Chembai Smruthi Gana Sabha
Chembai Smruthi Gana Sabha is a Mumbai
based organization registered as a Charitable Trust, dedicated to the
preservation, propagation and development of Indian Classical Music in general
and Karnatic Classical Music in particular.
It is the responsibility of
the younger generation of musicians and music lovers to see that the memory of
Chembai is well preserved and his personal and individual contribution to our
national legacy in the arts in general and to Karnatic music in particular is
appropriately recognised. The Chembai Smruthi Gana Sabha of Mumbai has
been formed with this specific aim in view.
Chembai Vidyanatha Bhagavathar
Chembai
(1896 - 1974) needs no introduction to lovers of Karnatic Music. The
legendary vocalist strode the Karnatic Music scene like a colossus for the major
part of the last century. Musician, musicologist, scholar, teacher,
experimentalist, innovator, his contribution to the tradition of Karnatic music
has been substantial. In a lifetime devoted to music, he also produced a
number of outstanding pupils worthy of the master.
Born into a
family of well-known musicians Chembai had arrived, as a musician, early in life
and established his position on the concert platform with others several years
senior to him. He handled his music with absolute self-confidence and
composure. He had an astounding grip over tala and he invariably stunned
his audiences with his elaboration both of Raga alapana and Swara
kalpana.
