The evenings of a Well spent life …..

[mankuthimma]

The evenings of a Well spent life , brings its its own lamps with it .

With this comment , my Late Dad would close the book he was reading , switch off the lights , and retire for the night . Very Often . And that statement stuck in my mind quite early in life . Helping me set priorities , very well , when still young.

I am reminded of this as we approach the day of our meeting , on 19th . I am just having a look at the list of people who have confirmed , worked out the list who have not , and am left wondering how the day will turn out.

Sure , the time will be short for two complete strangers to get to know each other well fully – on a single afternoon . And so I embark upon a journey of looking back on the path travelled . In the hope that it will give some idea into the ways of how some of these minds work . In my books it is not just a meeting of selfish individuals , who are trooping in to take something out of the meeting. Most guys who will be dropping in are all who know that they have received much more than what they hope to give in several lifetimes .
And so they are embarking upon this journey of celebration . Hopefully it will be an annual feature .

My attempt here is to chronicle my own experiences with the various people who are expected to be here , for the benefit of

the silent ones who are undecided ,
the timid members who may have been browsing for years but are wary of running into any one of us in broad daylight , and
the youngsters …
It is the young who will be at the centre of of my thoughts for a very compelling reason .

Never before in the history of mankind , has there been such an occasion where a youngster finds himself meeting all his financial neccessities / targets so quickly in life and left with the possibility of wondering if he / she overlooked something very important in this process . So if such a person is reading this and needs support to create some more space in his plan of things , he / she is likely to find the right reasons . Those happy faces of chaps on the wrong side of 50 may be hiding personal stories of decades of commitment to this hobby . One has to dig a bit deeper , to find out more about personal sacrifices and the thrill that accompanies such an endeavour .

The young kid on the block , with every little comfort at the command of a thumb , would do well to drop in and see for himself , the state which he is likely to find himself at a very young 40 or even 35 !
Studying all these personalities would reveal the extremely complex nature of this art called Carnatic Music . With each one holding up some end of a long but exquisite shawl .

So I hope the guys who think there are better options for the day , reconsider their decisions and make it a point to attend . I hope to lay down what little I know about the various personalities in this thread , so that when they are seen in person , it would be as if you knew them for decades.

I will first write about Nageswaran and VGV to start with. But I request other members to jot down their feelings too and their expectations so that the bonding on D day gets more exquisite.

A decade ago It would be the pride of owning rare music and play it , at will , that would drive most of us .Coupled with the sensual pleasure , that wafted from the listening .
Things have changed so dramatically since then . Technology has ensured that one can give without a personal stock going down . Technology has brought so many of us together in a virtual world , that it is now time for us to rediscover the virtues of the real world . In flesh and blood .
If there can be such fine bondage among guys who drive silly old Bullets throughout the country , or chat over crackling Ham radios , How big can the bonding be , when CM is concerned ?

[mankuthimma]

Nageswaran is a name that conjures up the image of a jolly good fellow , straight from the pages of the Pickwick Papers . He is next only to Akellaji , in concealing a wonderful heart behind an enormous and sometimes intimidating presence .

It was in 1981 that I would first walk past his home in West Mambalam , trying to catch some strains of music . My friend , who lived nearby would say – He is a great collector of Music . Has a spool player too . There could be about 20-30 guys like him in Chennai that is all . Starting from Tafe Mahadevan , to Autoparts Natrajan to MatScience Ranganathan to English Electric.... heck ! I am forgetting those names . But who cares . When I have such glorious stuff in my hard disc .

I was a penniless guy , eking out a living in Chennai and repatriating sizeable sums back home that left me with little to experiment with .
My Late Dad had always encouraged to use 10 % of my earnings on things which I loved and the rest on the things I liked / Must do / Should do etc .If things dont go well in the end , you will atleast happy you got something of this 10 % … He would urge.
But in 1981 even a Blank Tape would cost 25 bucks and that was a lot of money . One could not own a Tape recorder , until one was into the third year of a career , a scooter – not until one was into the 7th.

Under such dreary conditions , Nageswaran Welcomed me into his fold simply based on a common understanding of what is worthwhile in Music . Without ever expecting anything in return . It is not an exaggeration to say today that over 75 % of MSG' s recordings ( Solo or accompaniment ) floating around have their origins with SN or some of his closest associates . Old timers remember SN carrying the Heavy set to the stage , asking for permission to record , without batting an eyelid , thanking the artist on the stage , following it up with phone calls the next day … the visit to hand over the tapes the next day and so on.

