Perambur Sangeetha Sabha 'Chithirai Isaivizha'

[thanjavooran]

The oldest sabha in North Madras celebrated its Inaugural annual function on 16th April. The function was to be iangurated by Dr. Nalli Kupuswamy Chetty at 18 30 hrs. Till 18 45 the chief guest did not turn up. There was an announcement that the chief guest will arrive after 30 mts as he has been held up. Dr. Ganesh who was to give a concert at 19 00 hrs was asked to commence his program and who was ready with his accompaniments started his concert . He was accompanied by Shri Madurai S. Balasubramaniam on vioin and Madipakkam S. Suresh on mirudangam.

sarasu varnam Saveri
sri vathapi ganapathim Sahana R S
Jutha murare Arabi R N S
Dhinamani vamsa Hari Kambodhi R N S

Around 19 45 the concert was interrupted for an announcement that Dr. Nalli will not atttend the function as he has been held up at Madurai. One thing I could not digest, how after offering acceptance to be the Chief guest one can be away from the head quarters? Can this happen in any of the sabhas in South Madras ? Dr. Ganesh would have completed the concert as I left immediately after the announcement. In general Ganesh's performance was good though in two places his voice did not cooperate.

Thanjavooran

[kunthalavarali]

"There was an announcement that the chief guest will arrive after 30 mts as he has been held up" --- in Madurai and arrive in Perambur, Chennai! Kidding??

[arasi]

I have a feeling there was some mix up about the announcements. Perhaps he was flying out of MAdurai and the flight was delayed. Given Chennai's traffic, there was further delay which meant it would have been too late to arrive in Perambur. Nalli does not seem like a person who likes to make an audience wait--particularly when it comes to a music concert. Another good quality about him is that he is not given to delivering lengthy speeches If he is asked to say something, all you hear is a few lines from him. As rasikAs, we can't bite the hand which feeds us. How many free concerts are made possible because of his generosity! Anyway, one cannot deny that he has been a true patron of CM for I don't know, how many years.

[thanjavooran]

On 17th April Harinama Sankeerthanam and Musical Discourse by Bajana Sampradaya Vakeecha Kalasagar Sri Jeyaraman assisted by Saketharaman on Dolki and Kusik on Harmonium. The progrm started exactly by 18 30 hrs as scheduled. Though the paddhathi was that of Pudokottai style it was like a musical discourse. For every song Sriman Jeyaraman [a retired personnel from BHEL] gave a brief note with slokams in Tamil , Sanskrit and also in Marathi. Nowadays it is a pleasure to enjoy such bajans performed in Harikatha style. The namavalis were followed by both Dolki and Harmonium artistes . In general the performance was nice and as usual only senior citizens were present.

Thanjavooran

[thanjavooran]

On 18th April vocal by Sirugudi sisters Ms Rema and Ms Geetha accompanied by M/s Kovai Chandran on violin and Kumbakonam Sri Ramachandran on Mirudhangam. The concert started exactly at 18 45 hrs as scheduled. This is the first time I hear about the sisters. The concert was nice. Their voice alignment was perfect and in general the performance was good.
Few songs are as given below.
Nattai slokam
H. K Rara Paniseyana R N S
S. P Kathane varo P
Mukari Sivakama sundari P N S

On 19th April Mandolin by S Arvind Bhargav , the disciple of U Srinivas accompanied by Paakala Jeyaprakash on violin, Palayamkottai P. Gururagavemdran on Mirudhangam and S. Hari hara subramanian on Ghatam. The concert started exactly at 18 45 hrs and the performance was good. Few songs are as below

Sriragam Varnam Swami ninne
Nattai Mahaganapathim R N S
Bindhumalini R N S

In general the performance was good . He had the full support of the violin and it was pleasing to ears.

On 20th April OST accompanied by Delhi Sundara rajan on violin and Chennai S, Thiyagarajan on Mirudhangam.
Some of the observations are follows.
1 Though the scheduled time for the concert is at 18 45 hrs. OST with his crew arrived 10 mts behind and another 10 mits for Sruthi alignment and thus the concert started by 19 05 hrs.
2. One rasika who neared him to greet was to wait for a while to get his Kadai Kann Parvai and later he acknowedged his wishes.
3. He immediately charged at the photographer who was covering the event [ He took only 2 snaps ] interupting his dilineation of the Raga Kalyani, stating that he is getting distracted and wanting him to finish quickly. This made the photograper in an embarrassing position. Rasikas too did not relish this attitude. Let me recollect an incident . Few years back when he gave a performance in this sabha did not want rasikas sending slip and flatly refused to accept. In the whole of city sabas this is the only place wherein Vidwan can have direct interaction and feel the pulse of the audience as the seating arrangment is in close proximity with the podium. Such incidents further substantiate the contention that North Madras Sabhas are not treated in par with other sabhas.
The song list [ not complete]
Saranga Neevdane gana
K. P Thyagaraja gurne R N S
A B Neeke theliyaka R, N and S
H N Pandureethi kolu
Kalyani

As usual the selection of songs and the performance were excellent.

