The line-up for Hyderabad's festival: (clockwise, left to right) Shweta, Aruna Sairam, Yodhaka, Srinivas, Chinmayi, Haricharan and Tina Sani.
The Friday Review November Fest 2010 opens with a four-day feast in Hyderabad between 10 and 14 November. A look at what the festival has to offer.

November 10: Aruna Sairam -in praise of vitthala - abhangs
When Aruna Sairam sings, myriad emotions reverberate through the concert hall. There’s bhakti, there’s gyaana, and, most of all, an exuberance and abandon that strikes a chord with every listener.

The singer, known for her rich, deep timbre, makes it a point to sing an abhang or two at every concert. The fondness for this form of devotional poetry, sung in praise of Vitthala, has roots in her growing-up years in Bombay. At the Friday Review November Fest in 2006, she came up with a theme concert woven entirely around abhangs. She delves deep into that genre yet again, to come up with creations that promise to lift the soul.

Aruna has collaborated with acclaimed international artistes such as Dominique Vellard, the French master of Gregorian chant, and Christian Bollmann of Germany. In India, she has collaborated with Shankar Mahadevan, U Shrinivas and several North Indian musicians, among others.

She has performed throughout the world, including at Carnegie Hall in New York, Le Theatre de la Ville in Paris, and the Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco.
Among the many national and international honours that have come her way are the Padma Shri, the Kalaimamani and the prestigious U.S. Congress Proclamation of Excellence.

ARUNA SAIRAM

Raghavendra Rao - Violin
J. Vaidyanathan - Mridangam
S. Karthick - Ghatam
Niranjan Lele - Harmonium
Sai Bankar - Tabla
Prakash Shejwal - Pakhavaj
Pratap Rath -Additional Percussion

November 11: Yodhakaa - sholka cool-contemporary Indian

Yodhakaa is an experimental music set-up that evolved from the idea of finding a bridge between the traditional and the contemporary. Sanskrit shlokas  and emotions come together to create a unique sound that traverses far and wide, searching for that inner meaning which defines the atma

Yodhakaa strives to do exactly that — by breaking free and finding support and  inspiration in this grand old language that is so rooted in our heritage. And, it layers the slokas with musical influences, not just from India, but from all around the world — from jazz and blues to traditional Carnatic music, Nigerian street drumming to the Algerian rai, Cuban son to the Bahian samba-cancsao, South-American Merengue to Senegal’s wolof, and more.

The team consists of five radical young musicians from different cultural and musical backgrounds — ‘Darbuka’ Siva, Pradeep, Subhiksha, Donan Murray and Divyan Ahimaz — who’ve come together to create a distinctively textured sound.

‘Darbuka’ Siva - drums and percussions

Pradeep - Vocals and Slideguitar
Subhiksha - Vocals and percussion
Donan Murray - Guitar
Divyan Ahimaz - Bass

November 13: Tina Sani -Hope and healing, Sufi

Tina Sani sang before she started speaking. And, destiny took care of the rest — she made her debut, which became a runaway hit, on Pakistan Television in 1980. She learnt classical music from Ustad Nizamuddin Khan Sahib, son of Ustad Ramzan Khan of the Delhi Gharana, but music was never really a career plan.

She moved on and dabbled in many things, including teaching art, but the magical pull of music was too great to ignore. She started off with popular music before she got to give shape to her love for ghazals. Little surprise, for she lives in a land of ghazal singers such as Mehdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali and Farida Khanum. And then, she got to sing a Nazm (free verse) of Faiz Ahmad Faiz for composer Arshad Mehmud. The year was 1985, and Tina had found her niche.

She now sings verses of hope. Verses that lead her to speak up and to rise against injustice. Poetry with a cause.

