Akshara presents Sunday Kutcheri

Akshara Ashok, a class VII student of Vidya Mandir presented a lively one hour ‘Mikeless Kutcheri’ this Sunday (Dec 3) morning between 7am and 8am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Akshara was accompanied on the Violin by R.D. Shyam Ragav (Disciple of Sherthalai R Shivakumar) and on the Mridangam by K. Abhinav (Disciple of Arjun Bharathi). Akshara presented compositions that included Jaya Jaya Janaki Kantha ( Naattai), Bantu Reethi Kolu (Hamsantham), Seethamma Mayamma (Vasantha) and Govinda Govinda Yani Koluvare (Brindavan Saranga).

Dhandayudhapani, GM, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Raghavender Navarathri Kutcheri

13 year old G Raghavender, a student of PSBB KK Nagar presented the Mikeless Kutcheri on the final morning ( Sunday) of three day Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park at the Nageswara Rao Park.

Raghavender, who is learning from Guru Thiruvayaru P Sekar, was accompanied on the Violin B. Sudha (Guru Lalgudi Smt S Alamelu) and on the Mirudangam by Ajeeth Sridhar (Guru Chromepet Sri G. Suresh).

Harini presents Navarathri Kutcheri in the Park

13 year old M Harini, a student of Vaels Higher Secondary School, Injambakkam presented a vocal carnatic music performance on the 2nd morning (Saturday Sept 23) of the three day Navarathri Special Kutcheri in the Park organized by Sundaram Finance. Harini was accompanied on the Violin by R.D. Shyam Ragav (Guru Sherthalai R.Sivakumar) and on the Mirudangam by Sai Srivats Kamath (Guru Thanjavur Srinivasan). Harini presented compositions that included Girirajasuta (Bangala), Kamakshi kamakoti (Sumadhyuti), Koluvaiyunade (Devaghandhari) and Thirumalai Giriraya(Mohanam).

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

Shreya Kicks off Navarathri Kutcheri

13 year old Shreya Suresh, a student of PS Sec School, Mylapore kicked off the 9th year of the 'Navarathri Special' Kutcheri in the Park with a lively one hour Mikeless Kutcheri on Friday morning at the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Shreya, who is learning music from Guru Smt. Bhagyalakshmi (Ganapriya School of Music), was accompanied on the Violin by Swetha Sureshkumar (Guru Rajesh Krishna) and on the Mirudangam by Sai Srivats Kamath (Guru Thanjavur Srinivasan).

Shreya presented compositions that included Sri Vignarajam Bhaje (Gambhira Nattai / Kantachaapu), Ramaa Bi Rama (Darbar/ Misrachaapu), Saarasaksha (Panthuvaralli/Adi), Sri Shankara Guruvaram (Nagaswaravalli/ Rupakkam) and Valli Kannavan Perai (Senjurutti/Adi).

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

Florida School Student Keerthana presents Mikeless Kutcheri

12 year old Keerthana Madhu, a class VI student from Sawgrass Middle School, Florida, USA presented a lively open air carnatic music performance this Sunday (August 6) morning between 6.30am and 730am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Keerthana, who is learning music from Smt. Geetha Ramasubramanyam (Mayavaram Sisters), was accompanied on the Violin by Nandini Viswanathan (Disciple of Sangeetha Kalanidhi A. Kanyakumari) and on the Mridangam by Jayendra Kumar (Disciple of Kalaimamani Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam).

Applauded through the one hour by the early morning Park Walkers and Kutcheri regulars who had gathered around the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park, Keerthana presented compositions that included Purandaradasar’s Jaya Jaya Jaya Janaki Kantha (Naatai/Kanda Chapu), Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s Mahasuram Kethumaham (Shanmugapriya/ Rupakam), Sri Mysore Vasudevachar’s Sri Hari Vallabhe Mampahi (Sudha Dhanyasi / Adhi) and Sri Papanasam Sivan’s Kapali (Mohanam/Adhi ).

