Aruna Sairam

Aruna Sairam: Padma Shri Award winner & on WNYC's New Sounds

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:41:47 -0700

Madhavan Nair, Abhinav Bhindra receive Padma awards
J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI: Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman G. Madhavan Nair, involved in the first Chandrayaan mission; noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, Olympic Gold medal winner Abhinav Bhindra, actors Vivek and Tilakan and eminent Carnatic musician Aruna Sairam were among the 63 personalities who were presented the Padma awards 2009 by President Pratibha Patil here on Tuesday. (The first batch of awardees were presented with the awards on March 31.)... (full article)

Raga Hamsanandi

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Raga Dvijavanti

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Om Sakti Om

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Pirava Varam Tarum

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Govinda Leena Mol

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Saravanabhava

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Photo @ Raja Bhattacharya

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Photo @ Raja Bhattacharya

Aruna_Sairam_01

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Photo @ Raja Bhattacharya

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Photo @ Raja Bhattacharya

"Divine Inspiration" in Sing Out! Magazine

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:46:01 -0800

"Aruna Sairam is considered a master of the vocal craft. Indeed she deserves it, for she gives her unbridled offering and passion to these nine poems... like a sonic caress upon the listener's heart... one enters this tradition: to be healed and play the role of healer simultaneously. Both roles are fulfilled on this inspiring record." - DB

Indie rock band The Annuals recommend Aruna Sairam!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:27:33 -0700

Aruna Sairam is No. 1 on indie group The Annuals' shopping list, according to BlackBook Magazine:

WKCR's "Raag Aur Taal"

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:29:08 -0700

Aruna Sairam was interviewed live on WKCR's "Raag Aur Taal" show on Sunday, 8/31.

Top US Honors to Aruna Sairam!

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:00:59 -0700

Singer Aruna Sairam Recognized Date Submitted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 I. J. NEWS SERVICE NEW YORK, NY - A United States national flag that was flown over the Capitol building in Washington and a special Congressional proclamation recognizing her musical contribution issued by the US House of Representatives were handed over to musician Aruna Sairam in New York on Aug 16. The concert-cum-felicitation ceremony was organized by Shri Vari Foundation, an organization to promote spirituality, music and dance, in Queens, here. (link) Top US honors to singer Aruna Sairam Sunday, 08.24.2008, 09:15pm (GMT-7) NEW YORK: Handing over of United States national flag that was flown over the Capitol building in Washington in honor of Carnatic classical singer Aruna Sairam and presenting a special Congressional proclamation recognizing her musical contribution issued by the US House of Representatives were some of the highlights of the grand musical concert of Aruna Sairam in New York on Aug 16. At the concert-cum-felicitation ceremony organized by Shri Vari Foundation, an organization to promote spirituality, music and dance, at the Francis Lewis Auditorium in Queens, New York, an array of distinguished dignitaries' showered praise on Aruna Sairam for her yeoman service to India by unifying the different linguistic and regional cultures. Mayor Harry Anand of Laurel Hollow, New York, the only elected Mayor of Indian-origin in the State of New York, presented the special Congressional proclamation and the US National Flag flown over Capitol on behalf of US Congressman Nick Lampson (22nd District Texas) and Congressman Christopher Shays (4th District Connecticut) respectively since both could not make it to New York. Mayor Anand said through her many outstanding contributions to Indian music Sairam has become an established international legend. Sairam has performed at world-renowned venues such as Le Theatre de la Ville in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, and the Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco. The parchment from Stephen T. Ayers, acting Architect of the Capitol in Washington, says the US national flag was flown over the Capitol in honor for South India's most celebrated classical vocalist to commemorate her concert for Shri Vari Foundation in New York. In his message read out on the occasion, Congressman Shays described Sairam as one of the most renowned and beloved representatives of Carnatic vocal music. Hiram Monserrate, Member, New York City Council read out a special proclamation issued by the New York City Council to honor Aruna Sairam's multi faceted musical journey. George Abraham, Chief Technology Officer -Pension Funds, United Nations, Dr. Ajay Gondane, deputy consul general of India and Albert Chelladurai, president of New York Tamil Sangam, felicitated Sairam for the top honors. Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan on mridangam and Vittal Ramamurthy on violin accompanied Aruna Sairam at the concert. Prakaash M Swami, founder-president of Shri Vari Foundation, who is instrumental in getting the honors and organizer of the concert-cum-felicitation function, welcoming the gathering, said it was a proud moment for Indians, especially living in the US, in view of the top honors bestowed by the country on Sairam in recognition of her musical talents and for doing concerts across the US enthralling the Indians and Americans alike. Veera Kumar, trustee of the foundation, proposed a vote of thanks. (link)

The Birmingham News: "celestial tales for enthusiastic listeners"