Tina Sani

Abid Hussain - Tabla
Akhtar Hussain - Sarangi
Aslam - percussionist, dholak
Iqbal Hussain and Wazir Sultan - Harmonium

November 14: Hindi Retro -Travel back in time to an era when melody ruled in Hindi cinema.
Srinivas, Chinmayi, Haricharan and Shweta Mohan come together for some retro magic in this show, featuring hits down the ages till the 1980s.
The show will start off with Srinivas’ favourite K.L. Saigal, before moving  on to ditties from the 1950s and 1960s. What will dominate will be the energy and vivacity of the swinging Seventies, featuring songs
by Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi. And, of course, hits from the Kishore Kumar-RD Burman combination.
Get prepared to immerse yourself in the compositions of R.D. Burman, S.D. Burman, Madan Mohan, Naushad and Salil Chowdury. A 15-member orchestra hand-picked from Chennai and Kerala, will
accompany the singers.
Among the retro gems, which will include a lot of duets, you’ll get to listen to ‘Main Kya Jaanoon’, ‘Tere Mere Sapne’, ‘Oh Sajna’, ‘Madhuban Mein Radhika’, ‘Yeh Kya Hua’, ‘Musafir Hoon Yaaron’, ‘Hawa Ke Saath Saath’, ‘Deewana Tha Badal’ and ‘Tere Mere Milan’.
Srinivas
Chinmayi
Haricharan
Shweta Mohan

flimfare awards part 3 by donnijam

WAIT FOR 18 MINS TO SEE OUR CHINMAYI IN THE ABOVE VIDEO...!!

She sung a song in Aadavan "Vaaraayo Vaaraayo".. with Unni krishnan sir...

FYI

FYI

Mom has been working and planning this for quite sometime and we shall shortly be commencing a school for Hindustani Classical Music (Classical Vocal, Sarangi, Sitar and Tabla) and a Dance school which shall focus on teaching Odissi and Kathak. Looking at the number of mails that we have received in the past year or so, especially by aspirants who are serious about learning, she did not see why this needed to be postponed any longer.

Leave a comment with your Email ID for more info.

Two songs in Tamil
Munnar (Koncham Poo Koncham thean) and in Madurai Sambhavam a duet with Hariharan ji (Kulathil Mudhal Kallai... ), Sihigaali in Kannada a duet with Kunal Ganjawala (Hele Tangaali) Snehituda in Telugu a duet with Karthik (Chiluka Navvave).शे इस थे वौइस् बेहिंद काजल अग्गार्वल इन मोढी विलायादु

she deserves it..its cool and awesome..she looks gorgeous asusual...!

Chinmayi K Sripada is an award winning Indian playback singer singing predominantly in languages down south. She is a classical musician, Odissi dancer, a sparkling RJ, dubbing artiste and of course a passionate writer. She makes her voice heard, quite literally on her blog. She made her singing debut in A.R. Rahman’s Kannathil Muthamittal and since then has sung songs mostly in Tamil films.




Q: When and why did you start blogging? Was it out of curiosity or something else?
A: Because Kiruba Shankar of kiruba.com asked me to do so and I thought why not? I probably wanted to all the while and needed someone to tell me. He asked me to explore that area and happened to mention that it will be a great platform to interact with those who would want to know about me. Sometimes its also cathartic.
Q: What topics do you generally blog about?
A: There is nothing specific as such. I need to be moved to write about something. Thats all.

Q: Do you ever get stuck when writing an entry? What do you do then?
A: Not really, because I post an entry only when I am triggered to write. In which case there is no writer’s block. Its not as if I have to blog. I blog only if I want to.
Q: Which tools/plugins do you use to efficiently manage your blog? Any widgets or tips you would like to share with our readers.
A: I don’t use any. I do blog regularly but not into widgets.

Q: What promotional techniques work best for you and why?
A: I don’t think I have indulged in any promotional techniques for my blog. My interviews in other media has got the blog a lot more eyeballs than usual. I have not actively publicized it.

