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Music Season
MY FESTIVAL
Memories of my uncle come flooding back
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The season has become global, more challenging.
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The first thing that comes to my mind thinking about the December Music Festival are the concerts of my uncle Madurai Mani Iyer in the late 50s and early 60s. I had then the great good fortune of giving vocal support to him along with my father T.S.Vembu Iyer. The Indian Fine Arts Society concerts at Gokhale Hall, invariably accompanied by Chowdiah and Palghat Mani Iyer were avidly looked forward to, by the rasikas as veritable events.
It is with great pride, I remember, when I was unexpectedly called on to read out the Sangita Kalanidhi presidential address of my uncle in 1959. I was doing my school final then. Old timers still recall with fondness, that I did quite an impressive job! It was a blessing and a proud privilege for me to read out my own address when I was myself conferred the title in 2003. I think this is something very unique and a record of sorts.
I was really overwhelmed by the standing ovation I received at the Music Academy way back in 1979 after my alapana of Kharaharapriya and at the end of the finale swaras for the kriti ‘ Rama Nee Yeda’. The scene is still etched in my memory.
Vivid and poignant memories of my learning at the feet of my uncle flood me whenever I sing a kriti not often rendered by me generally. It is a matter of gratification to me that I remember every little detail after all the long years. The season has become global, more challenging and interesting now. The musician has to cater to different audience tastes by providing a varied fare constantly. He has to keep his voice in fine nick, taking care to eat right and talk less! The music season in my opinion is verily a grand celebration of happy singing and happier listening!
(As told to V. Balasubramanian)
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Music Season
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