Varsha presents a lively Sunday Kutcheri

At 630am this Sunday Morning ( Nov 6), the chess square at the Nageswara Rao Park was abuzz with activity. The chess square was decorated with flowers welcoming the young 14 year old V. Varsha of Sivaswamy Kalalaya who was to present her first mikeless kutcheri.

By the time the clock ticked to 7am, a number of her friends, many of whom students of her Guru Subha Ganesan had gathered at the chess square to cheer their team mate. For an hour, Varsha, presented a lively vocal carnatic music performance sans mikes and speakers that was much appreciated by the audience that included the regular morning walkers.

Varsha, who is learning music from Guru Smt. Subha Ganesan, was accompanied on the Violin by R D Shyam Ragav (Disciple of Chertalai Sri R Shivakumar) and on the Mirudangam by Jayendra Kumar (Disciple of Thiruvarur Sri Bakthavatsalam). Varsha presented compositions that included Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s Gajananayutham (Chakravagham- Adi) and Kanchadalayadakshi (Kamalamanohari – Adi), Thyagarajar’s Ganamurthe (Ganamurthi – Adi), Mysore Vaasudevaacharya’s Mamavathu Sri Saraswathi (Hindolam – Adi) and Papanasam Sivan ‘s (Nyana sabaiyil - Saranga - Misra Chapu). S Dhandayudhapani, Head- Tamil Nadu, Sundaram Direct presented certificates and mementos to artistes.

Organised on the first Sunday of every month since February 2006, the idea of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide opportunities to young budding talent aged below 15 years to present in front of an informal park audience amidst chirping birds and falling leaves. Over 1000 children have presented Kutcheri to-date. A committee from Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To participate in the audition, email profile to: sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Navarathri Kutcheri in the Park 2016

8th year in a row 3 day Navarathri Special ‘Kutcheri in the Park’ organised at Nageswara Rao Park Vidya Mandir Students presented a Kutcheri on each of the three days As part of the Navarathri celebrations, Sundaram Finance organised a three day Kutcheri in the Park between Oct 7 and 9, 2016 at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore between 7am and 8am. This was the 8th year that Sundaram Finance organised the Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park. Students from Vidya Mandir presented a Kutcheri on each of the three days. On the first and second day ( Friday and Saturday morning,) Guru S. Vijayalakshmi’s students presented Kutcheris. On Friday, 13 year old Varsha Balaji presented a mikeless kutcheri accompanied on the Violin by R. Vasumathi (Guru Dr. Harini Srivatsa) and on the Mirudangam by P. Vishal (disciple of Thiruvarur Sri Bakthavathsalam). On Saturday morning, accompanied by Sharanya Kannan (Violin) and by P. Vishal ( Mirudangam),12 year old Gopika Devarajan presented the Kutcheri in the Park. Sunday Morning- Sisters’ Kutcheri On the final day (Oct 9), Sisters 14 year old Sapna Krishnakumar & 11 year old Vibha Krishnakumar (Guru Smt. Geetha Raja) presented a Kutcheri for an hour from 7am. They were accompanied on the Violin by Arushi Ramesh (Guru Smt. Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi) and on the Mirudangam by S. Vaithiyanathan (Guru Sri. Chromepet G. Suresh), Sundaram Finance has also been organising Kutcheri in the Park on the first Sunday of every month since February 2007. No mikes and speakers are used at the Kutcheri in the Park. Over 1000 children have presented concerts at the Kutcheri in the Park. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes aged below 15years for the monthly Kutcheri in the Park.

US student presents Saxaphone Kutcheri

14 year old Shishir leaves audience spell bound with Maruthamalai Maa Muniye and Bho Shambho

For the 2nd month in a row a School student from the US presented a Kutcheri at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park at Nageswara Rao Park. This Sunday was a very special occasion. For the first time in the ten and a half years of Sunday Kutcheri in the Park, a Saxaphone Kutcheri was presented. And it lured so many of the morning walkers to the chess square that by 645am all the stools were occupied.

Shishir presented compositions that included Adirondaar (Maya Malava Goulai) and Nagumomu (Abheri). He had the audience spell bound with a lively presentation of two popular songs - Marudhamalai Maa Maniye (Darbari Kanada) and Bho Shambo (Revathy). Mylapore MLA R Natraj was present on the occasion and handed over certificates and mementos to the artistes. Natraj who was quite impressed with the presented asked him to seek the Lord's blessings with a presentation at the TTD. On hearing that the young lad was also learning vocal carnatic music, Natraj suggested that he should also present a vocal kutcheri sometime in the future.

