GLOBAL RASIKAS MEET DURING DECEMBER 2010.

[vgovindan]

chalanata,
'puli varudu, puli varudu' can work only once. God forbid, should anything happen, people will not believe. Please do not play such practical jokes.

In any case, our prayers are still with you.

[fduddy]

Dear Fellow Rasikas,
I am really moved by the solidarity displayed by all of you in showering love and affection on me though many of us have not met in person.
Now let me apologize to you all for having misled you all by telling a lie. I am not ailing from cancer or any ailment as of now. I wanted to reduce the heat in the exchanges and divert the mood and I have seen that when a bigger crisis attacks we all sink our differences and stand united. This is not the time for settling our personal scores especially at a time when our dear Nageswaran sir and team made the enormous task of the meet possible and look for pleasant exchanges. Nageswaran sir and team I bow to you; you have done a great job. congrats.
I'm unable to change my nutty ways despite advancing in age. Sorry again... But my appeal sans the self 'inflicted sickness' remains. We shall all be together...

You guys are a bunch of jokers.
After all the commotion created by cmlover, he has as usual gone on a hiding.
This thread is not for members to state the benefits derived from the forum, you may start a separate thread to state how one and everyone has benefited.
The bad mouthing done by cml will not be diluted by stating the benefits here !!!!!
As Sri Nageswaran mentioned, members should seriously protest against the trouble makers (specially if it is a mod)

[sureshvv]

Not a palatable joke.

Chalanata, No justification for playing with people's emotions. In your case, age does not seem to have brought vivekam with it.

[munirao2001]

Attending CM concerts, I was expecting SS- Satabhisheka and SAP - Shastiabdhipoorthi- rasikas only attending the Global Meet, but the young brigade, in majority, surprised me and it was very heartening. I am longing to see the same ratios in attendance of CM concerts, soon!

Nageshwaran and family, made it possible and their enthusiasm, rubbing on all the other participants. Sir, please fix the sum per member, excluding those who have already contributed, to at least fully cover the actual expenditure incurred for this Global Meet and we shall not fail in our duty - akin to donor passes.

Rajeshnat- I attended the meet coming from Benguluru.

The ABACUS CM - Lively and beautiful Srinidhi and Akella Sir combination, provided the real surprise package! Indeed the demonstration and performance is lesson for every student and teacher of CM, besides rasikas.

Lessons for the next/future meets:
1) Rasikas.org-Sangeethapriya.com and Mudhra should work together in planning and execution, including the resource management.
2) Youthful and experienced member, should conduct the proceedings, with time management skills, meeting successfully goals and objectives of the meet e.g.Smt.Radha Bhaskar
3) First session of the meet should only be the very brief introduction by all the members. Second session is group photograph of all the members, with guest musicians ( already present - but not awaited)
4) Performance(s) -hopefully, from many more SriNidhis.
5) Worthy issues, raised by members -not handled arbitrarily or dismissively, for a panel discussion.
6) Action plan with results in focus for all the members contribution in furthering the cause of CM
7) Responsible behavior and conduct, leaving aside urge for reliving the distasteful college ragging times! We, mature members do not need policing and capable of self restraint.
8) Achieve perfect harmony in relations with the musicians and pave the way for their active participation, as musicians and rasikas are inseparable and mutually dependent.
9) Shri Akella Sir and Smt Radha Bhaskar jointly devising and regularly conducting Carnatic Music Appreciation and Training course. One such course to be planned, as part of the Global Meet.
10) To work with Mudhra for very successful events, in all aspects, including the critical rasika participation.
11) To totally avoid nostalgia and self focused talks and discussions.

[Nick H]

Chalanata,that was naughty, not because of what you said, but because there may be those of whom it is true who do not say it. But still, I appreciate your intention.

Munirao, I exchanged very few words with you, but when I said "you post great things" I meant it very much.

Yes, we had a joyous meeting, and yes, there are lessons to be learnt for next time.

