Thyagaraja Aradhana - Thiruvayyaru

sangeetham · Post by **sangeetham** » 13 Jan 2012, 10:42

Many would have had an opportunity to see their favorite artists on TV (including myself), but there were some extremely upseting behaviorial issues. It seemed most of them, sorry to be sounding chauvinistic - but mostly lady artists, were singing BECAUSE there was television coverage. I could not gather any sense of samarpanam to the great saint. Rest of the year artists directly or indirectly use the saint's songs to make a living - so for one day in a year could'nt they actually be genuine and sincere in paying their homage? After all, most of them could have been sincere in paying their tribute, but it definitely did not come across that way.
On a concert platform, most of these artists are so engrossed in their singing that they hardly keep their eyes open. why is that sincerity missing (or so it seems) in this "aradhana"? Some artists keep tracing the cameras with their looks, and others actually poking their heads towards the mike so that they could be heard - it sounds and looks terrible.
Why do artists even in such a holy gathering aim for publicity? I wonder if Podhigai announced that the TV coverage through out the pancharatnams will only be on the deity and not on the artists, how many of these artists would still turn up to participate in paying their HOMAGE to the great saint.

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 13 Jan 2012, 10:48

True. At least these artists make it a point to visit Thiruvaiyauru on this day. Many of the other super stars don't even bother to do that.

Incidentally in the morning on Jaya TV , O S Arun literally butchered the Sree pancharatna kriti.

sangeetham · Post by **sangeetham** » 13 Jan 2012, 10:55

IMHO, the super stars who make it a point to participate in this aradhana to gain publicity are doing inferior service than the others who do not even attend it.

thathwamasi · Post by **thathwamasi** » 13 Jan 2012, 11:21

@Sangeetham - True. But when we say such things, there are criticisms from various corners saying that old school thoughts, etc.

Infact, my dad informed me that he was watching an interview of O.S.Arun in Jaya TV, and he was asked about today's rasikas. Arun had said that "an artist will sing a kambodhi or karaharapriya well, and then the rasikas will say "Idha ariyakudi paadi kaekanum?" (we must listen to this by Ariyakudi). "appo en engalai kaeka vareenga. Ariyakudi'ya dhan kaekanum'na neengalum poga vendiyadhu dhana mela" (then why are you listening to us then? If you wanna listen only to Ariyakudi, please go to heaven where he is right now)."

I haven't listened to this interview myself, but trusting that my dad has understood what he said correctly, it is disturbing. Afterall carnatic music is an art, which is alive today based on the contribution of the ariyakudis and alathoors. If people are forgetting that and getting offended at their mentions, then there is nothing much to say or argue about the same.

There is also a joke thats circulated in music circles that, in this week, around bahula panchami, is when Tyagaraja goes on a kshetradanam to kasi and rameswaram in order to escape the aradhanai related misgivings.

Regards
T

thathwamasi · Post by **thathwamasi** » 13 Jan 2012, 11:33

In the same note, I only admire the foresight of Palghat Mani Iyer

He quit the role of secretary for the aradhanai in protest when they decided to broadcast the aradhanai in AIR. His theory was that people will lose/shift focus from paying tributes to gaining publicity. Ingeyum vandhu publicity'ku paadi/vaasichu vekkanuma? (even here, should we sing/play for publicity) was PMI's arguement. Just cannot agree with him more.

Regards
T

arunsri · Post by **arunsri** » 13 Jan 2012, 11:37

It was AMAZING!!

Sad (VERY) that non musicians like OS Arun and Krishnakumar, Binny Krishnakumar, Mahathi etc occupied centre stage in today's Aradhana function. It is real tragedy that CM is left with no one other than OS Arun and Krishnakumar to lead us. One lady was blabbering the Gowla kriti.

The only sane ladies were Gayathri Girsh, Amritha Murali and the slightly old vocalist (whose name I forget) sitting next to Binny. Yes, everyone needs to be presentable at a public function, but it is not a ramp to make a fashion statement with trimmed eyebrows, eye shadow and liner and a blouse with all revealing backside. Mind you, I was not sitting and watching... still I caught all this before leaving for work. I think these people think they are going for a shooting for AIRTEL super singer.

Some temples have notices "Only Hindus allowed", "Please come in traditional attire etc" I think one needs to impose such restrictions. Since people have lost all sense of occasion, venue and come everywhere to show off... one needs to impose these. Will the same people go to a Kerala temple with all this show. NO. Because they will not allow you whoever you are, however big you are.

