And now, a Carnatic choir

Bombay Jayashri: ‘Every time we sang together, I looked at music in a different way.’ Photo: V.Sreenivasa Murthy

A Children's Carnatic choir? That's what Bombay Jayashri has put through with 18 children, who brought a glimpse of a 10-minute number that had all the little ones line up gradually on the stage with a mellow rendering of “Aum” right from the aisles of the MLR Convention Centre in the city.

Bhoomija, a charitable trust, that has showcased 37 performing art shows, is getting the children’s choir for its first anniversary on August 2 (MLR Convention Centre) and August 3 (Chowdiah Memorial Hall). The proceeds of the show will be donated for treating eye-related problems of the under-privileged in rural areas to be taken up by Drishti Eye Care, said Gayathri Krishna, Managing Trustee, Bhoomija.

“When we conceptualised a fund-raiser and approached Ms. Jayashri, she was large-hearted to bring forth a children’s choir and take the responsibility of training the children for the last four months, and we have several shows planned ahead too. All the children are from Bangalore and just a word-of-mouth did it all. I am amazed at how the children have been enthusiastic about their rehearsals,” said Ms. Gayathri.

“I loved my rehearsals with these kids. And every time we sang together, I looked at music in a different way,” said Ms. Jayashri. She said the children loved to do everything along with their peers from playing to reading, and that is how she thought “Why not make them share music together and see them build new relationships?”

Ms. Gayathri said Ms. Bhoomija was making efforts to reach the children's choir be heard at schools in Bangalore and the trailblazing effort will see young children retire from the choir at 17, helping new younger ones enter the choir every year.

And aptly for the rainy season, what the children showcased, as a sampler of the August show, was an Amruthavarshini piece of Dikshitar

Anandamruthavarshini that curiously brought together some swaras and jathis at the beginning and end with some endearing progression of sangatis explaining the gradual build up rather impressively. And how did the young ones showcase the sound of the gushing waters, the birds chirping and the soft thunders? They rubbed hands, snapped fingers, tapped on their thighs and jumped to re-create all the natural sounds on mike.