There was no imposing stage setting to enhance the visual appeal. Neither was there any elaborate orchestra. Yet, sitting in one corner of the stage, two people wove magic into music with a medley of ragas. The full-house Sivagami Petachi auditorium was in utter silence except for the occasional sounds of foot tapping.
The audience sat transfixed, as they were hooked on to the soulful rendition of vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan and pianist Anil Srinivasan. The concert that followed the launch of ‘Tarunam,' an album of classical Tamil poetry, here on Tuesday, drew Tamil lovers and music connoisseurs alike. The performers strung the best of Tamil classical poems to come up with an album containing six songs.
Member of Parliament Kanimozhi released the musical CD. Nirmala Lakshman, Joint Editor, The Hindu , received the first copy.
Ms. Kanimozhi said the album has a soft and romantic touch to it. The songs have brought out the beauty of Tamil lyrics through the heart-warming performances of the singer and pianist. “The album reflects the beauty of love in Sangam. Especially ‘Kongu Thaer Vazhkai' has packed in so much of lyrical beauty in it. It is a fitting time to launch an album that celebrates Tamil, when we have World Classical Tamil Conference round the corner,” she said.
Mr. Srinivasan said the concert was dedicated to H.Sridhar, the Grammy award-winning sound engineer, and music director Mahesh. A part of the proceeds from the CD would go to Mahesh Memorial Trust.
On the choice of songs, he said the Sangam literature was still relevant to the contemporary world.
“There is something tremendous about the poetry. We also dedicate the concert to the beauty of classical Tamil.” On the translations that preceded every song, Mr.Srinivasan said it was for today's generations to understand the lyrical richness in a better way.
The vocalist and pianist gave a lilting rendition of the six songs – ‘Naan Oru Vilayattu' by Papanasam Sivan; 'Akam' from Akanaanuru; ‘Kongu Thaer Vazhkai' from Kurunthokai; ‘Chinnan Chiru Pen Pole' by Ulundurpettai Shanmugasundaram; ‘Naadavindu' by Arunagirinathar; and ‘Ekkalathilum' by Tiruvarur Ramasamy.
Sandwiched between these songs was their popular 'Kannan Varugindra Neram', a song composed by Oothukadu Venkatasubbaiyer.
Theatre personalities P.C. Ramakrishna and Karthik Kumar read out the concise translation of every song in English. Padma Seshadri Group of Schools Dean and director Mrs. Y.G. Parathasarathy was present at the launch.
