmanabhan on the Mridangam and Shri. Karthikeyan on the violin.

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

On the thought process behind the Sunday Kutcheri, Srinivasaraghavan said, "Our idea, when we started the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in February 2006, was to provide a launch pad for budding artistes, under 15 years, to showcase their musical talents."

"The early response to the 'Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park' has been encouraging, judging by the enquiries we receive every month, from children across Chennai, to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri. Equally gratifying is the growing response from the community and the large number of music connoisseurs, who gather at the park to encourage and applaud the young artistes."

India Today Tamil profiles the Sunday Kutcheri

India Today Tamil features the Sunday Kutcheri organised by Sundaram Finance on the first Sunday of every month

Bhavna presents carnatic music performance at Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

V.B. Bhavna, a class nine student of SBOA School Anna Nagar presented a vocal music performance at the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park held at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on Sunday (3rd August 2008) morning between 630am and 730am.

Bhavna was accompanied by Thalaignayar S Harishkumar on the Mridangam and by J Shraddha Ravindran on the Violin.

Some of the songs Bhavna presented were Samana Rahite(Saranga Tarangini Ragam, Roopaka Thaalam), Thulasidhala (Maaya Malava Gowda, Roopaka Thaalam), Thathvam Ariya (Reeti Goulai, Aathi Thaalam)and Chinnan Chiru Kiliye(Raagmaalika).

Bhavna has been learning music under Shri Ajay Namboodiri, disciple of Shri Neyveli Santhanagopalan. She has also been learning Violin for the past 5 years.

Paramesh Krishnaier and S.Sivakumar, Sundaram Finance after presenting certificates and mementos to the performing artistes.

Priyamvadaa presents violin performance at Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Chinnan Chiru Kiliye and Theeraatha Vilaiaatu Pillai draw special appreciation

Over 100 morning walkers and music enthusiasts sat around the Chess Quadrangle of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on Sunday (1st June 2008) morning to watch R. Priyamvadaa, a student of Sri Sivaswami Kalalaya present an hour of carnatic music on the violin.

Priyamvadaa was accompanied by K. S. Ramana on the Mridangam and Chandra Sekara Sharma on the Ghatam.

Some of the songs Priyamvadaa played on the violin included Gajananayutham (Chakravaham Ragam, Aathi Thaalam), Pantu Rithi Kolu(Hamsanadam, Aathi Thaalam), Sobillu Sapthaswara (Jagan Mohini, Rupaka Thaalam), Sarasa Sama (Aathi Thaalam) Devi Neeye Thunai( Aathi Thaalam) and Jaggath Janani (Aathi Thaalam)

Her presentation of Chinnan Chiru Kiliye(Thisram Thaalam) and Theeraatha Vilaiaatu Pillai (Thisram Thaalam) drew special appreciation from the audience.

Priyamvadaa has been learning Violin from Akkarai Sri S Swaminathan. She is also learning Carnatic vocal music from Dr. Rukmini Ramani and Sri Ashok Ramani.

Priyamvadaa has also been an accompanist at several of Sunday Kutcheris organized by Sundaram Finance.

Twins present 'Sunday Kutcheri in the Park'

Deeptha and Shwetha respond to 'audience choice' with a confident rendition of Ksheeraabthi
For the first time, twins presented a carnatic music performance at the 'Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park' on the first Sunday of September 2007.

14 year old twins, Deeptha & Shwetha Vasudevan, enthralled hundreds of Park walkers and music connoisseurs to an hour of melodious Carnatic music at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

The morning walkers were so impressed with the performance of the twins that they even requested the two kids for an 'audience choice' rendition and the twins responded with a sterling performance of Ksheerabthi ( Annamacharyar's Kurunji).

This was the first time the twins were singing without a mike and speaker at any Kutcheri.

The twins, who are studying in National Public School, Gopalapuram, also recite Thiruppavai & Vedanta Desikar Slokas with fluency.

Deeptha and Shwetha were accompanied by CN Srinivasa Murthy on the Violin and by Thirucheri Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam. They have been learning music under Guru - Sangeetha Kala Acharya Smt. Sulochana Pattabhiraman

Their rendition of Jagadananda Kaaraka (one of the Pancharatna Keerthanas), Yehi Mutham Dehi, Sri Ganapathini, Aynkaranai and Maithreem Bhajata was much appreciated by the audience.

