#sanjaysub

[m-a-a-l-k-a-u-n-s]

Raga Huseni.

[malapkv]

This snap is not from this year- I miss the Sanjay Subrahmanyan who used to pose 🤣

I often hesitate to write about a Sanjay Subrahmanyan concert. Not because there is nothing to say—but because I have already said so much. Perhaps too much, for some. Such writing is easily dismissed as predictable, biased, or clichéd. And yet, how can I not write? Because every time I attend a Sanjay concert, something within me shifts. I leave changed. I leave having learned something—about music, about listening, about myself.

Lately, I find myself tired of fitting these experiences into AI-powered tweets and neat social-media fragments. A Sanjay concert does not fit into fragments. It needs time, space, and thought. You never leave it the same way you entered it.

The last three concerts—two at Sanjay Sabha and one at the Music Academy—made this especially clear. In the first, the Mallari itself set the tone. That jumpy, energetic Mallari—when Sanjay sings it, you can almost feel the air lift. There is a lightness, a physical energy in the hall.

And then came Anandavalli. The Neelambari alapana before it left me suspended, as if gravity had softened. Just when you are fully inside that stillness, he brings you back on your feet with a chuckle-filled Anandavalli, changing pace with ease and playfulness. Anandavalli may be a repeat—heard many times—but it is never the same experience twice. Much like Bhogindra Shatinam. That is precisely the magic.

The RTPs—Madhuvanti, Begada, and today’s Hamsanandi—felt like a living conversation between Sanjay Subrahmanyan and Varadarajan. Varadarajan, already known as a genius, seems to be playing at another level this season—those sudden flashes of something beyond technique and predictability.

Navasiddhi was a revelation for me; I heard it for the first time. There is a special joy in encountering a composition for the first time through @sanjaysub—a sharper attentiveness, a clean kind of listening that only a first hearing allows.

Today’s Shankaracharyam deserves its own reflection. I began listening almost absent-mindedly. In my own mental list of Sanjay’s Sankarabharanam pieces, I had long placed Buddhi Radhu, Akshayalinga, and Muthukumarayyane at the top—compositions that feel closely tied to his musical identity. But Shankaracharyam woke me up completely. It changed me. By the end, it stood above the others I had instinctively favoured. This, again, is the Sanjay effect: hearing a composition for the first time through him reshapes one’s listening forever. Many compositions I now carry within me entered my life this way.

Joy, too, runs through these concerts. Avan Seyal, whenever he sings it, carries a clear brightness. That joy came through strongly in the second Sanjay Sabha concert on December 25, where the Murugan theme ran through the evening. Father and son—Shiva and Murugan—moved through the concert through clear viruttams, careful diction, and a bhakti that comes through whether he consciously brings it forward or not. The audience was visibly moved. Standing ovations did not seem to end.

There was also a quiet thoughtfulness in today’s choices. Choosing a Subbarama Dikshitar composition over the more expected Muthuswami Dikshitar felt like Sanjay’s own way of acknowledging the elder Dikshitar. As a Dikshitar devotee, this choice, along with Sami Deekshita, felt deeply satisfying—measured, respectful, and generous.

At the end of all this, my neighbour’s college-going son asked me, quite simply, “How do you even attend concerts?” How do I explain that one does not merely attend a concert—you attend a Sanjay Subrahmanyan concert? That it wakes you up on every level: physical, mental, emotional. That it brings peace but also makes you think. That it holds mastery, excellence, and reflection all at once.

That is why we keep going back.

And that is why, no matter how much we have already written, we cannot stop writing. Who cares what anyone thinks? 🤭

[malapkv]

Kalyani in the Air: My Navaratri Mandapam Escape

The Navaratri Mandapam concerts always prompt me to write. I was a regular visitor from Chennai every Navaratri—I’ve even made some of my employers cross by refusing to participate in the office Pooja celebrations because I had « Navaratri Mandapam » to attend. It was non-negotiable, and it still is. Thanks to the organisers, the ambience, and of course, the artists.

Today’s concert was Sanjay Subrahmanyan’s Kalyāni. The last time I heard his Kalyani here in Trivandrum was in 2018—I even have notes that say there was a slight drizzle that day. This time, destiny had brought me to live and work in Trivandrum itself. And this is how the sequence of events unfolded.

I kept wondering whether Sanjaysub and his team would be here this year for Navaratri. A few days later, I saw the flyer—Pahimam Sri Vageeshwari and the magic “K” word. Suddenly, the hitherto barren and boring Trivandrum looked and felt like a Nandavanam—with flowers, birds, and a zest to live 🤣.

