Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

AIR pays tribute to a living legend

— Photo: R.M. RAJARATHINAM

VINTAGE TREAT: G. Jayalal, Deputy Director-General of AIR, Southern Region, handing over a CD to A.K.C. Natarajan, clarinet maestro, in Tiruchi on Saturday.

TIRUCHI: Speakers at a function organised by the Tiruchi Station of All India Radio to mark the release of two compact discs on concerts by noted Carnatic musician D.K. Pattammal recalled her great contribution to the development and popularisation of the genre. They also gave a detailed account of her unique style in handling ‘ragas’ with perfection in rhythm and precision in beats.

Deputy Director-General of AIR G. Jayalal, who released the compact discs, each containing six components in the form of ‘kirtan’ or ‘bhajan,’ said the recitals were selected from Ms. Pattammal’s concerts recorded about four decades ago. The discs contained select and popular ‘kirtans’ of her performances to suit the needs of a large number of listeners. AIR would bring more CDs on her performances, based on the demand from the music lovers and listeners. AIR had planned to bring out CDs of artistes and musicians in the prime of their career.

A special discount of 30 per cent would be offered for a week’s time on the two discs.

Clarinet maestro A.K.C. Natarajan, who received the CDs, described Ms. Pattammal as a great musician. He went down the memory lane to recall his association with Ms. Pattammal for the last six decades and her in-depth knowledge in music.

Deputy Director (Music), AIR, New Delhi, K. Vageesh, specificially referred to the inclusion of the ‘Ragam, thanam, pallavi’ in the CDs — an area where Ms. Pattammal had proved her mastery and ability at a time when it was meant to be an exclusive domain of male singers. The ‘kirtans’ included four composed by Sadguru Thiyagaraja, two by Muthuswamy Dikshitar, besides those by Shyama Sastrigal and bhajans.

Principal of Bishop Heber College M. Marcus Diepen Boominathan was among those who spoke.

The release of the CD formed part of the Spring Festival (Vasanthothsavam) a regional folk and music festival being organised in 10 centres in the country.

The ‘kirtans’ and songs in the CDs included, among other things, ‘Vidulaku,’ ‘Sujana jeevana’ and ‘Paaramugam Eanaiya.’

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