A website on eminent musician, D. Pattammal, was launched recently in the city by Bharatanatyam and Kathakali exponent V.P. Dhanajayan in the presence of V. Ramanarayanan, Editor, Sruthi , M.V. Subramanium, Founder, Saraswathi Vaggeyakara Trust, and sons of Pattammal – D. Chandrasekhar and D. Natesan.
The website, www.dpattammal.com, traces the journey of the musicologist, who has composed more than 650 songs in Tamil and is one of the few Vageyakaras to compose songs in all the Melakartha Ragas.
The legend
Speaking, Mr. Dhanajayan, said, “When we were rehearsing for Jayadeva’s Geetha Govindam, Amma used to come to Kalakshetra everyday, teach us, and appreciate what we did. She used to teach the beginners at Kalakshetra and work with our musicians during compositions. We took lot of efforts in popularizing Amma’s works. We used to rehearse her compositions day and night, and made it a great success. The website contains detailed information on the great works done by the eminent musician.”
V. Ramanarayanan, said, “The website dedicated to Pattammal is a fine piece of work. It is a wonderful initiative by D. Chandrasekar and D. Natesan.
In a lighter vein, he added it was good that both Chandrasekar and Natesan did not become musicians. “Otherwise, they would not have found time to create the website.”
He pointed out that Rukmini Devi Arundale said Amma must have been inspired by the compositions of Jayadeva Geetha Govindam to have sung well. She was surprised that Pattammal was able to translate and sing Gita Govindam in Tamil, he added.
Compositions
“During my informal meetings with Amma, she used to discuss music for days. Her mind was active thinking about music. Her compilations had a grounding of culture and history of our country,” M.V. Subramanium said.
“Her compositions kept many people poised and brought inner harmony. She used to discuss a lot about her compilations. It brought people of different altitude and attitude together. People were subdued to her music because of her reverence to the art, which has become rare these days. Amma has done something worthwhile for music,” he added.
Compilations
He released a CD containing compilations of D. Pattammal ‘Carnatic Isai Thuvakka Padalgal’ for the beginners.
D. Chandrasekar said that the website is an effort by passion and love for their mother and Carnatic music.
The website features a number of her compilations and compositions sung by singers. It will help the beginners to update their knowledge in various aspects of music.
