The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Album gives new lease of life to classic hymns

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 15, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Album gives new lease of life to classic hymns

Staff Reporter

7 of them have been revised and set to contemporary music

It has some of Gandhiji’s favourites such as ‘Lead Kindly Light’
It is planned to compile classic hymns in regional languages

CHENNAI: It took nine months of hard work and ensemble of 150 voices from 10 best choirs in the city to revive classic Christian hymns and compile them as an album, ‘Ancient of Days.’ The album, launched here on Friday, heralded the spirit of Christmas. A melange of 150 voices singing in the ambience of the 175-year-old St.Andrew’s Kirk was recorded live for it.

It has been brought out by Classic Hymns, an initiative of Christian Professional Forum, an organisation that conducts workshops on business ethics and time management.

The album has 18 hymns of which seven have been revised and set to contemporary music.

Some of the choirs and groups that performed include the Madras Musical Association, St.Andrew’s Kirk choir, Male Voice Ensemble, Lutheran Male Voice and Harmonics.

The founder of Classic Hymns, Binu Joshua Thomas, said the album was, perhaps, the first such initiative in the city that brought together a massive choir with eight conductors. “Hymns composed almost three centuries ago are dying out now. We wanted to revive the hymn culture and make it familiar among the younger generation.”

Lead, kindly light etc.,

It also has some of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourites such as ‘Lead, Kindly Light’ and ‘Abide With Me.’ The hymns were accompanied by 120 year-old pipe organ and piano.

The CDs and DVDs of the album were released by Tamil Maiyam founder Jagath Gasper Raj. Managing editor/chief operations officer, NDTV-Hindu, Jennifer Arul, received the first copy.

Mr.Jagath Gasper Raj said that the choirs must also integrate the other genres of traditional music to reach out to a larger audience.

Former Bishop of CSI Madras Diocese, Sundar Clarke spoke.

Proceeds from the album would go towards Zamar Academy, an institution providing education to the underprivileged children. It is planned to compile classic hymns in regional languages, too.

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

Tamil Nadu