Thanjavooran

[dikshitarbhaktha]

2. One rasika who neared him to greet was to wait for a while to get his Kadai Kann Parvai and later he acknowedged his wishes.

I think you are being harsh on the musician here.
It sounds more like the hurt ego of a rasika rather than anything else.
On stage, I am sure musicians have a lot of things to take care about - not to undermine rasikas like us but I would give them the benefit of doubt.

3. He immediately charged at the photographer who was covering the event [ He took only 2 snaps ] interupting his dilineation of the Raga Kalyani, stating that he is getting distracted and wanting him to finish quickly. This made the photograper in an embarrassing position. Rasikas too did not relish this attitude.

I used to work in a bank many many years ago - I imagine how I would feel if while working in my chambers, someone would either talk on a cell phone or just walk in and start clicking pictures or something.
I know the comparison is not fair because this is a public platform but I honestly would give this argument hands down in favor of the musicians. They fight so many odds and sing and in the middle of an intense alapanai, if someone is going click click, I am sure it would disturb.
Actually, even as a rasika, I would find it disturbing.

[kssr]

1. Can this happen in any of the sabhas in South Madras ? ........
2. as I left immediately after the announcement.
3. In general Ganesh's performance was good though in two places his voice did not cooperate.

1. This can happen in any sabha. Main difference here is not the general problems connected with chief guests and sponsors which are the same everywhere, but the priority given by the organisers, whether it is to the audience and artists or the sponsor.
2. With great humility, may I ask, why did you leave? You went to listen to the chief guest or the concert?
3. Ganesh (I think this is Maharajapuram's carbon copy you are referring to) has been "average" at best. Best suited for reproducing Maha S's thukkadas in the exact fashion. If anyone is interested in listening to Maharajapuram style go to his son Sri.Ramachandran's concerts. He is peaking in his performance nowadays and simply superb.
4. Surprised about adverse comments about OST. A thorough gentleman and does not bend backwards to please anybody. Simple nice person. Excellent performer, too. If he says- Do not disturb, you should not disturb. We should respect a man of his stature. His being late, is probably because the transportation provided, had picked him up late. Whenever we had the opportunity to invite him, he is ready on the dot. Once he sat on the stage 20 minutes before time, even before the mridnagam and ghata vidwans had arrived!! But that was another story.

[rbharath]

a couple of concerts in their list were pretty inviting, but i was not sure of how to reach and hence dint risk it.

[thanjavooran]

Well said Shri rbharath. The reason for the disparity is diplomatically indicated. But think of rasikas [ mostly senior citizen ] travelling all the way from deep north chennai to south for enjoying music. With Wishes,
Thanjavooran

[thanjavooran]

On 21st April vocal by Chitoor T. Leelamanohar Reddy accompanied by Kovai Chandran on Violin and Manikudi Chandran on Mirudhangam. Even before accompanying artistes could come the male vocalist was there and had to wait for 15 mts for their arrival. The concert started at 19 15 hrs. It was a 'Dhirishti pariharam' I presume. He sang the first song and I came out immediately. For assesing the quality of the feast one cooked rice's taste is sufficient. The hall was totally empty and absence of committee members too was conspicuous.

On 23rd April vocal by Sathur sisters accompanied by Bhuvana Rajagopal on Violin and Vijai Natesan on the Mirudhangam. The concert started exactly at 18 45 hrs and it was tremendous. Sisters' selection of songs was good and dilineation of ragas were excellent. One good thing I noticed the mirudhanga vidwan also enjoyed the music nodding his head at appropriate pidis and sangatis.
Gambira Nattai Sureshwaram
Dhenuka Theliya lethu rama P and S
Vachaspathi Samana Rahitha Yogeendhra Chandra sekhara R, N, S
Neepathamuleka ranjani R,S
Thavalambari Karunya Kandha Ganamrutham P, S
Keera vani Varamuloka R,N,S and T
Thodi
In total the performance was excellent and perfect alignment of sruthi and voice one could notice and admire. 'Abhara ' padantharam. Had a feeling of listening to a chaste CM.in the series.

