June 24 is maestro M.S. Viswanathan’s birthday. To pay tribute to the genius of the composer, MSVTimes.com is putting together a programme on June 20, 5.30 p.m., at Smt. Sivagami Pethachi auditorium, Luz.
The show will explore the various facets of MSV’s music -- background scores and songs, rhythm section, theme music -- with lec-dems (aided by clippings) by musicians such as Thayanban, M.S. Sekar, ‘Cello’ Sekar, Guitar Bala and Veenai Bala.
Besides, an audio visual presentation on MSV, his music, and composition values, will be screened. The chief guests are Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetty, lyricist Piraisoodan, director Sp Muthuraman and Shyam Joseph.
MSVTimes.com, set up by his die-hard fans a few years ago, today gets thousands of analytical postings on film music, specially on MSV’s immortal melodies. In addition to the website, the core group brought out a book, “A Music Bridge Between Millennia – MSV, A global Perception,” besides organising special programmes such as ‘Varthaigal Sollum Vathiyangal,’ and ‘Muthu Kulikka Vaarigala.’
Several musicians have been feted by the website, including Pt. Visveswaran (santoor), Kalyan (violinist), Shyam Joseph, (violinist-music director), Nanjappa Reddiar (flautist), Philip (guitarist), Govardhan (music director), Rosserio (trampoline), Thomas (trumpet ), Rajan (keyboard), Thumba Sekar (thumba), Prasad (tabla) and Sampath (recording engineer).
Besdies, a trust, msvtimes.com – Public Charitable Trust , has been formed to help upgrade and conduct affairs of the website, institute an award in MSV’s name, and give out scholarships to needy students interested in music. Also, plans are afoot to digitalise his music.
MSV would ususally celebrate his “star birthday” in Yercaud every year. According to Shanti Kumar, the composer's daughter, “Till 1975, we would celebrate my father’s star birthday with friends, admirers and fans gathering at the house there. A music programme would be held on the lawns and a special cake would be flown in from the McRennett bakery in Chennai.”
For passes and other details, call/SMS 9962276580/ 9551082820 or 9840279794 by SMS or email msvtimes.com@gmail.com or msvtimes@gmail.com
