ARTISTE'S
IMPRESSIONS
OF
THE SEASON
Shri Karaikudi
Mani (mridangist)
The Music Season of Chennai
is world famous. Earlier only 3 sabhas were hosting this event, but now
several sabhas participate. Artistes take pride in the number of concerts
performed, but in my view, the quality isn't being maintained. I am not
able to understand as to how those rasikas who appreciate good music are
also able to appreciate the gimmicks of certain musicians. As far as thani
avarthanam goes, if the artiste plays with concentration, audience appreciate
this. Organisations in the name of Art have become totally commercialised.
In spite of the growing no. of sponsors, the remuneration offered to the
artistes is very low, for most of the sabhas are busy filling their coffers.
Another sad trend is that of NRI performers paying money to have their
program staged. Critics do not criticize constructively and it is not
clear how and on what basis awards are given. Just as the Ganges retains
her purity in spite of all dirt and grime flowing into her, the grace
that is inherent in the Season is also being maintained in spite of all
these happenings.
Bombay Sisters
(vocalists)
There is a view that there
is a proliferation of sabhas, but in my view Chennai that existed 20-30
years before has grown and the metropolis has branched in all directions.
To cater to the music lovers of all those areas and also to provide a
platform for the increasing no. of artistes, this increase in the no. of
sabhas is welcome. Because the Season is packed into this specific time,
a festive mood is created and people from outside Madras are able to
plan, visit and enjoy the programmes. The Season also has panels for
discussion and this helps the audience to gain theoretical knowledge.
Even though we perform multiple concerts during the Season, we are able
to give our best for when one of us feel the strain, the other takes over.
Kum Kanyakumari
(violin)
New sabhas come forward
to organise concerts during the Season. People from outside Chennai visit
to listen to the concerts and consider it a matter of prestige to do
so. It is encouraging to see juniors getting a chance to perform. The audience
find it difficult to make a choice of concert in this abundance of kutcheris
organised. The strength of audience is greater now. There is a 'kalyana
kalai' in Madras during the period of Dec15-27, which is the peak time.
Several sponsors have come forward and today there is TV coverage also.
Critics could be less prejudiced. It is a tough time for the organisers
and all credit goes to them to be able to organise so many concerts.
Smt E.Gayathri
(veena)
The Music Season is a hectic
period. There is a mad rush of concerts for the musicians. I have chosen
out of my free will not to have a violin accompaniment and hence have
to perform continuously and this can be extremely taxing physically.
But thankfully I am equipped to handle this situation and am able to
maintain consistency. To be creative in this cramped schedule is very challenging.
I personally feel that artistes should be paid more.
Shri Chitra Vina
N.Ravi Kiran (Gottu vadhyam)
The Madras Music Season
is probably the most singular music festival. It is qualitatively and
quantitatively unparalleled, not only because of the audience from different
parts of the world, but also because several musicians and musicologists
who come here to live this experience. Every year the number of new organisations
is growing steadily, but not yet able to match the number of aspiring artistes
seeking platform. Sponsorship and wide media coverage have added an additional
dimension to this in the positive direction.
On the negative side, one
wonders where all this is going to spiral and lead to and how much
of solid gains can Carnatic Music boast of in the long run. There are lots
of people feel that this is an overdose and the imparities between the
various organisations in the pricing of tickets and providing concert
slots creates uncertainty in the minds of listeners as well as many of
the artistes.
The other factor is whether
it is fair that an artiste sings about 20 concerts in 20 days, and can
he give soulful, motivated music. My request to sponsors and patrons
would be to adopt artistes(talented youngsters) and also allocate a budget
for furthering their talent under great masters, which is at least as important
as giving them opportunity to perform.
Shri Kadri Gopalnath
(saxaphone)
The Season time is a great
opportunity for the audience to listen to several artistes at a time. From
the artistes point of view, it is a pleasure to be a part of this Season.
There are people visiting from outside Madras and performing for this
varied audience is a great experience. Even though one performs throughout
the year, the anticipation, planning and preparation is greater during
the Season. It is an opportunity for the artistes to exhibit their technical
skill and talent and also add to their knowledge. Credit goes to the
sabha secretaries, organisers and sponsors for making something of this
magnitude possible.
Smt Sudha Raghunathan(vocalist)
Well, what does one say
about the Music Season of December?
I think the rasika is the
one who has most fun, getting to meet a lot of friends and at the same
time taking in an overdose of music (of all sorts!)
The organiser at one end
is I am sure, always in a kind of 'tearing his hair' state, just with the
stress that all those programmes he charted out should work out to schedule.
Yet why do festivals and organisations keep mushrooming every year?
The artiste, around whom
everything evolves and revolves is the character to be most sympathised
with! One does enjoy all the 'focus' that he gets. He accepts all the lavish
praise as well as the severe criticism like he takes in sugar and salt
in life. He works tirelessly to successfully round off all his concerts
maybe 5 - 7 - 12 - 15 or even more! Yes ! Yes ! But with so much abuse
of the voice and the physique, why does one do it? Where does one draw
the line of maximum utility? How can one stop staleness setting in? Where
does one show priority or preference, and how? I only know the questions.
I have no answers. But I know for certain that the motivating underlines
are 'Its all for Art's sake' and 'Make hay while the sun shines!'
Shri I. Sivakumar
(Mridangist)
Everybody in the music field,
artistes and the rasikas are alert during the Season. This is the time
when artistes give their best and the juniors are trying their best to
prove themselves. Hence the music season definitely leads to the betterment
of music. Shorter duration of kutcheris should be avoided, for this spoils
the quality and the involvement of the artistes. Thani avarthanam comes
at the fag end of the concert and there is a practice of people walking
away as soon as the thani avarthanam starts. This can be avoided,
if it is placed, if not in the middle at least 20 or 25 minutes before
the end of the concert.
Shri Narasimhan(gottu
vadhyam)
During the Season time in
Madras, the various styles of music converge here, like the various rivers
winding its way into the ocean and this ocean draws rasikas from the
local and foreign populace.
Madras during the Season
acts as the touch stone and the proficiency of an artiste is put to test
and id accepted here, they are considered to be good. Music of all types
ranging from excellent to the not so good is on show. The rasikas are very
knowledgeable. The quality of the rasikas is far more important than quantity.
Smt Lalitha Sivakumar
(vocalist)
The number of kutcheris
during the Season is too heavy, confusing the audience. Due to this,
all kutcheris are not well attended. The selection of the artistes
should be very carefully done so that only the truly talented are being
highlighted during the Season.
Artiste's
opinion - Main Page