"The Indian genius has adapted many western musical instruments, taming them to be used in Carnatic music concerts and guitar is one among them. Not lending itself to produce facile gamakas as in violin or mandolin, this instrument has nevertheless a pleasing tonal quality.
Sai, who presented a guitar concert in the afternoon session of Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha at Vani Mahal initially learnt western classical music obtaining Trinity College of music certificate from London. Later he was attracted to Carnatic music, learning under S. Balasubramaniam, a disciple of GNB and from Kanyakumari.
His one hour concert exhibited a good command over an alien instrument. Apart from the usual Vatapi Ganapathim (hamsadhvani), Ninnuvina (navarasa kanada) and Premamudhka (darbari kanada), two rare kritis Adukadhava (Thyagaraja manoranjani) and Sendhilandavan (Sivan karaharapriya) added a pleasant air of novelty.
The pyrotechnics of swara display and synchronisation of beats in Ninnuvina taxed the artiste anyhow proving adequate to the task. The controlled rhythm of Padmanabhan on mridangam and melody of Raghuprasad on violin merited attention." -- SUNDAY EXPRESS, Chennai, 16 December, 2001.
"Guitar is a Western instrument -- and handling the same involves lot of talents, and to play Carnatic Music, on this instrument requires lot of interest especially laden with "Gamaka" (which is the heart & soul of Carnatic music), hard work coupled with dedication & devotion etc., etc., All these dwell on Vidwan Sri Sai Subramanian to the fullest extent." -- K. Hariharan, Secretary, Sri Sadguru Sangeetha Sabha.
"Our Members and Rasikas of Chromepet cherish the memories of your performance in our Sabha." -- A. Natarajan, Vice-President, Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Baktha Sabha.
"Sai Subramanian's handling of essentially a western instrument (Guitar) and improvising to to suit our Carnatic Music with the attendant nuances and melodies unique for our classical music is very praise worthy. The music was not only exhilarating but also did not lose the sobriety and serenity." -- R. Krishnamurthy, Secretary, Thrimoorthi Sangeetha Sabha.
