Supriya presents Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

The chess square was all decorated with flowers by 6am. 12 year old P Supriya was all excited to be presenting her first Mikeless Kutcheri. She reached the Nageswara Rao Park by 630am followed shortly by Violinist Parur Ananthalakshmi and Mridangist Ajeet Sridhar.

Supriya began sharp at 7am. For the next hour, she kept the audience rooted to their seat with a riveting performance with a presentation of songs that included Marukelara (Jayanthi Sri / Adi), Mamavathu Sri (Hindholam/Adi), Kanchathalaya (Kamala Manohari/Adi) and Deva Deva Kalayamithe ( Maya Malava Gowla/Rupakam). Morning Walkers at the park stopped by moved by her brilliant rendition. By 730am, all the stools were occupied. Music Connoisseurs gathered on the pathway too to encourage and appreciate the young talent. As an acknowledgement of her early morning Kutcheri, V Harikrishnan, Head- Karnataka, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to Supriya and the accompanists.

The idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to promote young musical talent aged below 15 years and to provide a launch pad for them. The focus has been on developing this as a platform for young ‘unsung’ children. Over 850 children have presented Kutcheri in the Park since the launch in February 2006. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

The Hindu's feature on Nageswara Rao Park

The Hindu- Downtown featured a front page story on the Nageswara Rao Park and the events organised there including the Kutcheri in the Park.

Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park 2014

For the sixth year running, Sundaram Finance organised a ‘Navarathri Special’ Kutcheri in the Park last week at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore providing an opportunity for children aged below 15years to showcase their talent.On day one, two class nine students, S. Sashank & K. Aswath Vinayak, presented a mikeless vocal carnatic music performance on Friday morning watched by noted Hindustani Classical Vocalist Sriram Parasuram.

Accompanied on the Violin by Sesha Sayi and on the Mridangam by B. Sathya Vageeswaran, the duo presented popular compositions that included Muthuswamy Dikshidar’s Mahaganapathim (Gambeera Nattai- Eka Thalam) and Sri Saraswathi (Roopakam-Arabhi), Thyagarajar’s Rama Bhakthi (Suddha Bhangala – Adi) and Bandureethi ( Hamsanadam-Adi), Oothukadu Venkata Subbiayyar’s Mangala Thunga (Ragamalika- Adi) and Aruna Girinathar’s Eru Mayil (Kanda Chapu – Brindavai).

The young artistes were in for a big surprise at the end of the Kutcheri, when Sriram Parasuram came up to the chess square to present certificates and mementos to them in appreciation of their performance. On Saturday morning, Sisters Madhukshara Dwarakanath (aged 13) & Grisha Dwarakanath (aged 10), students of GRT Mahalakshmi Vidhyalaya, Ashok Nagar presented a lively carnatic music performance. The sisters are learning music from Guru Mrs. Vasantha Sankararaman. Accompanied on the Violin by R. Swathishri (Guru VV Srinivasa Rao) and on the Mridangam by R Pranav (Guru Thiruvaiyaru V. Gurumoorthy), the sisters presented compositions that included, Papanasam Sivan’s Saravanabhava Guhane ( Kaanada), Dayananda Saraswathi’s Bhoo Sambo Shiva Sambo ( Revathi), GNB’s Varavallabha Ramana (Hamsadvani) and Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyyar’s Kalyana Rama (Hamsanadham).

To audition for the monthly Sunday kutcheri in the Park, email: sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Preeti presents Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

On a cloudy morning following the heavy overnight rain, 14year old Preeti Thiyagarajan, a class X Student of Modern Sr Sec School, Nanganallur presented a lively mikeless Kutcheri this Sunday (7 Sept) morning for an hour from 7am at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Preeti is learning music from Vidwan Srimathi Anasuya Krishnamoorthy. Accompanied on the Mridangam by Raguram and on the Violin by Kalaimamani Thiruvarur N Balam and appreciated all the way through by morning walkers and music connoisseurs, Preeti presented compositions that included Vallaba Nayakasya (Begada/Rupakam), Bala Kanna Kamaya (Attana/Adi), Vasudevayani (Kalyani/Adi) and Pakkala Nila Padi (Karagarapriya/ Misrachapu). V Kumaraswamy, GM- Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

The idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to promote young musical talent aged below 15 years and to provide a launch pad for them. The focus has been on developing this as a platform for young ‘unsung’ children. No mikes and speakers are used at the Kutcheri. Over 850 children have presented Kutcheri in the Park since the launch in February 2006. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Dhanush presents Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

