MUSIC MATTERS
Gate collections
For the past four years, Sruthilaya Kendra has been doing immense service to aged musicians by handing over each day's gate collection to a senior vidwan during the season. In the midst of his busy schedule, Guru Karaikkudi Mani, who conceived of this idea, is busy finding deserving veterans to collect the purse each day. He hopes other organisations follow suit.
A makeover
Sanjay Subramanian turns trendy this season. An aged couple were heard arguing "this cannot be Sanjay" and were convinced only after they heard him sing. While the `Anniyan' hairstyle reminded one of Mahendra Dhoni, the big moustache resembled that of former Australian pacer Merv Hughes. With an unkempt French beard, he looked casually dishevelled. . In contrast, Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Melakaveri Balaji, S. Karthick and B. Kannan appeared in the traditional panchakachcham.
Note that
Some serious rasikas carry scribbling pads and make notes during concerts. Perhaps, there is a message here for sponsors and advertisers. A possible idea could be to create and distribute a pamphlet-sized product that contains details of the concerts during the season printed in a neat tabular form and provides space for scribbling. Is anyone listening?
TV's vision
While AIR has its tradition of recording records concerts in full and often runs hour-long broadcasts, the role of television leaves a lot to be desired. Cricket matches are routinely telecast live but there is no channel dedicated for the live relay of concerts. Sponsorship may be a problem. But are there any generous NRIs listening?
Noise factor
One sometimes wonders whether it is not a feat to perform amidst the noise that assails the artiste from all sides — car horns honking, loudspeakers blaring and so on.
The other day, while T. N. Seshagopalan was delving into the nuances of Keeravani in thristhayi at Bharat Kalachar, three children were playing Jungle Jim on the casuarina barricades erected there, totally oblivious to the Raga Yagna going on in the hall. A car reversed, relentlessly playing the Aircel theme thus adding to the din. The audience, especially those in the back rows, protested. But Seshagopalan continued undeterred.
(Contributed by V. Balasubramanian and S. Sivakumar)
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