Murali Venkatraman
Murali Venkatraman posted
It is one thing to comment on others and a totally different thing to comment on self.
I am probably the oldest audio-blogger among my friends.I have been blogging since 2002 about music ( I lost the first blog). And from 1998, I have written extensively on various topics in http://tfmpage.com and ended up founding http://dhool.com with my friends later.
I am a singer, composer, keyboard and guitar player, an arranger and a writer. I have no formal schooling in any of these. Hence from yesterday, I have joined music classes under Shree Shobha Shekar of Melbourne.
My approach to music comes from two different perspectives : Analytical and Emotional. I am a scientist by the day and its influence creeps into every aspect of my life including music. But I also recognize the fundamental importance of music having to be transcendental experience beyond the notes.
My strengths:
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1. Expression
2. Enunciation and clarity in syllables.
3. Extreme care for the lyrics and pronunciation in all languages.
4. A keen ear which is capable of detecting even the the most minor flaws when going off-scale
5. I believe my voice is suited more for soft and semi-classical songs.
6. Mid range notes sound good in my voice.
7. Very diverse listening but pretty much confined to Indian genres and languages and allowing them to influence my singing and composing styles.
8. Seek to perform songs that are long lost gems.
My weaknesses:
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1. Base and High notes need more work.
2. My diction in North Indian languages need more work.
3. More than diction, the differences between carnatic and hindustani gamakams need to be understood more.
4. Nasality in very high notes.
5. Unclear brighas in extremely fast phrases.
6. A tendency to rush when I sing without metronome.
7. Not attempting songs which have a western feel due to inhibition.
8. Bad time management which lets me do much less than what I can.
9. High influences of SPB and Yesudas and recently hariharan and srinivas. I don’t know if this is a strength or weakness, but it is a feature.
10. Absolutely hopeless in a sound-engineering for my compositions.
Please let me know what you guys think.
Posted on February 05, 2009
Replies
Meera Manohar 
said
Murali:
I have known you for 3 years now, and probably can identify with many things you have just listed in your assessment.
Amongst the singers I have come across, think you are probably one of the most expressive. And ofcourse I have learnt quite a bit from you as to how to attach lyrical value to any song I listen to. So thanks to you for that :) Your ability to grasp a note and say it is this, and not that, is amazing since you haven’t learnt formally and for me that’s mind boggling. I have learnt for a while now and I still can’t figure them out for nuts— see what I mean !? LOL I do agree your voice suits melodies the best and you typically excel in those.
Agree with your assessment of lower notes being a little weak. Influences of stalwarts is something all upcoming singers will have to work on, so I do see it more as a negative than a positive since we tend and will invariably more often than not get stuck, sooner or later. I have nothing to add in terms of improvement, since I think you already have them figured out.
I know you wrote your assessment as a singer but would definitely like to add this. For those who haven’t heard your compositions, this might act as a catalyst to go listen to them :) You have a very strong adherence to melody in all your compositions, and under no circumstances do you compromise on that. More so for lyrics, and hats off to you for that. Your compositions seems easy, but trust me they aren’t :D
I hope you get the credit you need, very soon!! Good luck
Cheers,
A few of my latest posts:
Phir dekhiye
Tu Hi Mera Dosth Hain, Vizhiyil Vizhundu, kanda naal mudhalaai, Ninaithu Ninaithu, Kaatril varum geethamae
Sushane Shankar said
Murali Venkatraman….
U r one musician i respect a lot…… i may not know u well personally but from watever i’ve seen of ur blog, ur uploads and ur comments, u r really a passionate musician……
ur taste in music s way 2 classy……
Well i dont know…… i guess m 2 much of an amateur 2 say nething technically as i dont know much…. but felt like saying sumthing here……
and yes….
d slokam composed by u s really awesome…… luvd d feel……
cheerz!!