There were many many people in the enclosure who were singing better than Binny, Mahathi etc. Honestly, what credentials do these people have? Who are these people? Who made them so big? These TV channels and half baked rasikas for whom mukhari is a azhuga ragam, bhowli, bhoopalam and revaputi are all boopaalam..... what you sow - so shall you reap. Serves us right. We deserve this and more! May the tribes of Mahathi, OS Arun, Binny Krishankumar increase. i am sure it will!

Carnatica Bros were relegated to ROW 2. i think They are light years ahead of OS ARUN and Krishnakumar.

Makes your blood boil. I think Thyagaraja will come down one day, compose a piece 'chAlu chAlu EE bAdha' imploring us to stop this comedy

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 13 Jan 2012, 12:25

sangeetham wrote:IMHO, the super stars who make it a point to participate in this aradhana to gain publicity are doing inferior service than the others who do not even attend it.

I agree and disagree. The whole aradhana has become a circus. Still the serious ones can come, sit in front of the sannidhi away from the cameras and pay their homage. But how many care to do that?

thathwamasi · Post by **thathwamasi** » 13 Jan 2012, 12:37

@rajmuds - I know a lot of people who do that. Infact, there are many people who go to tiruvarur to sing for his birth anniversary.

Regards
T

sangeetham · Post by **sangeetham** » 13 Jan 2012, 12:46

rajumds wrote:I agree and disagree. The whole aradhana has become a circus. Still the serious ones can come, sit in front of the sannidhi away from the cameras and pay their homage. But how many care to do that?

I am not sure if the enviroment (as in, created by these publicity-seeking artists) is inclined for any serious homage, leave alone the stardom stature of artists. I guess the serious ones would actually prefer being away during this time and would want to visit this holy place a day or two earlier or later; or even more, would sit in their respective pooja rooms and pay sincere tributes by singing the pancharathnams. Of course, in either case, these artists (undeservingly) would miss to witness the rituals performed on the diety.

rajeshnat · Post by **rajeshnat** » 13 Jan 2012, 13:00

Perhaps it is just me and not any one else who have this impression.

We have to appreciate musicians going to TiruvAyaru after their long strenuous concert season. One has to especially give it to few musicians like Smt sudha , Shri Raja Rao etal who go year on year and participate in the utsavam. I think overwhelmingly the problem is only with the majority of artists (that too the popular, and the most popular Jaya tv 20+ stars ,barring few exceptions), who have to be singled out in not participating in the aradhana. To attribute musicians are going to aradhana because of television coverage ,and extending it is not a good homage , just does not resonate well with me.

ArunSri
If there are more established vidwans and vidushis who participate in the yearly homage , automatically the first rows may go to the second rows or third rows . So the ire should be more on those who are not willing to come to tiruvayaru.

sangeetham · Post by **sangeetham** » 13 Jan 2012, 13:20

I think the issue here is not comparing artists who attend vs those who do not. It is about the the way the artists - WHO PARTICIPATED - carried themselves that did not come out well. It showed more of media-seeking behavior than sincere prayers or tribute.

I am definitely not refering to the artists that rajeshnat has mentioned - however, if artists, year after year, participate in this holy aradhana even with the slightest yearning or anticipation for publicity, then that is definitely not in good taste.

annamalai · Post by **annamalai** » 13 Jan 2012, 14:09

There is also a Thyagaraja Aradhana @ Vidvat Samajam - Mylapore.
Many senior artists who may not be able to travel to Thiruvaiyaru attend this event.

Musiri and Ariyakudi were the leaders and the next generation followed.
Semmangudi was the leader for several years after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTGO4wpiYnQ

Now, the aradhana lacks leadership from the senior / popular musicians of today.

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 13 Jan 2012, 14:50

On a totally different perspective, the moment we stop thinking of our present day musicians as a performer of a divine art for the sake of the art and start seeing them as any other professional earning a living out the knowledge gained by them, we will not worry or discuss this issue.
The present day musicians are professionals just like any other engineer / lawyer / doctor. How many us remember our teachers from college or school on the Teachers day. For that matter how many us know the birth day of any of the inventor or scholar whose invention we use daily in our professional life. Why should we expect a musician to go and sit in a remote village to pay homage to someone whose work they use in their profession just like a doctor who uses a medicine or line of treatment formulated by someone ,who he may not know at all.

