Academy ushers in the New Year
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The year 2006 was rung in with a grand midnight spectacle.
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CELEBRATION: A landmark first-time musical event at the Academy.
Amid all the fun, frolic and festivities, those who wanted to celebrate the New Year with a difference turned up at the Music Academy auditorium on December 31. They were treated to a three-hour feast of classical melodies, vintage film music, musical mimicry and a grand midnight spectacle. A galaxy of Carnatic music's most well-known performers came together to sing the evergreen Tygaraja composition "Entaro Mahanubhavulu."
The event was organised by Carnatica with enthusiastic support from the Music Academy and its president N. Murali. Carnatica has been conducting the Ethnic New Year-eve get-together for a few years now. This is first time the event was held at the Academy. The evening kicked off at 11 p.m. with auspicious mangala isai by Seshampatti Sivalingam, followed by a series of individual performances by legendary senior artistes including T.N. Krishnan, Umayalpuram Sivaraman, R.K. Srikantan, Manakkal Rangarajan, N. Ramani and Sikkil Sisters. Just before midnight, there was a vocal performance by leading mridangam vidwan Srimushnam Raja Rao, who sang a tribute to Purandaradasa, patron saint of Carnatic music.
The high point of the show was the midnight rendition of "Entaro Mahanubhavulu."
After the auspicious beginning to the New Year, there were a few individual performances by popular musicians such as O.S. Arun, Suryaprakash and Rajhesh Vaidya. The young duo of Sai-Santhanam won huge appreciation for its novel musical mimicry. The two skilfully replicated various musical styles and presented a short comedy skit.
Young playback singers Saindhavi, Haricharan and Pradeepkumar chipped in with some vintage film melodies.
Topped with a serving of delicious "sakkara pongal" for all the artistes and audience, the evening was a delectable treat.
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