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

US School Student Mayuri Presents Mikeless Kutcheri

‘Sundaram Finance has made the Nageswara Rao Park a ‘Model’ Park, one of the best in the City’ - R Nataraj, Mylapore MLA

A big Sunday morning crowd welcomed the 12 year old Mayuri Srivaths, a class VII student of Nolan Ryan Junior High School, Pearland, Texas, USA at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore this Sunday morning for her presentation of her first Mikeless Kutcheri. Mayuri Srivaths, who is learning music from Vidushi Smt. Rajarajeshwary Bhat, was accompanied on the Violin by Vibhu Ravindran (Disciple of Lalgudi Srimathi Brahmanandam) and on the Mridangam by A Rohith (Disciple of Kalaimamani Thiruvarur Sri Bakthavathsalam)

Mayuri presented compositions that included Sri Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s Saraseeruhasanapriye (Nattai / Adi), Sri Thyagaraja’s Harikamboji alapana (Rama Nannu Brovara/ Roopakam), Sri Papanasam Sivan’s Karpagame Kan Paarai (Madhyamavathi/ Adi), Sri Shyama Sastry’s Sari Evvaramma (Bhairavi, Khanda Jhampa) with alapana, neraval, swaram and Sri Neelakanta Sivan’s Anandanatamaduvar Tillai, (Poorvikalyani/Roopakam). R Nataraj, Mylapore MLA sat through the Kutcheri enjoying the lively presentation of the young artiste.

Addressing the Park walkers and the music connoisseurs at the end of the Kutcheri Nataraj said, “Sundaram Finance has done a commendable service to the community at large by organizing around 150 Kutcheris as part of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park concept over the last 11 years and providing a great platform to over 1100 children to showcase their musical talent. The Mikeless Kutcheri concept seems to be liked much by the artistes and the audience. I am very happy to see people turning up in such large numbers on this Sunday morning to appreciate this young artiste from the US.” Nataraj added, “Sundaram Finance has been maintaining the Nageswara Rao Park for almost 15 years. They have made it a ‘Model’ Park, one of the best in the city.” Nataraj presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Sundaram Finance has organized close to 150 ‘Kutcheri in the Park’ over the last 11years serving as a Launch Platform for 1100 children

Keerthana presents Keerthanais

14 year old S Keerthana presented a lively Mikeless Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore this Sunday (June 4) morning between 6.30 am and 7.30 am.

Keerthana, who is learning music from Smt Rama Narayanan, was accompanied on the Violin by Haritha Narayanan (Disciple of Dr. R. Hemalatha) and on the Mirudangam by Anirudh Sriram (Disciple of Chrompet Sri Suresh). R Harikrishnan, GM, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Keerthana presented compositions that included Thyagarajar’s Melukkovaiya (Bhowli/Kanda Chapu) and Ammaravamma (Kalyani/Kanda Chapu), Papanasam Sivam’s Mooladharamoorthy (Hamsadwani/Adi) and Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s Parvathi Kumaram (Nattai Kurunji/ Rupakam).

Ashwin presents legendary compositions Kutcheri in the Park

14 year old K R Ashwin, a student of Maharishi Vidya Mandir, Kilpauk presented a lively one hour Mikeless Kutcheri on Sunday (May 7) morning between 6.30am and 730am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Ashwin, who is learning music from Sri N. Venugopal, was accompanied on the Violin by Haritha Narayanan (Guru Dr. R Hemalatha) and on the Mrudangam by Sai Prasad (disciple of Neyveli Narayanan). R Harikrishnan, GM, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes at the end of the Kutcheri.

Popular Compositions of Legends Applauded by morning walkers and Sunday Kutcheri regulars who gathered around the chess square of the Nageswara Rao Park, Ashwin presented compositions that included Muthuswami Dikshitar’s Ganapathe Mahamathe (Kalyani/Roopakam) and Sarasijanabha (Nagagandhari/ Roopakam), Mysore Maharaja’s Sri Jalandara ( Gambeera Nattai/Adi), Thyagarajar’s Ora Jupuju (Kanatagowla /Adi) and Nadhaloludai (Kalyana Vasantham/Roopakam) and Papanasam Sivam’s Parvathi Nayagane Saranam (Shanmugapriya/Adi) and Karpagame Kan Parai (Madhyamavathy/Adi).

Nellore Student present Sunday Kutcheri

For the first time, a school student from Andhra Pradesh came all the way from Nellore to present the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore as part of the monthly mikeless kutcheri organised by Sundaram Finance. She had come last year to participate in the audition process at the Sundaram Finance headquarters in Chennai.

Having made it through the audition test, she was provided with an opportunity to present the Park Kutcheri on the First Sunday of April 2017. Accompanied on the Violin by Maddela Lokesh Babu (Disciple of Sri G Annaji Rao) and on the Mirudangam by Vadigala Santhi Kaladhar (Disciple of Sri Dhanwada Ananth), who were also from Nellore, 13 year old Nimmala Hamsini, a student of Rainbow School, Nellore presented a lively vocal carnatic music performance at the Chess Square of the park on April 2.