As part of the monthly open-air Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance, 11year old Dhanush Anantharaman, a class 7 Student of Vidya Mandir Sr Sec School, Mylapore presented a lively mikeless Kutcheri this Sunday (3 Aug) morning at 7am at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Dhanush is learning music from Smt. Amritha Murali & Smt. Vijayalakshmi Sivakumar. Accompanied on the Mridangam by R Kishore and on the Violin by Thirucherai Karthik, Dhanush presented compositions that included Dikshithar’s Sri Lakshmi Varaham (Abhogi/Adi) and Sadachale (Bowli/Adi), Thyagarajar’s Nada Sudha Rasam (Arabhi/Rupakam) and Muthu Thandavar’s Arumarundoru (Kambhoji/Rupakam). For audition enquiries, email: sundaramfinance@sundaykutcheri.in

Rohith Rangan presents Sunday Kutcheri

It was a cloudy Sunday morning. There was a drizzle around at 630am. 14 year old Rohith K. Rangan, a Class 9student of DAV Public School, Velachery had an anxious wait as the organisers went about setting up the stage at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Thankfully, the rain stayed away and weather cleared as the clock ticked towards 7am and Rohith began his one hour kutcheri on time.

Morning walkers who seemed to stay away from the early morning routine too increased in numbers with the Sun coming out. As usual, the regulars sat on the stools to encourage the budding artiste. A Kid who had been selected for a future kutcheri was present too with her parents to get a sense of the Kutcheri environment. Accompanied on the Mridangam by M. Prabhakaran and on the Violin by Thirucherai Karthik, Rohith presented compositions that included Thyagaraja’s Paramathmudu Velige (Vagadeeshwari/ Aadhi), Papanasam Sivan’s Srinivasa Thiruvenkata ( Hamsanandi/Aadhi) and Mooladhara Murthy (Hamsadwani/Aadhi) and Bharathiyar’s Senthamizh Nadu (Mohana Kalyani/ Aadhi0 Rohith is learning music from Guru Smt. Vasanthi Gopal. G Sundararajan, CFO, Sundaram Home Finance was present on the occasion and handed over certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition, email: SundayKutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Purnima presents Park Kutcheri

Purnima, a class 9 student of DAV Public School, Velachery presented a lively mikeless Kutcheri this Sunday (June 1) morning as part of the monthly Open-Air Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance at the chess square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Purnima is learning music at Haridos Giri School of Music. Her Gurus include PS Narayana Swamy, RS Jayalakshmi and CR Vaidyanadhan. She was accompanied on the Mridangam by B. Venkatraman and on the Violin by Thirucherai Karthik. Starting with Namintha Yayunchi (Jana Ranjani/Adi), Purnima went on to present compositions that included Papanasam Sivan’s Gajavathana (Shri Rajani/ Adi), Pattanam Dikshithar’s Maravakavea (Sama/Rupakam) and Muthuswami Dikshithar’s Kamakshi (Bilahari/Adi).

C Muralidharan, GM- Operations, Sundaram Finance was present on the occasion and handed over certificates and mementos to the artistes. For audition: email sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Amritha’s lively Sunday Kutcheri on Agni Nakshatram

It was a surprising cool morning on day 1 of Agni Nakshatram. The sky was overcast and certain parts of the city had received early morning rains. Thankfully, the rain stayed away from Mylapore for it was to a big moment for the 15year old Amritha Chandramouli, a class 10 student of Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam who was slated to present the Sunday Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park on Sunday morning (4May).

She was there with her parents by 630am. The accompanists R Kishore (Mridangam) and Thirucherai Karthik (Violin) joined her at the chess square just shy of 7am. Amidst falling leaves and curious birds chirping around the chess square of the Nageswara Rao Park and in front of a park audience comprising of Kutcheri regulars and morning walkers, Amritha started off on a confident note. Singing without mikes and speakers was a new experience for Amritha and she seemed to enjoy it. Amritha, who is learning music from Guru Smt Nirmala Sunderarajan and Sri BM Sundaram, presented popular compositions that included Muthuswamy Dishithar’s Mahaganapathim (Naatai/Adhi), Subburaya Sastri’s Ninnu Vina (Kalyani/Adhi), Arunachalagiri’s Ramanukku Manna Mudi (Hindolam/Adhi) and Thyagaraja’s Ramachandra Nee Daya (Shruthi/Adhi).

