Swathi Tirunal Compositions

Parassala Ponnamma

This product features one of the greatest veterans of Carnatic music, Smt.Parassala Ponnammal hailing from Trivandrum. She is probably one of the few octogenarian performing musicians in the field of Carnatic music. She had the rare privilege to learn music directly under doyens like Sri Muthayya Bhagavathar and Sri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. Her music is steeped in tradition and simplicity. An ‘A’ top grade artist of AIR, she retired as the Principal of R.L.V.College of music and Fine arts, Tripunithura. She was also a Professor in the Swathi Tirunal Music Academy, Trivandrum. She had the honor of being the first lady artist who performed at the Navarathri Music festival at the Navarathri Mandapam organized by the Royal family of Travancore. She is the recipient of many coveted awards and titles, Gayaka Ratnam, Sangeetha Ratnakaram, Isai Mani Makutam, Raga Sahithya Bhava Gayika to name a few.

This product showcases beautiful rare gems of one of the greatest composers of South Indian music, Maharaja Swathi Tirunal. Smt. Ponnamal reveals her mastery and expertise over rakthi ragas like Yadukula Kamboji and Nattaikurunji which are the highlights of this thematic presentation. The most striking feature of this product is the exquisite choice of kritis and the authentic patantharas which is an invaluable treasure for upcoming musicians and students. Smt.Ponnammal is accompanied on the violin by Smt.Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, the daughter of the legendary violinist Sri Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and on the mridangam by Sri N.Arul, a staff artist of AIR Trivandrum.

Backed by genuine desire to preserve for posterity, Swathi's Sanskriti Series, uses the best of technology to release this product.