Veena in focus
In a curious coincidence of timing, a three-day musical meet in Chennai amid the recent torrential rains, echoed a current global concern. In mid-October, the United Nations Educational Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris was busy fine-tuning the Convention to preserve the world's cultural diversity from homogenising influences.
Here in Chennai, later in the month, the Veena Foundation, in collaboration with Karnataka Sangeetha Sabha (New Delhi), Narada Gana Sabha, Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha and Mudhra held the first ever National Veena Festival. V. Raghurama Iyer, secretary-general of the Foundation, with the support of local artistes spared no effort to make the event a success.
Who could have imagined that the veena could be Carnatic music's vital link to intervene in the debate! The connection is indeed appropriate, since the veena is, if you like, has become an endangered species. The Convention for the protection and promotion of cultural diversity which nearly 148 countries agreed seeks to protect forms of cultural expression which face the threat of decline or extinction just because they are not commercially attractive propositions. in the name of preserving culture.
The issues that engaged the vidvans and vidushis assembled at the Vani Mahal were undoubtedly closer to some of these concerns. In particular, the question of enhancing patronage for the veena which enjoyed a pride of place. The mission well begun in Chennai could snowball into a major global effort. The proposed international conference on the veena to be held in Delhi in January could be the first among the many big steps.
GARIMELLA SUBRAMANIAM
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
