The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : “Music an effective remedy to alleviate stress”

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Saturday, Dec 06, 2008
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“Music an effective remedy to alleviate stress”

Staff Reporter

Titles conferred on eminent artists

CHENNAI: The strains of the veena synchronised with the balmy December breeze wafting through the open doors of the Dakshinamurthy auditorium at P.S. High School, Mylapore, where Naadhabrahmam’s annual art festival was inaugurated on Friday. Naadhabrahmam is a monthly journal on music.

Commending Jayalakshmi Sekher’s veena performance, M.S. Sundara Rajan, CMD, Indian Bank, who presided over the function, said that at a time when century-old banks are collapsing, music proves to be an effective remedy to alleviate stress.

Mr. Sundara Rajan conferred the ‘Naada Kovida’ title on veteran musicologist S.R. Janakiraman. Professor Va.Ve.Su., felicitating Mr. Janakiraman, said that as appreciation fuels the art, those who help cultivate appreciation perform an important service. “S.R.J. is a walking-talking reference book,” he said.

The title ‘Nrithya Kovida’ was conferred upon Bharatanatyam exponent Vyjayantimala Bali. The evergreen Ms. Bali, who captured hearts at the age of sixteen with her performance in ‘Vaazhkai,’ is a role model for everyone, said Bharatanatyam exponent V.P. Dhananjayan. Recalling an incident, he said that during the finale of a performance on ‘Aandal Charitam,’ she had to hold a pose while another artiste worshipped her with the sacred fire.

As there was excess of camphor, the fire was intense, but “she wasn’t deterred a bit,” he said. People in the audience were taken aback, but she stood unfazed which reflected her commitment to the art, he said.

Carnatic vocalist Neyveli R. Santhanagopalan was conferred the ‘Naada Sevita’ title and Bharatanatyam exponent Meenakshi Chittaranjan was conferred the ‘Nrithya Sevita’ title.

The festival will be on till December 15.

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