First Keyboard performance at Sunday Kutcheri

The April edition of Sunday Kutcheri saw a key board performance for the first time.

Mahathi Kishore, a 5th Standard student in DAV Girls Senior Secondary School, Gopalapuram, presented a carnatic music performance on the keyboard on Sunday morning (6th April 2008). Mahathi has been learning to play the keyboard for the last 3 years. Her present guru in Carnatic keyboard is Mr. Martin.

She was accompanied on the Ghatam by Sri Ammangudi S Ramanarayan, a disciple of Sri Umayalapuram Sri. K. Sivaraman and on the Mridangam by Sri Madurai D Sundar, a disciple of Sri Umayalapuram Sri. K. Sivaraman.

S. Sivakumar, VP, Sundaram Finance presenting certificate and mementos to Mahitha Kishore.

Musical morning at Nageswara Rao Park

Ghatam Suresh's troupe perform at the Sunday Kutcheri
Walkers at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Madras had an enjoyable musical morning at on Sunday (5th March 2007). This time, in addition to the "dawn chorus" with which birds greet us every new day, they had the sweet carnatic music performance of 15 young children, belonging to Ghatam Suresh's troupe 'Sankruthi', to experience and applaud.

These talented artistes were accompanied by Sri Sankarnarayanan on the flute, Sri Sikkil Balu on the violin, Sri Kalyanaraman on the mridangam, Master Krishna and Master Prashanth on the Ghatam, Sri Muralidharan on the Congo and Sri Satyaraj on the keyboard.

Deccan Chronicle on Sunday Kutcheri

Senior Journalist, Chitra Mahesh, from the Chennai Chronicle makes an early morning trip to the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore to review the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

It turns out to be a rainy morning with the artiste performing in the drizzle.

Anjana and Saagarika at the mikeless Sunday Kutcheri

The first Sunday of February 2008 saw two 15 year olds, from two different schools, come together to present a vocal carnatic music performance. V. Anjana, studying in P S Senior Sec School, Mylapore and Saagarika Sridhar, studying in The Ashram School, performed at mikeless Sunday Kutcheri organized by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Anjana and Saagarika have been learning music from Guru Prema Rangarajan.

They were accompanied on the Violin by Anupama Shankar and on the Mridangam by Kaushik Rajagopal.

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

Vidya Mandir Students perform at the Sunday Kutcheri

15 students from Vidya Mandir, Mylapore presented a vocal music performance on Sunday morning (2nd March 2008) at the monthly mikeless ‘Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. These 15 children were accompanied by Shyam on the Violin, Shrikrishna & R. Varun on the Mridangam and by S. Krishna on the Ghatam.

Interestingly, these students, who have been learning music individually from different music teachers and have different music styles, were brought together and trained specifically for the Sunday Kutcheri.

Mrs. Harikripa Kannan, Maths Teacher at Vidya Mandir, who brought together these students for this Sunday Kutcheri said, “The early morning park ambience was very pleasant and conducive for a kutcheri. The mikeless kutcheri is an interesting and innovative concept. The children were very surprised when they were told that there would be no mikes and speakers but they enjoyed their first ever experience of a mikeless open air kutcheri.”


You Tube of Vidya Mandir Students at Sunday Kutcheri

TOI on Sunday Kutcheri

Times of India visits the October 2008 Sunday Kutcheri in the Park at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore

Pammal School Students present Group Kutcheri

UKG Student part of the Kutcheri

For 20 students from Sri Sankara Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Pammal, Sunday morning (6th July 2008) was a big occasion.

These students started as early as 5am on their 20 km trip from Pammal, on the outskirts South of Madras, to the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore for their first Kutcheri in Chennai. One could see the enthusiasm and excitement in the eyes of these little children as they performed on the big stage for the first time.

The rendition of songs such as Sagala Ganaathipa(Aarabi raagam, Athi Thaalam- Dr. Bala Murali Krishnaa), Sri Valli Deva Senapathipathey (Papanasa Sivan), Sriman Narayana(Bowli Ragam, Athi Thaalam), Venkataasa Nilayam(Sindhu Bairavi Ragam-Athi Thaalam- Purandaradaasa), Kurai Onrum Illai and Maithreem Bajatha had the hundreds of people who had gathered around the Kutcheri chess square at Nageswara Rao Park tapping in synch with the music.

