A Special Concert . . . by Smt. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam

[HR]

"The power of music to integrate and cure. . . is fundamental. It is the most profound nonchemical medication." - Oliver Sacks, Awakenings
It was a special concert, and that which made a difference: an open air space in the school frontage doubling up as an auditorium; young, enthusiastic faces at the audience clapping along and communicating through the music, smiling and singing along with the artist, and excitedly waiting for the next song - these and more happened at Dr.Smt. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam's concert for the V-excel educational trust, on Friday, the 21st of October 2011.

A non-profit organization based in Mandeveli, Chennai, V-Excel Trust was founded in 2001 and offers educational programs designed for children with special needs and developmental difficulties. Through hands-on activities, state-of-the-art teaching strategies, therapies and assessments, the school aims to make a difference in empowering these children for their future.

Sushravya, a cultural initiative of V-Excel Educational Trust and Sumanasa Trust, hosts classical musical concerts by renowned musicians every month at the school campus. Smt. Vijayalskhmy Subramaniam was accompanied by Sri. V.V.S.Murari on the violin and Delhi Sri Sairam on the Mridangam. The song list was chosen with care, keeping in mind, the sensitivity the kids have to sounds, while also ensuring the songs were fast-paced and included popular ones that the kids would recognize – like Maha Ganapathim and Subramania Bharathi’s Chinnanjiru Kiliye. The children enthusiastically clapped and tried to keep rhythm with the singing. When Smt. Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam interacted with the children during the concert and asked if they would like to sing along, the kids were more than happy and willing to. The artist sang a simple bhajan and the children thoroughly enjoyed repeating the verses in two speeds. Sushravya has become a hugely popular and successful endeavour and is an experience which the children enjoy as they develop listening and social skills through these music concerts, besides therapeutically being touched by the music. It is a challenge for kids with certain special needs to focus their attention on a particular activity for an extended period of time, sit down without being disturbed or distracted, listen to sounds and respond to the sounds by clapping or singing along, and be able to enjoy the activity – and it was awesome to see the children do all of these and more in rapt attention during this concert that was particularly engaging for the children.

“Music is all encompassing. It knows no boundaries”. All of us experienced this magical phenomenon when we saw the children truly enjoy the music that afternoon.

[rshankar]

A very special concert indeed! Thank you for sharing!

[satyabalu]

*This is indeed a nice mission she has taken upon herself for "social &cultural outreach " through MUSIC while even most of the internationally renowned Orgns/NGOs are striving hard nowadays to make it work.I think this is the third such occasion I came to know of (one @park Sheraton,Vishranthi&now this one)such events conducted in quick succession.

[HR]

Dear Rasikas - Here are a few photographs taken at the concert ...

Concert in progress . . .



The young audience . . .

[Sundarnrao]

Dear HR – My ennoble plaudits to you for disserting a sedulously dexterous editorial. You laid out an array of superb perspectives in the article and I fully agree with your thoughts.

Your impeccably impressive interpretations insured the supreme balance of insightful, informational, illuminative, illustrative, introspective, intellectual, interactive, interesting and inspiring views to connect the cause, carnatic, cures and children through an unparalleled out-of-box dimensions.

As always, my humblest salutation to smt.VS – Amidst her hectic concert-schedules, Smt.VS has been the conscientious trendsetter on all the musical outreach initiatives. The photograph strongly reveals the visualization of cheers, charm, comfort, cloud-nine, and celestial clasp in children. I’m able to relate the refreshing memoirs of smt. VS’s recent concert at RKM Vivekananda college where she kept her presentation-structure simple to enlighten the children soulfully. I still feel the lingering echo of instant ovations from all the children reflecting the gratitude for Smt.VS after every song /after every improvisational-cycles..

As you beautifully pointed-out, Smt. VS is extremely adept in balancing her presentation-structure based on the audience and ambiance to align towards delivering best musical values in any/every setting.

I also fully concur with Satyabalu Sir’s fond recall on smt.VS's prior noble initiatives through musical-outreach this year.

I’m sure concerts of this tall order will build a great platform for millennial kids to preserve, protect and promote all our great heritage & culture including music.

Looking forward to more such thoughtful artifacts from you.

[mahavishnu]

I think Smt VS's needs to be applauded for efforts in performing to diverse audiences.

And Sundarnrao, a thesaurus is a good reference, but the words in there are merely suggestive. We don't have to use all of them at once

[bilahari]

It's heartwarming to read about concerts like these. Kudos to Smt VS and her team!

[satyabalu]

"I also fully concur with Satyabalu Sir’s fond recall on smt.VS's prior noble initiatives through musical-outreach this year."
RKM Vivekananda prog I forgot to mention. Thanks Sundar for reminding!

[arasi]

She's a lady after my own heart!
Pity, I can't see the picture of the kids.

Mahavishnu,
My very thoughts. I was going to say, hide that thesaurus and don't even think about it. Your writing is fine otherwise...

[HR]

Arasi - I am able to see both the pictures. Please let me know if you have any issues in viewing the pic - can try uploading a lighter version.

[vijisubra]

Thank you, everyone. It has been a heartwarming experience
I do look forward to meeting many of you during my season concerts.
(Sorry, I had to reset my account.... for the nth time!)

[arasi]

Good to hear from you. Have a happy season!
Will listen to you soon!