CHENNAI: It was an occasion for a twin celebration for Samudhra, a monthly magazine dedicated to fine arts, on Sunday. Samudhra celebrated its fourth anniversary and commemorated the contribution of musicologists and music critics by instituting the `Gnana Samudhra' award.

The celebration stood apart as subscribers and stalwarts in fine arts joined the celebrations. Samudhra has brought out 49 issues since its inception featuring eminent personalities in fine arts and educating rasikas on the nuances of music and dance.

S.A.K. Durga, eminent ethnomusicologist, was the first recipient of the `Gnana Samudhra' award in recognition of her profound knowledge of music and dedicated service to ethnomusicology, the study of music in a cultural context.

Presenting the award that comprised a citation and silver medallion, Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, industrialist and patron of `Samudhra', lauded Ms. Durga for her contribution to the field of musicology. Mr. Chetti also released the music planner-cum-directory for the year 2007 and veteran musician Madurai Sri T.N. Seshagopalan received the first copy.

Describing it befitting to chose Ms. Durga as the first awardee, A. Natarajan, former director of Chennai Doordarshan, said she was both a musicologist and musician well-versed in carnatic and hindustani music. He also appreciated the concept of the music planner that listed the musicians, their addresses and contact details.

He later released Samudhra's anniversary issue by handing over the first copy to V.A.K. Ranga Rao, a film history expert.

Mr. Rao said Ms. Durga conveyed her profound understanding of music in a logical manner to the public through her lectures and books. Commending the efforts of Samudhra, Mr. Seshagopalan said the music planner had fulfilled the want of a consolidated data of music and performers.

Accepting the award, Ms. Durga said said a musicologist can excel in the field only with the practical knowledge of music and added that only an analytical approach to music would help promote musicology and not mere descriptive writing.

Mudhra Bhaskar, associate editor of Samudhra, explained the features of the music planner, which included data about musicians, drama artistes and music websites. Priced at Rs.130, it is available at the Samudhra office and music shops.

Earlier, subscribers put forth numerous suggestions for the growth of the magazine in an interactive session with Radha Bhaskar, editor of Samudhra. For details, contact Samudhra at old no.118/A, Ramanaicken Street, Nungambakkam. Ph: 28264493/9840072821.

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