Latest news with #Ranjani
Deccan Herald
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Ranjani-Gayatri Bengaluru concert: Spirituality is at core of great music, says renowned vocal duo
In the world of Carnatic classical music, a devotional song is not just sung — it is offered. Each note, each phrase, rendered with depth and clarity, has the power to quiet a room and stir the soul — something Ranjani and Gayatri have mastered over years of disciplined sadhana and spiritual surrender. Live concertRanjani and Gayatri performed in Bengaluru on Friday. The sisters took to the stage of the Chowdiah Memorial Hall with co-artists Pt. Ronu Majumdar (Flute), Dr Jayanthi Kumaresh (Veena) and L Ramakrishnan, Sai Giridhar and Anirudh Athreya. Here, they celebrated monsoon on a musical note, with soulful ragas like Megharanjani, Malhar, Des, and Varunapriya soaking audiences in the 24th year of Banyan Tree's 'Barkha Ritu' — an artistic experience of the rainy season. This comes after their live performance, organised by HCL Concerts, in the national capital last month. Notably, they have many more concerts scheduled later this year. DH's Swarna Srikanth spoke to the duo as they narrated some unforgettable memories with their guru and senior musicians, their love for devotional songs, and how classical music has evolved with time. Excerpts: Your devotional albums are energising. Do you feel blessed and experience a magical/divine vibe performing the spiritual genre?Ranjani: Yes indeed. As much as we are consciously paying attention to the details- the pronunciation, precision, sync, there will be a moment when one realises that there is magic at work. It is this grace that drives the project to completion, we believe that this divine energy is what makes every piece of music or stotra performed on global stages, how do you see India being perceived as a spiritual destination — through events like the Mahakumbh, Char Dham Yatra, Amarnath Yatra, or Tirupati Brahmotsavam? And how does music contribute to that divine experience?Gayatri: Though devotion and spiritual depth is deeply embedded in every aspect of carnatic music or South Indian classical music, this music has so many diverse aspects- from language, poetry, melody, creative improvs, spontaneity and contemporary vibes, this music is all of this and more. But the spiritual aspect is at the core of this great art, and we believe that this music is the finest and most evolved representation of that transcendence. We have seen in many concerts how even first time listeners from other countries and cultures experience this divinity. In that sense, this music is a beautiful part of the divine essence and legacy of Bharat's spiritual and cultural made you stay focused on devotional songs and not very widely explore Bollywood, cine music, or any other?Gayatri: Devotional songs are not just what carnatic music is all about- it is an entire universe that has multiple dimensions which takes lifetimes to savour, experience and understand. Though we haven't taken any stand to keep away from popular medium or cine music, life has taken us in a particular direction, and we have found infinite fulfillment in this. We have also sung a small number of film songs -- in Tamil and Telugu -- and that has been a very enriching experience many learned artists believed in limiting classical music only to temples and festivals, what's your take on this?Ranjani: Classical music has kept up with evolving social realities, and is not restricted to temples alone. We have sung concerts in a metro station and a cinema theatre, and they have been memorable, beautiful experiences! That being said, a reality show may not be an ideal space for profound immersion and authenticity which is essential for classical would like to know one of your unforgettable memories with your guru/s. Ranjani: A class that happened with our Guru TS Krishnaswami during torrential rains and power failure in Mumbai, lit only by a single candle, filled with a kinship that is inexpressible is one of our most precious memories. Sri Padma Bhushan PS Narayanaswamy playfully chiding us, when we would indulge in self criticism 'pesama paadu, ellam nannave irukku!'- don't keep analysing, just sing, you are good!