The Margazhi season is of course about the artistes and rasikas of various shades and temperaments, but also in the scene are children, many of whose formative impressions of music are made in the halls. In addition to learning basic skills such as identifying ragas and keeping the beat (thalam), a child may even be inspired for a lifetime while watching a single performance.
Carnatic vocalist and teacher Niranjana Srinivasan says attending concerts also helps children learn the nuances of performing on stage. “As a student of music, I used to attend over 50 concerts every season. But nowadays, children do not have much time,” she said.
The half-yearly examinations kept many students of music away from the season for a few days. Class XII student Mathura Raghuraman and class X student K. Laxman Arvind could hardly wait for their exams to end. “I take down notes about the songs and in between, even sketch the artistes,” said Mathura, who has been attending music concerts “forever”.
Ramjhis’ Issai Mazhalai performer K. Laxman Arvind said he learnt to keep the beat this season. “I was not very strong in that aspect. But, this season helped me. I attended some 20-odd concerts since Christmas,” said Laxman.
The sabha canteens too are attractions. Twins V.S. Amrit and V.S. Abirami, who are just five-and-a-half years old, knew what was on the menu at each canteen, said their mother G. Rithika Sridhar. This was of course amidst serious appreciation of music as carnatic student Abirami was able to sing the swarams of Shankarabharanam and Mohanam when violinists delineated the ragas, she added.
There is a soothing quality to carnatic music, which helps people like V. Preethi unwind, her mother M. Ponrajam said. Preethi has autism, and can sometimes get extremely upset. “Over the years, she has learnt to appreciate music and whenever she is upset, she sings to herself,” Ms. Ponrajam said.
Vasudha Prakash, founder director of V-Excel Educational Trust, a special school in Chennai, said their school has been conducting carnatic concerts for their students every month. “Now, students are able to recognise the songs,” she said.
