Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Aruna Sairam swears by music to soothe hearts

CHENNAI: “After the Mumbai terror attacks, questions such as what is the purpose of music bothered me,” said Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam, who hails from Mumbai. “Then I realised that music provides the much-needed balm to soothe our hearts, both the artist’s and the listeners,’ and leads us to divinity. It is our contribution to anti-terror initiatives,” she said. She was speaking at the inauguration of the December Art Festival 2008 of Brahma Gana Sabha here on Wednesday. Ms. Sairam was honoured with the ‘Gaana Padmam’ title by S. Jagadeesan, former judge of the Madras High Court.

Mr. Jagadeesan released the schedule of the concerts, handing it over A. Natarajan, former director of Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai. Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetty, president, Brahma Gana Sabha, was present.

The ‘Naatya Padmam’ title was conferred on Bharatanatyam exponent K.J. Sarasa. She was trained by Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai. She has trained hundreds of students and produced dance dramas such as Sakunthalam and Aditya Hridayam, Mr. Natarajan said.

Theatre artist Bombay Gnanam was honoured with ‘Nataka Padmam.’ She started the Mahalakshmi Ladies Drama Group, an all-women troupe, and has staged 15 Tamil plays so far. The festival will be on till January 28.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Film industry mourns the victims of terror
‘Footprints 2008’ tomorrow
“Scrap redundant surcharges for cheaper air travel”
Retail players putting off expansion plans
Unprecedented security for Chennai cricket Test
“LTTE is part of problem in Sri Lanka”
“Amend Constitution to provide reservation for Dalit Christians”
Counselling for B.Ed admission
Revised schedule of law examinations
Job fair in Madurai on December 7
Sun TV petition against Royal Cable Vision withdrawn
Lady Andal makes it to quiz finals
At parallel fest, artistry blends with confidence
Aruna Sairam swears by music to soothe hearts
A right function for the ramp
Alandur prefers to merge with Chennai Corporation
Woman arrested on murder charge
Girl feared drowned
Rain a great leveller for approved, unapproved layouts Realty Check
Much water has not flowed under the bridge
Plan to defer sentences of pregnant prisoners
State seeks Rs.1,963 cr. as flood relief
Meeting to discuss farmers’ problems
Applications for power supply cleared
Special trains cancelled
Skill development courses
Organ harvesting

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu