CM Stage Decor

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 07 Sep 2012, 02:12

We have discussed stage decorum before. Yes, an important issue.
How about stage decor? Not a big deal to talk about,I know. It's the music we should focus on, and that's what I used to think.

Not any more.Those odd-sized plastic banners on the backdrop, others draping the stage front--and the confusion of colors and textures in fabrics and fake flowers are distracting me more, of late.
Is it possible to have some specifics about acknowledging the sponsors? I am asking this of the advertisers rather than the organizers who are of course at the receiving end of the funds.

Plastic sheet banners: uniform sizes (all right, of different sizes according to the level of donation, I agree), but hung haphazardly everywhere? That too, not well-secured, so they flap around, flop down within days of a concert series? Why not in specific sizes which will look fine at the back and on the sides?
Recently, I saw one with a model's face on stage, a face bigger than those of the performers, right in the middle of the musical ensemble.

Plastic, foam flowers abound, on and around the stage, for no rhyme or reason. What happened to the traditional (all right, plastic even) strands of blooms and mango leaves which went with a festive pandal? During the season, thank goodness, I do see pleasing (and not over-done) decor in a few places. Kalaksethra, KGS for example.

Happened to watch an old Podigai clip and how simple the stage looked! These days, clashing colors, gaudy drapes and distracting decals take away a calm setting in which we like to listen to music.

The all white stage and the dark back drop of a northern concert is appealing. Even our traditional colorful jamakkALams are fine--as long as they are uniform or blending in patterns and are not hung as patchwork quilts of different lengths.
Fussy, am I? May be.
On the other hand, a simply decorated stage and surrounds mean less money to spend on so-called festive items.
We don't require the service of famous artistes for our regular sabhas. Let the organizers focus more on good sound and keep stage decorations to a minimum.
Yes, we need the sponsors and will have their banners, but let them know about uniform banner sizes and about not peopling them with models and products!
Hoardings showing their products can line the way to the entrance. No need to crowd the stage with them...

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 07 Sep 2012, 09:14

A few top bharatanatyam dancers insist that there be know decorations on the stage as it may clash with the dance, costumes and lighting.

For music concerts, it seems to be anything goes. A plain stage for a concert is a little boring since we are often watching the musicians for 2-3 hours. Simple decorations and soft lighting can be used to enhance the atmosphere. Advertising can be left for the foyer or canteen or in printed concert brochures.

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 07 Sep 2012, 09:55

I think as long as we don't have people's faces on the banner, anything's OK. I've seen Karnataka Soaps' banner with a few Mysore Sandal soap boxes, and it's fine by me. (On a related note, I find ring tones including voice extremely dumb.)

I utterly detest the use of yellow light (in fact pretty much anything other than white) in concert halls. My eyes feel tired and burned out after, say, half an hour of looking at yellow light. I don't want to think about the artistes' plight -- they sit directly under that awful light. I'd rather darkness than that.

Cleanliness of the entire hall is very important. That should be looked into before placing any decorations.

Any colour / design on drapes is fine, but I prefer "cool" colours, like blue and green, over red, orange and YELLOW! (Darker colours are cooler in general.) But light reflected from drapes doesn't strain eyes much -- I was worried when Raga Sudha Hall switched to maroon from the earlier dark blue, but I found concerts in the new settings quite pleasant too.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 07 Sep 2012, 10:08

Isn't CM something about the internal stage ( inside our minds ) decor ? All that one has to do is to close the eyes and listen . Especially if we are not paying for the concert .
The problem lies in pitchforking CM on to a stage , in the first place .
CM was not meant for a stage . Drama was . Dance - I am not sure . but I certainly cannot follow all the intricacies of the art , sitting 30 rows behind .
CM is best in small intimate groups . At one end of the spectrum a Sastri Hall type of environment is the ideal . At the other end , The Music Academy with sponsors flaps everywhere is a joke . from the true CM perspective.
Why do you think Ragasudha Hall concerts are so fulfilling ?

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 07 Sep 2012, 14:01

Varsha, here's an interview with Sri SV Krishnan, founder of Naada Inbam: http://carnatica.net/nvr/svk-nadainbam.htm

Here's what he says about concert halls.

Interviewer: All the sabhas have their concerts at the same time...

SVK: It is the holiday season and during the festival time there is a good tourist crowd. Weather is pleasant. Secondly psychology of the people from time immemorial has been to assemble at a time in a place. Even in temple festivals it can be seen. At that time the people who are established and have auditorium facilities are preferred. Even here people criticize about the absence of refreshments. I always ask them, have you come for the kutcheri or to have refreshments? I say I can assure you of certain comforts like good toilet facilities, acoustics, ventilation, drinking water, two inverters to act in the time of power failure, thus causing no interruption to the music and more than anything else, feedback for the artists is available. There are ten speakers unlike some sabhas were there are two; AC facilities for juniors and seniors and also mike adjustments are made such that the violin is not handicapped and vocalist also comes out clearly. There is no echo. In foreign countries carpeted floors absorb sound whereas here there is a lot of of dust which requires a lot of cleaning. People think an auditorium is just something to protect one from the rain and sun and a few chairs to be seated! Acoustics is important. Those who know about it only can appreciate it. So even if an artiste is not gifted it can be made pleasant with the help of the sound system.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 07 Sep 2012, 18:27

mohan wrote:A few top bharatanatyam dancers insist that there be no decorations on the stage as it may clash with the dance, costumes and lighting.

Could not agree more! Photographers and videographers constantly make this point....but, if you look at the stages here in the US (or, in many Youtube clips), most people ignore it...

mohan wrote:Advertising can be left for the foyer or canteen or in printed concert brochures.

Agree.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 07 Sep 2012, 20:59

Guys I shared a photo of McDowells and RMKV enfolding the stage recently in an AR concert.
I think sabhas will help audiences and musicians to focus better by doing a few things in this order:
1. Good sound
2. Comfortable and non-screechy chairs
3. Lighting without glare
4. No ads and banners thrust in our face.
5. Good cool ventilation without AC and fan noise.
6. No distracting video or photography.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 07 Sep 2012, 22:15

Rsachi,
All your points given in good order...
4: Ads and banners thrust in our face: that's exactly what I meant and you said it well...

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Sep 2012, 22:57

Arasi, as soon as I saw your thread title I thought about my hair style.

Some years ago, in an office conversation, I started to say something about my hair style. A lady colleague quickly interupted me: "Nick, you haven't got a hair style!"

CM doesn't have decor: it has a mess!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 07 Sep 2012, 23:12

srikant1987 wrote:Varsha, here's an interview with Sri SV Krishnan, founder of Naada Inbam: http://carnatica.net/nvr/svk-nadainbam.htm

What an amazing interview! Deserves a thread all of its own

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 08 Sep 2012, 00:27

Nick,

Good to have you back after your vacation. Did you go to any concert there? I bet the decor was pleasing, and yes, a mess it all is in most places in Chennai which incidentally is the poster capitol. May be that's why?

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 08 Sep 2012, 03:54

Rsachi wrote:Guys I shared a photo of McDowells and RMKV enfolding the stage recently in an AR concert.
I think sabhas will help audiences and musicians to focus better by doing a few things in this order:
1. Good sound
2. Comfortable and non-screechy chairs
3. Lighting without glare
4. No ads and banners thrust in our face.
5. Good cool ventilation without AC and fan noise.
6. No distracting video or photography.

Best place to conduct concert with all these accommodations will be a businesslike auditorium, similar to casino auditoriums, where the individual price ranges from $ 25 to 45 per concert

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 08 Sep 2012, 03:58

# 7

ideal..we can add one more..

"A free concert"

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 08 Sep 2012, 11:09

If I can summarize the feelings in this thread, it is a plea to both the Sabha organizers and sponsors: 'Show some taste'. That is, conduct concerns with some artful taste and sophistication that is consistent with the tasteful and sophisticated music that CM is'.

Agreed.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 08 Sep 2012, 11:39

One has to also admit that SVK has done all the necessary things to ensure continuity . He looked a reserved man to most of us , but who can escape the warmth of the smile of his daughter who continues the work with such elan . For the needy small time organisers , she agrees to a cut in fees , in just a flash.
Normally I pay up at the counter always reminding myself that we can never repay an artist for the troubles he/she would have taken before getting on the stage . But can we ever pay the likes of this family , the Sarasawathy Vaggeyakara Trust , MET , Nadopsana and many others . They have been the lifeline to so many of us ......
Atleast TT Vasu had a lot of style when he was around . The present day mandarins are just too garish in their tastes .

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 08 Sep 2012, 14:27

SVK, like Jaya, was always there, and how I wish I had actually spoken to him before the ultimate it's-too-late-now of his death.

His interview reads like a this-is-how-it-should-be done. His foresight in making his hall self-supporting, even in these days of ever-less-comfortable economy was remarkable. Even with the association of such an astute businessman as Dr Nalli, Krishna Gana Sabha never thought of that. Granted, they created what is probably Chennai's best musical architecture, but, if it could have been done aesthetically, just one floor of offices might have meant free concerts for ever. Of course, there are somethings to be said for paid concerts, but that is another issue entirely.

Arasi, no concerts in Singapore. Only the music of the inhabitants of Kuala Lumpur bird park, and of the shop tills in Mustafa. The concert I attended there last year was in a big professional theatre --- with the disadvantages that Varsha touched on a few posts ago. Even though I was able to get a seat in the front row, I was as far away from the artists as those in the back row, as they were completely isolated by the stage lighting.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 08 Sep 2012, 15:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uocoWRaJBOA&feature=plcp

look at this kid !!!! blissfully unaware of the world around him . What can decor mean to someone who can paint his own world

srikant1987 · Post by **srikant1987** » 08 Sep 2012, 15:36

Varsha, this kid is too much to bear! Respect to him! The yaman does paint a world of its own. Respect to yaman! And respect to the tradition of having shruti well audible amidst the music.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 08 Sep 2012, 16:20

And so cute too . Hardly looking at the keys . One has to believe in the belief of carrying over from one janma to the next !!!

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 08 Sep 2012, 17:22

Absolutely true...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 08 Sep 2012, 20:35

Varsha,
What a gem!
Only recently, Rsachi wondered about the full impact of the word smaraNe while speaking of MSS. A meaning-rich word, no doubt. Looking at this youngster,I think the word comes alive in this little mUrthi. This is smaraNe--his 'living with' his music (one of the meanings I can think of)--even when he is put on stage. This inward living of him with his music touches us, but it means nothing to him. He and his music--and beyond that, nothing matters to him, it seems. During every moment of the duration of the clip, we see him one with his music. He sees us not. Not once at his parents even--no darting glances asking 'am I doing okay?' 'wasn't that a good one?'...
He and his music--his occasional upward glances, otherwise, his inner moments of serenity. And the way he glides into tIrtha viTTala, ksEtra viTTala!
The applause means nothing to him. An after-thought of a gentle namaskAra follows.
That little hand grasping the huge uncouth harmonium sometimes loses the grip, but the music goes on, with not a grimace or even batting of an eye...
He is with his music, and bless him!

Stage decor? Who cares? Although, I noticed that it was a pleasing one.

Oh yes, all the highly talented young aspirants and their parents vying to be number one in talent shows better watch this precious child--to see what the essence of that music is, which they are all after.

PraNAms to the youngster. I did not even scroll further to find his name. After all,there's him and his music, and that's all counts...

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 08 Sep 2012, 23:42

The boy's name seems to be Unmesh Khaire, and he is a picture of talent+innocence!

Sorry to bring you all down from the sublime to the ridiculous, but if this boy were to perform in our sabhas, the picture would be like this:

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 09 Sep 2012, 01:40

No problem! From the sublime heights, we often get jolted when we descend to terra firma.
Still, here's another thought: even from the merchandise encircled musicians on stage, we sometimes are given our sublime musical moments--thanks to them. The modern day artistes who live in a materialistic world, and have to make a living to keep up with the times (unlike their predecessors), sometimes transport us to musical heights. Music still has its power. Otherwise, we wouldn't be going to concerts!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 09 Sep 2012, 02:57

"Naada Inbam 4.7.2012," complete with slightly dislodged final "2." I will probably never see better stage decor

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 09 Sep 2012, 04:39

Yes, Nick.
Simplicity is the key.
Of course, we like to be there at Naada Inbam for many other reasons too.
Hope the daughter who walks in her father's footsteps is reading this

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 09 Sep 2012, 04:48

"People think an auditorium is just something to protect one from the rain and sun..."