G Sundararajan, CFO, Sundaram Home Finance who was present along with other senior officials of Sundaram Finance handed over certificates and mementos to the artistes at the end of the one hour Kutcheri The idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance on the first Sunday of every month is to promote young musical talent aged below 15years and provide them with a launch pad. Over 850 children have presented Kutcheri in the Park over the last 8years. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Ajay presents Sunday Kutcheri

14year old Ajay Parameshwaran, a class 9 student of Vidya Mandir, presented a lively Mikeless Kutcheri this Sunday morning (6 April) at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Ajay, who is learning music from Guru Smt. Jayasree Jayaraaj, was accompanied on the Mridangam by R. Kishore and on the Violin by Parur Ananthalakshmi. Ajay’s compositions included Mahaganapthim (Naattai), Swaminathena (Brindavana Saranga), Mani Uoopura Dhari ( Neelambari)and Jaalandhara (Valajji). The idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to promote young musical talent aged below 15years and to provide them with a launch pad. The focus has been on developing this as a platform for young ‘unsung’ children and to help them shed their inhibitions and give them the confidence to move up to the next level. Started in February 2006, over 850 children have presented Kutcheri in the Park in the last eight years. Mikes and Speakers are not used in the Sunday Kutcheri as the belief has been that it would bring out the best in the children if they performed without the help of mikes and speakers. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Meenakshi presents Sunday Kutcheri

As part of the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance, 14year old Meenakshi Viswanathan, a class X student of Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Senior Secondary School, present a lively Kutcheri sans mikes and speakers this Sunday (2 March) morning at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Meenakshi, who is learning music from Guru Smt. Saraswathi Thyagarajan, was accompanied on the Mridangam by K. Sai Prasad and on the Violin by Thirucherai Karthik. Meenakshi’s compositions included Mahaganapthim (Naatai), Manasa Etulo (Malayamarutham), Ananda Natana Prakasham (Kedaram), Kathaya Kathaya (Kalyani), Enna Solli Azhaithal (Kannada) and Vagaladi (Javali). Hari Krishnan, Head- Karnataka, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes. The idea behind the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance is to promote young musical talent aged below 15years and provide them with a launch pad. Over 850 children have presented Kutcheri in the Park over the last 8years. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email, sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Kids, park & kutcheris

KT Jagannathan of The Hindu writes on Sunday Kutcheri in the Park Sunday Park Kutcheri is much more than a normal CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative. For Sundaram Finance, it is a way to stay connected with its neighbour, and remain rooted to the tradition. This one has name, as well reputation. A revered institution, it stands tall in an industry, which has, time and again, seen a huge churn. Sundaram Finance Ltd., a well-known non-banking finance company from the TVS Group, has earned respect and admiration from many, especially the middle-class investors, for the honesty of purpose and sincerity in approach while conducting its business. Whenever it does something, it keeps the society interest upfront. Like the morning filter coffee and The Hindu newspaper, this too has been an integral part of people in this part of the world. Way back in February 2006, Sundaram Finance embarked upon an innovative initiative on the Carnatic music front. It began organising concerts on the morning of every first Sunday of a month. What’s so unique about it? Concerts are dime a dozen in a city like Chennai, which is considered the Mecca of Carnatic music. The difference here is that these concerts are for kids below 15 years, and are held at the popular Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. These are held in a natural surrounding. Moreover, no electrical gadgets are used to amplify the music. Probably it began as a pilot exercise. It has, however, transformed into a laudable noble initiative. The Sunday Kutcheri in the Park has now entered the 9th year. The first Sunday of February 2006 saw 15 students from Vishwa Vidyalaya at Vandalur on the outskirts of Chennai present the maiden Sunday Kutcheri in the Park at 6.30 a.m. Prior to 2006, for two years, kutcheris used to be organised at the Nageswara Rao Park annually during the 4-day Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival. From February 2006 onwards, this has became a monthly feature - 1st Sunday of every month between 6.30 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. Last year, however, the timing was shifted to 7 a.m. In 2009, the organisers encountered a happy problem. Due to a significant rise in applicants, there was a huge backlog in terms of providing opportunities to children. To address this – at least partially, Sundaram Finance launched a three-day Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park in September 2009. Since then, the Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park has been an annual feature. In addition to monthly and Navarathri kutcheris, Sundaram Finance has also been organising group concerts during the annual 4-day Mylapore Festival every year in January. Over 850 kids have so far participated at the Sunday Park Kutcheri. The Sunday Park Kutcheri has seen eight summers. In the eight years, it has not only gained stature but also visibility within and without. That it survived this long and has been growing in strength speaks volume for the visionary management of Sundaram Finance. For them, Sunday Park Kutcheri is much more than a normal CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative. For them, it is a way to stay connected with their neighbour, and remain rooted to the tradition. T.T. Srinivasaraghavan, Managing Director of Sundaram Finance, said: ``To us, the first Sunday of every month is their (kids) day. The young children are the stars of the show. Hence, we are clearly focussed on developing this as a platform for young unsung children.’’ As he suggested sometime ago to this writer, the Park Kutcheri concept deserves to be replicated all across the city by other corporate houses. It is time India Inc looked at CSR from the prism of Indian tradition as well.