- is a very dear you share with us your experience of performing with legends like Padma Vibhushan and Padma Vibhushan M Balamurali Along with absorbing their incredible music, we were inspired by how generously they shared space with us, smilingly encouraged us to spread our wings and how lovingly they made us part of their music and concert. Their large heartedness and grace will always inspire raga evokes a different feeling, is there any raga which you admire and vibe to the most?Ranjani: We vibe to every raga in a different way. Admiration? Well, it is surrender. Once we surrender to the raga, it makes us vibe, dance and lose ourselves in do you want the audience to know about classical music so they can enjoy and appreciate it better?Gayatri: An open mind and a willing heart. That is all it takes. Carnatic music is a timeless music which can be enjoyed at any level- from the uninitiated to the seasoned connoisseur, and every rasika takes from the music a different slice of it. Having said that, paying attention to the melodies- ragas and keeping beat with the tala are a couple of things the relatively new listener can do to connect with the music. Recordings vs live performances, what interests you the most and why? Gayatri: We have learnt from both. Recordings teaches us the value of precision, finesse in rendition and sensitizes us to pay attention to microscopic nuances that make a huge difference. A live performance is an all round experience- we are tested and challenged in every aspect of music- and also learn how to draw the best within us and connect that with the audience. Do you still experience goosebumps before heading to the stage?Gayatri: As we sit on stage, preparing to start the concert, it is a very intense moment where the mind and energy is fully focussed. When the concert starts, the music takes over and all the emotions or rasas dance in that space- from joy to sorrow, from excitement to repose, from exuberance to serenity, and a few goosebumps moments when the music and the emotion draws both the listener and musician in a magical web. Have you ever felt instruments take the back seat during a concert, with vocals getting the spotlight?Gayatri: If the main musician is a vocalist, the ensemble of musicians will be selected to optimally flow with and highlight the voice. If the main musician is an instrumentalist- then the spotlight will be automatically on that instrument. If not music, where would have the world seen Ranjani and Gaytri? Gayatri: Perhaps as a Dancer or an song you would dedicate to each other?Ranjani: Every song that we sing has each other's presence in it, so it is hard to single out a song.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Science
- Time of India
APPCB chief scientist urges people to opt for eco-friendly rakhis
Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board's (APPCB) joint environmental chief scientist, M Sree Ranjani, has appealed to people to use environmentally friendly rakhis, particularly those made with native seeds that can help grow new trees. This appeal was made during an event organized by the Green Climate Team NGO, where students participated in making seed rakhis as part of the 'Vriksha Bandhan' initiative. The event aimed to spread awareness about environmental protection and promote eco-friendly practices. Ranjani emphasized the importance of consuming nature-based products and living an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Meanwhile, regional environmental engineer P Mukunda Rao highlighted the need to instill environmental awareness in students and encouraged the youth to play a vital role in environmental conservation. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
India.com
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Exclusive: 'Radhika Merchant's Family Was Perfectionist'; With Alanna Panday's Wedding, Feedback Was Crisp', Reveal Celebrity Wedding Card Designer Ranjani From Pink Whistle Man
Big fat Indian weddings are game changers not just for the families involved but also for all those work on it to make it happen smoothly - right from the word go. Celebrity Wedding Card Designer Pink Whistle Man's founder Ranjani in an interview with Zee News Digital shared how the company came about and what bizarre requests they get for special invites: 1. What's the story behind Pink Whistle Man? A: I started it PWM about twelve years ago unofficially, when I designed my own wedding stationery. I found a huge gap in the market when it came to personalisation and detailing of Wedding Invitations. Gradually, I started designing for friends and family which extended to clients who came to me through word of mouth. We began expanding our services and creating end-to-end stationery for weddings, and personalised stationery that you would not particularly get in a mass manufacturing market. So even the products that we would design were limited to just that wedding alone to maintain exclusivity. Over the years the brand has been recognized both in the Indian and International wedding markets and been awarded for its unique conceptual ideas over the years. 2. You've created invites shaped like X-rays, passports, and even electrical circuits. What has been your most bizarre or unexpected brief from a client? A: Our clients always help us push the envelope and keep the brief pretty open ended. Although there was this one bizarre incident when we opted to do flying balloon parachute invites that would float into the house of the guests. This was a birthday invite. We personally had to deliver each of these invites to every household with a pump because we didn't know if the balloon would burst, and if it did, we had to replace it quickly. 