MYSORE VASUDEVACHARYA (1865-1961) is the most widely performed Karnatik music composer of this century. His compositions, such as Brochevarevarura, Bhajare Manasa and Devadideva Sri Vasudeva, are very popular with performing musicians. But very few know that he was a writer too. Infact, he wrote two books in Kannada, Naa Kanda Kalavidaru (The artistes I knew) and Nenapugalu (Memories). The first is a collection of essays on fellow artistes, while the second describes his experiences as a musician in the Mysore court. Vasudevacharya's prose is laced with gentle humour. He assesses the music of some of our greatest artistes without being overwhelmed by their greatness. At the same time, he is generous in praising their genius. His simple and lively style makes his essays interesting reading even today. SPECTRUM takes pleasure in presenting extracts from Naa Kanda Kalavidaru for the first time in English translation. Vasudevacharya's grandson and retired AIR Station Director S KRISHNAMURTHY has translated the essays for this series.
