A book reliving the eighty-year history of The Music Academy Madras was launched here on Friday.
Four Score & More-The History of the Music Academy Madras , co-authored by V. Sriram and Malathi Rangaswami, retraces the evolution of an institution that is globally renowned for setting benchmarks in classical fine arts, fostering generations of artists and pioneering the December music festival.
C. Rangarajan, Chairman, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, who launched the book by handing over the first copy to Sangita Kalanidhi R. K. Srikantan, urged the Music Academy to introduce a music appreciation course in order to broaden the circle of lovers of Carnatic music.
Understanding of grammar
An understanding of grammar was essential for understanding and appreciating classical music in all its grandeur. “In effect, we must train ourselves to appreciate classical music,” Mr. Rangarajan said.
Mr. Rangarajan also wanted the institution to assume the leadership role in charting the path for sustaining innovation in Carnatic music within the grand framework of tradition.
In his felicitation, Mr. Srikantan said the Music academy was much more than a regular music sabha and aspired for the advancement of higher learning and practice of the classical art.
In a nostalgic account of her over 60-year-long association with the Music Academy, Sangita Kalanidhi R. Vedavalli said the institution was much like a foster mother for her.
Call for rededication
N. Murali, Academy president, called for a rededication to the core values of classicism and standards of excellence that had come to define and shape the reputation of an institution that was created by a collective of artists, patrons, cultural enthusiasts and scholars.
Mr. Murali said the authors had brought out a kaleidoscopic account of the Music Academy by putting together the stories and anecdotes that make an institution come alive.
Mr. Sriram said the story of the institution was a story of great sacrifice by several groups of people who invested time, effort and sometimes money. The Music Academy had set the pattern for the December music festival with its structured schedule of “scholarly mornings”, “afternoons of competitive concerts” and “musical evenings”. Pappu Venugopala Rao, Music Academy secretary also spoke.
The book launch function was followed by a “GNB” centenary concert by one of his illustrious disciples Trichur V. Ramachandran.