Thinking of a man that shapes things....

A conversation with S. V. Krishnan of Nada Inbam...

I am sorry..I have not seen post # 5..this one is duplicated..hence removed the link..

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 09 Sep 2012, 08:20

Friends, I firmly believe that NOTHING comes free in today's world, and everyone is entitled to benefit economically in the creation and presentation of music and fine arts.

Rarely do we come across committed and far-thinking SVK's. In fact volunteering and charity can go only so far, and it alone cannot sustain any initiative for too long. Occasionally, such well-meaning organizers can even turn whimsical and be loaded with idiosyncrasies.

But once we take in money- tickets and sponsors, to conduct concerts, that in fact underscores the need for giving the best experience to the Rasikas, without sacrificing aesthetics and traditional values. By resorting to quid pro quo cheap posters, banners and ads, and destroying the aesthetics of simple and elegant stage decor, I think we are undermining aesthetics and diluting the values. I would buy tickets gladly to see such crassness go!

I have seen the highest standards for cultural programmes overseas e.g Australia, Germany, Singapore, UK, USA and elsewhere. Not all those programmes are ticketed, too!

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 09 Sep 2012, 08:59

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SxhWjIB ... re=related

venkatakailasam · Post by **venkatakailasam** » 09 Sep 2012, 09:34

An internal view of.. Royal Albert Hall where a concert featuring Smt ArunaSairam was held on 27-07-2011.....

more images are at http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/archive/sear ... july-27/20

Absolutely free from any Advt.,

If you desire to listen the concert ..it is at my blog ...at this link...

http://e-swari.blogspot.in/2011/07/carn ... al_25.html

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 10 Sep 2012, 11:44

We are able to see a whole category of aesthetic qualities or different types of beauty, and no one will be able to separate the beauty of the finished product and the beauty of the artist's own soul. There may be beauty of whimsicality and waywardness, beauty of rugged strength, beauty of massive power, beauty of spiritual freedom, beauty of courage and dash, beauty of romantic charm, beauty of restraint, beauty of soft gracefulness, beauty of austerity, beauty of simplicity and "stupidity," beauty of mere regularity, beauty of swiftness, and sometimes even beauty of affected ugliness. There is only one form of beauty that is impossible because it does not exist, and that is the beauty of strenuousness or of the strenuous life. [376]-Lin Yutang in Importance of Living

The problem with most sponsors is they remind us of the strenousness of Life . Innumerable are the times , when posters of LT Finance have reminded me of a payment schedule that my Company missed ( as a client ) and shattered my evening

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 10 Sep 2012, 20:56

Varsha,
very apt and succinct!
Wordsworth said thus:
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. --Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 12 Sep 2012, 09:38

http://www.mediafire.com/?rtx89xmrbj2jy1v
a short speech by SVK . Sample for keeps . Another speaker dwells on the small box called raga sudha hall .

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 12 Sep 2012, 19:12

Thank you for bringing SVK's voice and of the speaker who appreciates the 'music box'!
Nagai Muralidharan 'paiyyan'? Wonder when this concert took place. I was hoping to hear a thukkaDa or two at the end, but all I heard was the 'sruthi kUTTal'

The next morning, Kalyanaraman would have given his whistling concert there!

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 12 Sep 2012, 19:34

I was hoping to hear a thukkaDa or two at the end,

Well here it is . I have lived with the heart burn for a decade - of seeing a glorious yaman get truncated - for whatever reason .
Thought I should spare others the trauma . Man !!! This was one great artist !!!!
http://www.mediafire.com/?ufmh7lkp458af

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 12 Sep 2012, 19:57

Thank you for the whole bunch of songs!

maduraimini · Post by **maduraimini** » 14 Sep 2012, 04:51

I have no words for this cute kid. If I just heard the music without seeing this picture, I would have thought it is some good artist playing - never a child this small. His hands are so small, he cannot even reach the Bellows. The Harmonium looks bigger than him! What a melody! Looks like his hands keep playing and he is absorbed in his music. Not all children smile and he may be one of them. He doesn't look scared or playful or impatient. His tiny fingers keep playing. He has been Blessed by God and his parents are so lucky to have him. May God Bless him.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 11 Dec 2012, 06:29

Even Gopalakrishna Gandhi questions the sponsors banners on stage:

Sponsors of kutcheris must ponder: Do they really need to emblazon themselves through banners and boards on stage? They are so well-known. Must their product imprint itself on minds being saturated by a Kalyani or a Kalagada?