Don't fret and fume about these things. If you like someone's music listen and move on.

pattamaa · Post by **pattamaa** » 13 Jan 2012, 15:01

rajumds - there is a major difference. those of us engineers, doctors and lawyers - use only the basics we learnt in college and adapt quite a bit based on situation, work, clients, etc etc. but the musicians still sing thyagaraja keerthanas...Your analogy is not quite right...

thathwamasi · Post by **thathwamasi** » 13 Jan 2012, 16:32

For the benefit of the people who didnt understand my earlier rant, let me type out a conversation I heard when I was in tiruvaiyaru in 1995.

I was there for my for my first performance there as a 14 year old boy. I was taken the office to be introduced to some of the office bearers. While I was there, I saw this other kid who's parents had gotten him to the office, to request for a chance to perform in a TV slot. The parents seemed are a bit influential given the respect they were getting from the office bearers. The conversation happens as follows:

Senior Office bearer (dont wish to name him): vaango vaango (please come). Unga paiyyanukku slot ready. Avan innikku saangalam vaasikalam. (your son's slot is cleared. He can play tonight). Aana chinna slot dhan. Ore oru paatu dhan mudiyum. seriya? (but a small slot. Only one song to be performed. Ok?)
Parents: Romba thanks sir. Inime enna paatu vaasikardhu'nu decide pannanum (now we need to decide which song to perform)
SOB: En sir? Naan dhan unga paiyyan vaasichu kaetturkene. Pramadhama vaasippane. Andha raghuvamsa sudha'vaiye vaasikka sollungolen (Why? I have heard your son play. He plays well. Ask him to play that raghuvamsa sudha)

I was shocked at this point. Some of the assistants of the SOB, whispered to him saying its not a tyagaraja kriti. He then asked them back "orajupu?". They nodded. Then he turned to the kid's guru and said with a swagger "Andha orajoopuvaiye chooppa sollungo". (word play which means ask him to suck that orajoopu). And he calmly left the scene.

This is the sorry state of affairs at Tiruvaiyaru aradhana. As much as I do not wish to comment on individuals and their priorities, I feel its a big let down to tiruvaiyaru and Tyagaraja for this kind of and attitude. The above mentioned experience was the one of the many such ones I have witnessed in tiruvaiyaru over my visits there.

Regards
T

annamalai · Post by **annamalai** » 13 Jan 2012, 17:35

rajumds, interesting point, well-taken. The current trend is in variance with the previous generation of musicians, who did not subscribe to this view.
Now, Thyagaraja Aradhana would be celebrated in every nook and corner (and sabha) and the evening concert would be by one of front line musicians.

ram · Post by **ram** » 13 Jan 2012, 19:20

thathwamasi wrote: Senior Office bearer (dont wish to name him): .....
Parents: .....
SOB: ....
I was shocked at this point. Some of the assistants of the SOB, ....

thathwamasi,

Apologies for the deviation, but interesting to note that you have used SOB for the Senior Office Bearer

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 13 Jan 2012, 20:42

Rajumds Avl,
' Why should we expect a musician to go and sit in a remote village to pay homage to someone whose work they use in their profession just like a doctor who uses a medicine or line of treatment formulated by someone ,who he may not know at all.'
I fully agree with you on this statement. But want to know why these musicians show lot of interest in paying homage by attending St Thyagaraja's Maha Aradhanai festival at Cleveland ? Just my thought.

Thanjavooran 13 01 2012

Thalaivarda · Post by **Thalaivarda** » 13 Jan 2012, 21:00

I was there at thyagaraja aradhanai organised by the mridangist Bangalore.V.Praveen today. It was very good. Why watch garbage and talk about how it looks and stink ?? If media highlights garbage, why highlight media by watching them ?
There is a bunch of people who hate it and still watch it, why, stop watching and bring the rating down.

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 13 Jan 2012, 21:44

Well said, Thalaivarda! Words of great wisdom indeed !

hamirkalyani123 · Post by **hamirkalyani123** » 13 Jan 2012, 22:57

Apparently some of the noted musicians such as Sudha Raghunathan etc. make sure they visit this place every year...

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/music/article2795748.ece

Tharangam · Post by **Tharangam** » 14 Jan 2012, 07:36

I also second Thalaivarda in this matter. There is no point in fretting and fuming. Every year people watch and every year they comment, that the standarad has got deteriorated. It is only because of these irritating issues, many senior artists dont even go there. Many others go and sing and not participate in the Pancharathna singing.

