Stephen Devassy

Stephen is amongst the best piano/keyboard players. Had the opportunity to meet him and Shivamani the great drummer in Mumbai last year. Take a look at the video and get inspired!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AF8mEaGa48

Wonderful 'jugalbandi' by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Shri Mysore Manjunath

Attended a wonderful concert at Gayanasamaj on 23rd October - Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (Mohana Veena), Mysore Manjunath (Violin), Kulur Uliya Jayachandra Rao (Mridangam) and Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra (Tabla). The closest I got to touch a Grammy Award - shook hands with Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt :)

None of the musicians had rehearsed. In fact, at the end of piece, they decided what to do next. Such spontaneous performances are not possible unless each musician is highly capable to adapt and is also a master of his own instrument. Three hours of fusion of Hindustani and Carnatic styles. Did not realise how quickly time had flown!

For those who are not familiar - Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is the inventor of the Mohana Veena, which actually is a modified guitar. It has 19 strings and one has to use a metal slide on the left hand to run over the strings. Want to know more ? Look up: http://www.vishwamohanbhatt.com/veena.htm

Resuming Guitar Classes

Well, the last 14 days' seems like a dream. Wish it was. Have to get back to reality. So glad that work involves music and meeting lots of people wanting to learn new things. Makes a big difference in dealing with change ...
Ravi 

RaGa School Of Music loses a well-wisher

One of the primary sources of inspiration behind RaGa School was my mother, a great supporter of music. Though not 'formally' trained, she was always in demand to sing during family functions and casual get-togethers. Being from the South and having lived for many years in the north of India, she was versatile in singing songs across multiple languages. This helped me, my brother and sister appreciate music without bias towards a particular language or genre.

Unfortunately, she left us all on the evening of the 14th. But not without a battle of over a year with an ailment that could not be controlled. She remained a positive person through out and I'm sure, her influence in our thinking will continue. We feel even more responsible to make her proud by setting greater goals for RaGa School of Music.

My wife Gayathri, and I will be able to resume our respective classes (Veena and Guitar) only after completion of all ceremonies. Means that we will resume classes on Wednesday the 28th. 

Keyboard, Bhavageethe, Tabla classes and Veena classes handled by Smt Meena will continue as usual.

Would also like to thank a number of you who have sent us messages. Really appreciate your comforting words.

Ravi & Gayathri (Parvathy)

   

Launch of Tabla & Junior Keyboard Classes

We've recently launched Tabla classes. Happens every Sunday afternoon. Wonderful to have Shri Srinivas R Kakhandaki, a professional Tabla player hailing from a family of musicians, join our team!

Also, happy to share that our 2nd Junior Keyboard Course (for 6 to 8 yr olds) is getting over this week. The 3rd   and final course/batch for this year commences on 12-September. Registrations are now open.

Good to be back!

Back in action this week! One month away from six strings can be quite bad ... fingers not moving :)

Ravi

How are the ex-students doing ?

Some of you, I get to meet/hear from. Some of you, it's been a while. Just curious to know whether the passion for music is still going strong or has diminished. If you've put up any material (not looking for the ultimate performance!) on youtube or any other shared forum, please let me know. Would love to see/hear you and see the progress you've made.

Cheers - Ravi