Treasure house in trouble
PRADEEP CHAKRAVARTHY
|
archives Sampradaya, a rich repository of Carnatic music, is on the verge of folding up.
|
It holds a unique place, and is open to everyone. — Lalgudi Jayaraman
Music lover's haven: Sampradhaya Photo: V. Ganesan.
A hot Sunday in summer is hardly the time one should be wandering around Chennai but the discomfort vanished as I entered the old bungalow on Musiri Subramaniam Road to meet the staff of Sampradaya, an organisation dedicated to document and archive musical material, particularly Carnatic music. But the institution may have to close down without substantial funding and Government intervention, perhaps in the form of a grant.
Started in 1980, Sampradaya is a rich repository of more than 5,000 hours of Carnatic music. The old masters are there and so are the popular stars of today. A smaller collection of personal memorabilia makes for fascinating reading, Ariyakkudi's notebook and Sathur Subramaniam's meticulous recording of his concerts detailing all his concerts and even the payments he had received.
The institution boasts of several rare books on music. This was apart from collection of rare interview recordings of musicians. Sampradaya was the brainchild of Ludwig Pesch who lives in Amsterdam now and is an occasional visitor to Chennai and the late Michael Nixon. They were inspired by the ``musical integrity and genuine affection," of their gurus H. Ramachandra Shastry and Mrs. Savithri Rajan. Pesch's praise of their generous sharing of knowledge gains significance in the context that we don't have a long line of recording the music but only imparting them orally.
Much of this institution's funding came from a grant from the Ford Foundation. With it ceasing, the institution has been supported by well-wishers in several small ways, either by offering services free of charge or permitting a discounted rent. The organisation has added on to its life members and has benefited from the support of several people in conducting useful and well-researched programmes such as lec-dems and classes on the various banis.
Now what do rasikas think of Sampradaya? The archival material — both the music and the books — is of great value to students, not just in Madras but all over the south. Practising musicians too have the benefit of listening — in calm and tranquil surroundings — to the recordings of old masters and thereby hone their technique. Lalgudi G. Jayaraman says, ``Sampradaya holds a unique place, as it is very rare to find an institution of its kind which has a library open to one and all and where several seminars and concerts are conducted as well." Dancer V. P. Dhananjayan hails it as a ``national treasure," and younger musicians also speak highly of its role in helping them and rasikas.
Nithyashree is an active member and says the real advantage is that it is in the heart of Madras and even if she has a doubt on the style/sahitya she can quickly go there and check on the recordings." Malathi R praises the excellent selection of documents — some rare and not available in other libraries.
Many have been unhappy with Sampradaya not allowing members to record copies of the collection or issue commercial copies. This is because it is primarily an archival centre and several donors specifically request this not be done.
Books are not lent since many are in a fragile condition and may not be available elsewhere. The photocopying charge is slightly on the higher side but that's more because of the lack of the facility within Samparadaya and in any case the value of the material copied is incalculable.
Here is a break-up of monthly expenses: Rs. 10,000 rent (fortunately the landlord has not increased it at all and has in fact given a small discount), Rs. 15,000 salary (staff have gone on volountary paycuts and current salaries cover transport costs) electricity and phone Rs. 4,000-5,000 (it is commercial charge and not the one the Government gives for educational institutions) all adding up to Rs. 30,000 a month. But with just Rs. 4 lakhs in the bank the institution can pull on for a year. Those who wish to help may dial 24993359. Meanwhile the institution hopes that the Government will extend help in a big way.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