I truly wonder if the handfull who are regulars there, whether they go for publicity or for anything else dont even have the time to memorise the five krithis and atleast sing separetley if not in unison. Each one is busy showing of their jewellery and trying to see the camera. Even senior citizen lady artists have caught up with the dressing trend

. Paatu dhan paada varalai, idhula kooda gnanamillaiye? was a comment by one person a few years ago at Thiruvaiyaru. One solace is the men folk dress up decently so far.Dont know when there will be a change in that too:-)

It is time, true greats should get into the committee and bring in people who could sing properly with a good voice instead of personal preferences. But this will never happen. It is better not to watch the hungama and feel bad about it.

But, indeed it was a sad sight to see artists with betelnuts in their mouths, and artists talking, some artists sharing views thru eyes ( they can be better bharathanatyam artists than musicians) all in front of the Great Saint's samadhi. But Kali kalathula ippadi dhan nadakkum. If possible we have to enjoy a cost free show or better dont watch the show at all.

sweetsong · Post by **sweetsong** » 14 Jan 2012, 10:20

Here is a spoof that appeared in The Hindu nearly fifteen years ago.
http://ramavarma.yolasite.com/resources ... unters.pdf

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 14 Jan 2012, 10:34

Every year, the TV drama unfolds, and I have had the TV on and have watched it here and there. This year, I did not turn the thing on--and felt much better! Invariably, the above-mentioned distractions DO distract. However, when the camera focuses on the back rows, you see the shraddhA with which some devotees of the saint sing and celebrate him with their hearts.

As for those vidvAns and vidUshis and rasikAs who do not attend, there's nothing new about it. This has been happening for long (as in the case of PMI), when they got just as fed up as we folks do today.

As for the singing, Chennaiyil TiruvaiyAru which I watched a few times, was much better than at TiruvaiyAru.

Again, the musicians and rasikAs who wish to pay homage to Tyagaraja, choose to go to TiruvaiyARu at a quieter time!

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 14 Jan 2012, 10:49

sweetsong,
Just read Ramavarma's 'dream of a piece' and it's the cherry on top to my treat of 'not' watching the hoopla this year

RaviSri · Post by **RaviSri** » 14 Jan 2012, 12:55

There is an organisation, unnamed, I think, consisting of former Reserve Bank officers and a few others which conduct an akhaNDam of Thyagaraja kritis every Sivaratri day at the Samadhi shrine in Tiruvaiyyaru. No song is repeated, such is the advance planning and conduct of the observance. Only the most sincere and devoted of musicians and ameteurs attend. The singing is from the evening of Sivaratri till the next morning. Breakfast, lunch, snacks etc., are provided for all who attend. I don't know whether they are continuing it now. They were doing it till about a couple of years ago. I lost touch with one of the organisers. Those who know about this can provide information. The singing and the atmosphere are most sublime, true homage to the bard. This year Sivaratri is on February 20th.

tyagarajadasa · Post by **tyagarajadasa** » 14 Jan 2012, 14:43

Yes,

This happens every year on Sivaratri. Three years back, I had gone on an extensive temple trip with a friend. On Sivaratri day, in the morning, I went to Tanjore Peria Kovil, had darshan and then proceeded to Bangaaru Kamakshi Temple nearby. After singing Shyama Shastri's kritis in front of Ambal, the kurukkaL inquired more about me. After I introduced myself, he asked, "Are you going to Tiruvaiyyaru?" I said, "No mama, no plans for today! I have to go back to Kumbakkonam and then to Kodavasal to my Grandpa's place for Sivaratri" He said, "No NO, you have to go to Tiruvaiyyaru! You are a musician and since you are on a temple trip, you must go. That way you can also visit ThiruIndaloor, the chandra sthalam near Tiruvaiyyaru. I will make all arrangements. You come home for lunch, and you can leave in the evening." Also, another friend had also called me in the morning and asked me to do archanai at Panchanadeeshwarar temple on his mother's name if possible, as it was her birthday that day. I had replied that I will try, else I will do the archanai at Kodavasal. So, after kurukkaL mama's persistence, I felt that maybe it was destiny for me to visit the bard's shrine on that auspicious day and so agreed to his request. After having amazing lunch at his place and a nice nap after that, my friend and myself left for Tiruvaiyyaru. Please note that until this point, I did not know at all that there was an akhandam going on at Tiruvaiyyaru.