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/che ... 183616.ece

varsha · Post by **varsha** » 13 Dec 2012, 06:38

Great Decor !!!
Hosts have not bothered even to remove the clothes hung at the corner .

Sangita Gnanamu bhakti Vina ......
http://www.mediafire.com/?l6x98a8a6xsh5n3

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 20 Dec 2012, 23:42

The Music Academy stage, this year, is looking very beautiful indeed with its superb peacock motif. There is a complete absence of advertising material; it is just lovely.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 21 Dec 2012, 03:26

Nick H wrote:The Music Academy stage, this year, is looking very beautiful indeed with its superb peacock motif. There is a complete absence of advertising material; it is just lovely.

Nick - any chance of a picture?

mahavishnu · Post by **mahavishnu** » 21 Dec 2012, 03:45

Ravi, the landing page of the academy website (http://www.musicacademymadras.in/ has pictures of every event from this year's conference so far (at least till the 18th at the time of posting this). You can get a general idea of the stage, but unfortunately there are no long/panoramic shots.

Perhaps Ramanathan and his staff might have better pictures. Carnatica usually posts very nice season summary pics.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 21 Dec 2012, 04:10

Thank you!

smala · Post by **smala** » 21 Dec 2012, 05:09

Varsha, I love it. Such a homely and natural feel to the concert pic - but then that's not a stage so why would you
expect the pegged clothes be moved? Godrej almirah, the steel brahmacari cot, the horizontal barred double flap window - that room is part of the memory as the concert is to whoever lived there. True intimate chamber music. No frills, no fuss.

smala · Post by **smala** » 21 Dec 2012, 05:24

Nick H wrote:The Music Academy stage, this year, is looking very beautiful indeed with its superb peacock motif. There is a complete absence of advertising material; it is just lovely.

Oh no, I just checked - the very large peacock motif is beautiful from what can be seen but very distracting! aesthetically more suitable for a side wall of the academy hall. Behind Amritha Murali or Baby Sriram and the colorful jibba-sporting accompanists, the peacock decor clashes big time with the saree and other colors!

My view to the indoor architect : Plain, plain, keep it plain - the backdrop - silky and smooth, stupid, it is the economy of things that will enhance the stage presence.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 21 Dec 2012, 11:01

It may look distracting in a photograph, but remember to put it in the context of a big stage in a big auditorium. In real life it works very well. The most distracting part of the design is the text in the middle!

sridhar_ranga · Post by **sridhar_ranga** » 21 Dec 2012, 19:26

Agree with Nick, I found the MA stage backdrop really pleasing to the eyes.

Ravi, here are a couple of snaps from my iPhone (pic re-sized for upload) taken on the morning of 16th: hope these help.

Rsachi · Post by **Rsachi** » 21 Dec 2012, 19:55

Oh, a peacock theme! Who would have associated it with music-given their rather unmusical voice? Here is a snap from Peacock Restaurant, a happening place in Blr:

KNV1955 · Post by **KNV1955** » 21 Dec 2012, 21:01

Nada Inbam is the best venue for classical music in every respect. The problem arises when the artists start fiddling with the amplification. In Ramakrishan Murthy's concert TKV Ramanujacharyalu created a big scene about the mike & put down the violin. Ram was looking helpless. The mike was perfectly balanced. In places like Nada Inbam & Music Academy main hall acoustics are fine. Stage decor, Stage decorum, acoustics,conduct of Jaya (SVK daughter) all are finely balanced at Nada Inbam & rasikas are welcome. I also know that She pays the artists decently. You can't ask for anything more.

KNV1955 · Post by **KNV1955** » 21 Dec 2012, 21:05

Sachi MA must have kept the Dance series in mind which is to follow the music series.

KNV

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 21 Dec 2012, 21:13

I agree with smala - it is beautiful, but looks a tad bit distracting...
However, the final word has to come from those who were actually there in person!