Learning Carnatic music can provide great solace, said Srirangam Srimath Andavan Sri Ranga Ramunuja Maha Desikan here on Thursday.
Delivering the benedictory address at the inauguration of 31st Isai, Iyal Nataka Vizha of Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, Sri Srimath Andavan said several things meant for human beings were there in the music. There was no language barrier for music. The Indian music tradition had a well defined structure. One should have ‘bakthi' to excel in music, he said.
Speaking on the occasion R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, appealed to the senior artistes to sing at least one composition of contemporary composers. Similarly, a two-day festival should be organised to demonstrate the music of Vaishnavite and Saivite composers. M. Narendra, Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Overseas Bank, said efforts should be made to attract youths. Those in the IT sector, particularly, needed to relax and for them music would be ideal.
Arts and culture were once patronised by Kings and with the changing times and the advent of democracy, the responsibility of patronising the arts came to the industrialists, said Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals. She recalled how her father-in-law P. Obul Reddy, industrialist and patron of arts, used to enjoy the music season in Chennai during December and January. The country had a great treasure in the form of music and culture, which needed to be taken to the next generation. Music was part of her family culture, she added. The Sabha on the occasion conferred ‘Vani Kala Sudhakara' Birudhu on Sanjay Subramaniam, Nagai Muralitharan, Neyveli R. Narayanan, Rama Vaidyanathan and Kudanthai N. Mali. The award carried a shawl, a citation and a cash purse of Rs 1 lakh each. Thanking the Sabha for conferring the title on him Sanjay Subramaniam in his acceptance speech said he was performing there for nearly 20 years.