When we reached the bard's sannidhi at Tiruvaiyyaru, I was pleasantly surprised to find many musicians and vidvans around! Some musicians whom I personally know (also surprised to see me!), insisted that I must sing. The organisers hesitantly acceded to their request and said that I could sing two kritis after about two hours. In the meanwhile, my friend and I quickly went to Thiru-Indaloor (it is just 15 minutes by rickshaw from Tiruvaiyyaru!). On the way to Thiru-Indaloor and back, I went through some kritis in my mind.

I came back in time to sing. I did not have veshti at that time so someone arranged for one and I sang muddu mOmu and then palikavEmi nA. I was just about to get up when the organiser came and told me to go on for some more time(later I told myself that maybe it was Tyagaraja Swami's way of telling me that I am not so bad a singer

)! I sang all those kritis that came to my mind. I sang right in front of the bard's sannidhi. Sri VV Srinivasa Rao provided violin accompaniment (he was one of the musicians who insisted that I must sing!). I do not remember the mridangist's name but I have seen him play for many vidvans!

Before singing a kriti I would ask "is this OK?" and the organiser would nod his head if it had not been sung before or request me to take up another one. After I finished a kriti, I would also ask him "shall I sing nAdupai?" The organiser would say "You sing that at the end as that is in madhyamavati"! He asked me to go on and on for almost an hour! And finally he let me sing nAdupai!

This has been the best experience I have ever had in my life. Despite the fact that I had not planned to go to Tiruvaiyyaru at all, destiny took me there and let me sing to my heart's content in front of the bard (and other musicians/vidvans). It was the first time I went to Tiruvaiyyaru and destiny made it extremely memorable for me! The organisers (whose names I forget) are doing a great service. I sincerely request all those who get a chance to visit Tiruvaiyyaru during Sivaratri to do so! I am sure that your experience will be memorable! Like Ravi Sri said, the atmosphere is sublime and extremely peaceful -it is indeed true homage to Swamigal!

Apologies for this personal post. Ravi Sri's post brought back this day to my mind and I could not help write about it!

--Gokul--

ankitam · Post by **ankitam** » 14 Jan 2012, 15:44

arunsri wrote: There were many many people in the enclosure who were singing better than Binny, Mahathi etc. Honestly, what credentials do these people have? Who are these people? Who made them so big? These TV channels and half baked rasikas for whom mukhari is a azhuga ragam, bhowli, bhoopalam and revaputi are all boopaalam. We deserve this and more! May the tribes of Mahathi, OS Arun, Binny Krishankumar increase. i am sure it will!

Makes your blood boil. I think Thyagaraja will come down one day, compose a piece 'chAlu chAlu EE bAdha' imploring us to stop this comedy

haha...Movies &TV Channels make these Binny-Mahathi-type artists "Big". I wonder how Thyagaraja will react when he looks at the first row aradhana artists? ...

SSGopal · Post by **SSGopal** » 14 Jan 2012, 16:00

#17 - ram
Re: Thyagaraja Aradhana - Thiruvayyaru » 13 Jan 2012 19:20

thathwamasi wrote:
Senior Office bearer (dont wish to name him): .....
Parents: .....
SOB: ....
I was shocked at this point. Some of the assistants of the SOB, ....

thathwamasi,

Apologies for the deviation, but interesting to note that you have used SOB for the Senior Office Bearer

Sounds like a pun. Is it intended!!!!!

bilahari · Post by **bilahari** » 14 Jan 2012, 16:07

Thank you for the lovely account, Gokul, and for the note about Sivarathiri at Tiruvaiyyaru, RaviSri.

PUNARVASU · Post by **PUNARVASU** » 14 Jan 2012, 16:35

Golkul, that was an interesting account. Sometimes ,when things happen without our actually planning for them, they really spring a pleasant surprise on us. I have felt it many a time and I could visualise your feelings.
Best wishes.
Ravisri, nice infor on the Shivaratri ahkandam at Tiruviyaru.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 14 Jan 2012, 17:34

Gokul,
Apology?
Attestation it is, and inspiration!
Thanks for sharing...

tyagarajadasa · Post by **tyagarajadasa** » 14 Jan 2012, 18:15

@Punarvasu,

If there is any period of my life I want back, it is this one week! Too many memorable experiences!