The thing that struck me most was his keen sense of ear . As a Hobby , he would make electronic Tanpuras for Musicians and would be bent over half baked contraptions listening to the drone. For hours . It was there that I learnt about the importance of the drone . Definitely not on the Carnatic stage that I was to see , in the coming years .

Western Music ,, Hindusthani , Kannadasan , GS Mani , The lost glory of Bhajana Paddhathi , The Kumbakonam Vetthalai ( until I found the will to stop it ) and the anecdotes …... . And it was here that I understood the importance of having an understanding family . Years later My Dad would introduce me to my prospective Inlaws with these words – My son is already married to Music. Your Daughter will only be his second wife . Now if that is OK with you ….
I had picked the secret there , in SN' s home . Quite early .
It was a family committed to the Arts and Technology . And hospitality . One could never enter and know when exactly we would be getting out .

In short here is a personality without sharp corners . Only rounded edges . The kind who would admit that he had a very wholesome education . Moving around the temples with his Mom all evening , walk lazily to school , Slate and Balpa in hand , sit down at the edge of some well near the school , remember the homework there and finish it just before running into school .

In Fact the most important influence for our Chamber concerts came on day when he cried : Right where I am sitting , 40 years ago , there would be some scheduled music going on somewhere , within a radius of 200 metres , 5 days a week . How things have changed !!!

For more , Please visit him at West Mambalam or drop in on 19th .

[Nick H]

Well said.

I have such a short time of knowing him compared to yours, what can I add?

Nothing, so I won't try

[semmu86]

Great post

[PUNARVASU]

Yes, a really gr8 post! Keep them coming!

[rshankar]

Kji - I need to meet him the next time I am in Madras!! Please keep them coming - straight from your heart and right into ours!

[Sreeni Rajarao]

Delightful thread!
Sincere feelings and beautiful writing!
Thank you!

[ram]

Shashidhar Kulkarni - One of the most unselfish persons I have ever met in my life. Have spent many an evening at his place listening to wonderful music - both Hindustani and Carnatic. Even when he was working six days a week, he and his family would be happy to welcome any person interested in music on that one day he had off from work just to make him/her more musically rich. Very very difficult to find such people in this world.

[rshankar]

Ram - fantastic....and absolutely true!

[venkatakailasam]

#2


I did not have much interaction with Shri Nageswaran except a telephonic talk for a couple of times in the recent past. Well- I

I am struck by his meticulous planning -not even like to slip on minute detail. Must have been a good administrator in his times.

will be knowing more about him in the coming days!

[smala]

On a rainy cold dreary day in the West Coast giving me the heebie- jeebies, a narrative feed like this is the burning hearth, offering some nourishing warmth and the much needed connect with the other half of the world.

Thimma, cover the tracks and the people all the way into the meet, and beyond, won't you. Will earn the max hits, I'm sure.

[bilahari]

Thimma, a beautiful read! Look forward to more!

[ksrimech]

Shashidhar Kulkarni - One of the most unselfish persons I have ever met in my life. Have spent many an evening at his place listening to wonderful music - both Hindustani and Carnatic. Even when he was working six days a week, he and his family would be happy to welcome any person interested in music on that one day he had off from work just to make him/her more musically rich. Very very difficult to find such people in this world.

Thats why he is our "Cool Karna". It was such a delight to meet him (a couple of times) in 2007-08. The viruttam "enna koDuppAn" sung by PBS in the SivAji ganESan movie karNan (1963) is very apt for him.

[semmu86]

Shashidhar Kulkarni - One of the most unselfish persons I have ever met in my life. Have spent many an evening at his place listening to wonderful music - both Hindustani and Carnatic. Even when he was working six days a week, he and his family would be happy to welcome any person interested in music on that one day he had off from work just to make him/her more musically rich. Very very difficult to find such people in this world.

How true !!!!

