Article published in the latest edition of India Currents Magazine!
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| Vidwan Indrajit Banerjee Courtesy of SanKritiLayla |
SanKritiLaya started
organically in 2008, nestled within the homes of music lovers. “It all started with artists staying
with us while they were on tour.
We met several artists who couldn’t make it on their own on a tour in
the US,” explains Viji Mani, Treasurer of SanKritiLayla. Mani and her husband, Mahalingam Mani,
SanKritiLayla’s President, began exploring ways to help Indian musicians
arrange tour logistics, book shows, and develop publicity. “We weren’t into hosting concerts
locally. We thought we would just
be tour sponsors. But we found
some trouble placing artists with local organizations.”
It was at that juncture that
Mani and her husband developed the model that drives their non-profit
today. “We wanted to focus on
up-and-coming artists. But how
could we make that viable?” asks Mani.
The answer was to develop a concert series that focuses on both famous
and up-and-coming musicians.
Concerts are scheduled in twos, with a famous artist headlining one concert
to attract crowds and another concert featuring promising musicians bolstered
by well-known musical accompanists.
Ticket holders get the benefit of both experiencing musicians they know
and love as well as watching high-caliber artists they’re unfamiliar with. The model has taken root. Starting in 2011, SanKritiLaya had
their first full year of operation.
“We go the extra mile to host all the artists we can bring” adds
Mani. And the crowds have been
showing their support.
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| Vidwan Neyveli S. Radhakrishna Courtesy of SanKritiLayla |
“Our main thanks goes to
Jayashree Varadarajan. She was our
main supporter and instrumental in getting our membership. She’s one who quietly goes behind the
scenes supporting what we do.”
With Varadarajan’s support, SanKritiLayla blossomed to 250 members last
year and anticipates continued growth in membership this year. “It is all spread by word of
mouth. We started by recommending
upcoming artists. And then the
artists started calling us.” For
the spring season of 2012, SanKritiLayla has a special set of concerts scheduled
for the end of May and the beginning of June.
On May 26th,
SanKritiLayla is co-hosting an instrumental Jugalbandhi with BasantBahar
featuring Vidwan Indrajit Banerjee on sitar, Vidwan Neyveli S. Radhakrishna on
double violin, Vidwan Subrata Bhattacharya on tabla and Vidwan Somnath Roy on
ghatam. Mani explains, “This is a
unique program that has never been done before.” Banerjee is a famous Hindustani sitarist within the Maihar
gharana school of North Indian classical music. Known for his thoughtful and imaginative compositions,
Banerjee is also appreciated for the sweetness of his playing. For the first time in the US, Banerjee
is playing with Radhakrishna.
“Radhakrishna custom made the double violin himself. It’s like the Siamese twins of violins.” A classically trained violinist,
Radhakrishna worked for five years with a violin maker in Concord, California,
to create an entirely unique double violin. His instrument includes ten strings spread across a treble
and bass portion and is played with a combination of violin and cello
bows. The resulting sound covers
the range of violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Banerjee on sitar and Radhakrishna on a double violin
promises to be a novel and electrifying performance. Mani agrees, “We do this because we love this art and we
want others to be able to hear this.”
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| Vidushi Amritha Murali Courtesy of SanKritiLayla |
On June 3rd,
SanKritiLayla is hosting the vocalist Vidushi Amritha Murali, a “fabulous
person as well as a great artist,” according to Mani, with Vidushi Dr.
Hemalatha on violin and Vidwan J. Vaidhyanathan on mridangam. “She’s an incredibly promising
artist. In the next ten years she
will be at the same level as the other artists we feature, given the
exposure. Bringing her here and
featuring her in our season satisfies our mission.” Murali is currently studying with Sri P.S. Narayanaswamy and has received an abundance of
awards, including “Isai Chudar” from Kartik Fine Arts, “Yuva Kala Bharathi”
from Bharat Kalachar, as well as an All India Radio National Competition
Prize. Celebrated for aesthetic
appeal of her voice, she’s also appreciated for her adherence to classical
values.
“I grew up with art and am
passionate about it. My husband
and I, with Mani Subramaniyan, SanKritiLayla’s Secretary, are like-minded
individuals. We don’t mind putting
time out of our lives to do this.”
The heart and passion Mani brings to SanKritiLayla is palpable as well
as contagious. SanKritiLayla is
run entirely by volunteers, and all proceeds are directed back to the artists
the organization supports. “We’re
passionate about every single artist we support. And we encourage others to come to our concerts and support
our artists as well” concludes Mani.
Instrumental -
north/south Jugalbandhi
Co-sponsored
with BasantBahar
Vidwan Indrajit Banerjee (sitar)
Vidwan Neyveli S. Radhakrishna (double violin)
May 26, 2012, 5:30 pm
Jain Temple, Milpitas
Vidwan Indrajit Banerjee (sitar)
Vidwan Neyveli S. Radhakrishna (double violin)
May 26, 2012, 5:30 pm
Jain Temple, Milpitas
Vidushi Amritha
Murali
Vidushi Dr. Hemalatha (violin)
Vidushi Dr. Hemalatha (violin)
Vidwan J.
Vaidhyanathan (mridangam)
June 3, 2012,
4:00 pm
Jain Temple, Milpitas
Jain Temple, Milpitas