--Gokul

sangithapithu1 · Post by **sangithapithu1** » 14 Jan 2012, 20:24

even the forum members are only bothered about the star singers , i could see many vidhushis like shyamala venkateswaran Dr.Rn Srilatha (sister of rudhrapatnam brothers) ,N.C.Soundaravalli, Shubha Ganesan and Amrutha murali who rendered all the pancharathnams with dedication. Of course the star singers got too much priority, am not denying it but there were few sincere classical artistes who rendered the pancharathnas with devotion

thathwamasi · Post by **thathwamasi** » 15 Jan 2012, 00:10

@SSGopal and @Ram

Haha.. After writing the message, I was proof reading it and It struck me that i had used SOB as an abbreviation for Senior Management. Then my left brain smiled evilly and let me leave it as it is. So, to answer you question, when I wrote it initially, the pun wasn't intended. But post my proof read, the pun was intended.

Regards
T

MaheshS · Post by **MaheshS** » 15 Jan 2012, 02:23

I can't remember the exact year, 1994 / 95 circa. Me and my friend went to a few temples in Tanjore and ended in Thiruvayaru, Sivarathiri, and there were a bunch of musicians singing. No one else was around, a mama I know [ N THyagarajan of West Mambalam ] was there arranging food. NSG was there as well. He used to be a regular at these meets, he can shed more light. I listened to NSG for a couple of hours and went to Vaitheeswaran Koil for the night pooja. Since then I always wanted to go on Sivarathiri, but never had a chance so far. The place without crowd with Kaveri flowing is divine.

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 15 Jan 2012, 06:51

arunsri wrote: Sad (VERY) that non musicians like OS Arun and Krishnakumar, Binny Krishnakumar, Mahathi etc occupied centre stage in today's Aradhana function.

FWIW, I think Mahathi is vastly improved from a few years ago. She has an improved repertoire and regularly elaborates uncommon ragas like Gangeyabhushani, Sarasangi, Mela 13 [whose name eludes me this moment] etc. Also seems particularly strong in laya aspects. I remember that she was pretty bad in mid 2009. Also O.S.Arun can be quite good depending on venue. He handles ragas like Varamu and Bhatiyar to great effect when he is not forced to sing "swagatham krishn'".

RaviSri · Post by **RaviSri** » 15 Jan 2012, 11:38

Gokul, good to know that the Sivaratri akhaNDam continues. Actually it is a 24 hour akhaNDam starting from the morning of Sivaratri to the next morning. This year, therefore, it will be from morning of February 20th to morning of February 21st.

Muthuraman · Post by **Muthuraman** » 17 Jan 2012, 10:24

Hi Rasikas,

Shankara TV had telecasted live the group rendering of the saints pancharathna krithis from Shanmughananda Sabha Mumbai..was total sublime and disciplined rendering. Tempo was a bit slow, but totally different from what one witnessed at Thiruvayyaru.

Hope many rasikas did watch the same.

SVBC (nada nirajanam) had also telecasted the group rendering on the aradhana day by artists from andhra. This was also extellent.

rajumds · Post by **rajumds** » 17 Jan 2012, 10:31

Muthuraman wrote:Hi Rasikas,

Shankara TV had telecasted live the group rendering of the saints pancharathna krithis from Shanmughananda Sabha Mumbai..was total sublime and disciplined rendering. Tempo was a bit slow, but totally different from what one witnessed at Thiruvayyaru.

Hope many rasikas did watch the same.

SVBC (nada nirajanam) had also telecasted the group rendering on the aradhana day by artists from andhra. This was also extellent.

We are mixing up two issues here. A small group with a few days of practice can give a pleasing performance. This can't be expected when over a 1000 people sing. So lets not compare issues like lack of coordination, people singing in different srutis etc., The singing in Aradhanai is not about presenting an orchestra.

What is worrying is the lack of reverence and a sense of occasion.

Tharangam · Post by **Tharangam** » 17 Jan 2012, 10:50

A large group, agreed. But only the artists are given mikes there. This time the VIDHUSHIS sitting in the front rows were all given mikes, with Sudha ragunathan having three of them!! Still no voice was audible. I could hear bits and pieces of Sudha, Gayathri Girish and Amirtha's voice, with Mahathi screeching beyond bearable limits. All the others were murmuring and looking here and there. If this is devotion, then may the tribe increase:-) The VIDWANS too were not clear. There was O.S. Arun who was shouting away with unheard of sangathis in all the five gems.
I feel watching such things will enlighten the rasika on what not to be done:-) Let Doordarshan announce that there wont be a coverage, I am sure the artist crowd would reduce. One thing is sure, the serious devotees will throng irrespective of artists, popular or mediocre who come there for cheap publicity.

sangeetham · Post by **sangeetham** » 18 Jan 2012, 08:17

Tharangam wrote: Let Doordarshan announce that there wont be a coverage, I am sure the artist crowd would reduce. One thing is sure, the serious devotees will throng irrespective of artists, popular or mediocre who come there for cheap publicity.

