Nagaswaram Artist - Plight for Pension of Rs. 1000/- pm

[vgovindan]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 671164.cms

[msakella]

When our so called Gurus are very conveniently squeezing the invaluable time, energy and money from the poor aspirants learning music for many years in the name of their Gurukulas very simply singing a number of items and making the aspirants also sing along with them but without giving them the much needed ingredients of our music to proceed further in their life quickly and efficiently what is wrong with a VAO in not delivering his/her duty and in demanding bribe from a Nadaswaram artist in getting his legitimate pension? All our Governments are properly training their employees in doing such unethical deeds only. Is any musician ready to discuss this? I don’t think. amsharma

[VK RAMAN]

With a population of 1.2 billion, and wide disparity in the distribution of wealth, no wonder people on religious/cm and other art profession are on the verge of poverty with the exception of a few fortunate. Very few are interested in traditions and customs unless one can explain scientifically. Why should we use such profession if we can get away by playing a CD to create an ambiance. In fact such arts are migrating to foreign countries including USA not to mention Singapore, malaysia, UK and Canada. Recently I saw a news letter from Lemont Temple that they are bringing in a group to play nadaswaram during abhishekam and arathi, etc.

[Rsachi]

Caution: every old age pensioner has such problems. Ask old people and they will tell their sordid stories.
Their children don't also help in their cause, instead go on Facebook to complain. In this context someone (actually Violinist Kumaresh) had shared a story of how an old lady got her problem addressed directly from the Central Govt office by the intervention of the concerned minister who said Modi had made it a priority to dispose off old age and family pension applications.

[msakella]

In respect of few suffering people the Prime Minister Modi must have intervened and tried to solve this problem up to some extent at the least. But, as unethical qualities like lethargy, ignorance, carelessness, fearlessness etc., etc.,are gone into the root level of all the Govt. employees in our great country, how many of them are fulfilling their duties or responsibilities? Almost none nowadays.

That is ok. But what about our music-cheaters? Being in this music-teaching field since last more than 60 years I very well know than any other teacher all their deceits and the harm these billions of cheaters have been doing to the aspirants all over the globe. To whom these victims could complain and get relief? Nobody even comes out for any discussion. These teachers themselves must change and do the needful. Almost each and every music-teacher has successfully been cheating the aspirants in one way or the other but poses as if he/she is the saviour of music. amsharma

[vgovindan]

Nagaswaram, considered next only to voice, is a neglected art. From what I understand, Nagaswaram originated in Tamil Nadu - repository of music. That it should also die out here, right in front of our eyes, is very distressing. I Highlighted the plight of the artist as an indicator of the prevailing conditions - nothing to do with corruption - and in order to pinch our conscience as rasikas so that we could do something before the art totally vanishes from the scene.

There was earlier a discussion on the subject of Tambura artists also. (பழையன கழிதலும் புதியன புகுதலும்) 'dying out of old and ushering in of new' is a way of life - no doubt. But when it - dying out - takes place in front of one's eyes, it becomes a matter of more than regret - something akin to failure on the part of onlookers.

I pinched myself to ask what I can do before advising others - I got only a blank look - is that all? That is a question addressed to myself.

[VK RAMAN]

Nadaswara Vidwans and their paltry pension is the topic. My answer is yEzhu KaDal kadanthu dravyam kondu vaa is the answer.

[Ramasubramanian M.K]

The Hindu Temple(Lord Ganesha) in Flushing New York invites Nagaswaram Artistes from India/Canada for the annual Ganesh Chathurthi Festival(9 days) in September every year-this is an expensive proposition for the temple because unlike other artistes who tour the US these Nadaswaram artistes do not have the same opportunity.

While we at the Forum are very sympathetic to these "lost causes" and do our bit in helping artistes,this cannot be a permanent long-lasting solution. If the Nadaswaram artistes are attached to temples then I suppose the Temple devasthanams should take care of them.

A suggestion: I see the Nalli trust and Obul Reddy trusts in Chennai sponsoring concerts and festivals in Chennai(and perhaps in other cities I do not know..They could be approached to "spearhead" a movement duly supported by Music Institutions like MA,KGS,NGS etc and also enlist the Govt support--if this initiative is undertaken we the Rasikas could "pitch in" as well!!--the scheme should be not only for Nadaswaram artistes but also for other artistes as well who may need help.

[cacm]

S.Kasim & S.Babu (Grand sons of Sheikh) WHO ARE RUNNING THE Dr. Sheikh Chinna Moulana Sahib Trust ( I am a V.P.too) are giving a thousand rupee award to indigent nadaswaram-thavil artists every year & distribute free nadaswarams to young students EVERY YEAR. A few years back I was shocked to meet that year's receipent Sri. Venkatesan who was famous for his Thavil rendering in the well known movie Thillana Mohanambal (with Sivaji Ganesan) & had toured N.A. WITH SHEIKH himself the FIRST EVER NADASWARAM GROUP TO TOUR N.A. & PERFORMED THREE TIMES IN A SINGLE DAY: Sandiego-San fransisco-L.A.).......
It is a SHAME that this AWFUL SITUATION EXISTS.The well known Nadaswaram Vidwan Sheikh Chinna Moulana had moved to South India at the peak of his fame from Andhra ( Karavadi famous for the Nadaswaram tradition continuous in his family for over 200 years) to LEARN from TNR( HIS SCHOOL) & HE PRIZED THE TNR AWARD HE RECEIVED MORE THAN THE S.K. Kasim & Babu I NOTICE visit N.A. EVERY YEAR & PERFORM LOTS OF CONCERTS & OTHER ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH NADASWARAM but if they perform once a year in CHENNAI (Sabha Concert) its a MAXIMUM. They are Asthana Vidwans in Tirupathi & in addition perform in places in South India where GOOD TASTE STILL EXISTS they perform MORE outside than in India.
The only answer is Gandhian technique of REFUSING TO BUY A TICKET to attend Concerts in MADRAS SABHAS( I am from Madras myself) & I go to these ONCE "hallowed" places only if an Artist TAKES ME HIMSELF.
N.A. is at least doing something. SHAME ON ALL THE OFFICE BEARERS WHO claim to be experts & arbitrators of our culture & music. I have to conclude they are selfish persons claiming to be experts etc..... An American BILL. SKELTON as a Professor in COLGATE has DONE MORE THAN ALL ORGANISATIONS IN MADRAS COMBINED.....NO WONDER CM IS a no show in N.A. EXCEPT AMONG SOUTH INDIANS & A FEW PROFESSORS& MUSICIANS....VERY SAD & DEEPLY HURTING....VKV

[ajit]

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburgh has been getting one Nadhaswaram and Thavil artiste for 6 months every year - June to December over the last 10 years. They stay there for 6 months and return to India during winter. One batch of artistes go twice. The challenge here is to find good artistes who are not well known.

ajit