If cricket legend Sachin Tendukar is asked to recall the most memorable compliment he has ever received, his answer will be: “Sir Donald Bradman’s words that my batting style reminded him of his own.” And if the same question is posed to British singer Susan Boyle -- whose sensational performance in the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ TV show last year was viewed more than 200 million times on the Internet, and whose debut CD has sold more than 8 million copies so far in Europe and America -- she’s most likely to mention her idol Elaine Paige’s offer to sing a duet with her, which did eventually happen.
Similarly, on the occasion of receiving the Maharahapuram Santhanam Memorial Award at a recent function at Vani Mahal in Chennai (organised by the Santhanam Foundation and graced by several eminent musicians), mridangam maestro Thiruvarur Bhakthavatsalam (TVB) seemed to be greatly thrilled and overjoyed by the handsome tributes paid to him by two of the most distinguished Carnatic musicians -- Professors T.N. Krishnan and T.V. Gopalakrishnan -- who had greatly encouraged him by choosing him to accompany them frequently and enabling him to grow steadily in stature, from being their protégé to becoming their own peer. TVB also acknowledged his debt to Dr. N. Ramani (who was also present, though he didn’t speak).
Of course, the reason why such great vidwans have encouraged TVB is that his dynamic and sparkling accompaniment has had a way of enhancing the quality of their own performance. While TNK particularly mentioned his flexibility as an accompanist, TVG’s compliments had some special significance because he’s a masterful mridangam vidwan as well as a leading vocalist.
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Apart from TVB, four other musicians were also honoured with ‘meritorious awards’ on the occasion, -- Mambalam Siva (nagaswaram), Tiruvallikkeni Shekar (tavil), Vittal Ramamurthy (violin) and Tiruchi Murali (ghatam). Prof. Krishnan had a word of praise for them all, particularly for some of their innovative endeavours within the framework of the tradition. Tavil master A.K. Palanivel also spoke on the occasion and complimented all the artists who received the award.
The Carnatic music tradition has never been particularly distinguished by an esprit de corps among the musicians. Therefore it’s good to see Maharajapuram Srinivasan and Ramachandran -- highly accomplished musicians in their own right, managing and morally supporting the foundation set up in the name of their illustrious father Santhanam -- striving to enhance the image of their fellow musicians.
The award function was preceded by a fine nagaswaram recital by Mambalam Siva, accompanied by Tiruvallikkeni Shekhar (special tavil), M. Murali (nagaswaram), and Mambalam Arulanandan (tavil).
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