Latest news with #Pallavi
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
When a mridangam maestro meets a marxist leader
What could be common between a mridangam exponent and a Marxist leader? Music. The friendship between Umayalpuram Sivaraman, who describes himself as a hardcore traditionalist, yet ultramodern, and M.A. Baby, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a connoisseur of Carnatic music, dates back decades. The two came together to share their story at a special conversation session at The Hindu office, where N. Ram, former Editor-in-Chief, explained how an unusual association blossomed into an enduring friendship. It was during the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that the world of Carnatic music first opened its doors to Baby. Then a student, who almost went underground and later courted arrest, he found an unexpected path to music. 'His elder brother advised him to visit a temple and listen to concerts. That is how he first discovered the great music of Sivaraman,' Ram said. Baby fine-tuned his taste in music by attending concerts of past masters, who were often accompanied by Sivaraman on the mridangam. To this day, he vividly recalls the songs rendered at those performances and the way Sivaraman's artistry elevated each concert. He once even travelled to Erode to hear him accompany K.V. Narayanasamy, after seeing an announcement about the concert in The Hindu. 'That day KVN sang 'Evarimata' in Kamboji. The elaboration of the raga, the rendition of the kriti, and the tani avartanam that followed are unforgettable,' Baby said. So thorough is Baby with Sivaraman's bani that when he was a Member of Parliament, he once asked Arun Kumar, after listening to him perform, whether he was a disciple of Umayalpuram Sivaraman. When the mridangam maestro was thoroughly impressed when he came to know about this. Recalling the incident, Sivaraman said, 'Later, I received a call on my landline — I still don't have a mobile phone. The person at the other end said, 'I'm Baby. I'd like to meet you.' So I invited him over, and that's when I realised he was the person Arun had mentioned. We again met with some friends, and ended up discussing music till late in the night. 'My wife, who was worried, called to check if I'd been kidnapped,' he laughed. Appreciative of Baby's deep sensitivity to music, Sivaraman pointed out how we can identify the style of most artistes, both vocalists or instrumentalists. That's a rare quality. Baby, who has organised many concerts, was instrumental in bringing together Chenda melam exponent Mattanoor Sankarankutty Marar and Sivaraman for a performance. He even arranged for the latter to accompany Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj. Babyrecalled Sivaraman's decision to call Neyyattinkara Vasudevan to sing a Pallavi for the inauguration of the Kerala University Students' Union. 'When Vasudevan saw Sivaraman walking in, there were tears in his eyes.' Referring to himself as a honeybee, Sivaraman said, 'Wherever there is good music, irrespective of caste or religion, I offer to accompany the artiste'. Believe it or not, he has also composed music for a fashion show. Sharing his experience of accompanying stalwart musicians, Sivaraman pointed out how each possessed mastery in their respective field. ' Your imagination should come through in your playing. Through hard work, you reach the top and maintain your place by constantly improving. Otherwise, others will overtake you,' he said. Speaking on the subject of creativity, Sivaraman said, 'Don't think everything old is good, and don't term everything new as bad. People with wisdom always choose the best from the old and the best from the new.' The conversation also featured Sivaraman's friendship with the actors Sivaji Ganesan and M.G. Ramachandran. He played for the Sivaji Ganesan starrer Mridhanga Chakravarthy. 'Sivaji Ganesan used to call me vathiyar (teacher). Before every shot, he would ask me if he was playing it right. Such was his humility,' he said. Sivaraman also recalled the presence of MGR and Devaraj Urs at the Music Academy to attend a concert of M. Balamuralikrishna, the year he was conferred the Sangita Kalanidhi award. 'I accompanied him. After the concert, we went to meet both the Chief Ministers. MGR came up to me and said, 'You played well. He had prepared the pallavi at home, but you played on the spot. You are great.' Will anyone say that? That shows how deep his musical knowledge was..'
