The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Unique calendar on Carnatic music

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 05, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Unique calendar on Carnatic music

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mastering Carnatic music involves a complex learning process. For the layman, even appreciation of this classical style of music requires a certain level of familiarisation with the concepts of `sruthi' (pitch), `raga,' `tala' and concert format. This puts off most people.

A ready reckoner on Carnatic music would be a boon for such music lovers. Realising this need, the Chennai-based Skanda Publications run by publisher B.A.Suresh and his wife Vidya Bhavani Suresh, who is also a Bharatanatyam dancer, has brought out a unique calendar on Carnatic music.

On one side, the calendar features a poster-like design and styling in multi-colour to appeal to the young and old alike. On the reverse side, it carries a detailed text on Carnatic music, elaborating the learning process and explaining various concepts.

"First, it breaks the formal feeling of a book and yet gives all the information needed; secondly, it is always on the wall. One has to just turn the calendar to re-check and point or seek a clarification," explains Mr. Suresh.

The husband and wife team has already brought out 26 user-friendly books on Indian classical dance and music. "Our aim is to take performing arts beyond the limited realm of performers, critics and the so-called connoisseurs to the general public. The calendar fulfils this objective," Mr. Suresh adds.

Both Mr. Suresh and his wife quit corporate jobs six years ago to start their own venture on popularising art.

The calendar was formally released by handing over a copy to Maharashtra Governor S.M. Krishna.

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