Thanjavooran

[thanjavooran]

On 24th April Sikkil Neela and Mala Flute duo. The programme was conducted in association with Nandalala Religious Trust and Viswapriya Trust. As the artistes held up in traffic jam the concert started by 19 30 hrs. Smt Neela was helped by Mala and by one Rasika to climb up the stage. She was seated in a chair and Mala under her feet the concert began. Once it was commenced beautiful melody started flowing as usual with long swaraprastharam associated with beautiful niraval etc. They were accompanied by Madurai Balasubramanian on Violin and Serthalai Ananda krishnan on Mirudangam.
Song list [ not complete }
Vinayaga Hamsadwani R S
Karna ranjani of HKM R
Bhuvaneswarim Mohana Kalyani R N S T
One pleasing behavior of Rasikas I noticed in all the concerts is ' Nobody moves out during Thani '

Thanjavooran

[thanjavooran]

On 25th April TMK with Dr, Hemalatha on Violin, Manoj siva on Mirudhangam and Anirudh Athreya from the family of Pappa Venkataraman on kanjira. The accompaniments were present well before and TMK entered with his foreign desciple carrying Tambura at 18 50 hrs and the concert started by 19 00 hrs. A well planned concert with his own kutcheri format. The whole concert was excellent with interaction with rasikas every now and then.
The Natanarayani piece of MD Mahaganapathim Palaye with R and S was very nice. Then came Mukari -- Enthaninne with R,N and S. The third was in Atna, Sekoni with P,N and S. Next came Kannada Bangala . When he started dilineating, request for clarification from Rasikas started pouring in. One was mentioning it resembles Saveri and the other one as Lalitha and Malahari etc. He gave a patient hearing and finally after this was taken up Dr Hemalatha he revealed that this is KB mentioning though it resembles Malahari it is quite different and all sing it in and as Malahari. MD's Renuka Devi Samrakshithoham set to Misra jamba. While singing he also mentioned that chittaswaram will sound slightly different as if a mistake but it is in practice and known as Graha Bedam.. Immediately followed . Nijamamarmulanu in Umabaranam. Before taking up Major raga he wanted to know what was the main raga the day before. It was Mohana kalyani by Sikkil fmly. He immediately chose to dilineate Bilahari with usual N,S and the kriti was Indhakannanda memi. It was in a very slow tempo even MDR and TKG could not compete . Again and again I have a big doubt about singing a kriti in a tempo other than it is set by Vaggeyakara. Manoj found it challenging to fill the gap and managed nicely by tapping the mirudangam gently. IMHO slow tempo is a testing time for the purcussion artistes. Then came Gowri manohari Guruleka in a super fast speed. After pallavi as usual Niraval, Swarams and then Thani. Manoj and Anirudh played well. Sriranjani next followed with the kriti Sivanai Kana Vendamo. Pibare Rama Rasam was nice. On a request from a rasika he sang Visweswara Darsana after elaborate Sindhu bhairavi. Again one rasika wanted Maye , Tharangini piece of MD, He immeditely told it will be different from the existing type and he sang it nicely and found lot of difference from the usual style. Dr Hemalatha's playing was excellent and totally the performance was good and pleasing to heart. As it was the concluding concert of this years' series he was asked to end the programme by singing Anjaneyar slokam considering the beginning of series with [Dr ] Ganesha it should end with a Anjaneyar Sthuthi. Totally programs of all the 10days went on well . The hall was full by both senior and youngsters. At the end of the program all were given Kesari and Sundal. The artistes were honoured by prasadam brought from a nearby Perumal temple after performing special Puja.

Thanjavooran

[rajeshnat]

After pallavi as usual Niraval, Swarams and then Thani.

Thanjavooran

Was there a RTP , if yes details please??

[thanjavooran]

There was No RTP in the menu.

Thanjavooran

[rbharath]

Well said Shri rbharath. The reason for the disparity is diplomatically indicated. But think of rasikas [ mostly senior citizen ] travelling all the way from deep north chennai to south for enjoying music. With Wishes,
Thanjavooran

It is indeed very heartening to see music concerts at all parts of the city. i would be happy to know the directions to reach this place and prolly go there for concerts in future.

[rajeshnat]

It is indeed very heartening to see music concerts at all parts of the city. i would be happy to know the directions to reach this place and prolly go there for concerts in future.

Certainly and more importantly they have placed this concert as chitirai isaivizha not crowding along with say rAma navami or gokulAshtami . With the bridge in perambur being opened I guess it is easy to come for those who are in central and north madras ,with the directions given by thanjAvooran.

[ganeshkaant]

I fully agree with U Thanjavooran on the percussionists plight for playing along extremely slow (tempo) nos.Once in '85 UKS coluldn't play his usual self when accompanying a prodigy and when the time came for tani he sulked saying " all through the concert I was playing tani (alone) and what is the need for a tani !" and of course after request from the main artist and rasikas he played a vibrant tani avartanam.

[thanjavooran]

Review on Serugudi sisters' concert @ TTD
in HIndu dt 7th May
www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2010/05/07/chenindx.htm

Thanjavooran