Artist - Poongulam Subramaniam
Instrument - Mridangam
What does the December Season mean to you?
Earlier, the Season would begin around Marghazhi (Tamil month), bringing nostalgic memories of playing for namasankirtanam by 5 a.m. and going around the streets singing Tiruppavai and Tiruvempavai. Now, it begins much earlier in Karthigai (mid-November). It means , I get to spend a whole month at home as the concerts are held only in and around the city. So no travel.
The Season and its benefits…
We are able to listen to artists from veterans and their lec-dems, and also artists from other States. More important, we get to interact with rasikas from other parts of India and abroad.
Performances this year…..
I am playing with Sowmya and Gayathri Girish on many of their concerts. Also, I will play for T.M. Krishna, S.P. Ramh, Nityashree Mahadevan, Mala Chandrasekar (flute), Geetha Rajasekar and Akkarai Sisters ( violin duet). Quite a number of concerts have been lined up with Dr.M. Narmadha for her violin solo.
So how do you prepare?
As each artist’s sruthi differs, we have to ready with our instruments accordingly. The process begin by mid-October. We have to bring the leather to mood as the vagaries of the weather and lighting in sabhas have an impact on the sound produced. We also get enough time to practice. My students have a tight schedule as they have to conduct classes but I insist they attend as many concerts as possible.
Artist - N. Guruprasad
Instrument - Ghatam
What does the Season mean to you?
The Season means playing for concerts, freewheeling at the canteens at every possible venue and more important, the camaraderie with fellow vidwans - cracking jokes and chatting into the night after concerts.
You are playing for…
I have been slotted with all the stars of classical music.
Maintaining the instrument…
Due to the drop in temperature and the moisture in the atmosphere, the pitch gets lowered minutely. But the moment we are on stage, under the powerful lights, the pitch increases by a fraction. We have to however match our pitch with the adhara sruthi for the concert. Hence, I remember to carry wet clay with me to place it inside the ghatam to perfect the sruti alignment.
Artist - B.S. Purushotham
Instrument - Ganjira
The Season and its significance…
As a young boy, I was initiated into music by my father. He brought me from Bangalore to Chennai every Season and made me listen to legends, especially the percussion vidwans. In 1994, I made my debut, playing for Sanjay Subramanyam along with R.K. Sriramkumar and J. Vaidyanathan in a noon slot at Narada Gana Sabha. Ever since, I have been part of the Season. I shifted base to Chennai within a few years. However, I feel sad that my father passed away even as my career took off.
Playing for……
Almost all the sabhas with all the top ranking artists.
Special event this season…..
I am organising a Laya Vinyasam event in memory of my father B. Seetharam and mridangam vidwan M.L. Veerabhdraiyya, on December 25, 2 p.m., at Raga Sudha Hall. The 90 minute-show will have leading mridangam, ganjira, ghatam and konakkol vidwans participating.
I am receiving the Shanmukha Sangita Sironmani Award from Mumbai Shanmukhananda Sabha from the Governor of Maharashtra K. Sankaranarayanan in the presence of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal tomorrow (December 14) in Mumbai.
