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.

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