This is exactly the same point I opened the post with - but there were some rasikas who assumed the role of socio-psycologists (trying to be funny and not hurtful) and suggested a way to be happier : not watch such programs : "bingo".....I guess this forum is to express our opinion on what we hear and see more than getting inputs on how to be happier in life..

arunsri · Post by **arunsri** » 18 Jan 2012, 09:57

An account of Thyagaraja Aradhana conducted by a sabha in the place where I live: I could not attend, by a sincere music student who was attending gave me this!!

1. The sincere music student was also asked to join the pancharatna singing. The pathantharam was different (atleast in parts) from the lead member and students. So this student sat on the second row not wanting to be in the front, since a person sitting in row 1 singing a different version/split does not look right on the group and the leader.

As the student was getting settled, the following conversation took place between Lady 1 and Lady 2. Lady 1 to Lady 2, across rows... "hey you look so pretty, you should be sitting here, not me", I assume lady 1 as a slightly older one, and lady 2 was more a glamour quotient addition, resume building type person.. who likes to mark attendance at all possible social happenings. Lady 2 to lady 1 " Oh no no, it is OK - anyway I do not know 2 of the 5 kritis!!"

Honestly, it takes guts to share a stage not knowing to sing 2 of the 5!!

2. A leading teacher in the area also occupied the stage and sang ALOUD!!! - in a pathantharam which was vastly different than the "leading" ladies. The programme was "Pancharatna kritis lead by so and so... " It means the so and so is to lead and others sing that version as much as possible!

3. Another rasika and serious performer was asked to sing a concert on that occasion for 45 mins. The organisers had "DISCO LIGHTS" flashing on the performer during his recital, finally the guy had to tell them to turn them off!!

4. A ladies group had to sing 5-6 divyanama kritis!.. Uniformly all of them had a paper in front and were holding it and singing!! AMAZING GUTS!!! If you cannot find time to by heart 5-6 kritis, You have NO business to be on stage! . If you are so busy that you cannot learn 5 simple bhajana type songs, specially composed by the composer for the purpose of the common man, you do not deserve to be on a platform to sing.

But no - these ladies will sing, then put in their resume - "I sang at ABC thyagaraja Aradhana", then some neighboring kids - for whose parents any music will do as long as it will be a bullet on the child's resume later on - will come and learn from them and will imbibe the same values that these ladies have and the cancer will spread.. Note: ladies can even refer to male singers...

When the "chalta hai" attitude goes... everything - in all spheres of life will improve. You reap what you sow... if the values that you inculcate are poor, your crop is poor. My views may seem militant, but this "all is OK" reflects on the way we work, our driving sense, our civic sense, everything!!

tiruppugazh · Post by **tiruppugazh** » 18 Jan 2012, 10:34

If you cannot find time to by heart 5-6 kritis, You have NO business to be on stage! .

I think the standards have been set by so many senior & popular musicians who constantly refer to notes on stage. It is very sad. I have even seen musicians like Madurai Somu, MLV, T Viswa etc refer to a paper on stage. A friend, who is a mirudangam artiste said that even Karaikudi Mani used write korvais on a piece of paper and refer them on stage!!!

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 18 Jan 2012, 11:09

The listening audience for CM must be the most conceited one , among all forms of art - written or painted or sung or whatever .
The things that are demanded from the poor guys who go on stage , offering a lifetimes of work for a few hours on stage for a pittance ...

things demanded by folks who cant switch off their TVs if they dont like something , who get nervous if they cannot identify a raga or a composer , who cannot get a word across to a member of their own family perhaps , let alone sing/play into some ones hearts ,

'..... folks who really believe that artists owe them something . Phew !!!!!!!!

So what if artists have their bit of glory on the TV ?
What sort of righteousness is it to say My dedication is sincere and some one else's is not ? -
The mistake is in treating the Bard like a Saint .
Tyagaraja was not a Saint ( my opinion ) for he never proposed a solution to the philosophical yearnings of a soul .( Did he build / maintain an institution or have a set of followers for his beliefs ?) Yearnings of his soul , perhaps yes . I find more answers to my yearnings in the utterings of Osho than in Tyagaraja .

