Latest news with #MLV
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
M.L. Vasanthakumari's melodious voice and innovative approach made her music unforgettable
She came, she sang, she conquered. July 3 marks M.L. Vasanthakumari's (MLV) 97th birth anniversary. It's a good time to look back at my guru and an extraordinary vocalist's life and art — a combination of melody, vidwat and dynamic stage presence. MLV was not only adept at singing both shudha Carnatic ragas such as Thodi and Bhairavi but also desya ragas like Behag or Sindhubhairavi. She may have imbibed this talent from her father vidwan Koothanoor Aiyaswamy Iyer, who was trained in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. Along with her mother Lalithangi, he also specialised in Purandaradasa kritis. MLV followed suit. MLV expanded the repertoire she inherited by adding compositions by Kanaka Dasa (disciple of Purandaradasa) and other Dasa Koota composers. It could be said that the family brought Dasarapadas to the concert stage. Mysore University acknowledged MLV's efforts in this regard by bestowing upon her an honorary doctorate. A versatile vocalist, MLV was trained early on by none other than G.N. Balasubramaniam, who was also a close friend of her father. It was GNB who boldly ushered in a new voice-culture based on Hindustani akaaras and nagaswaram glides (jaarus), and lightning-fast swara clusters (brighas). She carried forward his innovative approach. She was one of the first Carnatic vocalists to sing abhangs. Her kutcheris often felt wholesome with the inclusion of padams, javalis, Tevarams, Tiruppugazh and complex RTPs. She was well known for introducing rare kritis in each and every concert. Rasikas waited with bated breath to hear a new song, alapanas of rare ragas such as Sekarachandrika, Gamansrama, Revathi and Natabhairav, a pallavi in a difficult setting or a Purandaradasa ragamalika. They also enjoyed the tukkadas she presented. MLV was adventurous as a singer. For instance, at the Sangita Kalanidhi concert in 1977 at the Music Academy, she courageously took up a tricky pancha nadai (five varieties of rhythm) pallavi and executed it beautifully. Her singing drew lavish praise even from one of the sharpest critics of the time — Subbudu (P.V. Subramaniam). I began learning from MLV in 1963 at the age of 12. My mother Alamelu Viswanathan took me to her house. The singer was then getting ready for a concert. I was awestruck by akka's (as I used to call her) personality. She was wearing a beautiful silk saree, diamond ear studs and stone-embedded gold bangles. Her long well-oiled hair was neatly braided and adorned with fragrant jasmines. She heard me sing a short kriti, paused for a moment and accepted me as her disciple. My mother was overjoyed. She had a cheerful-casual disposition as a teacher. It was a 27-year-long association between the guru and the sishya. MLV's music was different from that of her contemporaries — D.K. Pattammal and M.S. Subbulakshmi. Though MLV was younger than the other two legends, she rose to great heights and the three were referred to as the 'female trinity of Carnatic music'. They began their career as gramophone-record sensations and gained unprecedented popularity in the early 20th Century. MLV was just 12 when she cut her first vinyl with 'Sarasija nabha murare' (Charukesi , Swathi Tirunal). Later, the trio forayed into singing for the cinema, with M.S. even acting in a few. As for MLV, she sang for the top heroines of the time, including Padmini, who was also her neighbour. Both shared a warm relationship. MLV divided her time among kutcheris, travel and studio recordings. One often saw her practising during her commute or in the little free time she got. Despite her hectic schedule, she was always available for her sishyas, willingly sharing her knowledge and guiding them. MLV's music was three dimensional — she had a great voice, a creative mind and a generous heart. The writer is a well-known Carnatic vocalist.
Korea Herald
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
All-New Nexo: Hyundai's hydrogen SUV roars back with 720km range
Revamped Nexo reaffirms auto giant's long-term hydrogen vision with faster refueling, next-gen driving tech Hyundai Motor Company's Nexo SUV, the world's bestselling hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, has returned with the first full-change model since its launch in 2018, embodying its 27-year-long hydrogen mobility vision. With upgrades on its powertrain system and convenience features, the All-New Nexo presents next-generation clean mobility beyond electric vehicles. 'Last year, the (first-generation) Nexo accounted for 40,000 of 77,000 hydrogen fuel cell EVs sold in global markets,' said Kim Ho-joong, senior researcher of the MLV project 2 team at Hyundai Motor Group, during a press conference Thursday in Seoul. 'Thanks to the many customers' support for the Nexo, we have proven that hydrogen vehicles are not just a futuristic technology but a viable mobility solution, comparable with internal combustion engines and EVs.' Kim highlighted that through technological improvements to fuel cells, motors and inverters, the flagship hydrogen-powered vehicle has achieved a class-leading maximum range of up to 720 kilometers on a single full charge, which takes around 5 minutes. This charging time is significantly shorter than the minimum 15 minutes for battery EVs and its range compares favorably to many all-electric cars. Later in the day, The Korea Herald had the chance to ride in the All-New Nexo during a 116-kilometer media test drive covering Seoul and Incheon. When accelerating on highways, the hydrogen sport utility vehicle reacts instantly, much like an EV. Of the three driving modes — eco, normal, sport and snow – the sport mode delivers impressive torque response. According to Park Hoon-woo, a senior researcher of the fuel cell system design team at Hyundai Motor Group, this is largely attributed to the advanced vehicle power performance, with output improvements of 11 percent in the fuel cell and 100 percent in the high-voltage battery systems. Its power electric system integrates a reducer into the motor and the inverter system, increasing the motor output by 33 percent. At high speeds, the Nexo offers a quiet cabin experience, allowing drivers to enjoy music on the Bang & Olufsen system, a premium audio feature included for the first time in a Hyundai car. Unlike the previous model, which faced issues with airflow noise and high-frequency sounds due to the fuel cell stack, the new version redesigned the internal structure of the muffler and improved the cabin's sound absorption features. Adopting Hyundai Motor's e-handling system, like its full-electric lineup, it also demonstrates high levels of steering response and stability during cornering. One downside is that the charging cost of a hydrogen vehicle is not significantly lower than charging a battery EV. According to the Korea Petroleum Management Institute, the current average charging cost at hydrogen refueling stations in South Korea is approximately 10,227 won ($7.4) per kilogram. Sources indicate that given the high price of hydrogen, the Nexo's monthly hydrogen consumption and refueling costs, which are calculated based on its combined fuel efficiency and driving range, tend to exceed the average monthly charging costs of EVs. As for the exterior, the Nexo applied Hyundai Motor's 'Art of Steel' design for the first time, showcasing a distinctive and spacious SUV profile. The unique front and rear HTWO symbol lamps highlight the carmaker's hydrogen initiative. Inside, it features advanced vehicle-to-load and in-cabin charging capabilities as well as a soft, comfortable and open ambiance that caters to a range of customer lifestyles. Launched on June 10, the All-New Nexo is available in three options: Exclusive, Exclusive Special and Prestige. Prices start from 76.4 million won after applying eco-friendly tax credits in Korea.