Nimmala, who is learning music from Sangeethacharya Dr Vyzarsu Balasubrahmanyam, presented compositions that included Sri Vigna Rajam Baje, Sri Guru Guha, Paridhanamichithe, Paluke Bangaramayena, Manavi Aalakincha and Allinodalu Rama.

C. Murali, Sr. GM, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes. Launched in February 2006, the idea of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organized by Sundaram Finance 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. Around 1100 children have presented Kutcheri to-date. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes to present the Mikeless Kutcheri. To register, email: sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in Follow Sunday Kutcheri on Facebook: facebook/sundaykutcheriinthepark

Pranav presents Sunday Kutcheri

12 year old Pranav Arcot, a Class VII student of Hari Shree Vidhyalayam presented a lively vocal carnatic music performance at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore this Sunday (March 5) morning between 6.30am and 730am. No Mikes and Speakers are used at the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park.

Pranav, who is learning music from Smt. Jeyasri Jeyaraj Krishnan, was accompanied on the Violin by Vibhu Ravindran (Disciple of Lalgudi Srimathi Brahmanandam) and on the Mirudangam by A Rohit (Disciple of Kalaimamani Thiruvarur Sri Bakthavathsalam). Pranav presented compositions that included Vallabha (Begada – Rupakam), Sadamadin (Gambhiravani – Adi) and Kamalacharane (Amrithabehag – Adi). P Viswanathan, Company Secretary, Sundaram Finance Ltd., presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Launched in 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. Around 1100 children have presented Kutcheri to-date. Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes to present the Mikeless Kutcheri. Follow Sunday Kutcheri on Facebook: facebook/sundaykutcheriinthepark

Shwetha presents a lively Mikeless Kutcher at the Nageswara Rao Park

To kick off the 12th year of the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance, 14 year old R Shwetha, a Class IX student of GRT Mahalakshmi Mat. Higher Sec School, West Mambalam presented a lively Mikeless Kutcheri this morning between 6.30am and 730am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore.

Shwetha, who is learning music from Smt. Neeraja Badrinath, was accompanied on the Violin by R.D. Shyam Raghav (Disciple of Sherthalai Sri R. Sivakumar) and on the Mirudangam by Jayendra Kumar (Disciple of Kalaimamani Thiruvarur Sri Bakthavathsalam). Shwetha presented compositions that included Mooladhara Moorthi Gajamugane, Paripalayamam Sri Padmanaba, Kanne Karpagambika, Vennai Unnum En Venugananai, Ragathil Sirandha Ragamedhu and Venkatachala Nilayam TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance said ‘ We launched the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park in February 2006 with the idea of providing a platform for young budding musical talent aged below 15 years and for them to shed their inhibitions and present in front of an informal park audience amidst chirping birds and falling leaves, sans mike and speaker. At that time, we were not sure if the children would like the mikeless concept. We are glad that the Sunday Kutcheri has gone on for 11 years and has helped serve as a platform for around 1100 budding musicians.’ Mylapore MLA R Natraj presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes to present the Sunday Kutcheri in the Park. To register for the audition, email: sundaykutcheri@sundaramfinance.in Follow Sunday Kutcheri on Facebook: facebook/sundaykutcheriinthepark

Sunday Kutcheri completes 11 Years

1100 Students have presented Kutcheri todate at the Nageswara Rao Park Launched in February 2006, the monthly Sunday Kutcheri in the Park organised by Sundaram Finance has completed 11 years today. On the occasion of the 11th anniversary, also the final morning of the 15th edition of the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival, over 20 students from Vidya Mandir, Mylapore presented a Group Mikeless

Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park in front of a big audience that gathered around the chess square. The group presented compositions that included Mooladara Moorthi (Hamsadvani), Sriman Narayana (Bowli), Govardhana Girisham (Hindolam), Bantureeti Kolu (Hamsanadam) and Radha Sametha Krishna (Yamuna Kalyani) TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance who is the man behind the Mikeless Kutcheri concept was present on the occasion and handed over certificates to the artistes.

He also presented a memento to Shobha Raman, Principal and Nithya Ramesh, Music Teacher, Vidya Mandir. Srinivasaraghavan 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. 1100 children have so far presented the Mikeless Kutcheri since the launch in February 2006. 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.’ No Mikes and Speakers are used at the Kutcheri. The monthly Kutcheri in the Park is restricted to children aged below 15 years. A committee from Sundaram Finance conducts audition to select the artistes. The Kutcheri in the Park also entered the Limca Book of Records last year for the longest open air Mikeless Kutcheri for children.