Q: Do you earn revenue through your blog? How does one go about it?
A: No.
Q: How important is it for the blogger to interact with their readers? Do you respond to all the comments that you receive?
A: Yes. Almost always (respond to comments). What works for me need not work for someone else. Blogging, I believe is someone’s thought print on the web and its upto each one to go about doing what they are comfortable in and not follow the dictates of something/someone else or popularity/lack of it of others either. A blogger probably needs to know why he wants to indulge in it. Do it as long as you want to. If you want to be regular do so. Otherwise its OK. I don’t think there should be any rules or it should be not be a task to do so. The first several days it might feel like there is a lot to say. And after a point the well might run dry. So what? Its just a blog after all. There are greater/other things to achieve and lot more that can be done. If you don’t feel like it, nothing to fret or feel guilty about.

Q: How, in general, would you rate the quality of Indian blogs? Share your favorite five blogs.
A: Kiruba.com, Sudhishkamath.com. I think Indians have a great command over the language and now with the vernacular blogs coming up, I would say the arena is great. But then I am a nobody to rate the quality of Blogs or such. I also usually do not blog hop. There have been days together that I don’t do anything more than checking mail and getting my company work done.


Q: What do you find to be the most gratifying aspect of blogging?
A: To me its cathartic. It makes me look at my thoughts, once I have published a post, I am able to step aside and look at my thoughts and in a way to gauge what I am made of in a detached manner. There is also a certain responsibility because as a person who is more recognized on the road, I need to watch what I say. I have always wanted to write and by itself blogging gratifies that.
Q: What is your advice to someone who wants to start a blog?
A: No advice. Maybe just a suggestion. Someone should blog because he must be personally driven by it and not because it works for someone else.

Q: Chinmayi, ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’ took the industry by storm. Can you tell us your experiences while rendering this song?
A: Could you be specific? Rendering the song where, in the studio or live or in an interview? And as for the experiences while recording the song, it was my first one and was a dream come true since I always wanted a break from Rahman sir. Didn’t think that this song would be a break though. The session was simple. Why I say that the session was simple because Mani Ratnam sir, Rahman sir and Vairamuthu sir can easily make anyone dumbstruck, But the atmosphere was easy and I met some of the best people in the world that day and they made sure that I was not struck dumb or made me nervous. All I can remember was the freshness and ease of that situation. For a beginner it is a huge blessing.



Q: You have a website, two additional blogs (My Audio, My Pictures) and a Translation Services Company ! Do you find it difficult to manage all this considering your busy schedule?
A: No. My Audio and My pictures are no longer live for several reasons.
Q: You are also a Radio Presenter on Aahaa FM 91.9 for a show which deals with social issues. Do you think you were able to make a difference?
A: Yes I do.


Q: You won ‘The Ritz award for amazing woman’ for the year 2008! How was the feeling ?
A: Partly embarrassing. Partly nice. But was glad that the jury and the magazine thought me worthy of it. Makes me want to work harder and do more.

Q: Airtel Super Singer enhanced your presence in the Tamil film industry. Can you tell our readers, why did you opt out of the show?
A: I do not know whether it enhanced my presence in the Industry. The yardstick in the industry is different and is not dependant or affected by Super Singer. Of course It was a surprise to a lot of people that I could talk shop. But, yes it did make me a household name amongst the viewers. And I opted out due to personal reasons.

Popular playback singer Chinmayi Sripada, who sang the foot-tapping chartbuster 'Kilimanjaro, Malai Kanimanjaro' in the multi-crore Rajinikanth starrer 'Endhiran', says it was a dream come true for her to sing a second time in a movie featuring the Tamil superstar.

The music has been composed by double Oscar winner A R Rahman.

Chinmayi,who sang the duet along with Javed Ali, said she was initially apprehensive as she did not know if her voice would be retained "as it was such a huge film. "I wonder if anyone has it like SPB (S P Balasubramaniam) sir to sing in every one of his films. But to me I have always wished to be singing in Superstar's film and to get my dream come true the second time was a true blessing."

