Kerala - Thrissur   

A ‘Ragamalika' of religions

Angelic music:Linnet Antony, a Catholic nun, breaks religious barriers with her music.

Thrissur: A Catholic nun, on Saturday, held classical music lovers here in thrall as she rendered several Christian and Hindu devotional songs set in Carnatic ragas.

The two-hour concert by 31-year-old Linnet Antony, a member of the Congregation of Society of Christhu Dasis, was appreciated by music lovers cutting across religious lines.

Paul Poovathingal, known as ‘singing priest' and teacher of Sr. Antony, said this was a rare cultural event as it was perhaps the first time that a Catholic nun was conducting a full-fledged Carnatic concert.

She rendered Hindu as well as Christan ‘kirthanas' (devotional songs).

It was a desire expressed by the congregation's founder, Archbishop Emeritus Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhy, that a nun learn Carnatic music that spurred her to attain proficiency in music. She obtained a senior certificate from S.R.V. Music School here in the first place in 2004 and later became a graduate in music from the University of Madras. Linnet, hailing from Peravur in Kannur district, joined the convent in 1997 and took her first vow in 2001. Her rendering of ‘Saroja dala netri' in the raga Sankarabharanam was greatly appreciated by the audience.

“Music is divine and transcends religion or caste barriers as it is meant to ennoble the human mind,” she told PTI.

Sr. Antony, who also plays the violin, said if the congregation granted permission, she would go for higher studies in music. — PTI

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