It was just an hour-long Hindustani music session sandwiched between an exclusive business function in the ballroom of the Taj Coromandel Hotel and a buffet dinner in the adjoining lobby.
And although it was a solo violin recital by Kala Ramnath, the highly accomplished niece of violin maestro T.N. Krishnan, one wasn't sure how serious the music was going to be in such an apparently incompatible setting. But actually it turned out to be a spell of scintillating classical music of the highest quality and integrity.
The business function itself was far from being tedious even for a self-invited journalist attracted to the spot only by the unusual musical event in the thick of the stormy winter music season in Chennai.
Taking just about an hour, it turned out to be mainly an expression of sincere thanks from a healthy young organisation to certain older businessmen and business associates for their generous financial, physical and moral support. The context was the silver jubilee of the construction company Lancor Holdings.
Lucid speech
There were no agenda papers, and no financial statements or projections, but just a short and lucid speech by the CMD, R.V. Shekar, broadly highlighting the company's successful ventures in the realty sector and expressing its gratitude to all concerned.
The chief guest, N. Sankar, Chairman of Sanmar Group, who was described by Shekar as his mentor, mentioned Lancor's ethical values, among other things. One couldn't help recalling that both of them care for cultural values too, since Sanmar has taken over the Sruti magazine, and Lancor has made a significant contribution to the setting up of the T.N. Krishnan Foundation.
It seems only natural that Mr. Shekar should have thought of a musical soiree for the occasion!
All told, no drab discussions preceded the music, and the ambience and acoustics in the ballroom were perfect.
Accompanied brilliantly on the tabla by Yogesh Samsi, Kala Ramnath gave a superb demonstration of how the violin is played as a solo instrument in Hindustani music, with an elaborate number in the raga Behag and a short piece in Bhairavi. One can't help wondering if, when and where we would be able to hear her full-length concert in Chennai!
By the way, excellent samples of her immense virtuosity are available online, particularly on YouTube.
