Old Auditorium/Recital Hall Saturday, May 12, 8:00–8:45 pm

SOUTH INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC Vidyasagar and his group will present Carnatic Music (or South Indian Classical music). Rooted in ancient Vedic chants, this music has mostly retained its original roots and incorporates a strong lyrical component along with highly developed melodic and rhythmic structures. Vocal support is provided by Lasya Vankayala, daughter and student of Vidyasagar.

The items chosen for today represent a sampling of the rich linguistic, style and musical variety that forms the Carnatic music tradition.

PROGRAM Bhogeendra Sayinam (Swati Tirunal - Sanskrit) Kuntala Varali Ragam (Asc:C F G A Bb A C, Desc: C Bb A G F C) Khanda Chapu Talam (5 beats) Highly ornamented poetry describing Lord Anata Sayana (the reclining Vishnu).

Bhajana Seya Rada (Mysore Vasudevachar- Telugu) Dharamavati Ragam (C D Eb F# G A B C) Rupaka Talam (3 beats) The text is in praise of Lord Rama.

Thillana – a fast tempo composition rich in enunciated rhythmic syllables.

PERFORMERS

Vidyasagar Vankayala hails from a family of musicians. His father and elder brother are noted Mridangam masters in India. Steeped in Carnatic music since age 6, Vidyasagar continued his vocal training for 15 years, in a very formal, rigorous and highly demanding system of learning. He won the gold medal for Carnatic vocal music for 3 consecutive years in the Inter Collegiate music festivals. He is also the recipient of the gold medal from Visakha Music Academy. He has also learnt Hindusthani and Drupad music in Bombay, India. Since moving to Vancouver in 1996, Vidyasagar has been active in promoting Carnatic music in the lower mainland. He is the founder president of Vancouver SaPaSa, a non-profit society for promoting Carnatic Music and Dance. He is the artistic

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director of Sangeetamaruti Arts Academy, a school for teaching Carnatic music and dance. Vidyasagar has given many concerts in Canada, US and India. He has performed for Vancouver Sacred Music Festival, Victoria Sacred Music Festival, and Caravan World Rhythms Showcase, Ragamala and Vancouver Celebrates Diwali festivals. He is a sought-after teacher with over 20 students and collaborators working with him on Carnatic Music.

Inspired by the emotive features of Bharata Natyam, Vidyasagar has worked with many eminent Bharata Natyam dancers to present unique views of Carnatic music combined with dance and expression and is currently working on the music for a dance-drama scheduled for production in 2013.

Prabha Sivaratnam is a seasoned violinist from born and raised in Sri Lanka but based in Seattle, WA. She started learning the art of Violin at the age of 9 years. She learnt from Guru Sri. S. Sarweswara Sharma, a well known artiste in Sri Lanka, disciple of M.S. Gopalakrishnan. She had intensive training for 9 years under her Guru. She was chosen by violin Maestro T.N. Krishnan to play in Radio Ceylon. As a student, she has won several prizes for violin competitions. After coming to USA, Prabha continued to play violin and has had numerous performances in the USA and Canada.

Curtis Andrews is a Canada-based musician with global persuasions. A percussionist/composer/teacher who creates music that is informed by his many years of experience with West African, South Indian and jazz traditions yet transcends most categories.

His personal musical journeys over the years have extended to villages and metropolises of Ghana, India, South Africa and

Zimbabwe, and he has developed a deep knowledge of the history and performance of music from these areas. His personal mentors include (the late) Don Wherry(1997-2001), Trichy Sankaran(1999-present) and Frederick Kwasi Dunyo(1998-present). He continues to study and perform with these masters whenever possible.

He leads his own ensemble, The Offering of Curtis Andrews, to play his original music, collaborates with the VICO (Vancouver Inter-Cutural Orchestra), explores Carnatic music with local singer Vidyasagar Vankayala, plays mbira and marimba with Zhambai Trio and drums with ZimbaMoto (both groups focusing on the music of Zimbabwe).

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