TAMIL
A critique on Carnatic music
H. RAMAKRISHNAN
SANGEETHA MANAM KAMAZHUM KADHAMBA MAALAI: Neelam; copies can be had from N Krishnan, 8, Circular Road, United India Colony, Kodambakkam, Chennai-600024. Rs. 50.
THE GOLDEN age of Carnatic music was witness to a few great music critics as well. Among them is S. Neelamegam, better known as ‘Neelam’. His very name evokes esteem and admiration, for he wrote without fear or favour. Readers knew that his critiques were fair.
Neelam had the rare privilege of moving closely with stalwarts like Ariyakkudi and Semmangudi. He persuaded them to write down notations for several compositions and published them in the weekly edition of Swadesamitran of which he was the editor. If Ariyakkudi tuned the hymns of ‘Thiruppavai’ and the ‘Ramanataka’ compositions of Arunachalakkavirayar, the credit should go to Neelam’s persistence. Naturally he considers this the most sacred of his contributions. He describes Ariyakkudi as an irreplaceable icon. According to him, the Nadaswaram maestro Namagirippettai Krishnan ruled ‘Naadagiripettai’ (the world of Naadha)!
This book, which is a result of the resolute pains taken by journalist ‘Seeli’, is essentially a compilation of several reviews of Neelam. They reveal his discerning values and burning passion for music. There is some very significant material to be discovered in this publication, especially about the aesthetic traditions of Carnatic music and the genius of its great performers.
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