Mrs. Malathy Balakrishnan, Principal, Sankara Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Sec School Pammal, said “The Sunday Kutcheri is a unique concept providing opportunities for young children to present kutcheris in an open air environment, amidst a nice park setting.”

“This is the first time these children have presented a public carnatic music performance. Singing without mikes and speakers was a new experience for them and the performance at the Sunday Kutcheri would have given them the confidence to present more such public performances in the future.”

T. T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance said, “It is heartening to hear that these children put in long hours of hard work practicing as a team, ahead of the Sunday Kutcheri. Our objective is to provide opportunities to young children and the presence of an enthusiastic 5year old UKG student, as part of this music troupe, was particularly pleasing.”

Sri Sankara Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Sec School, Pammal was started in 1983 with an initial strength of 135 students. The school now is a full-fledged Higher Secondary School with 2700 students on its rolls in this Silver Jubilee Year.

Violin performance at the Sunday Kutcheri

It was a Sunday Kutcheri with a difference. Moving away from the usual carnatic music performance that one has been accustomed to on the first Sunday of every month, the November edition of the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore saw 12 year old Sriram Sridhar, a 7th class student of Bharathi Vidyalaya, Perumbakkam, present a violin performance on Sunday morning (2nd November 2008).

Sriram has been learning Violin from Smt. Padma Sankar (disciple of Lalgudi Jayaraman). Sriram has also been training in Carnatic Vocal from Smt. Sankari Krishnan.

Sriram was accompanied on the Mridangam by V. Santhanagopalakrishnan and on the Ganjira by S. Balaji.

Some of the songs Sriram presented were Enna Thavam (Aadhi Thaalam, Kapi, P.Sivan), Kurai Onrum (Raagamaalika, Aadhi), Marivarey (Anandha Bairavi, Shyama Sastri) and Shobillu (JaganMohini, Rupakam, Thayagarajar).

In addition to this solo performance, Sriram has also been playing the role of a Violin accompanist in the ongoing Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Sisters present Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

6year and 8 year old sisters surprise the Sunday Kutcheri audience with a sparkling performance

Two young little children were the cynosure of all eyes on Sunday (6th August 2006) morning at the Nageswara Rao Park.

Reason - Sisters R. Deepika (eight years) and R. Aparna (six years), studying in the Srimathi Sundaravalli Memorial Higher Secondary School, Chromepet, were presenting a memorable vocal carnatic music performance, as part of the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

If there was any apprehension, before Sunday morning, about their capability to present a full fledged kutcheri, sans mike and speakers, none existed after 730am for the two little kids stunned a packed park audience with their sweet presentation. Through the one hour, the sisters were full of energy and drew applause after every song.

Almost all the morning park walkers cut short their walk to watch the sisters, enthusiastically and without any inhibitions, present one full hour of carnatic music songs.

They were accompanied by B N Sivakumar on the Violin and by K Ramasubramanian on the Mridangam

Deepika and Aparna have been learning vocal music from Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan

Sunday Kutcheri on You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=pitstop4performers&view=videos&query=srinivasaraghavan
Sundaram Finance Managing Director T.T.Srinivasaraghavan talks about the concept of the 'Sunday Kutcheri in the Park' on You Tube

The Hindu on 'Events at the Nageswara Rao Park'

The Hindu Metro Plus features an extensive piece on the Nageswara Rao Park (maintained by Sundaram Finance)in Mylapore and the Sunday Kutcheri organised there every month by Sundaram Finance.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/10/10/stories/2007101050030100.htm

Sunday Kutcheri in the rain

Arul Priya performs under the Umbrella

An unusually cloudy August morning, a slight drizzle and a big crowd of well over 100 carnatic music enthusiasts welcomed the first overseas music artiste at the ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park' organized by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park on 5th August 2007.

Braving the drizzle and with an umbrella on top (held by the organizers), 13 year old Arul Priya Manickavasakan from Dubai, accompanied by G. Krithivasan on the Mridangam and by R. Priyamvadaa on the Violin, enthralled the audience to an hour of melodious Carnatic music.

Her rendition of Muthuswami Deekshithar's Mathangi, Thyagarajar's Pandu Reeti, Ambujam Krishna's Enna Solli and Thiruvarur Ramaswamy Pillai's Jagadheeshwari drew rapturous applause from the audience.