3. How big have destination weddings been in the last few years? Also, could you tell us about the preferences of global clientele? A: Destination weddings have been huge. The advantage for a designer such as myself is you get to be part of the entire look and feel of the wedding. It's almost like a brand for the wedding right from the get-go. In one case, a couple from Jalandhar had their wedding at Wildflower Shimla, and had blocked out the whole airport for two days. We designed hoardings, flight covers, food boxes and even live-report newspapers printed locally with photographs and real-time updates from the three-day event. In terms of global weddings, if it's an Indian or mixed-race wedding we design seating charts, table numbers, program description handbooks. And because of Instagram and Pinterest, there's a two-way exchange: India is now asking for seating charts and intimate-dinner stationery, while the west borrows the grandeur of wedding stationery. We even design the dance floor for several weddings abroad. 4. Tell us about your designing experience with Radhika Merchant's family for the big-scale wedding. A: With Radhika's wedding, things just flew by so quickly and I was experimenting on a lot of things for the first time. Given the time constraints, it was nothing short of a miracle how we managed to get it done. We were fortunate in finding the right craftsmen and vendors, and the family was definitely very cooperative. I would have meetings with them literally every day, sometimes even late at night to go through proofs. They were extreme perfectionists, wanting to see every tiny change, because they didn't want any surprises. 5. How easy or difficult was it to design for Alanna Panday's wedding? A: With Alanna's wedding, I worked mainly with her mother, Deanne. Alanna and Ivor were in the loop, and they were both very easy to work with. Feedback was crisp and clear. Deanne's perfectionism was extremely admirable. Having that level of critical eye pushes you to do more than you think you're capable of. 6. What does the design process look like behind the scenes from concept to creation? Walk us through one of your most creatively challenging projects. A: Every project begins with finding a hook, a unique story or element for the couple. Until I find that hook, it's extremely challenging. Once I do, the narrative blossoms. Here are a few examples of our hooks that were distilled from the couple's story line, personality or culture - 'Poetry in Motion', 'Letters from an Orange Tree', 'Amar Prem Katha', 'Map of Perfect Things', 'The Wedding Hygge'. 7. With e-invites and AI-generated designs flooding the market, how does a boutique brand like yours stay relevant and premium? A: I think when it comes to AI, there's no escaping it. We'll have to figure out how to use it to our advantage. Just like traditional artists moved to digital tablets, AI will create new styles and forms. For now, AI illustrations look very perfect but lack that human touch. As a boutique brand, our focus is always concept first; illustration is just a medium. While AI can fit into templatized invite requirements, it can't replace the soft skills, those fun, informal interactions with brides and grooms that make the process itself part of the experience. 8. What trends are you seeing among Indian couples today when it comes to wedding stationery? A: Wedding stationery is getting more intimate. Beyond just invites, couples are now detailing everything from straw-tags, place settings to bespoke table-numbering systems. As weddings become smaller and more personal, the scope of stationery items has widened far beyond a single invite.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A musical ode to Vithhal devotees with Maha's abhang tradition
1 2 3 Pune: Music often joins hands with devotion. And when it does, it erases divides of language, musical genre, background and religion, says Carnatic vocalist Ranjani. She is talking about abhang, a form of devotional poetry and singing in the Marathi tradition by Maharashtra's saint-poets, especially associated with the warkari sect and the worship of Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur. Ranjani adds, "Musicians from south India cherish and celebrate their love of abhangs, and so do rasikas." Timed in the afterglow of the warkari season, as Pune catches its breath after the rhythmic thunder of dindis and the saffron surge of devotion moved on toward Pandharpur, Bolava Vitthal concert returns for its 20th edition on June 28. