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.

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