Comparing this year's meet with last, I would say that last year we had a more substantial point of focus, with the presentation of memories of MSS. I would recommend the organisers to work around a similar structure in the future.

It is, however, difficult to compare with last year, due to the substantially higher number of people present. It would only have taken each member to speak for three minutes to take up just about the whole time. Of course, many members do not wish to speak at all, and some wish only to take three seconds (and their contributions are no less appreciable for that!) but I feel we must, in introductions, keep a fixed limit (perhaps two minutes) and work to a clock to achieve this. The purpose is to meet each other, and to enjoy meeting each other, not to engage in hard discipline --- but there are just practical aspects, and time is the biggest.

Alternatively, we could just have a party, with free intermingling and no structure at all. It is a perfectly valid thing to do.

[venkatakailasam]

Rasikas.org-Sangeethapriya.com and Mudhra should work together

We have to go alone and should not tag with others as we will lose our identity and to avoid domination by other organisations.

Of course this is my personal view.

Shri.Chalanata- SAI has relieved me of my mental tension !!!

venkatakailasam

[arasi]

Chalanata,
With that strong sense of ' belonging here', many of us responded to your mail. Yes, we are all relieved that you are hale and healthy, though you used a drastic ploy to make us focus our attention away from the stormy scene, as Govindan points out. We cannot trivialize genuine health problems which a few of us have. Your intent is noble but it was a bit shocking!. Many of us were happy to be at the gathering (while others regretted not being there).
In the new year, good health and cheer to you and to all!

[chalanata]

Thanks Arasi,
I always knew how sensitive and affectionate you are; I am also beginning to know how affectionate and sensitive friends like Venkatakailasam Sir are.
Venkatakailasam Sir, Thanks for your prayers; I need them.

[kssr]

Munirao says
"11) To totally avoid nostalgia and self focused talks and discussions."

It is a very insightful point which never occured to any of us. Has the entire agenda not focussed on too much of past baggage being bragged about unconsciously. Of course the past experiences are of great value. But the purpose of meets like this should be to cherish the present and how to mutually help each other to make better musical experiences for all. Also look at future and how like minded rasikas can together (with the support of artists) bring about the type of concerts that they wish to have. It is very difficult to visualise what a group of such specialised interest can achieve by coming together. But personal chats by smaller groups within the group can definitely try out new experiments. The prabhatha sangeetham- early morning concert without pakkavadhyam is one example. It is being tried out in Bangalore in recent months. I am told that it has been done in Madras before. It is definitely a new dimention to our music. There could be many more subsets of a full kacheri that can be tried out to the delight of a few like minded (I keep repeating it, for obvious reasons) rasikas.

It is definitely a very good idea
"To totally avoid nostalgia and self focused talks and discussions"

[cmlover]

Fduddy
CML has not gone into any hiding but is only wrestling with his own health problem which is not a Fake or a Joke!

Now let me make it very clear that my being a ‘mod’ has nothing to do with my being a regular member of Rasikas.org just like you and others. I have as much right to express my personal opinions on issues and personalities like anyone (free speech) and am subject to moderation like any of you. Get this into your head though VK has mentioned this several times. Even the admin participates in discussions like any other member and the views expressed are personal. SR has misunderstood and has quit this Forum unfortunately. The views expressed by us are not pronouncements or sacrosanct.

Again if you have a personal problem discuss it with me in private instead of stalking me at the Forum and stirring up a riot. When have I moderated your open outpourings? In fact time and again we have stated that we deliver janitorial service (moving threads, renaming titles etc.,) as well as edit objectionable languages. If X does not like the music of MMI or VS should he not be at liberty to say so? Of course many may disagree but he is expressing a personal opinion. If we cannot permit personal opinions what happens to Freedom of Speech. Why should that Freedom be denied to the Mod or the Admin?