"And a song like Kilimanjaro which is such a fun, entertaining track... singing the song was an amazing experience. It being retained in my voice was a blessing”, said the 25-year-old singer.
The peppy number was picturised on a debonair Rajini and an alluring Aishwaraya Rai, shot at Peru's Machu Picchu.

Earlier, she had sung 'Sahana' in the Rajini starrer 'Shivaji', again with Rahman being the music composer.

Chinmayi,who sang under Rahman's baton the first time-'Oru Deviam Thande Poove'-- in 'Kannanthil Muthamittal' some years ago, said she is forever indebted to Rahman for making her the singer she is today and for reviving her from total obscurity that she once stood at the threshold of.

"When almost no one gave me songs, he was the only one who would. Yes I did become slightly emotional (while watching Endhiran) and sent a silent thanks to God and a telepathic thanks to Rahman sir for making it happen."

Asked about critics saying the movie soundtrack lacks the Rahman magic, she said:"How can someone even define the word magic? To me,not just as a singer who has had the good fortune to sing his creations, as a fan and a rasika it is difficult to define the word magic, no matter what Oxford Dictionary says, leave alone his magic or the legend that is Rahman. Indians take great pleasure in celebrating a genius and then go into mindless criticism once the celebrity starts doing well."

The problem with critics, or maybe a lot of them is they themselves are not clear about what they are looking for or what they want, she said. "A lot of the critics are on this hullabaloo about Rahman sir post his Oscars because he has achieved the impossible..."

Besides Kilimanjaro, her favorite track in the film is 'Arima Arima'. "I was highly hooked to Kaadhal Anukkal as it was the first track to be released. And then Arima. And now its the Chitti Dance Showcase," she said.

Asked about the 'controversy' about Aabhas Joshi replacing her as host in the Star plus-Saibaba telefilm Chhote Ustaad show, Chinmayi said she wondered if people even noticed her there to make it a controversy.

She said only South Indians were very proud that a girl from Chennai went on a Hindi channel. It was a big thing for people from here. To people there it hardly mattered. "There were a lot of things going on with Chote Ustaad which I think was also all over the media. It was not the be-all and end-all of my life. I was very apprehensive when asked to do it. Then I decided to take it up to give it a fair shot. Also, there is a way I like to lead my life, which would adhere to certain norms. Anything that goes beyond that is not my purview."

She said she saw Aabhas doing a Tapori act and several other acts which would have been impossible for her to do."Almost as if a lot of acting is involved.In the Sholay special, even children were acting more and singing less. It is a good thing I am not on the show. Nonetheless I am thankful to Saibaba Telefilms.. It's not always that a girl from Chennai is given an opportunity like that."

It has been quite a rewarding two years for Chinmayi. She won the Tamil Nadu state award for the 'Sahana' number last year, Filmfare award for 'Vaarayo' (Aadhavan-Haris Jairaj music composer), chartbusters in 'Anbil Avan...' in Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya and now Kilimanjaro (all this year).

Asked if 'Maiyya Yashoda' number with Javed Ali in 'Jhootha hi Sahi', again under Rahman, which is due for release would also be a chartbuster, she said it was drawing good reviews. "Depends on what the Almighty has decided for me. I had a very popular number in Lamhaa called Madhno/Saajna composed by Mithoon which released some time in June and at the half-yearly mark, it found a place in the top ten romantic numbers of 2010 and was highly spoken of. Yes God has been kind and it has been a good year so far."

Asked how different was Haris Jairaj's music from Rahman's, she said she was not sure if she had the capacity or talent to compare or even comment on a composer's creation. "To me Varayo is a special song not just because it has given me seven awards so far, but the experience of singing with Unnikrishnan ji. Even as a listener I loved the melody.. This song has given me such widespread appreciation...”