Sushane
Srividya Kasturi said
Murali,
I have known u for a couple of years, I have been a regular follower of your blog and have had the opportunity to learn a lot of things from ur posts, discussions, chat sessions etc:) I appreciate the time you take to listen to a rendition and post ur honest opinion, thus helping the singers improve their weaknesses. I for one always look fwd to ur feedbacks for sure:)
I have listened to some of ur compositions and I must say they are out of the world. Specially the bhajan that Swati has sung,( barse badariya), udalin thiriyaale beautifully rendered by Pradip etc:) Looking fwd to hearing to ur compositions in a complete form:)
As a singer, your expressions are fabulous as you have already mentioned… Also the lyrical clarity is amazing! That is something i have to learn from you:)
I somehow feel the influence of SPB in some of ur renditions, dont know whether it is a positive thing or not.
Like to add that you are one of my favourite musicians in the blog world:)
Allthe best,
Vidya
—Vidya
George Kuruvilla said
Murali,
There are a few people out there whom I really respect for their passion towards music and their musical acumen. You are definitely one of them. One thing that sticks out, whether it be composing or singing is your commitment to whatever you do and how you strive to make it perfect. As others have pointed out, your expressions are top notch in general. When you sing, its like you are telling a story and every word is crystal clear. I have to learn how to sing like that!
It amazes me to know that you havent learnt music as you probably know more than a lot who have. I’ve always found you to have a very positive attitude. You’ve really encouraged me and it has definitely helped me build my confidence. Thanks for that! Good luck in all your future endeavors and I hope you get your break soon!
-George
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Murali Venkatraman said
It is really overwhelming to hear from all you good musicians to know you appreciate my work.
Maruthi: I guess I am naturally drawn towards innovation and generally do not fail to be excited by anything new. May be influence of my day job. I would like to emphasize that you are one musician whose work that I generally keep track of.
Subramanian: Whatever I do musically stems from the basic fact that I am a singer. Hence, it is not surprising that I come across as apparently singing-centric. However, I wish to note that I do not subscribe to the philosophy of “only singing being music”. I strongly support the view of music being multilayered, although it is the singing which appears most delicious to me since there is a direct human contact (the voice). Thanks for your feedback.
Meera: In the three years I have known you, I have had many wonderful opportunities to talk and do music with you. I have said this umpteen number of times but will say this once again : you are one of my favorite singers. Thanks for the feedback.
Sushane : Thanks for the kind words. hope to see more of your work in the future.
Vidya: I have enjoyed working with you in songs and also discussing a variety of topics. you are a very good singer and it is always a pleasure to listen to you. Thanks for your kind feedback.
George: There are not many adjectives left to qualify your excellent voice and singing. One aspect that is probably not very well highlighted is your extensive feedback on others songs. It is pleasure to know you and your work and thanks for your feedback.
Srini S (bye bye friends) said
Hi murali,
I know u since i joined esnips n viewed ur k-tracks n he
re wen i joined muziboo,i use to c ur comments on the so
ngs.It was too brilliant n u have commented on my songs
too,first of all thanks a lot 4ur comments n ur encourag
ement.
Next comes about ur singing.ur singing style,i really lu
v it,very very soft singing like shrini.u r a brilliant
singer.For eg:ur muzhumadhi,i really loved it n a nice song too.Then comes ur k-tracks,i thanku 4 those tracks
uploaded in esnips like aarum adhu aazham,sola pasunkil
iye,kaadhalin dheepam,engirundho azhaikum,eeramana roja
ve,en kadhale n lots more.I have sung many songs with
the help of ur k-tracks.
About ur composition,i dont have to say,everyone knows
about the latest, u have uploaded in muziboo n u r a gu
d lyricist too.u r an all rounder man.keep singing n c
ompose more songs.Keep up the gud work n all the best.
Lookin 4rward for more songs.
srinivasan.s
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Maruthi said
Hi Murali, I think you are one of the blog musicians having broad thinking in musical spectrum. The minusses you have mentioned are common for any self developed musicians. For you and me there is one common thing music is a feeling for both of us rather an hobby or entertainment….you try to find a character of reality in a phrase of music….I could see your blood pumping up when listening to a good chord change or even a note which is fresh and beautiful in the musical context. These characters are a the ones which sculpts a good composer…….not an artist, where an artist can only enjoy the music….his subsoul wont respond and emote. I could see with your committed work in composition you can give good music for humanity. Not all musicians excel in every aspect of music but few strive for perfection in those….you are one of them.All the wishes from me for your formal education in music.Maruthi