Jayalakshmi of the Radha-Jayalakshmi duo, whose timbre and ‘briga’-laden voice stood out in the worlds of Carnatic and film music, died on Monday. She was 82.

The Radha-Jayalakshmi duo came from the G.N. Balasubramaniam (G.N.B.) school of music and were trendsetters in the Carnatic music world after Brinda-Mukta of the Veena Dhanammal school of music.

Like the Alathur Brothers, Radha and Jayalakshmi were cousins. Jayalakshmi had her roots in Srirangam while Radha’s family hails from Chengalpattu. But they were born in Chennai and both of them grew up together in the city. They started giving performances from the age of 14.

T.R. Balasubramaniam, one of the primary disciples of G.N.B., was their teacher.

“But they would often visit G.N.B. and get their lessons corrected by him,” said Jayalakshmi’s sister Champakalakshmi.

After listening to them singing for All India Radio (AIR), recording companies made a beeline to release their songs rendered in a unique style, but immersed deeply in the classical tradition.

A listener of Carnatic music of the bygone era could clearly notice the perceptible difference in the singing style of the duo, in all popular songs.

Jayalakshmi rendered a lot of semi-classical songs in films, for music directors including S.V. Venkatraman, K.V. Mahadevan, S.M. Subbaiah Naidu and Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan. Her solo song, ‘Manamey Muruganin Mayilvahanam’, and the duet with Radha, ‘Thiruchenduril Porpurinthu’, continue to enthral lovers of semi-classical songs.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – May 28th, 2014

Chennai :

The 62nd annual awards function of the Film Fans’ Association turned out a mediocre affair as the glitz, glamour and hype that filmdom is known for were missing.

A few shining stars in this galaxy turned up to receive their awards at the Kamaraj Arangam recently.

Among those who made it to the occasion were Premgi Amaren, who received the award for his lesser known role of a music director for the film Ennamo Nadakkudhu, accompanied by Vijay Vasanth, hero of the film, who received an award for his rising status as an upcoming actor.

Leggy lass Dhansika of Paradesi fame received an award for her role in the film.

‘Power Star’ Srinivasan was seen with his trademark smile, obliging the starstruck fans who sought him out for autographs and photographs. He was recognised for his role in Kanna Laddu Thinga Aasaiya with an award.

A trickle of lesser known but rising stars from the film and television scene came in to pick up their trophies.

Music director Shankar Ganesh gave away the awards in the presence of R Vijayabose, executive committee member, Film Fans’ Association, G Purushotham, honorary general secretary, and other members of the Association.

Light music and dance performances by youngsters kept the audience entertained throughout the evening.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / May 26th, 2014

Chennai :

Men in veshtis welcome us at the Mylai Maami Samayal food festival at Deccan Plaza. Huge banners of  traditional kolams, bharatanatyam poses and auspicious mud pots hug the walls. On one corner we see bharanis of pickles arranged much like the kolu set up, and on the other corner a dosa and neiappam counter.

Prema maami, the chef behind the 45 varieties of dishes that the festival menu boasts of, pours dosa maavu on the pan to make a perfect circle. In no time, it looks like a mild gold sheet of cotton. Soft podi dosas pile up on the plate. After it makes its way around the restaurant, the plate is empty. She repeats the process again. “This was my idea, to make hot dosas for customers,” says maami, adjusting her red madisar sari.

Everything, from the traditional Kumbakonam special vendakka mor kuzhambu to ragi payasam in the menu, has been prepared by her. She enters the kitchen early each morning, and gets the dishes ready by service time, 7 pm. A handful of chefs assist her with moving heavy vessels, but otherwise she does all the cooking by herself. Don’t you get tired putting all this together yourself? we ask. She just smiles, and finding out she started cooking when she was just a child, poured over the authentic Kumbakonam recipes, followed by working as a chef in Dubai, New Jersey and Muscat, and later started a catering service of her own,  we understand why.

While our plates gradually fill up with podi rice, keerai kootu and vazhapoo usili, she prompts us to try everything else. “Rasavangi is a special Kumbakonam dish, so is akkaravadisal among the sweet dishes,” she says. We learn that mor kali, a  blend of buttermilk and rice flour, should be accompanied with vetha kozhambu, and panagam, a brown drink tasting of ginger and jaggery, that is the best for digestion. “No panneer, cauliflower, mushrooms or lettuce, if you are searching for it. It is not part of the authentic menu,” maami explains. But one glance at the buffet, and there’s no room for disappointment. Maami’s hospitality as she points a finger at the other options (how about Paruppu podi or vepillakatti?) makes us feel  at home, quite like the flavours in her cooking.

“And all this has been cooked without any onion or garlic,” she saves this important fact for the end. Maami adds, “Most people in the North think that South Indian food lacks flavour without these ingredients. What do you think?” A satisfied burp will have to suffice in response.

The festival is on at Deccan Plaza, Royapettah till June 1. Contact 98849 32022  or   044  6677 3333.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Naveena Vijayan / May 29th, 2014