TAMIL:

* Oru Deivam thandha Poove - Kannathil Muthamittal, (2002)
* Oru Thadavai Solvaaya - Vaseegara, (2002)
* Kirukka Kirukka - Whistle, (2002)
* Uyir Pirindaalum - Saena, (2002)
* Idayame, Namma Ooru, (2002)
* Poonthena - Eera Nilam, (2002)
* Mainave Mainave - Thithikudhe, (2003)
* Poo poo poonguruvi - Thathithaavudhu Manasu, (2003)
* Enna Idhu - Nala Damayanti, (2003)
* Please Sir - Boys, (2003)
* Kanna - Anbe Un Vasam, (2003)
* Pirivellam Pirivalla - Soori, (2003)
* Poove Mudhal poove - Kadhal Kirukkan, (2003)
* Sandippoma; Oru Nanban Irundaal - Enakku 20 Unakku 18, (2003)
* Image - Image, (2003)
* Aarumugasami - Aarumugasaami,(2003)
* En Uyir Thozhiye - Kangalal Kaidhu Sei, (2003)
* Pudhu Kaadal Kaalmidhu - Pudhukkottaiyilerendhu Saravanan, (2004)
* Ennai Theendivittai - Kuthu, (2004)
* Bad Boya - Jore, (2004)
* Nee daane en maele - Jananam, (2004)
* Thulluvatho Ilamai; Holi Holi; - Semma Ragalai (2004)
* Eppadi solvathu- Oru Murai Sollividu (2004)
* If you wanna come along - New, (2004)
* O Minnale - Nee Mattum, (2004)
* Senthaazhampoove - Senthaazhampoove (2004)
* Oppanakaara Veedhiyile - Giri (2004)
* Thanneeril Meen Onru - Kadhal Sarigama (2004)
* Engu Pirandhadhu - Vishwa Thulasi (2004)
* Kaadhalikkum aasaiyillai - Chellame (2004)
* Chinna Chinna - Kannadi Pookal (2005)
* Mugama Mugama - Kadhal FM (2005)
* Noothana - Karka Kasadara (2005)
* Solla Mudiyala - Kiccha Vayasu 16 (2005)
* Sil Sil - Arindhum Ariyaamalum (2005)

TELUGU:

* Ae Devi Varamu Neevo - Amruta (2002)
* Kingini Mingini- Allari (2002)
* Megham Karigenu - Naaga (2003)
* Please Sir, Ayyappa Saami - Boys (2003)
* Kalusukundaama; Oka snehitudunte - Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu(2003)
* Satta (2003)
* Oka Oorilo - Shivashankar

MALAYALAM:

* Kukkoo Kukkoo - Vaalkannaadi (2003)
* Enna thavam seidhanai - Thilakam (2003)
* Praavukal - Akale (2004)

SERIALS:

* Saarthakam (Malayalam)
* Anbulla Snehitiye (Tamil)
* Marakka Mudiyuma (Tamil)
* Ganga Gayathri (Tamil)
* Varam (Tamil)
* Sharada (Tamil)
* Appa (Tamil)
* Kanavugal (Tamil)
* Naanna (Telugu)
* Pratighatana (Telugu)
* Natakam (Telugu)
* Paadhaigal (Tamil)

ALBUMS:

* Swandham (Malayalam, MD M Jayachandran)
* Old is Gold (Remix - Hindi, MD AAGOSH)
* Iniyennum (Malayalam, MD M Jayachandran)
A few Hindu and Christian Devotional Albums for various Music Directors in India and abroad.

