Bombay Jayashri, Carnatic Choir & the kids

If these kids were outstanding, what stood out in the entire show was the innovation in presentation.

September 17, 2013 11:31 am | Updated June 02, 2016 12:51 pm IST - CHENNAI, September 17

This is a blog post from

From IPL (Indian Premier League) to television reality shows and mobile gadgets, modern day kids have plenty of `diversions’ on offer. A sense of hurry to keep up with Joneses is all pervasive. And, parents are no less culpable in driving their children towards quick-fix routes to fame. So, who cares for `Karnataka’ sangeetham? Does Carnatic music hold any charm to kids at all?

A trust worth placing

Well, this show at The Music Academy on the evening of September 15 puts paid to doomsayers. Indeed, the show has reiterated one’s faith in GenNext. It was a show hosted by Bhoomija, a trust formed to promote the cause of performing arts, to raise funds for Drishti Eye Care. It was entirely conceived and directed by vocalist Bombay Jayashri. She was ably assisted by a competent team, comprising her students. It was a trail-blazer initiative in that a Carnatic Choir was organized in a concert-style. Eighteen kids were on show. If these kids were outstanding, what stood out in the entire show was the innovation in presentation. The show was an amalgam of many things – story-telling, putting faith on God, placing trust on the healing power of Carnatic music and concert-rendering.

Well-directed effort

The 90-minute performance saw these kids render some of the outstanding compositions of the Trinity with effortless ease and fineness of a professional. It was all about their efforts to get their favorite `akka’ regain her voice. She `lost’ her voice while singing with them. The upset kids sing one kriti after another, appealing to various Gods and Goddesses to help their `akka’ get her voice back. Finally, they drag their `akka’, and force her to try singing. Amazingly, their beloved `akka’ regains her voice and they all join in chorus to sing a tillana with her. It was a neatly orchestrated programme. Well done kids. Jayashri and her dedicated team have done a wonderful service. Well, why can’t Carntaic Choir be a part of the annual December Music Festival?

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.