Immediately after the Sunday Kutcheri, Arul Priya said, "This was the first time I performed in an open air Park Kutcheri without a mike and speaker. I really enjoyed this unique experience. I had to put in a lot more effort at this 'mikeless' Kutcheri. I was really surprised by the big crowd that was present and their encouragement really motivated me to perform even better."

The Sunday morning rain made good footage for the TV cameras with NDTV featuring Arul Priya’s Sunday Kutcheri on their national network.

Chennai Times on Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

A Feature in Chennai Times on city parks turning as cultural hubs.

Times of India on Sunday Kutcheri

TOI, Madras features a piece on the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park
and recommends the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore
as the place to be in on the first Sunday of every month

December Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Morning walkers stay back to listen to Sharmiley

Winter was setting in. The early morning breeze was turning chilly. Thankfully, the monsoon rains stayed away from the December edition of the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Amidst the chirping birds and the buzz of the early morning walkers at the park, R. Sharmiley, a student of NSN Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chromepet presented an hour of lively carnatic music performance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on Sunday morning (7th December 2008).

Sharmiley was accompanied by N Ram on the Violin and by Santhosh Kumar on the Mridangam.

Beginning sharp at 630am, Sharmiley presented with flair popular songs such as Vathapi Ganapathi (Hamsadvini), Kurai Onrum Illai (Raagamaaliga), Sive Pahimam (Kalyani), and Prasanna Vadhani (Brindavani). Many in the park stayed back after their walk to listen to the sweet music by this young artiste.

Park audience cheer Madhumathy’s ‘Theeratha Vilayatu Pillai’

15 year old C. Madhumathy, a student of Sri Sankara Vidhyashram, Tiruvanmiyur presented a pleasing carnatic music performance at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Madras on Sunday morning (7th June).

Madhumathy, who also plays the keyboard, was accompanied by Master S Sriram on the Violin and Master Guhesh Swaminathan on the Mridangam.

Madhumathy’s rendition of Theeratha Vilayattu Pillai (Ragamalika) was much appreciated by the morning park walkers. Some of the other songs she presented included Shambho Mahadeva (Panthyvarali), Neethu Charana (Kalyani) and Devi Neeye Thunai (Keeravani).

Madhumathy’s present guru is Smt. Gayathri Mahesh (disciple of OS Thyagarajan).

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

Packed audience watch Abhishek Krishna at Sunday Kutcheri

Lively Mikeless Kutcheri from 11 year old KFI student

The summer edition of the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park saw 11 year old Abhishek Krishna, a student of ‘The School’, KFI, Besant Nagar, present a lively carnatic music performance in front of a packed audience at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on 3rd May.

Accompanied by Shri. S.K.Sadagopan on the Violin and by Shri. Muralinathan on the Mridangam, Abhishek presented songs such as Rama Bhadra (Ananda Bairavi Ragam, Aathi Thalam), Ongi Ulagalantha (Arathi, Aathi Thalam), Arula Vendum Thaaye (Saramathi, Roopakam), Maithrem Bhathathey (Ragamalika, Aathi Thalam) and Eru Mayil Eri (Bhageshri Ragam) drawing a loud round of applause.

Abhishek Krishna has been learning carnatic music for the last 7 years. His present guru is Sri Srikanth Koudinya (a student of Sri Neyveli Santhanagopalan).

Aadithya Murali debuts at ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’

Audience crowd around the Teenager in his maiden carnatic music performance

Amidst falling leaves and chirping birds, 14 year old Aadithya Murali, a student of National Public School, Gopalapuram presented his maiden carnatic music performance in front of a big gathering of morning walkers at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on Sunday (5th April 2009).

In this informal Park setting,which is a feature of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park, Aadithya Murali found several in the audience(young children to the paatis) sittingt right in front of him, at the Chess Square, just a few feet away.

Accompanying the teenage vocalist in his debut Kutcheri were Master R. Shyam on the Violin and Master Varun Ramaswamy on the Mridangam, both students of Vidya Mandir.

Aadithya has been learning Carnatic music for the past 8 years. His current guru is Sri V Subramanian.

Some of the songs Aadithya presented were Sri Parvati (Bowli), Brochi (Sri Ranjani), Brihadeshwarya (Sankarabaranam), Deva Deva (Maya Malava Gowla), Krishnam Vandey (Yaman Kalyani) and Rama Nanu ( Hari Kambhoji).