Filmfare Awards South

• 2010: Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Vaarayo Vaarayo"(Aadhavan)
• 2012: Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2008: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Sahana"(Sivaji)
• 2011: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Kilimanjaro"(Endhiran)
• 2013: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Asku Laska"(Nanban)

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

• 2003: Best Female Playback – "Oru Deivam Thantha Poove"(Kannathil Muthamittal)
• 2008: Best Female Playback – "Sahana"(Shivaji)

Vijay Awards

• 2010: Best Female Playback Singer – "Vaarayo Vaarayo"(Aadhavan)
• 2012: Best Female Playback Singer – "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2008: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – "Sahana"(Shivaji)
• 2011: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – "Kilimanjaro"(Endhiran)

South Indian International Movie Awards

• 2012 - SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil - "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2013 - Nominated - SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil - "Asku Laska" (Nanban)

Vijay Music Awards

• 2011: Popular Female Playback Singer – "Kilimanjaro"(Endhiran)
• 2012: Best Female Singer Female - "Sara Sara" (Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2011: Nominated, Best Duet of the Year (along with Javed Ali – "Kilimanjaro"(Endhiran)
• 2012: Nominated, Best Duet of the Year (along with Sathya – "Chotta Chotta"(Engaeyum Eppothum)

The Times Film Awards

• 2012: The Chennai Times Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2012: Nominated, The Hyderabad Times Award for Best Female Singer - "Opiri"(Pilla Zamindar)

Edison Awards

• 2012: Edison Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Chotta Chotta"(Engeyum Eppodhum)
  
  
• 2013: Edison Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Asku Laska" (Nanban)

Isaiaruvi Tamil Music Awards

• 2008: Best Female Playback Singer – "Sahana"(Shivaji)
• 2010: Best Female Playback Singer – "Vaarayo Vaarayo"(Aadhavan)
• 2009: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – "Avaram Poo"(Poo))
• 2009: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – "Chinnamma Chilakkamma"(Sakkarakatti)

Mirchi Music Awards South

• 2011: Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Kilimanjaro"(Endhiran)
• 2010: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Vaarayo Vaarayo"(Aadhavan)
• 2010: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Laesa Parakkudhu"(Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu)
• 2012: Nominated, Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)

Other awards

• 2003: Award from Ajanta Fine Arts for "Oru Deivam"(Kannathil Muthamittal)
• 2003: Best Media Associates Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Oru Deivam"(Kannathil Muthamittal)
• 2003: ITFA Award for Best Upcoming Playback Singer – "Oru Deivam"(Kannathil Muthamittal)
• 2008: Film Fans Association Award for Beat Female Playback Singer – "Sahana"(Shivaji)
• 2008: Jaya TV Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Sahana"(Shivaji)
• 2008: Lions Club Award for Best Female Playback singer – "Sahana(Shivaji)"
• 2010: Alandur Fine Arts for Best Female Playback Singer
• 2010: South Scope Cine Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Vaarayo Vaarayo"(Aadhavan)
• 2011: BIG Tamil Award for Best Entertaining Female Singer – "Poove Poove"(Siddhu +2)
• 2011: MGR Sivaji Academy Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Kilimanjaro"(Endhiran)
• 2011: Vijayam Tamil Movie Award for Favourite Female Singer of the Year
• 2012: Navaratna Women Achievers Award for Best Female Playback Singer
• 2012: Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2012: BIG Tamil Melody Music Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2012: Filmfans' Association Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)
• 2012: Variety Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Sara Sara"(Vaagai Sooda Vaa)

Nominations

• 2008: Star Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "Tere Bina"
• 2010: Tamil Cinema Press Awards for Best Female Playback Singer – "Nila Nee Vaanam"(Pokkisham)
• 2012: BIG Salute to Tamil Women Entertainer Award for Best Singer

• 

Chinmayi serves as CEO of Blue Elephant http://www.blue-elephant.co.in/, a translation services company she founded in August 2005.She received an award from SAARC Chamber for Women Entrepreneurship for Excellence for Blue Elephant in 2010.She marked her next milestone in her career as a CEO and Founder by being the first ever women entrepreneur to be selected for the prestigious FORTUNE/U.S. State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership Program in 2011 from Tamil Nadu.

As a "RJ" in Aahaa Kaapi Klub