ARTISTE'S
IMPRESSIONS
OF
THE SEASON
Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa
Iyer (vocalist)
Margazhi has traditionally
been the month of bhajans and devotional activities. When you give up
all inhibitions and sing sincerely, God manifests himself there. With
the number of concerts organised during the season, God definitely resides
in Chennai during the December month. With most of the artistes residing
in Madras, it has become the centre of Carnatic Music. There are several
youngsters performing now. They are all being encouraged and they can
be given a platform more frequently as an encouragement, for this is the
time when they will be exposed to a wider audience.
Smt.D.K.Pattammal
(vocalist)
Over the years, music has
grown, but more in quantity than in quality. Earlier there were few
sabhas involved in the Season and also few performing artistes.
Now there is a proliferation of sabhas and artistes, which has resulted
in the gradual decline in standard of performance. Artistes
who have not yet reached the performing level, get a chance. They
should strive to practice more to catch the true spirit of Carnatic Music.
The duration of the concerts has been reduced, such that talented people
are not able to exhibit their proficiency. There are too many concerts
at the same time, that the rasikas find it difficult with too many to chose
from. This leads to empty or near empty halls, which is disheartening
to the performing artistes. Every person involved should put in their
best and sincere efforts to make music grow, more in depth.
Shri K.V.Narayanaswamy
(vocalist)
The Music Season is an exceptional
festival. Several sabhas in Madras are organising concerts now and this
is a welcome trend. Young artistes should be given encouragement. Everybody
is doing their best.
Shri Lalgudi G.Jayaraman
(violinist)
A feast of the Art of India
is made available for all to enjoy during the December Music Season. From
the days of Britishers, this has been the holiday time when NRI's have
been visiting India and this has now developed into a time for all artistes
of varied experience and talent to perform before a huge collection of
audience. Youngsters get a platform, mainly during the Season. The opinions
of people vary with their experience and knowledge gained and on any
topic every individual's opinion is based on his personal experiences.
Whenever there is an excess of anything, nature has its way of dealing
with the situation. Time will be the best judge.
Shri N.Ramani
(flutist)
The number of rasikas have
been increasing over the years and they love to listen to good music.
The proliferation of sabhas all over Madras, has made it possible for rasikas
residing in suburban areas also to listen to concerts. People from abroad
flock into Madras during the Season (holiday) time, some of them also get
an opportunity to perform during the Season. Artistes start preparing even
6 months in advance and the same artiste gets more of his rasikas during
the Season than during the rest of the year. There is competition amongst
youngsters and if the same is in good spirit and for arts sake, it
will lead to betterment of music. Melody dominates over layam. In the current
times, most rasikas are well informed.
Shri M.S.Anantharaman
(violinist)
The December Season is a
welcome one for all. Rasikas from all parts of the world visit. There is
a steady increase in the number of artistes performing each year. All styles
of music and the performances by senior and junior artistes assist in
both musicians and the audience gaining more exposure and inspiration.
The critics can be milder with their comments, suggesting improvements
rather than making harsh comments. All young artistes must pay due respect
to the senior musicians who are the trend setters. Artistes get the chance
to perform several kutcheris during the season, inducing them to practice
more, but with there being so many concerts in so many sabhas, the audience
strength gets distributed.
Shri M.S.Gopalakrishnan(violinist)
The numerous concerts organised
during the Season gives an opportunity for public to listen. Music
Academy, Tamil Isai Sangam were the fore runners. Now there is a
proliferation of sabhas and this has helped everyone. Audience
from outstation listen with more interest than the local people.
Demonstrations take place mainly during the Season, which could be very
useful and interesting. Nobody is willing to listen to long duration
kutcheris and hence short duration kutcheries are on the increase.
Secretaries of sabhas are more powerful than artistes and all the upcoming
artistes are forced to fight hard to get a chance. All of the young
artistes are performing well, but with less originality. Where there
is good, there is bad also(partiality for instance), but it is best to
take the good.
Shri S.Rajam
(vocalist)
During the Music Season
one gets to hear traditional music of classical as well as modern age and
is exposed to variety of ragas and songs. Also it gives an opportunity
to analyse the present state of Carnatic Music which shows that laya pattern
is given more importance than melody. Slow tempo is given up which
is a loss to Carnatic Music. Advancement of ladies section is evident
and accompanists have gained their due position. Use of microphone
is understood by majority of the artistes. Huge amount of money is
involved and one feels that the best major portion of the money may be
given to the artistes.
Shri Madurai N.Krishnan
(vocalist)
The oldest of musicians(the
veterans), to, the youngest of musicians wants to perform during the December
Music Season and most of them get a chance to perform only during this
time and this is the beauty of this Season.
Smt Sikkil Sisters(flutists)
Several sabhas organise
the concerts today. Even individuals are organising concerts. With the
number of concerts going up, the audience become choosy. They try to attend
one concert per artiste and get to hear everybody. People visit from
abroad. With all these developments, the responsibility on the artistes
increases. They have to ensure that they do not repeat themselves in successive
concerts, with both the audience and the critics watching alertly. For
Madras, December is climatically, the best time.
With this increased importance
to the Festival more and more people want to learn music and perform
during the Season. So all this is definitely leading to the spread and
growth of Carnatic Music. AIR has played a great role in taking Carnatic
Music to the public and today the sabhas are doing their best too. Listening
to good music is like meditation and it helps reduce tension, leading
to mental relaxation, inducing peace of mind. It is a great time also for
people to catch up with their friends.
Smt Sudha Rani
Raghupathy(dancer)
Nowhere else in the whole
world is such a festival of music and dance organised, not even in Viennna.
Some call it "Mad Mad Madras", but everyone wants to be a part of it all,
however insignificant. This is something unbelievable.
Artiste's
opinion - Main Page