The Youth Association for Carnatic Music (YACM) celebrates its 25th anniversary with a nine-day musical extravaganza from 21 to 29 August 2010, at The Music Academy, Main Auditorium, in Chennai.
The YACM has, over the last many years, created a circle of events covering aspects of Carnatic music with the two-pronged aim of promoting the art and of educating listeners and students. This year, a number of interesting programmes, games and quizzes are lined up as part of the silver jubilee celebrations. Besides Carnatic music, the festival will also feature other genres such as Hindustani, Namasankeertanam and so forth.
The YACM was started in 1985 to promote Carnatic music among the youth and to provide a platform for talented youngsters. Through innovative activities, the organisation has gained from the involvement of young, talented and aspiring artistes. Some prominent musicians who form the alumni of YACM are Vijay Siva, S. Sowmya, Sanjay Subrahmanyan, R.K. Shriramkumar, P. Unnikrishnan, Bombay Jayashri, N. Manoj Siva, V. Suresh, B. Kannan, Dr. Sunder, K. Arun Prakash, T.M. Krishna, Mannarkoil J. Balaji, Mullaivasal G. Chandramouli, Gayathri Venkatraghavan and Sangeetha Sivakumar.
Bringing YACM-ites together
Rithvik Raja, a young vocalist and disciple of T.M. Krishna, is serving his second term as president of the YACM. Says the energetic Rithvik, “When we dreamt of YACM’s 25th year celebrations, we knew we wanted it to be the biggest off-season classical music event in Chennai, so we booked The Music Academy for nine days and then began contacting artistes!” The programmes are about unique combinations of artistes, themes and musical conversations. Rithvik also stresses that they have tried to include as many musicians and instruments as possible during the celebrations.
According to Rithvik, the anniversary is not so much about the different events and concerts as it is about paying tribute to a wonderful organisation and of saluting its torch bearers. Every one of these artistes will participate in the celebrations in one way or the other — some will perform, some will be guests, a few will host the morning sessions, some will write for the YACM magazine ‘Dhwani’, and others will judge events. Rithvik reckons it is a “get-together of sorts that will bring all the YACM-ites together in these nine days”.
Programme for YACM’s 25th year celebrations
Venue: The Music Academy, Madras, Main Auditorium, Chennai
21 August, 2010
6 p.m.Inauguration by the First Committee of YACM
6.30 p.m.Documentary showcasing ‘25 years down memory lane’
7.15 p.m.A Unique Concert Presentation - S. Sowmya with Embar S. Kanna
Poongulam Sri S. Subramaniam and Dr. S. Karthick
22 August, 2010
9 a.m. ‘Parampara’ - A tribute to our rich Legacy
5.30 p.m.‘Sambashanam’ - Innovation in Carnatic Music, a discussion
7.15 p.m. Special veena recital - E. Gayathri with N. Manoj Siva and Udipi Sridhar
23 August, 2010
5.30 p.m.An Original ‘Vina Venu Violin’ concert - R. Sriram, J.B. Sruthi Sagar and M. Rajiv with
N.C. Baradwaj and Tanjore Praveen Kumar
7.15 p.m.An Evening with Sambandar, Tukaram, Arunagirinathar, Meera and Friends!
Neyveli R. Santhanagopalan and Sriram Parasuram with
Mysore V. Srikanth, K. Arun Prakash, B.S. Purushotham,
Umakanth Puranik, S. Madhusudhan and Srinivas Prasad
24 August, 2010
5.30 p.m.An Exclusive Concert Presentation - Prasanna Venkatraman with B.U. Ganesh Prasad,
R. Sankaranarayanan and K.V. Gopalakrishnan
7.15 p.m. Creative Carnatic Concert - A Rhythmic-Melodic Extravaganza
Ghatam Dr. Karthick’s Heart Beat with
Embar S. Kannan, K. Satyanarayanan, Poongulam S. Subramaniam,
B. Shree Sundarkumar and B.S. Arun Kumar
25 August, 2010
5.30 p.m.A Very Unique Vocal Trio - Amritha Murali, Nisha Rajagopal, K. Gayatri with
V. Sanjeev, Trivandrum, V. Balaji, N. Guruprasad and K.V. Gopalakrishnan
7.15 p.m.A Musical Conversation - Calcutta to Chennai - S. Shashank and Sri Purbayan Chaterjee with Patri Satishkumar and Yogesh Samsi
26 August, 2010
5.30 p.m.Sampradaya Namasankeertanam - Udaiyalur Sri K Kalyanaraman & Party
7.15 p.m.A Special Thematic Concert - ‘Youvanam’ N. Vijay Siva with R.K. Shriramkumar,
J. Vaidhyanathan and Giridhar Uduppa
27 August, 2010
5.30 p.m.‘Vivadi’ - Should Carnatic Music be December-centric? A Debate
7.15 p.m. Unison of Traditions - A.K.C. Natarajan and Injikkudi Sri E.M. Subramaniam with
Thiruvalaputhur Sri T.A. Kaliyamurthy and Sri V. Suresh
28 August, 2010
9 a.m.Musicarnival ‘10
10 a.m.Music Competition
12 p.m.Treasure Hunt - Musicians dashing around ‘Madras’ to find a Treasure!
7.15 p.m.Confluence of Styles - M. Narmada, Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Viji Krishnan Natarajan with
T.V. Gopalakrishnan and Tripoonithura Radhakrishnan
29 August, 2010
9 a.m.Raga Repertoire, Akshara Anthadi, Tala Tarangini, Svara Jam
6 p.m.A Retro on YACM
7 p.m.Valedictory Function
7.30 p.m.Grand Finale Concert - A Tribute to D.K. Pattammal
Lalitha Sivakumar, Nithyashree Mahadevan, Lavanya Sundararaman with
M.A. Krishnaswamy, Mannarkoil J. Balaji, N. Guruprasad, V. Anirudh Athreya
