A tribute to saint Babaji

French Consul-General in Puducherry Philippe Janvier Kamiyama releases an album by dancer and veena player Raghunath Manet and percussion maestro Sivamani at Alliance Francaise in Puducherry. Photo: S.S. Kumar

Percussion maestro Sivamani and multifaceted artist Raghunath Manet launched their music album at the Alliance Francais here recently. Titled ‘Babaji Dreams,’ the music album is a tribute to saint Babaji and devoted to Lord Shiva.

The album was released by French Consul-General in Puducherry Philippe Janvier Kamiyama, Alliance Francais director Olivier Litvine and Alliance Francais president Lalit Verma.

Mr. Olivier Litvine appreciated Mr. Raghunath’s efforts in documenting the age-old traditions of temples and said that he was a link between France and India.

Raghunath Manet, who has extensively researched on temple dancers, said that he had been fighting for the last 30 years to bring the arts (Bharatanatyam and Veena) to Puducherry.

“Today there are a very few who know the style of dancing of Puducherry and the style of music that has been practiced in temples here. I want to contribute to the identity of Puducherry and take it to the world,” he said.

“Universalism has to go through arts and I believe that arts and music are the easiest way to welcome and understand the culture of everyone,” Mr. Manet said.