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Homage to a music director

It is planned as a musical programme with a difference - to pay homage to a music director who has composed unforgettable Malayalam tunes and to nurture an audience of music lovers which loves vintage songs.

`Raghava Sangeetham' is an initiative by a group of musicians and singers headed by K. Vishwanathan to render songs tuned by music director K. Raghavan, who lives at Thalassery.

The music programme, to be held at 150 places within and outside the State, was formally launched recently on the premises of Sree Kurumba Temple at Parakkal in Mahe, with which Mr. Raghavan's family has been traditionally associated.

The first programme struck an emotional chord with the audience. A Malayali can hardly fail to be moved by `Nalikerathinte nattilenikkoru...', `Shyamasundarapushpame...', `Engine nee marakkum kuyile...' and `Annu nammal kandathilpinne,' immortal melodies of Raghavan Master, as he is popularly known.

"Our programme is to sing melodious songs tuned by Raghavan Master in a way that will help people understand our musical heritage," says Mr. Vishwanathan, a native of Thalassery, who runs Kerala Kalabhavan and Vayalar Smaraka Samskarika Samithi in Vadakara.

The 10-member troupe he leads will present the songs of Raghavan Master in concert mode, accompanied by tabla and harmonium.

Raghava Sangeetham is meant to be a programme that is different from ganamelas which often tend to become musical `anarchy,' says Mr. Vishwanathan.

He zeroed in on Raghavan Master for the music director is among the prominent personalities who have enriched the Malayali's sense of music and culture with a touch of melody and folk music.

It was Raghavan Master who introduced folk tunes in songs such as `Ellarum Chollanu...', `Kayalarikathu valakilukkana...' and `Kuyiline thedi kuyiline thedi.... '

"Malayalis are familiar with Raghavan Master's songs, but his contributions to Malayalam music have not been properly recognised," says Mr. Vishwanathan.

He is thrilled by the response of the audience which had gathered on the temple premises.

Vishwanathan has participated in nearly 5,000 programmes, singing vintage songs and folk tunes.

He has rendered songs of Vayalar, P. Bhaskaran and O.N.V. Kurup without the accompaniment of electronic instruments.

Mohamed Nazeer

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