And yeah, those who haven't met Sri.Nageswaran till now, must definitely drop into his house if you are a Chennaite or atleast on the 19th, for as Cool told, the hospitality is something which will touch your heart. The smile and warmth with which Mr & MRS Nageswaran welcome you once you drop in on a sunday morning is to be experienced.... 19th December, here i come

[mankuthimma]

Thanks everbody . Let me move on to the next person on the who is who list , for the day .
Govindan . As I wait for my excitement to subside and allow me to write coherently , you can look up two tracks that I have uploaded here . For those who dont know about his work , one can visit
http://thyagaraja-vaibhavam.blogspot.com/

Try and search the blog to know more about him and you will come across the only detail that he is V Govindan and is a retired person . You cannot even sniff that he retired from the Military

That sums up the man , pretty well . You will not be able to pick him in the crowd quickly too .
But he did put me on a course that is very representative of the greatness of our times . Very often , One is likely to meet people who put a premium on the great days of the past . But the manner in which VGV permeates into one's thinking allows us to keep both the images safe and secure . A respect and awe for the past and a thrilling sensation of being in the present .

How did it work for me ?
Look up the lyrics feature on your media player as the tracks are being played and you will get a small glimpse
More , later in the day.
http://www.mediafire.com/?0v62g61d61laq

[mankuthimma]

Meanwhile , I request Pratyaksham Bala / Arasi / CML and other poets , to compose a small Eulogy for the occasion of congratulating VGV , in the context of his being Chosen for the rasikapriya award. - In Verse of course .

[mankuthimma]

What can we say about a person who writes to me like this today ?

Dear Kulkarni,
The more I want to get out of it all, the more I am drawn into the morass of ahaMkAra. Please do not mind if I say that I am highly embarassed. Just drawing attention to my blogs would have been sufficient to give me satisfaction that there are some who need these .
Govindan

I say we should embarasss him no more and just look forward to seeing him on 19th .

I will move on to Vishnuramprasad

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Rasikas,

Now that a topic about respected V.Govindanji is touched upon by none other than Thimma [Coolji], it is worthwhile considering a felicitation to Sri Govindanji
In our Global Rasikas meet on 19.12.2010.

It will be an honor not only to Sri Govindanji; it is an honor to all our Rasika fraternity.

As Sri Thimma suggested, the poets cm lover, prathyaksham Bala and other poets of this forum can come up with a nice citation poems to be presented to Sri Govindanji [ Poems are to be read before the presentation].

Respected arasi madam, in addition to writing the poem, it can be tuned by her and sung in our meet.

S.NAGESWARAN.
10.12.2010.

[PUNARVASU]

Here is my humble attempt. Improvements welcome.
got the 'gnyAyirRu' right. Thanks PB

மார்கழி முதல் ஞாயிறு.காலையிலே
மனத்துக்கினிய சென்னையிலே
மேன்மையான கர்னாடக இசை விரும்பிகள்
மற்றும் ரசிகர்களும் கூடி
மனம் குளிர சங்கீதம் பற்றிப் பேசி
மனம் திறந்து சங்கீதம் பாடி
மகிழும் இவ்வேளையிலே
முழுதாக தன்னை சங்கீத சேவையில்
மூழ்கடித்துக்கொண்ட
மேன்மையான திரு கோவிந்தனுக்கு
மனமிசைந்து வரைந்த வாழ்த்த்து மடல்

அய்யா, சங்கீதத்திற்க்கு நீர் செய்யும் சேவை
அருமையிலும் அருமை , அதன் பெருமை சொல்ல
ஆரிடமும் இல்லை வார்த்தைகள்
மும்மூர்த்திகள் பாடல்கள்!
முத்தாம் அவை நம் சங்கீதத்திற்கு
வடமொழி, தெலுங்கு என்ற மொழிகளில் அமைந்த
முத்து முத்தான இப்பாடல்களை
பாமரர் பண்டிதர் யாவரும் அறிந்து, தெரிந்து
பக்குவமாய்ப் பொருளுணர்ந்து பாடிடவே
நீர் கொண்ட முயற்சிக்கு இணையில்லை
பலனை எதிர் பாராது பணியே என் பலன்
என்று அயராது நீர் உழைத்ததன் பலன்
இன்று ஆயிரம், பல்லாயிரம் என யாம்
அதனை அனுபவிக்கக்காரணமானீர்
உங்களுக்கு 'ரசிகப்ரியா' விருது வழங்கப்படும்
இன்னன்னாளில், 'ரசிகாஸ். ஆர்க்' குழுவினர் ஒன்றுசேர்ந்து
நீங்கள் ரசிகர்களுக்குப்பிரியமானவர் மட்டுமல்ல
ரசிகர்களும் உமக்குப்பிரியமானவரே என்றும்
'கோவிந்தன் சேவை சங்கீதத்திற்குத் தேவை' என்றும் கூறி
உடலளவில் இங்கு இல்லாவிட்டலும்,
மனத்தளவில் இங்கு இருக்கிறேன் என்று
சிரம் தாழ்த்தி வணங்குகிறேன்.

