SFV Thyagaraja Araadhana

I am no music critic like my friend, the late Subbudu, to distinguish the nuances of ragas or alap. But I do have a good ear for music. And last evening undoubtedly was a feast for my ears.

It was a packed house, as most of the programs organized by SFV continue to be. Hence, a delay of ten minutes for want of being alert, got me a seat at the rear. Consequently I could not see the performers in person. As a poor compensation all I could see in front was heads of men  - some with fast receding hairlines, a few requiring visit to the hairdresser, yet others having neatly combed their well-oiled hair reminding me of Clark Gable in Gone with the Wind movie. But one thing was common with all of them. Their heads were oscillating at low, medium and high intensities fully involved in the melodies the chorus singers released one by one.

The devotion of the frontline singers, Uma, Malini and Lakshmi, ably supported by their disciples, stole the show while melody and serene ambience claimed a close second.

This said, what attracted me most was the verve with which a lady in one of the middle rows gave second-line support to the renderings with no less dedication. Wondered why she was not in the ‘stage’. The reason could be that she had to take the help of her mobile to remember the lines, and that might not augur well for a front-liner. But overall, given the lip movement of the audience, my gut feeling was that one-third of the audience was well versed in Carnatic music – menfolk not excluded.

Another thing that came to light was that we need not depend solely on Navin Kashyap (now in Japan on duty), to officiate as the priest for all events. Panindra, attired truly like a priest, did a good job, as did Raghuveer Dhone on an earlier occasion. Yet another talent that surfaced was the professional touch with which Ramasubramanya blew the conch. That would give the best conch-blowers in the country – from West Bengal? – a run for their life. Kudos to the multi-talented SFVians.

Dilip, accompanied by his son Abhinav on one side, and Suma and Deeksha, a teacher-student duo on the other, gave excellent violin support to elevate the mood of the audience. Abhiram, Godavarma’s son, proved equal to the occasion to give male vocal support along with other boys to accentuate the impact. And the Mridangist? Was he too from SFV? Regardless, he performed well, and his solo was well received.

Though it gets its turn in the end, one of the most-looked-for items is prasad. I guess Madam Vijaya, a seasoned hand providing culinary delights to SFVians, prepared mouth-watering boondi laddu, and an equally tasty kadalekai usilee. No wonder some stole a second helping. Don’t ask me: Did you, Uncle?

Amidst this enchanting ambience, a solitary face looked somewhat cheerless. Yes, it was my friend Kaleeswaran.  Not that he observed less excellence in the programme, but that much as he would have wished, he could not be part of the singing group as he didn’t enroll his name well in time to attend the rigorous practice sessions. Next time, K.

Down the memory lane once again, a couple of years ago, Aunty and I visited Tiruvayyaru. We saw the hall where Thyagaraja Araadhana reverberated year after year, with professional Carnatic music singers considering it their bounden duty to sing. We visited also the home of Saint Thyagaraja, a dilapidated house undergoing renovation. The house was locked. The gentleman opposite the house was having the key. With an umbrella in hand he was all set to go out somewhere, but spared time for us, opened the doors and took us inside. He showed the place where Thyagaraja Swamy ji sang in praise of Lord Rama. He suggested that my sister and Aunty sing a number or two. That would bring finesse to their future renderings. Aunty and my sister attempted.

We then visited the only Saraswathy temple in India (?). I prayed in secrecy to the Goddess of Learning that I too became an accomplished singer. The boon is still to be granted. But I am an incurable optimist, and shall keep my fingers crossed.