Mehalochani presents Sunday Kutcheri at Nageswara Rao Park

First Sunday of March 2009 saw 10 year old G.S. Mehalochani, a class V student of SRDF Vivekananda Vidyalaya, Chrompet present a vocal carnatic music performance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Madras.

This was part of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance on the first Sunday of every month between 630am and 730am.Mikes and Speakers are not used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Morning walkers at the Nageswara Rao Park gathered around the Chess Square to appreciate the young musical talent.

Mehalochani was accompanied by Kumbakonam R Selva Prasad on the Violin and S Hariharan on the Mridangam.

Mehalochani has been learning music under Guru Sangeetha Vidwan Smt. Bagya Lakshmi.

Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes.

Sundaram Finance MD Mr. T. T. Srinivasaraghavan presenting certificate to Mehalochani

Brother-Sister duo present Sunday Kutcheri

Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park Completes 3 years

For the first time at the Sundaram Finance ‘Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’, a sister and brother combined together to present an hour of mikeless carnatic music performance at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on 1st February 2009.

13 year old K Balakrishnan & 10 year old Srividhya Kannan, students of Jawahar Vidyalaya, Ashok Nagar, have been learning carnatic music under Guru Kalakkad Sitalakshmi. They were accompanied by Sowmayasree Chandramouli on the Violin and Thirucherai Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam.

Their presentation of Po Shambho, Giridhara Gopala and Vasudey Vasudam Devam drew special applause from the big early morning audience that had gathered at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park was launched in February 2006 with the aim of providing a launch pad for young musical talent aged below 15years.

California Student presents Sunday Kutcheri

In the margazhi edition of ‘Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park’ and the first of 2009, 14year old Parthiv Mohan, a 9th class student from California presented a vocal carnatic music performance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, Madras on 4th January 2009.

Parthiv Mohan was accompanied by Ananthasree on the Violin and by Thirucheri Kaushik Rajagopal on the Mridangam.

A student of Anuradha Sridhar (daughter of Lalgudi Srimathi Brahmanandam), Parthiv has been learning carnatic vocal for the past 6 years. He has also been learning the violin.

Parthiv is third artiste from the US to perform at the Sundaram Finance Kutcheri in the Park. Earlier, sisters Sruthi and Jayashree Sarathy from the US had presented the mikeless Kutcheri in January 2008 (exactly one year ago).

The 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. Sundaram Finance conducts an audition to finalise the artistes.

Rediff.com features Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Rediff.com's Feature Editor Shobha Warrier features a special Slide Show on Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/sep/11slide6.htm

Sunday Kutcheri Feature Story in Business Line- Life

Below is an online link to a feature story written by Business Line's Deputy Editor Mr. D. Murali on the Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

http://www.blonnet.com/life/2008/08/29/stories/2008082950090300.htm

CarnaticDarbar.com interview on Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Exclusive Online carnatic music site CarnaticDarbar.com featured a Q&A interview with T. T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance Ltd., on the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

In this interview to Mr. K.T. Jagannathan of Carnaticdarbar.com, T.T. Srinivasaraghavan shares his thoughts on the concept of Sunday Kutcheri in the park, its impact and influence.

http://www.carnaticdarbar.com/interviews_tts.htm

Sunday Kutcheri in the Park Launch- February 2006

Vandulur Vishwa Vidyalaya Students launch Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park with a Group Kutcheri

Sundaram Finance Sunday Kutcheri in the Park kicked off on 5th February 2006 with a Group Kutcheri presented by 8 students belonging to Vandalur Vishwa Vidyalaya School.

All these students started at around 5am on Sunday morning from Vandalur to reach the chess square at the Nageswara Rao Park by 6am, a good half hour before the scheduled time of the Sunday Kutcheri. The students were all very excited to present a Kutcheri sans mike and speakers and in front a big audience, many of whom were sitting within yards of the performing artistes.

Most of the children from Vishwa Vidyalaya in Vandalur who came to sing at the first Sunday Kutcheri in the Park were children of labourers, none of whom had ever had the benefit of a school education.

This school, run by two ladies, has had an excellent track record growing from about 50 students to well over 800 students. An integral part of the curriculum is the music education. For these students, it turned out to be a nice platform to showcase their talent in front a big audience that comprised morning walkers and music connoisseurs.

Many in the audience stayed back well beyond the kutcheri to personally appreciate and bless these young children.