Window to Kerala’s heritage
LALITHAA KRISHNAN
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The articles featuring illustrious local artistes and highlighting their achievements has a strong regional flavour that makes for both enjoyable and informative reading.
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Omanakutty
The Sangeeta Bharati society of Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, founded in 1995, is well known for its sustained activities in promoting and propagating music and classical arts. Among its aims are the revival of rare and lesser known compositions and m
usical forms, conducting workshops, lec-dems, concerts and music therapy. Under the able guidance of the general body headed by the president, Mithran Namboothiripad and the treasurer, M.P.Gopinathan Nair and at the initiative of the Director-Secretary, K. Omanakutty, the society’s latest achievement is the publication of a multilingual (Malayalam, Hindi and English) music journal ‘Swathi Kokilam.’
‘This is one of the first quarterly publications in Kerala devoted exclusively to music and allied arts,’ says vidushi K. Omanakutty (omanakutty_k@yahoo. co.in). Surely, in a land resonating with the rhythms and melody of unique art forms, hasn’t it been a long wait?
Centred interest
“Even though there are many composers and artistes, their interest is centred on actual performance. A journalistic mind has not so far been cultivated. That is the reason why no music journal has come out. This impelled me to start one.”
Chairman of the Board of Studies for Music in various universities and former Head of the Department of Music, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, K. Omanakutty’s distinguished career as performer, scholar and teacher has prompted a flood of moral and financial support from her guru, friends, well-wishers, students such as eminent playback artiste K.S.Chitra and members of the royal family of Travancore.
“My husband Gopinathan Nair, an accomplished musician, is a pillar of support and S. Velayudhan Nair who is my guru and programme coordinator of Sangeeta Bharati has done major work in compiling content,” says Omanakutty. The cover of the first issue released in April 2007 sports a portrait of Maharaja Swathi Tirunal and is dedicated to the memory of the late Malabar Gopalan Nair, veteran vocalist and harmonium artiste, and father of K. Omanakutty.
Encouraging response
The initial response has been very encouraging with artistes from all walks of life expressing appreciation. The articles featuring illustrious local artistes and highlighting their achievements has a strong regional flavour that makes for both enjoyable and informative reading.
These are of special interest to rasikas who are not acquainted with the State’s rich musical and literary heritage.
The interview with mridangam vidwan Mavelikkara K. Velukutty Nair is enlivened by interesting anecdotes, insight into playing and teaching techniques and reminiscences about concert experiences. Abraditha Bannerjee’s article on ‘Hindusthani tala paddhathi’ provides valuable information for laya enthusiasts. Many others like ‘Hidden Powers of Music’ by B. Arundhati, ‘Yoga and Music’ by B. Kumari Valsala and ‘Music Therapy’ by K. Omanakutty focus on the healing power of music. ‘Formulating music therapy is one of our objectives.
Preliminary work is on in full swing to establish a Department of Music Therapy in the Pankaja Kasthuri Ayurveda Medical College, Kattakada, Thiruvananthapuram, under the supervision of skilled doctors and musicians. A diploma course for music therapists is also on the cards.
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