Shame on Detroit and us

[vandemataram]

Recently I attended the Thyagaraja aradhana in Detroit. It was a pity to see all the individual participants (children ) and their parents leave the hall once their kids had performed. Of course they waited for the free lunch. They all missed out on the scintillating concert by Vasuda Keshav accompanied by Kirthana and Rohan Krishnamurthy. It is essential for the children to listen to these concerts which is equivalent to taking several classes. Their teachers and parents must instill this concept on the children. No wonder these children never make it to any level and all they dream of is achieving a prize in Cleveland competition!

[VK RAMAN]

"It was a pity to see all the individual participants (children ) and their parents leave the hall once their kids had performed" - true, perhaps representative of what happens elsewhere too.

[arasi]

Mods,
The same subject which happened to be discussed in Srikantan's concert thread can be made into a separate thread and this here can be added to it. Thanks.

[mohan]

As VK Raman suggests, this is a phenomena which is common all around the world, not only Detroit.

[srkris]

Arasi, thanks for suggesting it, but that thread would have a better continuity were it not split, so I'm planning to leave it alone, with a link to this one in case anyone wants to chime in here about the "காக்கைக்கு தன் குஞ்சு பொன் குஞ்சு" ("my kid's performance is what I am here for") factor affecting concert attendance.

[arasi]

Well put!

[mysoremurthy]

Not isolated to Detroit at all.I think parents should take the lead in staying through performances of all artistes scheduled during Thyagaraja Aradhana. Children will follow. After all, Thyagaraja Aradhana is held during the same period every year in most places and parents can plan to stay so children can hear all performances. It seems like most parents are not convinced that listening is equivalent to taking several classes . i have seen a dance teacher literally begging parents to send kids to 'live' dance performance so they can learn..even offered to take them to the performance..did not work.. May be children are into so many activities that the weekends are just running from one thing to another No time for learning!!!

[mohan]

Unfortunately the Thyagaraja Aradhana programs in larger cities go on for many hours, if not days, and I can understand if children (and the parents) can't sit through the whole proceedings.

[vasanthakokilam]

Also, being at the concert hall and listening to music are two different things At a recent Tyagaraja Utsavam, there were numerous kids but a lot of them were busy doing other stuff in the back of the auditorium. This is mainly younger kids (3-10 year range ). The older kids were paying some attention and the ones who are seriously pursuing music and who are reasonably good at it, were glued to the music.

[Nick H]

London seems to stand out as the place where enthusiastic youngsters will be found in the audiences.

[jalajakshi]

The RKS concert in NJ was not well advertised. Many hard core music lovers did not know about this. On the same day, several other concerts were happening, as someone already pointed out. Out of all the places I have lived in (including London), I can say with confidence that the youngsters in NJ are among the best concert goers. They are there (students of almost every teacher I know here) for concerts of senior musicians as well as their own peers. The really good students support the concerts, listen with great attention, discuss and analyze the music, talk about it among themselves as well as their teachers. They worship some of their favorite senior musicians and even follow them to nearby states (NY and PA). I would also like to add that there are kids in NJ (completely brought up in the USA) are singing at very high levels (yes, including manodharma), and are comparable to some of the better upcoming musicians in India.

[ShrutiLaya]

Out of all the places I have lived in (including London), I can say with confidence that the youngsters in NJ are among the best concert goers. They are there (students of almost every teacher I know here) for concerts of senior musicians as well as their own peers. The really good students support the concerts, listen with great attention, discuss and analyze the music, talk about it among themselves as well as their teachers. They worship some of their favorite senior musicians and even follow them to nearby states (NY and PA).

This is heartening, if true. Bravo!

The RKS concert in NJ was not well advertised. Many hard core music lovers did not know about this.

Shruti Laya has a large (800+) mailing list and we advertised it. I also saw this on at least two other mailing lists in the area. But I agree, it is often hard to reach all rasikas who might be interested in a program. Can you please suggest (in a private email, if you prefer) places to advertise?

This Saturday, June 4, Shruti Laya has a concert by Smt. Sankari Krishnan. Adult admission is just $10, and the concert is free for children 18 and under (like all Shruti Laya programs). Full details are on our website shrutilaya.org. I would be grateful if you can spread the news in the NJ student/rasika circles.

- Sreenadh

[rrao13]

I really wish the title of this post did not have the phrase "Shame on Detroit". As a Detroiter, I really cringed when I saw the title. We have nothing to be ashamed of; Detroit also has some awesome children who perform vocal, instruments etc. We have a number of reputed teachers.

Despite the fact that Detroit was perhaps one of hardest hit cities in the economic meltdown, it is commendable that parents invest time and money in karntik music education and performances. If there is one reason to stick around in Detroit it is the amount of ethnic activites we have in the Metro area - whether it be classical music, dance, different cultureal associations representing several states of India...and guess what...we have 5 or more temples!! and probably more on their way!!

So...ladies and gentlemen ....spend your summer vacation dollars and come over to Detroit and see the vibrant cultural scene that we have and you will be pleasantly surprised. I am proud to be a Detroiter and totally 'unashamed' in promoting the auto city.

BTW, the aradhana was in Flint....not Detroit. Course, Flint is a cool place too

[arasi]

rrao,
I agree with you totally. Sometimes, the titles are given in the rush of an emotional response and in a few cases, just to attract attention.
You have stated your feelings calmly, without getting carried away! I used to live in a place which had gained such attention years ago--because a famous actor had a line (not his own but that of the script writer) which made fun of the place in an indirect way. I felt the same way then as you do now.
All the things you say about Detroit are true.
Though I'm not from Detroit, every time I come upon this title, I too wish it had been worded differently.
Hope the mods change it...