[VK RAMAN]

it is worthwhile considering a felicitation to Sri Govindanji
In our Global Rasikas meet on 19.12.2010.

I second this proposal

[bilahari]

Punarvasu, that was nice! I loved "gOvindan sEvai sangItattiRku tEvai" very much!

[Pratyaksham Bala]

could nt get the 'gnyAyirRu' right.

Try 'gnaayiru'. Also 'yedirpaaraadu'

[PUNARVASU]

Bilahari, thanks..
Borrowed from the Thangavelu comedy of yesteryears-'Bhairavan sEvai nATTukkutthEvai' -klyANapparisu,I think.

[arasi]

Punarvasu,
A fitting, heart-felt tribute to Govindan, a man who shuns the spotlight. You have spoken for all the rasikAs!

[mankuthimma]

Thank you ....

[pattamaa]

Nice one punarvasu... Since the meet is in morning, may be 'kAlayil' is more appropriate than 'mAlayil'

[PUNARVASU]

pattamaa, changed it.Thanks.
PB, thanks, I 'copy-pasted' your gnyAyiRu.

[PUNARVASU]

PB, I made the corrections as you suggested.Hope it is ok now.
Thanks for your inspiring kavithaigaL,.

[PUNARVASU]

arasi, thanks.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Rasikas,

To day morning, I spoke to Sri Gonindanji and convinced him to accept our small felicitation for his immense contributions on Thyagaraja krithis.

I have mentioned that at least one significant event should be done in our official Global Rasikas Meet 2010.

Finally he has agreed for the felicitation being offered by our Rasikas at least for my satisfaction..

Hence our Asthana poets can pen their poems to be presented to Sri Govindanji on 19.12.2010.

S.NAGESWARAN.
11.12.2010.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Rasikas,

Many good things have been attributed about me by Sri mankuthimma as a prelude to the meeting of the Rasikas during our meet on 19.12.2010.

By giving a general profile of a few Rasikas by Sri mankuthimma, he is creating an atmosphere to familiarize about a few Rasikas which will create a bonhomie feeling among the Rasikas.

During my college days, when I go for any English movie, the theaters will show lot of trailer of the forth coming movies in their theater in addition to the usual Tom & Jerry cartoons or Laurel & hardy short films [since the main films will run hardly for 90 minutes].

Many a times the pre interval trailers will be more interesting than the main film.

The thought process of mankuthimma is always unique.

S.NAGESWARAN.
11.12.2010.

[Pratyaksham Bala]

Here is my humble attempt. Improvements welcome.

There is no need for improving the 'madal'. It is already rich in content, and well conveyed.
Here is my attempt to rephrase the first few lines.

மார்கழி முதல் ஞாயிறு, மனம் கவர்ச் சென்னையிலே
மேன்மையுடை கர்நாடக இசை விரும்பும் ரசிகர்கள்
மனம் குளிர கீதம் பேசி, மனம் மகிழ பாட்டுப் பாடி,
மகிழ்ந்திருக்கும் வேளையிலே --

[venkatakailasam]

"our small felicitation for his immense contributions on Thyagaraja krithis."

His Contribution is not only to Thyagaraja krities but also lyrics for Dikshadar krities. In addition,

he has provided lyrics for lakshmI-nRsiMha karAvalamba stOtra and Sivananda Lahari of Adhi sankarachariar.

VGV permeates into our thinking through his contributions.

Govinda -Vishnu- may have to be followed by Lakshmana !!

venkatakailasam

[mankuthimma]

Lakshmana
We paid him a tribute some years ago .
He is the Titans of Titans !!!
Shall I put up his speech here , given on that occasion ?