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Pandya Store fame Pallavi Rao and Suraj Rao to head for divorce after 22 years of marriage, actress reveals reason
Pallavi Rao and director Suraj Rao are parting ways. Pallavi is a renowned actor in the Television industry who has worked in numerous TV shows, including Pandya Store. Meanwhile, Suraj Rao is a well-known director in the Television world. The former couple who were married for 22 long years have decided to part ways mutually due to compatibility issues. Pallavi herself disclosed this news to everyone. Pallavi Rao and Suraj Rao to part ways In a conversation with ETimes TV, Pallavi Rao confirmed that she and Suraj Rao are heading for a divorce. She said, "We had compatibility issues for the past few years and have now finally decided to part ways. It was a tough decision because we have a 21-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son." Pallavi said that she and Suraj have decided to part ways and choose a peaceful life. The actress mentioned that she respects her former husband and wishes him well. For the unversed, the former couple met Pallavi on the sets of a show in Mumbai. Pallavi and Suraj tied the wedding knot in 2003. Speaking about their professional lives, Pallavi Rao has worked in several Television shows for more than two decades. She is known for her appearances in numerous daily soaps like Pandya Store, Yeh Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar, Qayamat Se Qayamat and Diya Aur Baati Hum. Meanwhile, Suraj has directed shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Shaka Laka Boom Boom and more. A comment from Suraj Rao on their separation is yet to be made. The former couple have an active presence on social media where they often share glimpses of their professional lives. Pallavi, who played a pivotal role in Pandya Store, is still in touch with many of her co-stars. She shares pictures whenever they reunite at get-togethers. A few months ago, another popular Television couple, Lataa Saberwal and Sanjeev Seth, separated after 16 years of marriage. The actress had taken to her social media platform to announce the news of their separation. This news came as a shock to many to many. The former couple have a son together.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive! Pandya Store actress Pallavi Rao confirms split with director Suraj Rao
Pallavi Rao; Suraj Rao Pandya Store actress Pallavi Rao and television director Suraj Rao are headed for divorce after 22 years of marriage. The couple separated two weeks ago and have been living apart since. Pallavi shared, 'Suraj and I have two children. We had compatibility issues for the past few years and have now finally decided to part ways. It was a tough decision because we have a 21-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son. But sometimes, it's better to part ways amicably and choose to live a peaceful life. I respect Suraj and will always wish well for him.' The actress, last seen in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, has featured in several TV shows including Kulfi Kumarr Bajewala and Shubhaarambh. Suraj, known for directing iconic serials like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Shaka Laka Boom Boom, met Pallavi on the sets of a show in Mumbai. The couple tied the knot in 2003. In an earlier interview with BT, Pallavi shared how she has always enjoyed playing strong roles. She said, "In Pandya Store, I had a very strong role and it had a lot of humour too. It was fun working with the entire team. I have always enjoyed playing intense, strong roles. I have been working for the past two decades and it has been a great experience. Our industry is quite unpredictable so work is like oxygen for me. It is important to consistently keep working. I have 2-3 interesting projects lined up and will soon be back on TV. " TV actress Pallavi Rao shares how she learnt a lot watching actress Sridevi's films
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NOU starts admission process to PG, other courses
Patna: Following the recognition of its courses by the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) of UGC, the Nalanda Open University (NOU) has initiated the process of admission of students to its certificate, diploma and postgraduate courses in the current academic session. The last date for submission of applications for admission to these courses is Aug 30. However, the last date for submission of applications for admission to the MCA (master in computer applications) course is July 30. While there are a large number of seats in all other courses, there are only 140 seats in MCA course from the current session, said NOU's media in charge Pallavi. Admission to the MCA course will be held on the basis of an entrance test and interview, to be conducted by the university after the last date of submission of applications. Only those candidates will be eligible to apply for admission to the MCA course who possess BCA or bachelor degree in computer science engineering or equivalent degree or BA/BSc/BCom degree with mathematics at the 10+2 stage. As there is a huge demand for MCA course in the information technology sector, students having general graduation degree (having studied mathematics at least at +2 level) can be admitted to this course provided they qualify in the entrance test and interview. Meanwhile, the university's postgraduate examinations of 2025 are scheduled to commence from July 11 as announced earlier. All necessary arrangements for holding the examinations in a fair and peaceful manner have been made. Students coming from outside may be allowed to reside in hostels for the period of examinations on prior permission of the authorities, she added.
India Today
27-06-2025
- India Today
Hyderabad couple arrested for live streaming sexual acts for money
A husband and wife were arrested for allegedly conducting live sexual acts for money. According to the police, the duo charged Rs 1,000 for five minutes of physical activity, and used that footage to demand further police, based on an anonymous complaint, registered a case against the couple under the relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) to the police, the couple would share access links on a mobile app with users who paid to watch the content. During the live streams, the man, identified as 41-year-old Naresh, and his wife, 37-year-old Pallavi, would wear masks to conceal their identities, they said. During the course of the investigation, officials gathered evidence, including high-tech recording gadgets and live-streaming The couple admitted to engaging in the act as a means of earning easy money, even as Naresh earned a livelihood as a car driver.'An inquiry was initiated and, after thorough investigation, both Naresh and Pallavi were taken into custody. They were produced before court and have been sent to 14 days of judicial remand,' a police official said.- EndsWith inputs from PTI IN THIS STORY#Hyderabad#Telangana
