The annual two-day commemoration of nagaswaram exponent Sheik Chinna Moulana (1924-1999) began in the city on Thursday with an evening of music, musical reminiscences and felicitation of senior classical instrumentalists.
Hosted by Dr. Sheik Chinnamoulana Memorial Trust in association with Rasika Ranjana Sabha, the anniversary, in its 19th year, had film playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam as its chief guest and former Madras High Court Judge G. M. Akbar Ali as guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Balasubrahmanyam said that he considered himself fortunate to have seen the nagaswaram vidwan in his heyday, and commended Kasim and Babu, the exponent’s grandsons and disciples for endeavouring to keep their musical heritage alive through the memorial trust.
“The nagaswaram is the most difficult wind instrument to play because the distance between the holes is so great,” said Mr. Balasubramanyam. “To get the ‘sahakaram’ (coordination) right requires a divine blessing.”
“I remember my father insisting on my listening to Sheik Chinna Moulana Sahib’s music when I was young. And I feel that he remains alive through his music, his family and their devotion to this traditional art,” he added, saying that the vidwan and his heirs were a perfect example of the syncretism and peaceful co-existence of religions in Indian culture.
Mr. Ali added to the nostalgic air of the event by remembering how classical music was enjoyed by one and all irrespective of one’s level or expertise or awareness about it. “The ‘mangala isai’ (auspicious music) of the nagaswaram and thavil was part of all social occasions, irrespective of caste or creed. I still remember with great joy and wonder, the day when Sheik Chinna Moulana Sahib came to perform for my sister’s wedding,” he said. “Those were days when we grew up without differences.” Carnatic vocalist Sanjay Subrahmanyan presented a scintillating concert where he was accompanied by S. Varadarajan on the violin, B. Venkatesh on the mridangam and T. Rajaganesh on the Kanjira.
Senior musicians Karukudi K.V. Kailasam (nagaswaram) and S.R.V. Venkatesan (thavil) were felicitated with the presentation of purses by the trust. This was followed by the giving away of nagasawaram and thavil instruments to students as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
The Shraddanjali is scheduled to conclude on Friday with an instrumental concert at Hotel Sangam at 6 p.m. by Nagaswaram vidwans A. Vijay Karthikeyan and V. Prakash Ilayaraja, who will be accompanied by T.G. Babu and M.S. Ravikumar on the thavil.