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.No Mikes and Speakers are used at the Kutcheri. A committee from Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To participate in the audition, email profile to: sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Houston student presents Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

As part of the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organized by Sundaram Finance, Ahi Ajayan, a class VIII student at Ryan Middle School, Houston, Texas (USA) enthralled the morning walkers and an informal audience at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore with a one hour Mikeless Kutcheri this Sunday (July 3) morning, amidst chirping birds and falling leaves.

Ahi Ajayan, who is learning music from Guru Vidushi Smt. Suguna Varadachari, was accompanied on the Violin by R. Swadisri (Disciple of Sri V V Srinivasa Rao) and on the Mirudangam by R. Pranav (Disciple of Thiruvayaru Sri Gurumoorthy). Ahi presented compositions that included Mahaganapathim (Nattai), Sreeman Narayana (Bowli), Sri Lakshmi Varaham (Abogi), Shankaracharyam (Shankarabharanam), Karpagame (Madhyamavathi) and Chinnan Chiru Kiliye (Ragamalika)

Siblings present Mikeless Kutcheri

As part of the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance, the brother- sister duo of 14 year old Kavya Sridhar and 12 year old Aditya Sridhar presented a lively one hour mikeless Kutcheri this Sunday (5 June) morning between 630am and 730am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Both are learning music from Guru Smt. Seethalakshmi. Aditya is also learning from Sri. OS Thyagarajan. They were accompanied on the Violin by Ramya Srinivasan (Disciple of Poorna Prajna) and on the Mirudangam by A. Rohith (Disciple of Kalaimamani Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam) Appreciated all the way by morning walkers and regulars at the Kutcheri who gathered around the chess square, the Siblings presented compositions that included Shambho Mahadeva (Bowli), Gnyana Mosaga Raadha (Poorvi Kalyani), Paamarajana Paalini (Simhendra Madhyamam), Bantu Reethi Kolu (Hamsanaadham) and Kandena Govindana (Chandra Kouns).

P Viswanathan, Company Secretary, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Ayshwarya presents a lively Mikeless Kutcheri

Morning Ragas at the Nageswara Rao Park

It was an early start on this Sunday’s summer morning on the first day of May with 12 year old V.U.M Ayshwarya, a student of Modern Sr. Sec School, Nanganallur presenting a lively one hour Mikeless Kutcheri from 630 am in front of an informal gathering at the chess square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Ayshwarya, who is learning music from Guru Vidwan Shri B Uma Shankar, was accompanied on the Violin by T. Vagadeeswari (Disciple of Melakaveri Shri K.Thiagarajan) and on the Mirudangam by K. Sudev (Disciple of Kalaimamani Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam).

Ayshwarya presented popular compositions that included Muthuswamy Dikshidhar’s Saraswathi Chayatharangini (Chayatharangini/ Adhi), Papanasam Sivan’s Gajavadhana Karuna Sadhana (Sriranjani/Adhi), Paradeivam Unaiyandri Unndoo (Poorvi Kalyani/ Adhi) and Thyagrarajar’s Janakiramana (SuddhaSeemandhini/Adhi), Meevalla Gunadhosha (Kaapi/Kandha Chaapu), Nee Nama Rupa Mulagu (Sowrashtram/Adhi) and Bharathiyar’s Pagaivanukkarulvai (Ragamalika / Yekam Thisra Nadai).

All the artistes were presented with certificates and mementos. No Mikes and speakers are used at the Kutcheri. Organised on the first Sunday of every month by Sundaram Finance, the idea of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide opportunities to young budding talent aged below 15 years to present in front of an informal park audience amidst chirping birds and falling leaves. Certificates and Mementos are presented to the artistes by Sundaram Finance. Over 1000 children have presented Kutcheri to-date since the launch in February 2006. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. For audition, email: sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in, Follow Sunday Kutcheri on Facebook on www.facebook.com/sundaykutcheriinthepark

Sathya Narayanan Mikeless Kutcheri

14 year old M Sathya Narayanan, a student of The Hindu Sr. Sec. School, Triplicane presented a Mikeless Kutcheri on Sunday (3 April) morning between 6.30am and 7.30am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Sathya Narayanan who is learning music from Guru Smt Sheela Sundar was accompanied on the Violin by Thirucherai Karthik (Guru Sri V.L. Kumar) and on the Mirudangam by Ajeet Sridhar (Guru Sri Chrompet Suresh). Appreciated all the way through the one hour by the informal park audience, Sathya Narayanan presented compositions that included Gajanana Yudham (Chakkravagam – Adi),Devi Neeye Thunai (Keeravani – Adi), Shobillu (Jagan Mohini – Roopakam), Ennai Nee Maravadhe ( Amrutha Varshini – Adi) and Janani Janani ( Revathi – Adi)