Now in this case Thimma made a statement to the effect of looking for foes in this friendly gathering of Rasikas. Naturally I commented on it as being ‘pungent’. He could have corrected himself or clarified rationally. But most of you turned a blind eye to his statement but pounced on me for observing and commenting on it. We both could discuss it in private and resolve it without all this commotion. Of course it was wrong on my part to drag your name into it; But you always jump in whenever there is a controversy involving my statements and I was taking ‘preventive bail’ If it has hurt your feelings I am sorry. You have written to Admin requesting him to ban me. Of course if I am not a mod do you think I am permitted to make those statements. What difference does it make? Why can’t you permit me the same freedom that you enjoy and exercise even when you criticize me for posts by myself as any other member? I can go on and on. If you want to discuss do email me and I am happy to argue with you. Or start a separate thread on ‘CML bashing’ so that those interested can join you. Use me as a ‘punching bag’ to let out your venom. I have used it with a number of my patients and it is an excellent cure for relieving pent up anger and mental tension. I don’t mind at all and it will not be moderated (not by me) as long as the language is acceptable. Make sure to start it in the Member’s Lounge however.

Good luck and a very happy New Year to you and to all our membership.

[fduddy]

Get this into your head though VK has mentioned

cml,
I sincerely suggest you mind your language.....

Of course it was wrong on my part to drag your name into it; But you always jump in whenever there is a controversy involving my statements and I was taking ‘preventive bail’

Funny indeed to cover up. If you notice properly I have not posted anything in this forum for quite sometime. You forced me to to and dragged me in unnecessarily when I was minding my business.

Mods, please delete my id from this forum asap.

Good bye!!

[sureshvv]

@CML:

Time and again Cool ji has indicated his desire to not deal with your comments on his post. May I suggest to you to simply ignore his posts, however "penchant" they may be? That way nobody gets hurt.

[Nick H]

We all have the freedom to ignore posts. It is not, and should not be, one-sided.

I very much wish that more of that had gone on this thread.

Please let us move on now. It is getting to be less like echoes across a valley and more like the repeating effect of eating over-rich food.

[srikant1987]

I'm getting tired of the increasing size of this thread -- and even more of the virtual stagnation everywhere else! I know Rajeshnat isn't able to post in more reviews until 24th, but still it'll be good if (like he's already suggested) we keep posting other stuff -- anything from how to get tattooed without hurting ourselves to how to make puli upma -- instead of posting something here!

[Pratyaksham Bala]

Mod:
Please lock this thread.

[cmlover]

Not yet!
Nageswaran will post the audio and video links soon...
Was there a Press coverage?

[Nick H]

I don't think so.

Although if they had known what was going to happen afterwards, they would probably have been all over us!

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

Before this thread is "locked" I would like to add an epitaph to the sordid exchanges:

Life is neither a TEMPEST nor a MIDSUMMER NIGHT's DREAM but it is a COMEDY OF ERRORS and so let there be no MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and take it AS YOU LIKE IT!!!!

[venkatakailasam]

Useless postings, gossiping, mutual acriminations , mutual compliments occupy most of the threads-not only this one-
Which once used to set example of how a discussion forum has to function-really sorry state of affairs!!
I wonder whether it is possible to restore it to the forum which it was once !! ;(

venkatakailasam

[smala]

mutual "acriminations" ??

recrimination is a word.

[munirao2001]

venkatakailasam
You said "We have to go alone and should not tag with others as we will lose our identity and to avoid domination by other organizations."
All the three entities are having common goal and objective of love for CM and its continuous growth. Without loosing out the identity but pooling the talents and resources, great developments can take place. The challenges are real and many. Too many organizations and not having enough skills and resources, are not adding much value. Idealization. action and the results are the need of the times. Mudhra doing good work and if they are supported, great things will happen.

[Nick H]

A merger results in loss or change of identity: working in co-operation with another organisation does not.

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Rasikas,

The Identity cards made for the first batch of the following Rasikas are available with me.

