In memory of a musician
RAJASREE WARRIER
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Colleagues, friends and students paid rich tributes to Neyyattinkara Mohanachandran.
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GURUVANDANA: Ananda Varma on the violin. PHOTO: S. MAHINSHA
The Department of Music paid homage to scholar and teacher Neyyattinkara Mohanachandran, who passed away recently. The function was organised by B. Pushpa, reader of the Department and other members of the faculty. Incidentally, the function fell on the 41st day of his demise.
Professor Gopalaraman, secretary of Chembai Memmorial Trust spoke about the artiste with whom he shared a warm relationship. "Mohanachandran's expertise in handling rare or apoorva ragas was commendable. Now, there is a vacuum," he said. Mridangist Mavelikkara Velukkutty Nair's speech focussed on the multifaceted personality of musicologist.
The accomplished percussionist remembered his first concert with the musician, way back in 1960.
"It was he who taught me the kriti `Doraguna' in raga Bilahari. At the music academy, where we were colleagues, we used to spend time together after classes," he recalled. Besides being a musician par excellence, Mohanachandran was noted for his linguistic capabilities. He understood the meaning of the sahitya, which lent an emotional quality to his music. His pristine music was an extension of his character.
Veteran Carnatic singer Neyyattinkara Vasudevan was eloquent while describing the magnanimity of his dear classmate and friend.
"In Kerala, there is none parallel to him in musical knowledge," he said. Pointing to music director M. Jayachandran, a student of Mohanachandran, he said that his technical finesse vouched for his teacher's teaching skills. Dr. Pushpa, Professor Padma, Ananda Varma and Jayachandran, students of the maestro, also spoke. "Not many people know about his non-musical ventures. He was a good mechanic and was trained in the Karate. It was he who strengthened my manodharma sangita. However he never got the due recognition he deserved," said Anand Varma.
The function was followed by a vocal recital by M. Jayachandran and a violin concert by Ananda Varma. A befitting tribute to a Guru who still lives in the minds of his students and true music lovers.
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