The idea of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide opportunities to young budding talent aged below 15 years to present in front of an informal park audience amidst chirping birds and falling leaves. Over 1000 children have presented Kutcheri to-date since the launch in February 2006. Follow Sunday Kutcheri on Facebook on facebook/sundaykutcheriinthepark

Nandita presents Mikeless Kutcheri

As part of the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance, 12 year old Nandita Shankar, a class VII student of PSBB Millennium School presented a Mikeless Kutcheri on the first Sunday of March 2016 ( 6 March) between 7am and 8am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Nandita who is learning music from Guru Smt Niranjana Srinivasan, was accompanied on the Violin by R. Mathura Mathangi (Guru Villivakkam Sri S. Raghuraman) and on the Mirudangam by KP Arjun Sundaram (Guru Thillaistanam Suriyanarayanan).

Nandita presented compositions that included Brochevarevarura (Kamas – Adi),, Bhanturithi (Hamsanadham – Adi), Ramanukku Mannan Mudi (Indholam – Adi), Eppo Varuvaaro (Jonpuri – Adi), Mamava Pattabhirama (Manirangu – Misra Chapu) and Maragadha Valli (Kaambhoji – Adi). G Sundararajan, CFO, Sundaram Home Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

No Mikes and speakers are used at the Kutcheri. Organised on the first Sunday of every month, the idea of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park is to provide opportunities to young budding talent aged below 15 years to present in front of an informal park audience amidst chirping birds and falling leaves. Over 1000 children have presented Kutcheri to-date since the launch in February 2006. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. For audition, email: sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in, Follow Sunday Kutcheri on Facebook on facebook/sundaykutcheriinthepark

10th Anniversary Celebrations Vishwa Vidyalaya Vandalur

10 years ago on Feb 5, 2006, over 10 students from Vishwa Vidyalaya came all the way from Vandalur to present the launch Kutcheri of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park. This morning ( Feb 7, 2016), they revived old memories as another group of students from the same school came to present a kutcheri on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Sharp at 7am, S Sivakumar, VP-Corporate Communications, Sundaram Finance welcomed the artistes and the big crowd that had gathered around the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Accompanied by students on the Dholki, Kanjira, Mridangam, Harmonium and the Keyboard, these young budding artistes presented songs that included Om Namo Gananayaka, Govardhana Giridhara, Hari Hari Raama Naama, Kaavadi Kondu Pazhani Malai and Hey Rama Dhoota.

Sampath Kumar, President, Nageswara Rao Park Walkers Association said this is the only one of its kind Mikeless Kutcheri in the city. He lauded Sundaram Finance for unearthing the musical talent in children over the last decade. He congratulated Sunday Kutcheri in the Park initiative for entering the Limca Book of Records and hoped that one day the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park will enter the Guiness Book of Records as well.

Speaking on the occasion, TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance said ‘When the Sunday Kutcheri was launched, we were not sure as to how long this would continue and if the children would like the mikeless concept. We are glad that the Sunday Kutcheri has gone on for 10 years and has helped serve as a platform for over 1000 budding musicians. Today is a thanks giving day to all the Children, Parents and Gurus who have been part of making the Sunday Kutcheri a special event at the park over the last decade.’ TT Srinivasaraghavan presented certificates to the performing artistes and to Ms Mala, Head Mistress and Ms. Vasumathi, Vice Principal of Vishwa Vidyalaya.

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.No Mikes and Speakers are used at the Kutcheri. A committee from Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email Sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Sunday Kutcheri Limca Book of Records

News Today features a big story on Sunday Kutcheri creating a National Record and on its entry into the Limca Book of Records

Deccan Chronicle Sunday Kutcheri in the Park

Deccan Chronicle features a story on the morning of Sunday Kutcheri in the Park completing 10 Years.

Sunday Kutcheri in the Park completes 10 Years

The monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance has completed 10 years today. Way back in February 2006, a group of 12 children from Vishwa Vidyalaya School came all the way from Vandalur to present the first Sunday Kutcheri in the Park. Since then over 1000 children aged below 15 years have presented the mikeless Kutcheri on the first Sunday of every month. In these 10 years, there have been participants from Dubai, Kuwait, Pune, Bangalore and California. For many children, this has been their first Kutcheri. There have been Kutcheris organised even in rain with umbrellas being held over the artistes.

TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance Ltd., said ‘When we launched the Kutcheri in the Park, we had wanted this to be a stepping stone for budding musical talent. I would like to think that the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park has played a small role in helping young ‘unsung’ children aged below 15years shed the initial inhibition that we normally associate with stage performances by giving them a platform to showcase their talent. Many have gone on to the next level in their musical career. That for us is very heartening; those for whom we provided a platform, blossoming and moving on.’ Sruti Sarathy who came from the US to perform at the Sunday Kutcheri in 2008 has gone on to perform in the Chennai December season and has won the Best Violinist Award from Music Academy and the ‘Best Violinist’ award at Parthasarathy Swami Sabha. She credits the opportunity she got at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park for her growth in her musical career. Twins Deeptha and Swetha Vasudevan who presented the Sunday Kutcheri in 2007 have now been presenting Kutcheris in the Sabhas in the city. The twins said ‘What we are today is because of the platform we got when we were young kids. That informal atmosphere inspired us and it is one of those unforgettable events of our lives.’

Sree Chitra Vijayakumar who presented almost a decade ago says ‘Thanks to the opportunity I got through the Sunday Kutcheri platform, I had cine music directors approaching me. I have now sung in three movies. The open air kutcheri also gave me a lot of self confidence and belief that soon after my Sunday Kutcheri, I cut my own CD album.’ Durga Venkatesh, Guru of Arul Priya (who came all the way from the Middle East to present the Kutcheri) said ‘I have been teaching young kids for several decades now, but I have never heard of the concept of 'mikeless kutcheri' and that, too in an open air environment. This is a very unique concept and this was a different kind of experience for my student. Without the mike, Arul Priya had to put in more effort and her voice came out much better. This will give her a lot of confidence to take her music learning into the next level.’ Audition ground for other Park Kutcheris During this period, the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park has even become an audition ground for a Kutcheri in another park in the city. The artistes who first perform here are seen performing at the other park in the succeeding months. Mikeless Kutcheri - Dr. Shubha Ganesan's disciples

On the occasion of the completion of 10 years of Kutcheri in the Park, over 15 children, all disciples of Dr. Shubha Ganesan presented a lively Mikeless Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park on Sunday morning between 7am and 8am. They were accompanied on the Violin by G Vagadeeshwar and on the Mridangam by K S Ramakrishnan. TT Srinivasaraghavan presented certificates to the artistes and a memento to the Guru. No Mikes and Speakers are used at the Kutcheri. The Kutcheri in the Park organised on the first Sunday of every month is restricted to children aged below 15 years. A committee from Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. To register for the audition: email Sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in

Students of Hyderabad Shiva present Mikeless Kutcheri

Students of Hyderabad Shiva presented a mikeless Kutcheri on the third day of the 14th Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival at the Nageswara Rao Park. Ajeet Sridhar accompanied them on the Mridangam. P Viswanathan, Company Secretary, Sundaram Finance handed over certificates to the artistes and a memento to the Guru.

Padmini Ravi's disciples present Mikeless Kutcheri

Disciples of Smt. Padmini Ravi presented a Mikeless Kutcheri this morning on the 2nd day of the 14th Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. RanganayakiVijayaraghavan, Vaishnavi K.Lakshmi and A.VenkataSaketh Ram were accompanied on the Violin by R Swadisri and on the Mridangam by D Sivaraman.

Pathangi Brothers present Mikeless Kutcheri in the Park

Brothers Dathre S Pathangi and Dhruv S Pathangi presented a lively one Mikeless Kutcheri this Thursday (Jan &) morning at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore to kick off the 14th edition of the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2016. They are students of Guru Chitraveena Ravikaran.

The brothers were accompanied on the Violin by Parur Ananthalakshmi and on the Mridangam by R Pranav. Their performance was much appreciated by a big early morning crowd comprising of park walkers and music connoisseurs that had gathered around the Chess Square. The brothers presented compositions that included Muthuswami Deekshithar’s Mahaganapathim (Nattai – Ekam), Sri Mysore Vasudevachar’s Brochevarevarura (Khamas – Adi), Sri Ambujam Krishna’s Ennasholli Azhaithal ( Kanada- Adi) and Andal’s Thiruppavai Marimalai Muzhainchil (Manirangu- Misrachapu).

TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance was present on the occasion and handed over certificates and mementos to the artistes.