Sunday Kutcheri completes 8years

Over 850 Children aged below 15years have presented Mikeless Kutcheri Preethi Sethuraman begins 9th Year with a lively performance at the Nageswara Rao Park

Sunday Kutcheri in the Park, sans mikes and speakers, organised by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara Rao Park has completed 8years with over 850children all aged below 15years having presented morning kutcheris. To begin the 9th year of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised on the first Sunday of every month between 7am and 8am, 14year old Preethi Sethuraman, a class nine student of Jawahar Vidyalaya, impressed the audience with a lively vocal carnatic music performance on Sunday (2 Feb) morning. Preethi, who is learning music from Guru Smt. Vasantha Shankararaman, was accompanied on the Mridangam by R. Kishore and on the Violin by Parur Ananthalakshmi. Preethi’s compositions included Sri Valli Devasenapathe ( Nata Bhairavi/ Adi), Ganamoorthy (Ganamoorthy/Adi), Thaye Thripurasundari ( Sudha Saveri/ Kanda Chapu) and Om Namo Narayana (Karnaranjani/Kanda Chapu). On the completion of 8years of the Mikeless Format of the kutcheri, TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance said, “We did not want to disturb the peace of the morning walkers with loud music and have consciously stayed away from mikes and speakers. Also being an open-air kutcheri, we believed that, amidst falling leaves and curious birds chirping around the park, we would be able to bring out the best in the children if they performed without the help of mikes and speakers. And hence, we have stuck to the format of the Mikeless Kutcheri.” “This is a platform to help young children, aged below 15years, shed their inhibitions and give them the confidence to move up to the next level. To us, the first Sunday of every month is their ‘Day’. The young children are the ‘stars’ of the show. Hence, we are clearly focussed on developing this as a platform for young ‘unsung’ children.’ A few years ago, Sundaram Finance expanded Kutcheri in the Park to have a Navarathri Kutcheri in the Park series. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Modern Sr. Sec School students present Kutcheri

On the final morning of the four day Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2014, 35students of Modern Senior Secondary School, Nanganallur (Guru: R. Sriramalakshmi) presented a lively Group Kutcheri at the chess square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. No mikes and speakers were used in the Park Kutcheri. A large crowd witnessed the young children present compositions that included Sriman Narayana (Bowli Ragam/Adi Thaalam), Shobillu Saptaswara (Jaganmohini/Rupakam), Neerajakshi (Hindolam/Rupakam), Govardhana Giridhari ( Darbari Kanada/Adi) and Andal’s Tiruppavai Verse of Karavaigal ( Kambhoji/Adi). TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance Ltd., presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

The idea behind the Kutcheri in the Park is to promote young musical talent aged below 15 years and to help them shed their inhibitions and give them the confidence to move up to the next level. Over 700 children have presented the mikeless Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park over the last 7years. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. For registration to present Kutcheri in the Park: email: sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Students of Padma Sandilyan present mikeless kutcheri

On Saturday morning, the third day of the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2014, over 10students, all disciples of Guru Padma Sandilyanpresented a lively Group Kutcheri at the chess square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. No mikes and speakers were used in the Park Kutcheri. The idea behind the Kutcheri in the Park is to promote young musical talent aged below 15 years and to help them shed their inhibitions and give them the confidence to move up to the next level. Over 700 children have presented the mikeless Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park over the last 7years. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. For registration to present Kutcheri in the Park: call 94450 34557

20students present a lively group concert

Day 2 of Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2014 began at 7am with a one hour Group Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park by 20students of Guru Gayathri Mahesh. The presentation of these young children, all aged below 15years, were applauded all the way through the kutcheri by over a 100 morning park walkers who had gathered around the chess square.

To register for audition,email your profile to : sundaykutcheri@gmail.com

Students of Suswara School of Music Mikeless Kutcheri

Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2014 kicks off with Mikeless Kutcheri

The four day Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2014 kicked off this morning with a lively Group Kutcheri by 30students of Suswara School of Music (Guru: Dr. Sudha Raja) at the chess square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. No mikes and speakers were used in the Park Kutcheri. A big crowd had gathered around the chess square to applaud the music group that comprised a few children in the age group of 5-6years. The idea behind the Kutcheri in the Park is to promote young musical talent aged below 15 years and to help them shed their inhibitions and give them the confidence to move up to the next level. Over 700 children have presented the mikeless Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park over the last 7years. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. Mikeless Kutcheri will take place every morning between 7am and 8am over the next three days of the Mylapore Festival. For registration to present Kutcheri in the Park, email: SundayKutcheri@gmail.com