For the love of art

The spree of music concerts give way to dance with the advent of the new year. But music is still in the air as indicated by Abbas Cultural.

For 38 years, the banner has been conducting programmes of music, with the late Jayaraman as the passionate head. Son Karthick has kept the flag flying with this year’s edition taking off on Sunday, January 8.

So what is special about the event amidst the plethora of performances in which the city is immersed? “This is the silver jubilee year of veteran K.J. Yesudas lighting the lamp to inaugurate the festival. It was Yesudas, who suggested an event in the quiet January instead of the crowded December, the cusp actually.”

Karthick cannot stop thanking Yesudas enough for supporting the venture. “I would help my father with sponsorship and legwork but was not totally involved in organising a full-fledged event. So when he passed away suddenly in February 2009, I was stunned. But I knew I couldn’t give up the tradition,” recalls Karthick.

“Yesudas sir encouraged me and said that I should continue,” says Karthick. The veteran musician is so generous he has not denied Abbas dates in all these 25 years. “From financial support to giving his time, Yesudas sir has made sure appa’s legacy is alive,” he adds. Another pillar of support has been SPB.

In fact, almost all the musicians performing for Abbas have had more than a decade’s association. “They are flexible with the remuneration and gives their consent to perform without a fuss, which is a huge plus for any organisation,” he says.

From a four-day event Abbas’s cultural show has grown to a 10-day festival of multiple slots. It has variety with artists presenting vocal recitals, dance, plays and Harikatha. Audience support has necessitated a big venue, which is Kamarajar Arangam. Abbas also does a lot for charity. Karthick expands. “Yes, we give low-price tickets to charity organisations. Especially memorable was the gesture of Mr. Arun, police official, who would arrange a bus to ferry the children of an orphanage to Abbas’s programmes. The joy of the young audience is something touching to watch,” says Karthick, who mentions Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust as another beneficiary.

The effort has Shriram Properties as the main sponsor with a host of organisations pitching in as co-sponsors.

“I don’t know anythingelse apart from this. Do I earn enough? Well, it is a gamble but I get immense satisfaction from doing this, which is one way of paying my tribute to my father,” concludes Karthick.

Abbbas’s Kalaivizha 2017 opens tomorrow with K.J. Yesudas lighting the lamp at 6.15 p.m., followed by S.P. Balasubramaniam’s Cine Music Nite. For details contact 9600035375.