Gaana Surabhi presents Mikeless Kutcheri

Students from Gaana Surabhi Music Academy presented a Group Mikeless Kutcheri on day 3 of the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival 2017.

Ganapriya School present Mikeless Kutcheri

Students from Ganapriya School of Music presented a Group Kutcheri on the 2nd day of the 15th Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival.

Tala Vadya Kutcheri Vikku Vinayakram Students

1st Ever Tala Vadya Mikeless Kutcheri at Nageswara Rao Park Vikku Vinayakram’s students present group concert to kick off the Mylapore Festival 2017 Special Konnakol Presentation by Shivapriya

20 Students from Jayaganesh Tala Vadya Vidyalaya, disciples of legendary Sri Vikku Vinayakaram presented a group Tala Vadya Kutcheri this morning at the Nageswara Rao Park to kick off the 15th Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival. This is the first time that a Tala Vadya Kutcheri has been presented in over 10 years of the Mikeless Kutcheri series that Sundaram Finance has been organizing. Vikku Vinayakram sat alongside the students at the Chess Square and guided them through the kutcheri. The students presented a combination of Mridangam and Ghatam in the Adi Talam which was then followed by a solo effort from the budding Mridangam artistes. Konnakol Presentation The big highlight of the Tala Vadya Kutcheri was a brilliant Konnakol presentation by V Shivapriya, a student of Sri Sankara Sr. Sec School, Adyar. Konnakol is the art of performing percussion syllables and is the spoken component of Solkattu, which refers to a combination of Konnakol syllables spoken while simultaneously counting the Tala with the hand.

With her Guru Vikku Vinayakram by her side, Shivapriya presented with two different thalams on each hand, a very special skill and not a common feature. She received big round of applause from the audience who had gathered around the Chess Square of the Nageswara Rao Park. On the concept of morning Mikeless Kutcheri, Vikku Vinayakram said, ‘This is indeed a very special initiative by Sundaram Finance to organize an early morning Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park without mikes and speakers. It is a great opportunity for young children to perform in such an open park environment with the audience sitting around them.” Sundaram Finance presented certificates to all the artistes at the end of the Kutcheri. The company also presented a memento to Guru Vikku Vinayakram. Earlier Vikku Vinayakram lit the lamp to launch the 15th edition of the Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival.

No Mikes and speakers are used at the Kutcheri. The idea of the 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. Media Contact: S Prabhu @ 94440 40748

Vidyuth presents December Kutcheri

13 year old KC Vidyuth, a Class VIII student of National Public School presented a lively Mikeless Kutcheri at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore this Sunday (Dec 4) morning between 7am and 8am. No Mikes and Speakers were used at the Sunday Kutcheri.

Vidyuth, who is learning music from Sri Chitravina N Ravikiran, was accompanied on the Violin by Parur Ananthalakshmi (Disciple of Sri Parur M S Anantharaman) and on the Mirudangam by Vadavalli R Sriram (Disciple of Sri Poongulam S Ramakrishnan and Padma Bhushan, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Sri TV Gopalakrishnan). Appreciated through the one hour by morning walkers and kutcheri regulars who gathered around the chess square, Vidyuth presented compositions that included Annamacharya’s Shreeman Narayana (Bowli/Adi), Oothukadu Venkata Kavi’s Prema Swaroopa (Ananda Bairavi/ Adi), Thyagaraja’s Idi Samayamura (Chayanata/Adi), Muthuswami Dikshithar’s Mamava Meenakshi (Varali/Misrachapu) and Bharathiyar’s Bharatha Desam Endru Subramanya (Ragamalika/ Adi). Hari Krishnan, GM, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to the artistes.

Varshini presents September Mikeless Kutcheri

S Varshinhi, a class VI student of Shankara Mat HSS, Thiruvanmiyur presented a Vocal Carnatic music performance this Sunday (September 4) morning between 7am and 8am at the Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore. Varshinhi, who is learning music from Guru Smt. Vallinayaki, was accompanied on the Violin by R D Shyam Ragav (Disciple of Chertalai Sri R Shivakumar) and on the Mirudangam by Indhalur R D Adharsh (Disciple of Kalaimamani Guruvayur Dorai). Varshinhi presented compositions that included Muthuswamy Dikshithar’s Maha Ganapatim, Thyagarajar’s Gurulekha and Sobilli Sapthaswara and Oothukadu Venkatasubbaiyer’s Maragathamani Maya and Aalavadhennalo. TT Srinivasaraghavan, MD, Sundaram Finance presented certificates and mementos to artistes.