1.V.GOVINDAN.
2.V.K.VISWANATHAN.
3.ANANDASANGEETHAM.
4.C.RAMA.
5.RAJESH.
6.ARASI.

If I happen to see any of our Rasikas, I can give it to them.

I may attend Panthula Rama’s concert at Kasi Viswanathar Temple in West Mambalam from 07.00 pm onwards.

S.NAGESWARAN.
24.12.2010.

[gobilalitha]

Felt like reading a John Grisham novel . what language and sarcasm!!!gobilalitha.

[kssr]

I repeat. No answers so far.

First of all, congratulations on the successful meet. Needless to say it is due to the initiative and effort of Sri.Nageswaran, who has been ably assisted by several other rasikas. Incidentally I am curious to know how many rasikas actually turned up. As I can see from the thread, there were around 6-7 artists as well. Photographs are good. Thanks. I guess the group photo is only partial and there were many more in attendance. It will be nice to see their faces as well.

[venkatakailasam]

REG #371:

Sir,

How many organisations will join us with the situation prevailing at Rasikas. org today ?

What help can we render to Mudhra who are doing well today when we ourself need help from others? with bickering all round our site we may have to set ourselves in order before we can reach
out to others.
We are not equal to others as on date.

venkatakailasam

[S.NAGESWARAN]

Dear Rasikas,

After the successful completion of the Global Rasikas Meet 2010,I was one of the happiest persons and I am sure the same feeing must have permeated among all the Rasikas who attended the meet.

The reports about our meet by Sri Rajesh and others should have given a satisfaction to all the Global Rasikas who were not able to be personally present for the meet after reading the report.

I have large Number of musically inclined friends other than those in our group and it might be the same for all our Rasikas.

I wanted to tell my friends about our meet and request them to read through the reports in our thread.

Now I am not in a position to tell my friends after the acrimonious letter started by our cm lover and various comments from our Rasikas after the comments from our cm lover.

Even without our telling our friends, lot of people must have read all the reports In the thread.

I feel very much ashamed and dread any calls that may come to me enquiring about the fracas.

Many of the Rasikas have suggested in locking the thread.

My humble suggestion would be that the acrimonius letter starting from cm lover is deleted so that the Rasikas would be able to read the entire planning that were gone into making this Global Rasikas meet 2010 a success time and again in leisure.

But with the present set of moderators who have categorically stated that their function as moderators is limited to only janitorial services, it is unlikely that they will delete the objectionable letters.

I pray to GOD that better sense will prevail with the Admin and all our moderators In doing justice [Since majority of the Rasikas also feel the removal uncalled for adverse comments by cm lover] from this thread.

S.NAGESWARAN.
24.12.2010.

[vgovindan]

venkatakailasam,

Mudhra is funded by Nalli and MA. We know what kind of politics MA has gone thru.

If this forum enters into any such funding, it will no longer be a free forum but a mouth-piece.

We may have problems among ourselves, but there is freedom.

After his marriage reception, I conversed with srkris about funding for this forum. He said it is totally done by him and he was happy about it. I suggested to him that he might think of accepting contributions from members like us. He did not respond either way.

[cmlover]

madhu bindu kalahaM
Making a big issue of that and making 'dooms day' predictions
Rasikas org is hale and hearty and doing a splendid job.
Just visit the other organizations to savour the internal politics and bickerings.
Which one can boast a membership of over 5000 growing steadily...
Grass is lushy seen from the other shore.
They may be actually envying us for going good...and growing good..
Enjoy your participation and look forward to a brighter rosy New Year!

