MY FESTIVAL
Of paandityam and popularity
Aruna Sairam
Two persons travelling on a scooter tapped my car window at a traffic signal. When I wound down the window, they said: "Aruna, we are so happy you have settled in Chennai. Please give us more of your abhangs."
The affection one gets from fans is ten-fold during the season. It's such a delight, I can go miles to satisfy such genuine requests.
A staggering 3,000 programmes take place from the end of November to the second week of January in sabhas, I'm told. That's something awesome for any city.
Vocal, instrumental, dance, drama, lec-dems, discourses, harikatha ... one should be lucky to experience such cultural festivity.
I doubt if there is any parallel to this. Of course the volume of activity in Avignon at France is widened with a variety-driven larger cultural perspective but in terms of a conglomeration, we surely have the penchant to open up more and more every year.
Every concert poses a different challenge. So the bottom line is, give the best.
And the bar of expectation is raised every year, so we have to give `something more.'
It's important to select songs according to the type of auditorium, but it is also crucial to realise that during the season you are being observed for two core aspects — your paandityam in RTP and swaras, and ability to entertain the not-so-serious with janaranjakam pieces.
And to get a sabhash from the knowledgeable audience is no mean task!
This is when I think of my guru T. Brinda who trained me in kutcheri patantharam, and my mother Rajalakshmi Sethuraman who initiated me into bhakti music.
If I have a spate of requests for abhangs today, it is because my mother used to sing them every day at home.
We have extended four-hour concerts in the U.S., and offer two-hour sessions for European audiences.
But, December is decisive for us. Without it, we would get lackadaisical. Margazhi Music is a season where I get totally rejuvenated to take on the New Year!
(As told to RANJANI GOVIND)
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Music Season