Since I know my own enthusiasm for Kalyani—and for Sanjay singing it—it feels like adding a dollop of honey to a sweet jackfruit. You don’t know which contributes more; they just perfectly complement each other. All this imagery aside, I was tempted to tweet « Kalyani in the air » last week but restrained myself. What if I became the victim of my own evil eye? So I contained myself with difficulty—until now, when I finally decided to pour it all out, sans ChatGPT. No, this has to be from the heart, you see!

This morning, when I saw the list of Kritis for the evening, I found many favourites. So the joy was greater, and the anticipation doubled. Just then, I received calls from my team members—friends with whom I used to plan and attend Navaratri Mandapam. « Are you going for the concert today? » That’s the dumbest question they could ask. I used to travel for this, remember? Now I’m in town, and they ask me this? I didn’t answer, of course—evil eye! 🤣🤣

So, somehow, quietly, I made it to the Mandapam, draped in a settu saree (not wanting to face the wrath of the temple rules and end up in an odd mundu over salwar kameez), consumed by excitement.

And what a Kalyani that was! The queen of the raagas. Sanjay, the Deivam, rendered her like a living persona. And that persona spoke—this Kalyani communicated to each of us in infinité ways. Rolling tears could not be stopped, and then came Varadarajan’s violin responses. They sounded almost like an AI rendition—so improvised, so flawless—you forget a human was playing it.

I lost myself in those moments: the soft lighting of traditional lamps, this chef-d’œuvre unfolding live before my eyes. A dream come true. I cherished every second, savoured every piece—the fresh Kedaragowla, the familiar Nalinakanthi, and the Mamava Sada Janani. When it comes from Sanjaysub, it feels like an exotic event, not the familiar kriti we learnt back in time.

I have said this before, and I’ll say it again. In this ambience, time truly pauses. There is only the present. Nothing less, nothing more. The entire audience drenched themselves in the intoxication of Sanjaysub’s music, leaving behind all troubles for the moment—pausing in time, simply grateful for the chance to listen to a Vidwan who belongs in eternity.

[malapkv]

Thamizhum Naanum 2024

To start with I loved the promo of TN2024 - where Sanjay is shown with a dosa and dosakallu. Whether it was that favorite food setting or his hint of integrating some element of his recent film song in the concert or his style I do not know. I just loved that promo. And I shared it widely…

Only to be met with a lot of enthusiasm but not without jeer. There was an element of criticism about how he has digressed into other forms of music AND attire … now , to play the devil’s advocate- I understand their point of view. Because for a very long time the die hards took pride in the whites … we tom tommed about it to the whole world .. and the sudden bling choices of Sanjaysub was sort of just that- too bling to be ignored.

I had reserved views because I didn’t get the chance to attend his regular concert for a gap. And I was looking forward to this Thamizhum Naanum -all the episodes (Chennai )of which I have managed to attend live except one ..

I must say that the way he SO BEAUTIFULLY and so subtly blended the Raja sir effect in the RTP was simply mind blowing. It made me realise that only someone with the highest level of Vidwat can do this with ease and have the audience gasping for breath … with Zero compromise on the tradition factor of the RTP. The way he seamlessly touched the Pushpalatika and settled back into a very core Shankarabharanam…

No wonder we the audience were roaring and the standing ovation just didn’t stop. Made me realise something- that this man is an unshakeable system. And he has flawlessly groomed himself as a system when it comes to Carnatic music. He is not an event or a mood for it to change. He is a solidly built Carnatic system that never fails to disappoint his Carnatic audience in any way whether he is going to digress into Tamil pop or even K pop …

That system came to fore in this enchanter of a concert . The classicism kept flowing and so did the claps. For someone like me who has attended his concerts since forever it was a fresh dose of inspiration … his concerts seem to put a dash of energy and hope into you and you keep seeking more of it- happened the first time I attended his concert and the last.

Almost after the Anjaadhe Nenje -everyone was swaying to his tunes in their own world of ecstasy - so was the lady next to me and so was I. But after a while she paused and asked me “ are you a big fan of his?” I said “ Of course but what makes you ask?”. She said “ We are all his fans but you seem to be a step above”. I don’t know what made her say that but it made me very happy. Happy that I was able to again get into the groove of this great man’s music and happy again that the Sanjay Subrahmanyan system has just proved every naysayer to be not so right… happy yet again that I was drawn to him because of this inspiration and in it he has never failed and never will!

[malapkv]

Sanjay vs Sanjay

Disclaimer- Do not follow my example, you may land yourself in trouble

Anyone who knows me for a few years now, would know that attending Sanjay kucheris is an important part of my life. Of course the last two years changed it all. 