[cmlover]

Nageswaran at least be fair.
Thimma stating that he was checking for foes is a positive statement. To boot he made a reference to Arasi (our respected member) as harboring 'bitterness'.
I called it a 'pungent' comment. Till then everything was rosy with Rajesh giving a fine summary and others joining in chorus.
He has finally even commented on Srinidhi's concert as an exploitation of the little girl by many persons. Do you agree?
Why point the finger at CML while it was all started by Thimma.
Read the threads carefully before drawing any conclusions. Friendship should not lead to viewing the proceedings with jaundiced eyes. Do you think that Thimma is above reproach and he is one who can say whatever he likes and should not be questioned?
If so let the membership Crown him and there will be no more comments on his remarks.

[MaheshS]

CML - Yes, your rabbit has three legs. OK? For heaven's sake.

You *weren't* there. You didn't see *anything*. You are asking Sri Nageswaran to be fair? You be fair. Stop posting in threads you have nothing to *contribute*. All you are doing is stir up imaginary offense and making it completely off topic. Well done, you have achieved it. From a get together report now we have come to someone abusing Arasi and Srinidhi.

Well done indeedy. You should be proud.

[rajeshnat]

I repeat. No answers so far.
First of all, congratulations on the successful meet. Needless to say it is due to the initiative and effort of Sri.Nageswaran, who has been ably assisted by several other rasikas. Incidentally I am curious to know how many rasikas actually turned up. As I can see from the thread, there were around 6-7 artists as well. Photographs are good. Thanks. I guess the group photo is only partial and there were many more in attendance. It will be nice to see their faces as well.

Kssr
Possibly 80 of us turned out in total. That may have included a lot of family members of shri nAgeshwaran. Those who were in the group photo is all of those who stayed almost till 2 pm or so and then had lunch.

May be the count of rasikas is say about 30 + RT + 4 musicians, rest we dont know. When t this meet was going on ,at the same time there were continous 1 hour concerts of upcoming vidwan lined up one after another for almost entire day, so possibly those rasikas came too and stayed for few minutes.

[vs_manjunath]

Sri Nageswaran sir, Thank you very much for the ' Global Rasikas meet ' on 20/12/2010.

All the rasikas know too very well the immense efforts you & your family members & forum members who volunteered to make this meet a memorable one.

Please accept my sincere thanks.

Radel- Thank U very much for the CD. It's really a treasure for CM lovers. I have been enjoying various folders.
Special mention of Veena S Balachandar's raga elaborations. Memorable one indeed!

[cmlover]

Mahesh
I know you are fanatically attached to Thimma. That is fine with me.
Also you hate me all along. So I cannot accept anything objective from you.
Neither were you at the meet to accuse me of not knowing what happened.

I do have at least a feedback from one who attended that Thimma "has been posting stuff that is not in agreement with other's views etc. and so he felt of late he has 'foes'....

He also had misgivings about arasi.

Now balance the words used by him foes and bittterness against my usage of the word pungent ..
If you cannot be objective then keep quiet.

Now here is a direct quote from #317

To the rest of the membership ... I will leave a parting thought .
That girl who sang at the fest . Spare a thought for her . Did you get a feeling that many others are living out their lives through her . Are there dangers in pushing and promoting a child without its permission. Is that an issue that should be bothering you in some degree . Go ahead and mull over it .

Do you or anybody agree that this is complimentary for the little girl who sang ?
You accidentally said it when you stated

]From a get together report now we have come to someone abusing Arasi and Srinidhi.

If you want to justify without taking this space (and abusing me to your heart's content) do use my email! You will find that I can use the sarcastic language more effectively and am restraining myself to maintain the Forum etiquette...

I would like to hear from Nageswaran and other independant objective folks their views and a fair judgement.
At least there must be a few neutral folks fit to judge and I will accept them.

[srkris]

Dear members,

Sad to see that the forum needs more policing. I am locking this thread to prevent further melee.

There is no need to cross swords everytime we meet someone we dont want to talk with. One can remain silent.

It is not possible for a 5000 member group to all agree with one another, but we can remain civil.

The alternative is more threads may have to be locked. After a point in time, its hard to chastise anyone.

Hope everyone who could attend, enjoyed the event hosted by Sri Nageswaran.

Admin