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Singer Aruna Sairam Recognized
Date Submitted: Thu Aug 28, 2008

I. J. NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK, NY - A United States national flag that was flown over the Capitol building in Washington and a special Congressional proclamation recognizing her musical contribution issued by the US House of Representatives were handed over to musician Aruna Sairam in New York on Aug 16.

The concert-cum-felicitation ceremony was organized by Shri Vari Foundation, an organization to promote spirituality, music and dance, in Queens, here. (link)



Top US honors to singer Aruna Sairam
Sunday, 08.24.2008, 09:15pm (GMT-7)

NEW YORK: Handing over of United States national flag that was flown over the Capitol building in Washington in honor of Carnatic classical singer Aruna Sairam and presenting a special Congressional proclamation recognizing her musical contribution issued by the US House of Representatives were some of the highlights of the grand musical concert of Aruna Sairam in New York on Aug 16.

At the concert-cum-felicitation ceremony organized by Shri Vari Foundation, an organization to promote spirituality, music and dance, at the Francis Lewis Auditorium in Queens, New York, an array of distinguished dignitaries' showered praise on Aruna Sairam for her yeoman service to India by unifying the different linguistic and regional cultures. Mayor Harry Anand of Laurel Hollow, New York, the only elected Mayor of Indian-origin in the State of New York, presented the special Congressional proclamation and the US National Flag flown over Capitol on behalf of US Congressman Nick Lampson (22nd District Texas) and Congressman Christopher Shays (4th District Connecticut) respectively since both could not make it to New York.

Mayor Anand said through her many outstanding contributions to Indian music Sairam has become an established international legend. Sairam has performed at world-renowned venues such as Le Theatre de la Ville in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, and the Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco.

The parchment from Stephen T. Ayers, acting Architect of the Capitol in Washington, says the US national flag was flown over the Capitol in honor for South India's most celebrated classical vocalist to commemorate her concert for Shri Vari Foundation in New York. In his message read out on the occasion, Congressman Shays described Sairam as one of the most renowned and beloved representatives of Carnatic vocal music.

Hiram Monserrate, Member, New York City Council read out a special proclamation issued by the New York City Council to honor Aruna Sairam's multi faceted musical journey. George Abraham, Chief Technology Officer -Pension Funds, United Nations, Dr. Ajay Gondane, deputy consul general of India and Albert Chelladurai, president of New York Tamil Sangam, felicitated Sairam for the top honors. Tiruvarur Vaidyanathan on mridangam and Vittal Ramamurthy on violin accompanied Aruna Sairam at the concert.

Prakaash M Swami, founder-president of Shri Vari Foundation, who is instrumental in getting the honors and organizer of the concert-cum-felicitation function, welcoming the gathering, said it was a proud moment for Indians, especially living in the US, in view of the top honors bestowed by the country on Sairam in recognition of her musical talents and for doing concerts across the US enthralling the Indians and Americans alike. Veera Kumar, trustee of the foundation, proposed a vote of thanks. (link)

Highly acclaimed carnatic singer Aruna Sairam (see her new Virb profile as well) brings her highly sought-after vocal talents to World Village in Divine Inspiration this March. This extraordinary album features varying songs by nine different poets, of different periods and speaking many tongues. The overall theme, however, is admirably the denunciation of distinctions between caste, creed, gender and sectarianism.

Carnatic music, stemming from ancient times in South India, centers around a system of melodic 'ragam' and rhythmic 'talam', much like the rags and talas of the more well-known Hindustani music of the north. In Divine Inspiration, these elements are created by violin, tampura, hand cymbals and a variety of hand drums, reigned by Sairam's rich and concentrated voice.

Aruna Sairam will also tour North America in April and May, in support of the album, including dates in Canada, New York, California and Texas.

"Very rarely does it happen that both the richness of the melody and the exponent herself mesmerizes you completely. Aruna Sairam is one such remarkable artiste, who commands respect, inspires admirations and exudes humility." - The New Woman

Aruna Sairam is indisputably one of India’s greatest living vocalists. She was born in Mumbai (Bombay), India, a city noted for its rich cultural life. Her mother, Smt. Rajalaxmi Sethuraman was a talented singer and her first teacher, while her father, an enlightened connoisseur of the arts, received India’s greatest musicians and dancers in his salon. It was there that Sairam met the renowned singer T. Brinda, who instructed her for ten years. She was soon recognized as an important exponent of South India’s Karnatic classical music repertoire which is rooted in the ancient Vedic tradition that is still prevalent in South India’s temples. When interpreting the ragas (musical modes) that form the core of these works, Sairam’s majestic, powerful alto resonates with prayerful worship and emotion. During her long concert career, Sairam has developed an individual style that, while based first and foremost upon her chosen path, remains open to beneficial influences from other fields. Her collaboration at the Fès Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco with Dominique Vellard, a French master of Gregorian chants, as well as with notable American and Muslim musicians during the Spirit of Fès US National Tour 2006, are two such high points. At home, Sairam has received several major awards, including, in August 2006, the title of “Sangeetha Choodamani,” which is considered one of the most prestigious honors for a musician in India.