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:40:22 -0700

Indian vocalist weaves celestial tales for enthusiastic listeners Monday, August 11, 2008 MICHAEL HUEBNER Even by Indian classical music standards, 3½ hours may seem excessive for a concert, but time flies when you're on a magic carpet. That's the analogy Aruna Sairam used for the second half of her concert Sunday at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, and it fit. The Carnatic (South Indian) vocalist, whose career is flying high after a Carnegie Hall debut and recent Harmonia Mundi CD, took enthusiastic listeners on a journey through India's folk music traditions, from Tanjore and her native Bombay to Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. She described - in music, words and speech-song - women in colorful saris that brightened up the desert sands, a little calf at Krishna's feet, and pilgrimages where people sang as they walked. She possesses a dusky, rich, classic voice, in about the range of a contralto. Her warbling trills are as supple as birdsong, her musical instincts as sharp any you're likely to find, East or West. As widely expressive and varied as Sairam was for this lighthearted portion of her concert, the first half was even more remarkable. An opening raga started characteristically slow and built to an impressive speed. A 19th century song by Thyagaraja unfolded almost mournfully. Violinist Vittal Rammurthy served mostly as Sairam's alter ego, echoing much of her improvisation, but offered a wide palette of color and style within several solos. Thiruvarur Sri Vaidyanathan provided solid rhythmic accompaniment on mridangam, the two-headed South Indian drum, often defying beat patterns and reaching finger-blurring speed. The concert's centerpiece was a rare opportunity. An hour-long discourse on Mahalakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity, unfolded in deep emotional renderings, each aspect, or mood, of the piece bridged by instrumental interludes. With the help of hand and facial gestures, Sairam vividly wove the celestial tales into a songful tapestry. Concert presenters Shruthi have brought in some outstanding artists recently, filling a vital slot in Birmingham's cultural map. (link)

New U.S. Tour Dates this Month

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:59:32 -0700

Aruna Sairam will be performing August 16th in New York City and August 17th in Gwynedd Valley, Pa. Check her show dates for more details!

5 Star Review for "Divine Inspiration"

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:00:27 -0700

Aruna Sairam: Divine Inspiration o World Village 468074 Performance: Sound: There's no better way to gain perspective than to listen to the real thing. For Westerners accustomed to thinking that the vocal avatar ofthe New Age is an air brushed young woman with blue eyes, pink skin, and a limited harmonic vocabulary (which perviously reviewed artist Lara Jai is not), this album is a revelation. Aruna Sairam is a renowned exponent of the Karnatic tradition of south Indian spiritual song, a style less known in the West than northern Indian classical music. Sairam invokes love with a vibrato-less, slightly hoarse, nasal style of Sanskrit vocalization that bespeaks a life of devotion. An amazing artist, whose virtuosity inspires wonder, her low-pitched instrument seems to possess infinite flexibility. She not only traverses microtonal runs at the same impossibly fast tempi that the amazing J. Vaidyanathan plays the double-headed mridanagam (drum), but does so with a vitality that reflects her unshakable faith in the spiritual tradition at the heart of hersong. "When you trust reason to me," says Arjuna, "I soon arise to rescue you from the ocean of death and rebirth. Focus your mind on me, let your understanding enter me; then you will dwell in me without doubt." For those raised in the Judeo-Christian tradition, the notion of meditative surrender resonates. So does the voice of Aruna Sairam, whose singing encompasses repertoire thatdates back to the 8th century AD. - Jason Victor Serinus (link)

Aruna Sairam on Music India Online: "Song of the Soul"

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:13:00 -0700

Song of the soul - Aruna Sairam By H May 31, 2008, 00:45 Delhi: Aruna Sairam's successful career has been built on a balanced, compassionate approach to life. If being a successful performer is all about balancing the material and the spiritual world, then so is all of life. So submits a smiling Aruna Sairam, the eminent Carnatic vocalist whose serene music signals more clearly than words that she has achieved a peaceful equilibrium. "This conflict actually encompasses every activity of life," says the singer, who was in Delhi to sing at the invitation of the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Satsangam, which marked its 38th anniversary this past weekend. "But I feel if there is awareness of what is important to us and what is less important, we will be able to keep the balance. Any right thinking person will be able to figure it out. As artistes we always try to put the depth and feeling and spirituality in front."One's thinking is always a product of one's upbringing. The celebrated singer, known for her eclectic range and collaborations with musicians from outside the Carnatic tradition, emphasises the role of her parents in building her holistic approach. "My parents combined a lot of formal and informal education. On the one hand I got up early and did my sarali varasai, janta varasai (solfa exercises), etc. My mother (Rajalakshmi Sethuraman) was my first teacher. She was trained by the Alathur Brothers and by Tanjavur Shankara Iyer. On the other hand, great thinkers, orators, dancers, painters were always visiting us. As a child I was constantly in touch with them." As legendary musicians like T. Brinda (who later became her guru), Madurai Mani Iyer, G.N. Balasubramaniam, T.R. Mahalingam (Mali), M.S. Subbulakshmi and Amir Khan, and dancers like T. Balasaraswati, Sanjukta Panigrahi and others visited the family's Mumbai home, the young Aruna saw the human qualities that made them wonderful friends. "I can only remember them joking, mimicking others, cracking lewd jokes. Even if my mother signalled to me to move away, Balamma (Balasaraswati) would say, no, let her stay. She should learn everything." (full article)

The Chicago Reader on "Divine Inspiration"

Thu, 22 May 2008 19:41:06 -0700

"On her excellent new Divine Inspiration (World Village), Carnatic singer Aruna Sairam interprets nine expressions of Hindu spiritual devotion, written in six languages and dating from as far back as four centuries. In these pieces there's no alap--the extended, meterless introductory section found in Hindustani, or northern, Indian classical music--so she and the instrumentalists can jump right into the roiling rhythms. Carnatic music is older and more austere than its more familiar northern cousin, but as Sairam extends and expands each simple melodic phrase in a gorgeously clear voice, concise passages bloom into metric complexity like images in a kaleidoscope." - Peter Margasak