My friend would have his birthday and he would submit to the fact that I would not attend because it was in December. Its the same friend who started following Sanjaysub pages out of sheer curiosity (apdi enna than iruku andha kucheri la)and recently made a comment “Hey enna unga artist bayangara corporate level marketing lam panraaru?” He follows him quite closely now..

Its another story that my previous boss, a French lady got super annoyed with me because on December 13, 2019 I refused to stay in Pondi despite her asking and fled to Chennai for the BGS kucheri-She later almost gave me a memo...lol. 

Disappointed another very traditional boss for not attending Saraswati Pooja at office-Because I was in Trivandrum for Navaratri Mandapam

Of course, no new year parties or get togethers the last few years. I was never a party person in the first place and new year mornings were always kucheri mornings. Andha “Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year” in the same intonation every year kekalena, the year did not dawn for us.

My cousin once disowned me because he found my caller tune boring. I in return disowned him because it was Kanakasaila Viharini by Sanjay, and him calling that boring meant he is out of my life for the rest of my life. #EnnaOruGnanaSoonyam

So I have risked losing jobs and friends and sometimes relatives by attending Sanjay kucheris instead of attending to them...just that it was a happy escape always :P

In this context, today was an unusual Thamizh Puthandu kucheri- that too with an in -built Kalyani so i was in my extreme spirits. I just didn't have a care for this material world outside that kucheri cocoon.

Post the Kedaragowla and the Kalyani I was getting doped in the Charukesi..it was just past 8 pm when my phone rang. “Sanjay calling”...

My heart skipped a beat. It was this Sanjay at work who is a stakeholder and who was very annoyed I missed his calls last week. Today I just could not take the call so I sent him an sms “I will call you later”

I was relieved.

Around 8.43 pm another call and yet another call at 8.45. My mind started to weave situations and responses and judgements “Its Tamil New years day and why is he calling me well past work hours” “What if it was something urgent” “Well I responded in SMS” “Will I land myself in trouble?”...etc etc UND SO WEITER

After the kucheri I ran out and called him in the parking lot -” He picked the phone and said grimly “This is Sanjay”

I told him I was at a “noisy place” so couldn’t take his calls. And that I was very sorry. And that I sent him an sms.

There was no trouble, he wanted to finish his work since tomorrow is Vishu so he called me today #Phew. I was glad that I was able to successfully cover up my kucheri attendance. After a good conversation (Only I knew how nervous I had gotten)he finally asked.

Hey Mala, what is that song I heard when I called on your other phone?

I literally froze. Here am trying to put the Sanjay kucheri I just attended under cover and now this. 

“Hehe Sanjay, that is a song by someone who has the same name as you” I sheepishly managed. And my mind said unless he has been living under the caves he should know who it is. (What the hell, you cant NOT know my favorite singer/person DAMN)

And I politely asked him “You are not much into Carnatic music are you?” ...he said “No”

Then I said , “That's Sanjay Subrahmanyan” and he said 

“I know”

End of Story

[malapkv]

I do not want to mince words.

But if this man

- Who is a stereotypical South Indian who speaks Tamil and studied Chartered Accountancy and Cost Accountancy

- But didn't stop with wearing white work shirts and a 9-5 routine

- Followed his passion in yet another sterotyped " boring" field of Carnatic Music

- But didn't become the typical " I am an artist so I will wear colored silk kurtas and pose for album covers" and created his own swag + attire+ attitude= brand - only to be emulated and secretly admired

- Has his own global fan following

- But didn't stop reinventing himself

- Is the biggest crowd puller in his niche

- But disrupted the entire way the niche functions through his recent " Sanjay Sabha" ( Read about it- it's case study material)

- Didn't stop functioning during the pandemic but rather used the chance to storm the internet with his recent Avatar.

Is well read, can think ,write on,speak about any topic under the sun with research and conviction

But is still the stereotyped filter coffee drinking man living somewhere in the lanes of good old Madras clad in a veshti and Kurta ..

If this man

Is NOT your icon to follow ( whichever part of the globe you may be)

Is NOT the pride of any South Indian with his head on his shoulders

Is NOT your representation of the best talent, brains and looks of this part of the country

Then you are missing following a PHENOMENON from your times!

This " my- jaw -drops" picture courtesy- K Rajasekaran ( you genius) for Ananda Vikatan

[icsotd]

2013-09-14: Linked by @mohank - Sanjay Subrahmanyan: RTP, behag

[icsotd]

2013-09-11: Linked by @mohank - Sanjay Subrahmanyan: RTP, todi