Tyagaraja was not a poet too , in the formal literary sense ( Are his works taught in Universities or did they mark a renaissance in poetry of the country ? ) .

Tyagaraja was many things other than the above which should stimulate the modern mind in a thousand ways - It is we who are frozen with images of Pancharthnas , Aradhanas , chakkani raja margamu etc .
If you dont get the import of this , stop going to work for a month and tell your folks that you see Rama in your Dreams . And sing a song for every question demanded of you .
The true tribute to him would be to understand his and propogate his work 24 * 7 for its merits as we can best synthesise , given todays conditions.

ganeshkant · Post by **ganeshkant** » 18 Jan 2012, 11:31

Varsha,

I liked your post.May be a more sensible post so far in this thread.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 18 Jan 2012, 11:50

Thanks . I am not an artist myself but I sincerely believe that the artist community of this genertation has challenges , far bigger than what was faced by any of the previous generations --- in terms of explosion of knowledge of material , varied listener's tastes , falling listening standards , higher domestic expectations , lowered attention spans , and so many other things .
It is the rasikas duty to articulate expectations that fit in with the standards of the day .
A statue of Rama discovered today , in the waters of the river , is best subjected to metallurgical study , if we have to accept the Dharma of todays Living .
A wild dance on streets to the accompaniment of music would be out of place .
That is the challenge in front of us . And that is the opportunity.

sangeetham · Post by **sangeetham** » 18 Jan 2012, 12:07

varsha wrote: artist community of this genertation has challenges , far bigger than what was faced by any of the previous generations --- in terms of explosion of knowledge of material , varied listener's tastes , falling listening standards , higher domestic expectations , lowered attention spans , and so many other things

Let us also not forget that the artist community of this generation, besides all the challenges you had mentioned, are economically and otherwise placed faaaaar more comfortably than the artists of the older generation. So in all fairness, if you are looking at higher returns (as what the current generation artists enjoy), then they better be prepared to take that much more responsibilities, and be under higher scrutiny.
Vidwans of the calibre of S Ramanatha Iyer, Srirangam Iyengar, MDR, to name a few, with soooo much dedication and sincerity to their profession had to undergo living standards not worth mentioning. If artists of today enjoy a great living standard, then it definitely comes with other (non-monetary) costs.
Well all this explained, just to expect artists to memorize 5 songs and sing with the same dedication that they sing their own concerts!!!!

thathwamasi · Post by **thathwamasi** » 18 Jan 2012, 12:39

@varsha - I think we are digressing here. The question here is not whether Tyagaraja was a Saint or not (we can discuss this in a seperate thread. I find a lot of solutions to my philosophical yearnings through tyagaraja). Its immaterial. Because the artists who have assembled there, are there to dedicate their music to his soul, on that particular day. So, whether he was a saint or not, we do expect them to be dedicated to sing for his soul and not shine on a TV screen. I mean, this is the man who has contributed a lot for the bread of a lot of musicians who have assembled there. Surely a bit more dedication won't hurt. I mean, if I am performing devasam (yearly rites) for my grand father who has given me everything, I will not wear glittering make up and try to hog the camera time, even if it was televised.

Also one's works need not be taught at a university to qualify as a poet. Adi Shankara's Soundarya Lahiri or mookar's panchashathi is never taught in any literature classes. Because of that, if someone discredit's the poetry in those works, then we only need to question the definition of "poetry" or "poet".

Times have changed and I agree that one cannot stop going to work and start singing on roads to questions asked etc as you have mentioned, and that is why we are NOT expecting all that from artists. All we are expecting is to memorise five songs and sing it with oneness of mind - one day of the year. If that expectation is making me conceited, then I am conceited and proudly so.

Regards
T

sangeetham · Post by **sangeetham** » 18 Jan 2012, 12:49

thathwamasi wrote:@varsha -All we are expecting is to memorise five songs and sing it with oneness of mind - one day of the year. If that expectation is making me conceited, then I am conceited and proudly so.
T

Cannot agree with you more, Thathwamasi....here is yet another proud "conceited" rasika.

varsha wrote: What sort of righteousness is it to say My dedication is sincere and some one else's is not ?

Well, no one is comparing one's dedication to another....at the same time, thronging for a television coverage even at a place which is "supposed" to be a place to pay homage, does not reflect a high level of sincerity or humble prayers to a divine soul.....