[kssr]

I have come to understand Sri.Mankuthimma is a collector of music records, kacheri recordings - a man with single minded passion for this activity and have developed a great mental (maanaseeha) respect for him. But the opening post on this string and the later ones on Sri.Nageswaran and Sri.Govindan has highlighted yet another brilliant facet of this gentleman (I haven't had the opportunity to meet him, yet)- a great writer. The way he is able to develop the idea systematically to come out with the nice introductions on some of the great rasikas, is indeed impressive.

Mankuthimma- "Rasika Siromani" ? I will unfortunately not be there for the meet, as I just now returned from Chennai. But honouring of Sri.Mankuthimma and/or Sri. Nageswaran and/or Sri. Govindan with the title and a shawl will be the smallest "return" that we can make for their immense contributions. Like Sri.Mankuthimma has nicely pointed out in his introduction, there can be no doubt that most of us have got much more from the forum than the little that we have contributed. I am not one who favours flattery or sycophancy. But I truly believe that we should remember to register our gratitude when it is due.

Good poems too. Congrats!

[venkatakailasam]

Lakshmana
We paid him a tribute some years ago .
He is the Titans of Titans !!!
Shall I put up his speech here , given on that occasion ?

Why not ? late comers will be happy , for sure!

Incidentally, this is what I have presented in my blog some time back:

Shri Lakshmn Ragade

Whenever I used to surf the net for a song or its gist, the lines which comes to my mind
is the lines from the famous Goldsmith’s poem ‘The Village School Master’:
‘How that small head could contain all he knew’. Yes it is true. How could Shri Lakshmn Ragade
Provide lyrics to almost all the compositions of almost all the composers one can think of.
Unless he had gone through all the songs whether they are in Telugu or Kannada or in any other language and analyzed them as to their meaning and created a data base, it would be impossible
to retrieve them as and when required. What an enormous volume of work and how much patience this gentleman should have had! And, how much time the work would have consumed!
Just for one song I know, how many hours I have wasted! No it is not possible without seeking his help through one of the music sites. If it is lyric seek his help and if it is meaning seek the help of Shri TK Govinda rao.
The words which I have borrowed from Lakshmanam namaami rasikapriyam
is quite apt and appropriate- “am sure I am not the only one to have these feelings towards Sri Lakshman. But I may be the first one to do a blog post about him . Like Lakshmana from Ramayana, who was a shadow of Lord Rama and followed him everywhere, I see Sri Lakshman as the unseen shadow following every rasika on the internet, and provide help whenever needed!Once again, I have just one thing to say.Lakshmanam namaami rasikapriyam”
Name : LLakshman Ragade
Gender : Male
Age : 73*
Nationality : Canadian
Location : Kitchener, Canada

* I am not sure when the infor mation
Was updated.
I am happy that I had a recent interaction with him when I provided the information regarding the composer of a song and its lyrics which he was kind enough to acknowledge . Subsequently such interactions were many more!!

[PUNARVASU]

Lakshmanan is an avatAram of Adiseshan; so if Govindan is there Adiseshan also will be there.
நின்றால் குடை, அமர்ந்தால் சிங்காசனம்.
Our pranams to such great people for what they do for the cause of CM.

[mankuthimma]

VISHNURAMPRASAD
Before I get under the veneer of these bold capital letters which pop at the mention of Madurai Mani , I am reminded of a fine passage in Lin Yutang's - Importance of Living , where he quotes an epigram of Chang Ch'ao.

Reading books in one's youth is like looking at the moon through a crevice ; reading books in middle age is like looking at the moon in one's courtyard ; and reading books in old age is like looking at the moon on an open terrace . This is because the depth of the benefits of reading varies in proportion to the depths of one's own experience .

I first met Vishnu when I was looking at CM through a crevice . A crevice that allowed pretty little , other than Madurai Mani Iyer's .
I have moved to the courtyard scene now , but the magic of MM Iyer remains . I have jettsioned a couple of artists in this period, toned my admiration for some others , added a dimension of absolute delight in a few others . But the magic of MM Iyer has stayed with me .

If I had not met Vishnu , the only time ( or was it two ? ) I would have had a disjointed view about this chap who , looks crazy about MM Iyer's music , on the internet atleast .But in reality is much much more .

