The Day Yesterday Was – all good things packed

I have heard the expression misfortune never comes single. But can’t particularly remember anything to the convey opposite. Wait a minute. There is a Hindi phrase, "Upar Wala Jab Bhi Deta Hai, Chapar Phaad Ke Deta Hai" - translates to "When the Almighty gives, He gives abundantly."

Yes, yesterday was one of those days. First, we had the day-long Varamahalakshmi festivity when ladies, attired in their best, visited their friends on a give and take of Tamboolam. 

Second, in the afternoon we read the SFV Managing Committee’s welcome announcement that an end to the monkey menace was in sight. Once again we can breathe fresh air our friendly neighbour Turahalli forest supplies in plenty – a primary reason why we went in for this investment. ROI delayed, but not denied. No more staying indoors under lock and key for fear of, what Darwin’s theory of evolution hails, our ancestors. 

Third, in the evening, it was a Carnatic musical extravaganza by Viji Viswanathan, our Hari and Geetha’s (3192), daughter in law. It fell on me to introduce the music crew to the audience. Viji had her initial training in Carnatic music in Mumbai. On clearing Chartered Accountancy in flying colours, she was picked by a multinational American company to work in their Headquarters, Houston. Regardless, she pursued her primary passion, Carnatic music, under the tutelage of Rajarajeswari Bhat – yes, the mother of the well-known Carnatic singer, Kruthkia Bhat (whose husband is equally an accomplished violinist). During her tenure in Dubai Viji got equal opportunities to display her skillset on various occasions, as in Houston. Now Viji is off to the Hague, in the Netherlands as the Global Technical Controller. We learn there is a very good presence of the Indian community there – a vibrant one at cultural, social and religious activities. “Let’s hope,” I concluded, “Viji’s programme this evening acts as a springboard, or a full-dress rehearsal, for her to do equally well in the ones she will give there. As for us, we look forward to a pleasant evening.” 

The next two hours kept the audience spellbound. What a total control of voice and modulation. I have no in-depth knowledge of Carnatic music, but I am a very good listener coming from a family where my father, mother and sisters all have basic knowledge. Whether it was initial warm up song, the following conventional songs, or those of Papanasam Sivan, Purandaradas, or the Abhang, Viji rendered every song to perfection elevating listeners’ pleasure. The only time I felt ill at ease was when seeing me enjoy the performance swaying my head, tapping leg, and hands giving a beat support, Hari’s friend from outside sitting next to me, started asking me, “Is it Hindolam, Bhairavi,” and the like. 

The violinist and the mridangam players were in their early and late twenties. They gave a good account of themselves, more so considering the level of Viji’s performance. Our ever-obliging Dilip arranged for their services, as did Sudharshan Acharya who helped in setting the stage and sound system. Kaleeswaran, busy packing to take off to US, gave a helping hand to Hari.

To sum up, we asked for a pleasant evening – we got three times more in return; thank you Viji. As for Hari and Geetha, by organizing this one-time event you have unwittingly fallen into a trap. Hereafter the SFV audience would insist on you to arrange similar evenings each time Viji visits SFV, be it on a short vacation. Mark my words.

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SFV Seniors’ Vedam Class Completes 6 Years

It was May 2019 when a handful of us floated an IPO (read: idea) for setting up our new Company (read: Vedam Class). I was asked to shoot out the message in Telegram. It was well received. The baby was born. Just four of us to start with. 

Next, who would teach, and who would learn? That was the big question. When it came to teaching Rudram, Chamakam or the Suktams, everyone knew something or everything; but none everything of something – to be able to teach others. Everybody is not Naveen Kashyap. Nonetheless the spirit to learn was undying. So, it churned itself into a sort of, ‘one blind leading the other’. But we were a never-say-die lot, and that worked well. When in doubt we played Chelekere Brothers or other renowned pundits’ versions in Youtube and corrected ourselves.

New members began pouring in. We framed some operational guidelines. Classes will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and on Pradosham days. If Pradosham fell on one of these days, there won’t be any extra class. Classes will be from 11 am to 12 noon on Mondays and Wednesdays, and from 4.30 to 5.30 pm on Pradosham. 

Each member will host the session in alphabetic order. This stipulation brought a sudden dip in number. Some felt they could attend sessions no doubt, but not host one themselves for one reason or the other: ‘You see I am staying with my daughter; my daughter in law works from home; my grandson is in final year of college…’

Only banana, at the most, will be served as prasadam at the end. If the host wishes, coffee on Pradosham days as those classes are held in evenings. While the chanting days remain unchanged to this date, the hospitality part has undergone metamorphic changes. One fine morning a host handed to everyone an aromatic chundal prasadam as well. Everyone enjoyed it, little realizing its repurcussions.

As of now, in some cases the host starts with a welcome drink, dry fruits to much before the session, butter milk or coffee, and a Navaratri-type of prasadam packet to take home at the end – mostly dry variety not spoiling the religious-book bag, but occasionally the leaking type – panchamrutham or payasam. And those who happen to own a farm, garden or grove, will also pack the produce to the attendees. For many, thus, it is a challenge to Keep Up Appearances – to be no less than the other. 

These teething troubles regardless, the classes have taken off well. We are 12 members now.  We have made substantial progress in learning, despite the fact that very often members absent themselves for long visiting their sons and daughters, and attending other domestic engagements.

We have so far covered Rudram, Chamakam, five suktams, Lalitha Sahasranamam and Vishnu Sahasranamam. The items for chanting are changed to complete in one hour.

All work and no play is no good. The group also undertook one or two one-day trips, enjoying the ride with Anthakshari, musical programs, puzzles, and of course the special dish of the area – Thate Idli, and the like.

This year we thought it was time to celebrate the 6th birthday with all members and their families. We booked MPH-2.  Vishwanathan oversaw the arrangements, Venkatachalam mama coordinated catering, Srinivasan brought photos of Vishnu, Shiva, Goddess Lakshmi, etc. and garlands, Kaleeswaran made everyone sit comfortably in the tent-house chairs, and table for lunch, as also brought puja-related items; Murali arranged for lamp, oil and lighting, Revathi Balasubramaniam brought the Neivedyam; Usha Viswanathan and other ladies jointly rendered the invocation. Dr Ravi Shankar covered the events with his camera, and your  writer was asked to attempt a blog on the event. Last but not the least, Venkatachalam mama assigned his son Sriram and daughter Shyamala to help the group with setting the table, oil the lamp regularly and other leg work 

It was altogether a real welcome change for the seniors. The ambience, the homogenous chanting, the outstanding lunch should all take the cake equally. 

Too bad, our friend Krishnan, of Alder, could not participate as he is still recovering from a treatment. Ravichandran, who recently bounced back into life, was scheduled to attend, but could not, at the last minute.

As I was departing, one member whispered into my ears, “I am okay having such special sessions every month.” “I second it,” said another who overheard it.

(If you have any comments, please write them NOT in Telegram, WhatsApp or ADDA, but in the Post a Comment column of the Blog.  It then stays with the blog. Thanks.)