A MEETING OF THREE RASIKAS

[CRama]

I went on a personal visit to Bangalore last Saturday for 3 days stay and I made it a point to call on our friend RSachi on 27/7. We have long back blossomed as good friends from virtual members in rasikas forum. I first visited his house two years back and the lively discussions on music and other related subjects prompt me to squeeze a visit to his house among the other schedules in Bangalore. When R.Sachi came to Chennai about a year back, we had a meeting in Nageswaran’s house. He never fails to surprise me by his profound knowledge about a host of matters- not restricting to music. I reached his house in Indira Nagar by 10.00 A.M and I was greeted with hot coffee. This time, I got introduced to a very senior rasika- Sri. Kesavamurthy- a retired Professor of English and an ardent rasika of music- may be in his eightees residing in the neighbourhood of Sachi. Sachi told me that they always used to go the concerts together and the discussions after the concerts had been highly elevating.

Apart from various discussions, we spent the time in a very fruitful manner. We all sat and watched the DVD of the famous Marathi musical film Katiyar Kaljat Ghusli, the DVD of which Sachi had got through Amazon the previous day. The CD had English subtitles and that facilitated the understanding of the story.

THE FILM- Katiyar Kaljat Ghusli – (A dagger through the heart) is a 2015 Marathi film based on a play by the same name. Directed by Subodh Bhave, the film stars Sachin Pilgaonkar, Shankar Mahadevan, and Subodh Bhave in lead roles. (Remember Sachin- the hero of Geet Gaata Chal of 70s). The film marks the acting debut for Shanker Mahadevan and directorial debut for Subodh Bhave. The original play premiered in 1967 in Mumbai, where Hindustani classical vocalist Vasantrao Deshpande played one of the protagonists. The film's music is composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, and retained some of the songs from the original play composed by Jitendra Abhisheki.

Here I record my special thanks to Sachi because otherwise I would not have seen this movie at all and would have missed the enjoyment of pleasant Hindustani music which is aplenty in this film besides a good story and message. For those who have not seen the film, RSachi has given links for the film in rasikas.org and don’t miss to see the film. Shanker Mahadevan, Sachin and Subodh Bhave have acted well and the songs in pure Hindustani ragams are real treat for your ears. It was at that time, that the news came about the TMK getting Magsasay award. But our good sense prevailed not to waste our time on discussing about that. I also heard the varnam of the TMK Ashwin Anand concert.

Gana was naturally followed by a delectable khana. The taste of that saaru and chitranna still lingers in my mouth. Thanks unlimited to Madam Rathna Sachi.

After that, Sachi offered to drop me at M.G Road by Metro, which I also wanted to experience for the first time. It was a very good experience. The stations were tidy and passenger friendly with escalator etc. The train was going on the elevated rails. The train was quite good looking, but small in width and length as compared to the Metro in Kolkata and Delhi. I am yet to go in the Metro of Namma Chennai. The M.G Road Brigade Road has undergone vast changes with many new shops replacing old famous shops of apparels, CDs etc. We walked on to Church Street and went to India Coffee House in Church Street, which still retains the old world charm and had a cup of coffee- Indian Coffee House special. From there RSachi went home and I left for R.T. Nagar where I was staying in my sister’s house. The hours we spent together will be cherished by all of us for long.

Sachi, I am not able to paste the photo here. Kindly do it.

[Rsachi]

CRama, we were blessed to receive you. Hope you make many more trips to Bangalore on one excuse or the other - nostalgic about your lovely days here when it was still a garden city in 1980's!

[CRama]

Thanks Sachi. R.Sachi is standing behind myself and Sri Kesavamurthy sitting on the chair.

[Nick H]

I am still sad that I was only able to talk to Banglaore rasikas for just a few minutes.

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

Dear CRAMA/Sachi: Thanks for the report. I was in Bangalore between 23d and 27th. I wanted to meet Sachi Sir,Nageswaran et al. Unfortunately I did not have tel #s. I contacted Cheenu who was down with fever. I was staying with my nephew in Jalahalli and my planned visit to Cheenu's place in Banarghata road was aborted. In fact my visit to Bangalore this time was totally frustrated by the traffic conditions--I spent 3 hours on the road to Indira nagar(where my couin lives) and literally had to turn back.

I wish I had planned better and let you all know in advance so that we could atleast talk over the phone. For a variety of reasons my internet connection was also spotty. The loss is entirely mine!!!

Iam now in Coimbatore and if there are rasikas in CBE I would like o contact them. My cell 8056249854.

I m planning to visit Chennai for the August 5th(MSS centenary celebrtions)and August 6th for the KALKI Magazine 75th anniversary. The functios are being held @ the kamaraj Hall. On the 5th Cheenu's daughter Aishwarya is due to sing. I have an invitation from the family but I understand that the events are open to public. I would like to meet Rasikas members if they attend. I can be contacted in the # given above(8056249854.

Sachi Sir,my regrets in not being able to meet you. Perhaps on my next visit to Bangalore,let's hope.


CRama: Thanks for the report. can we meet in Chennai or could we atleast talk. I still have a rain check on your invitation to see Thiruvananthapuram!! This time I could not squeeze it in.

I will be back in CBE by 7th and then leave for Chenai on 12th enroute to NY. I have not been lucky eoughto listen to a single concert this time. One of my many regrets!!
Nick,Rajesh any chance of our meeing at the kamaraj arangam?

[Rsachi]

Dear MKR sir,
A young friend from Jalahalli spoke about meeting you a couple of years ago when you had come down! He told me about you and your background etc. I proudly told him I knew all this already after reading about your late father and his memorial function. He was duly impressed, I can tell you

[Nick H]

I m planning to visit Chennai for the August 5th(MSS centenary celebrtions)and August 6th for the KALKI Magazine 75th anniversary. The functios are being held @ the kamaraj Hall. On the 5th Cheenu's daughter Aishwarya is due to sing.

There is a thread, with pics of the announcement/invitation-to-all. I had not actually discovered the venue, which might be printed in the English section, but was going to ask my wife wife to check out the Tamil section.

I will be back in CBE by 7th and then leave for Chenai on 12th enroute to NY. I have not been lucky eoughto listen to a single concert this time. One of my many regrets!!
Nick,Rajesh any chance of our meeing at the kamaraj arangam?

I am not certain. I might be there on 5th. I do not like big-hall events... but one makes exceptions!

Nageswaran is currently here in his Chennai home. What a pity you cannot be here on 7th: he is giving a house concert that day. Again, there is an announcement thread here.

There is a big Musiri/Suguna-V Parampara thing happening in the first part of August, at Arkay, Raga Suda, and Sastri halls. You can find the listing here on Ram's Blog. I'm sure you'll be able to catch something!

[CRama]

MKR Sir, We should have met in Bangalore. Narrow miss. I will definitely come for Aiswarya concert on Aug 5. Will meet. Before that I will phone to you some time.

[Sivaramakrishnan]

Micro meets of rasikas have come in to stay it seems! Surely it would ensure serious interaction among rasikas outside the network too and convey the spirit globally!

On receipt of an intimation from CRama this evening (31st) that Nagaswara vidwan Injikudi Subramanian would be visiting Nageswaran Sir at his Mambalam residence and that Sir would like to have a couple of forumites joining him, I made it for the warm get together (courtesy another engagemnt I had already in that area in the evening) that lasted for an hour and more.

Three is not a crowd - not even a group! Ultimately the brief interaction gave an excellent opportunity to have a peep into the piper's journey with the robust instrument and a lot of information on the hoary past and the masters.
( to be continued )