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune To be held at Balgandharva Rangmandir, JM Road, this musical pilgrimage will offer the city a soul-stirring continuation of what the Palkhi left behind: faith, worship, and the sound of saints echoing through time. "This isn't just a performance," says Shashi Vyas, founder of Pancham Nishad Creatives. "The idea was born with Ganasaraswati Kishori Amonkar as a shared act of devotion. Over two decades, it grew from a small stage event into a movement of sacred sound while keeping its roots in musical and spiritual purity." This year's concert will feature Aarya Ambekar, for whomit's a personal journey through nostalgia. "I still remember the excitement of getting dressed in a white Nauwari saree with a typical varkari style gandh. We'd make thermocol Palkhis at home and carry them to school. Those small rituals as a child unknowingly sowed the seeds of a lifelong emotional connection with this tradition. So when I perform devotional music today, especially abhangs, it feels like I'm not just singing; I'm reliving those moments," said Ambekar. Siddhartha Belmannu and the Carnatic vocal duo Ranjani–Gayatri will also be performing in the are known not just for their virtuosity, but for how they channel the emotion behind abhangs. Accompanying them will be Prasad Padhye (tabla), Sukhad Munde (pakhawaj), Aditya Oke (harmonium), Shadaj Godkhindi (bansuri), and Suryakant Surve (additional rhythms). "Our childhood and growing up years in Mumbai gave us an early exposure to Marathi and abhangs, and it felt very intuitive to sing abhangs—both in terms of lyrics and musicality. The journey sensitised us to robust and melodious voice throw, the beautiful sounds and accent of Marathi, the spiritual message of the great saints, and the simple, raw yet profound renderings of songs by devotees," said Ranjani, adding, "Though the abhang originates in Maharashtra, this musical form captured the imagination of musicians and music lovers across boundaries—both throughout India and globally. The heady combination of powerful poetry or Santvani that is rendered with vigour, devotion, and universally appealing musicality erases all divides." Gayatri said, "Our style of abhang singing in concerts celebrates both Hindustani and Carnatic approaches. Music, no matter how aesthetically beautiful and melodious, touches the heart only when melody fuses with bhakti bhav, and this synergy of devotion and musical expression happens effortlessly during the time of Aashad. Singing here is not a task; it's a blessing." Siddhartha Belmannu, trained in the Kirana and Gwalior gharanas, finds deep resonance with the abhang tradition. "While one style keeps emotion at the forefront, the other explores technical expertise. Blending the two while maintaining the delicate balance is what makes my Guru Vinayak Torvi Ji's music special, and as his disciple, I try to carry the legacy with my music," said Belmannu.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hurt by his remark: Ranjani Raghavan pulls the plug on Kamal Haasan-linked event
Actor-turned-director Ranjani Raghavan recently stirred conversations on social media after she shared a series of images featuring her alongside Kamal Haasan . In the photos, Ranjani is seen presenting him with a Kannada book—her own work—which quickly became the subject of public debate and curiosity. While some hailed it as a thoughtful gesture, others questioned if it was a strategic move, given the language row. The actor has been facing a lot of backlash in Karnataka after he claimed at an event that the Kannada language originated from Tamil. 'It is symbolic that Kamal sir is holding a Kannada book in the pics' Ranjani, meanwhile, is clear about her intent. 'Sharing the picture of Kamal sir holding the Kannada book I wrote was my way of indirectly protesting against the ongoing issue,' she says. The images, she clarifies, are from a prior meeting in Chennai, where she had approached Kamal for a video byte to accompany the teaser launch of her upcoming film. 'We had planned a grand teaser launch where the image of Kamal sir and me would be used as a stage highlight, and his video message would open the event,' she reveals. However, in light of recent developments, the team has decided to call off the event. 'Of course, Kamal sir is a legend of Indian cinema. But like every Kannadiga, I was hurt by his remark suggesting that Kannada is rooted in Tamil — it was unnecessary. But many appreciated that I handed him a Kannada book — it was symbolic,' says Ranjani. Kamal Haasan is a legend of Indian cinema. But like every Kannadiga, I was hurt by his remark suggesting that Kannada is rooted in Tamil — it was unnecessary. I have now shared the picture of Kamal sir holding my Kannada book since this is my way of subtly protesting against what he said about our language Ranjani Raghavan, actor Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
