Archiving is much more than gathering old gramophone records and spool tapes. Thanks to the efforts of many YouTube channels like Vaak, Brinda Mukti and Nādabhṛṅga, a new generation is having its rendezvous with the works of the masters
Writing for today’s times: Literary trends in Malayalam
Malayalam writers are embracing local dialects and contemporary themes. Translation has helped Malayalam books find a new readership and yet, a lot more can be done to provide visibility to the works from our regional languages
Lata Mangeshkar : First And Last Empress Of Playback Singing In Hindi Cinema
Many decades back, composer Madan Mohan had said that it was the great fortune of music directors that Lata happened in their time. Like several wonders of history, Lata Mangeshkar was a product of her time and that makes her life and success impossible to replicate. Talkies came to India in 1931 with Alam Ara... Continue Reading →
A song that was never heard
Yesterday evening I heard that Carnatic vocalist Radha Vishwanathan was no more. In the melee of Margazhi, not many even noticed it. My childhood was incomplete without Bhajan Govindam and Vishnu Sahasranamam in the voice of MS Subbulakshmi. Several south Indian homes had this cassette next to their tape recorder all the time. On some... Continue Reading →