He typifies the youth of today , who mixes and matches the best of the blessings available to the young , in these exciting times . Someone one who has done well in academics , Learnt Music ( Vocal and Mridangam ) , has a brain touched in some part which makes it wiggle around uncontrollably at the sound of MM Iyers Music . But still , has had the wisdom to see the greatness in the rest . Love for MM Iyer is not at the cost of something else.

For someone who has a photographic memory of every single twist and turn that his idol's musical journey encountered , he has an energy level that drives adrenalin through some of our older veins .
I had some great time with him, listening to the master . Some of you can hope , someday , that he will take you through a few choice recordings , that he revers .
We would have jolly good chats too .
About the story of the elusive video of MM Iyer , which he is in search of .
The stories of that famous Industrial House in Coimbatore which recorded all their marriage concerts on 16mm Cinema - Would there be some MMI stuff there .?
Much of the MM Iyer stuff in most collections are the result of some pioneering work of guys like Vishnu ( and now I learn about the work of VKV and Balummi ) . But in the days before I met Vishnu , these were hard to come by .

So folks . Please do come into the party and be a guest of Vishnu who has offered to host the Lunch . I am sure it will be served with MMIyers music in the background .

Kssr . and Others .
Thanks for the nice words .

[vgovindan]

Shri Lakshman's Felicitation by Rasika.org - I do not remember the date.
http://cid-bbaf7e1ca0356380.office.live ... tation.pdf

[mankuthimma]

http://www.mediafire.com/?cjbkcrxwc3e4d33

Lakshman Ragde Speaks -
The other voice is of Rajesh - It was such a great morning at the New Woodlands.
Enjoy . The speech of a really remarkable person.

[mankuthimma]

Thanks VGV
Photo 1 Arasi
Photo 2 Govindan at the Centre -standing . Late Ramraj is sitting by his side
Photo 3 Mankuthimma and S Bala
Photo 4 Mankuthimma
Photo 5 V Govindan
Photo 6 L-R Mr Arasi( ) , Ashok Madhav ? , Sbala partly hidden , Ramraj , Nageswaran in veshti , Arasi , Nick ,
Mrs Ragde ,Lji , MT , rajumds , Subramaniam , Rajesh , Venkatpv ( Behind Rajesh ) , Vijay

Last Photo : Mrs Mankuthimma with coffee Cup in hand , Ranjani to her left ,
Last but two Photo : I forget the guy in the blue shirt ( so silly of me.. badri ?? ) . Vainika is sitting behind him , closer to the wall .
The person in the striped shirt was the key person , In the project of compiling all the krithis of Tyagaraja in audio format ( or atlesat all the ones for whioh audio was available )

[venkatakailasam]

#41 12 Dec 2010 Thank you Shri Govindanji for the photos and Shri mankuthimma

for the who is who. When was this taken?


venkatakailasam

[mankuthimma]

Dec 2007 Probably .

[VISHNURAMPRASAD]

"
So folks . Please do come into the party and be a guest of Vishnu who has offered to host the Lunch . I am sure it will be served with MMIyers music in the background ."

Kulkarni Sir, one small correction, I am humbled by the grandeur of Shri Nageswaran sir and VKV sir in organising the party, I shall just be one among the hosts.

Sir, it was due to my grandfather, my mother and my father's consistent recollections about their interactions with Mani Iyer that made me his fan. More than his music i am a follower Madurai Mani Iyer the man!. How can I call myself an MMI fan (not just a fan of MMI's music like thousands of others) if am not able to appreciate the greatness of all other vidwans?

I still remember and cherish all our interactions which was a revelation to me on how much music could influence a man's life. I take all your words as blessings and shall try to work on becoming a better human being.

[ksrimech]

Last but two Photo : I forget the guy in the blue shirt ( so silly of me.. badri ?? ) . Vainika is sitting behind him , closer to the wall .

I'm the one sandwiched between Vijay and Ramki(vainika).

[mankuthimma]

I am terribly sorry , ksrimech . I should have remembered . Sorry. :tmi:

[mankuthimma]

and lastly , it is Ram standing behind Nick and Lji in the group photos.

[srikant1987]

mankuthimma!

It was difficult for me to figure out it's Sri Lakshman Ragade you refer to as Lji. |( :$ ;(

[mankuthimma]

Lji was the way we used ro address him in rasikas previous avathar - atleast among us moderators

[kssr]

What was the venue of the meeting. The miniature cycles in the showcase attracted my attention