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This story is from January 13, 2017

L Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurti to host silver jubilee of Lakshminarayana music fest tonight

L Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurti to host silver jubilee of Lakshminarayana music fest tonight
Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam. (TOI photo)
MUMBAI: Violinist Dr L Subramaniam and his wife singer Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam will organise the silver jubilee edition of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival (LGMF) at Shanmukhananda Hall this evening. The concert will honour the birth centenary of noted violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Entry is free.
Founded by Dr Subramaniam and his first wife Viji, who has since passed away, LGMF was launched by M S Subbulakshmi in 1992. Since then it has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry including Yehudi Menuhin, Bismillah Khan, Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Jasraj, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Al-Jarreau, Steven Seagal and Symphony Orchestras.
In the past the festival has been held in 55 cities across 22 countries. This year it will take place in the USA, UK and Germany as well.
Dr Subramaniam, who is founder and artistic director of LGMF, said, "I have always been passionate about taking Indian arts and culture to a global audience while exposing Indians to global music. When we started the festival 25 years ago we had never imagined that it would attain a global stature and be associated with so many legendary names from the world of music. We are honoured to dedicate our silver jubilee edition to one of the most important musicians of our time, Lord Menuhin."
Kavita, who is director of LGMF, spoke at length to TOI. She said, "I have been actively involved with the festival ever since I got married to Dr Subramanian in November 1999. My first festival was the one that took place in the year 2000. So although I missed the landmark lighting of the inaugural lamp by M S Subbulakshmiji, I have helped nurture it into the robust event that it has become. The assembly of genres, artistes and instruments is remarkable. We have invited the Symphony Orchestra three times, hosted the best jazz musicians from all parts of the world, expanded to include countries like Ivory Coast, and drawn multiple instruments like the pan flute. And all this has come about by the family putting their heads together and brainstorming.''
Kavita says it is a conscious aim to grant access to all music lovers. "So it has never been a ticketed event. Anybody can attend and watch these stalwarts perform for free.''
This year’s edition is dedicated to the birth centenary of Lord Yehudi Menuhin, with whom Dr L Subramaniam had the privilege to play. "In fact if you see Lord Menuhin's book named 'Violin', he has mentioned only one violinist and that is my husband,'' Kavita says proudly.

This year's edition will begin with an evening of global fusion music. The highlight she says is Vadim Repin, a violinist who was gifted France’s prestigious musical award, the Victorie d’Honneur for a lifetime’s dedication to music. Pianist Svetlana Smolina who has played at Carnegie Hall, the Salzburg Festival and Hollywood Bowl will perform as will Audun Sandvik, a Norwegian cellist. The accompanying artistes for Mumbai include Atul Raninga (keyboards), Ravi Iyer (guitar), Jayanthi (guitar), V V Ramanamurthy (mridangam), Girish Vishwa (dholak), Ashish Jha (tabla) and Satya Sai G (morsing).
Kavita herself will perform popular Hindi film songs, given that that is the tradition in which she was groomed by no less than Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey. "But I always try to include a non-film bhajan or a semi classical number to achieve balance. Whenever I sing with my husband I am on my toes!" she laughs. "No but seriously. Do you know what is shruti? He is shruti perfect. He can pick up the violin on any note and his pitching will be 100%."
Incidentally, Dr Subramaniam enjoys his wife's song 'Nimbooda' very much. "He thinks I sang well in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'," she says with a smile. "His own favourite composer is Madan Mohan. Although when he was a student in medical college he chose to perform 'Jeena yahan marna yahan' in a competition."
Shanmukhananda Hall will host a fortunate group of music lovers tonight.
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