M. Balaganessin
‘Sri Arunagirinathar Vizha’ under way at Viralimalai
PUDUKOTTAI: The celebrations of the three-day ‘Sri Arunagirinathar Vizha’ under the auspices of the Sri Arunagirinathar Tiruppugazh Arapani Mandram that began at Viralimalai on Friday, may appear as a religious festival. But, in real sense it proved to be a platform for the identification of the youths’ talents in art, literature, culture and music and to encourage them for nurturing their capabilities in various fields of their interest.
A large number of men and women, who turned out to witness the inaugural of the festival were all surprised to witness a saxophone concert by two young women, M.S. Subbulaxmi and M.S. Lavanya – both disciples of saxophone maestro, Kadri Gopalnath.
It was half-past midnight when the main ‘kirtan’ of the concert (‘Ethaa vunara’ by Sri Thyagarajar in ‘kalyani’ raagam set to Adhi thalam) ended. But the audience not only remained in tact but pleaded with them to play on the wind instrument further.
Following a request from the audience, they instantly played on ‘Kurai ondrum illai’ (by Rajaji in Ragamalika).
The other highlight of the concert was marked by ‘makudi’ and ‘Entharo mahanubavulu’ and ‘Raguvamsa sudhambhuthi’ by Patnam Subramania Iyer in Kadhanakudukalam raagam. They were accompanied by Palakad Swaminathan on violin; Kavalam Kumar on thavil; and Kovai Suresh on gatam.
On her achievements, Ms.Lavanya said that her father, M. R. Sainath’s association with Kadri Gopalnath, inspired her and her sister to take to saxophone. “Playing on saxophone needs special skills; it is hard to practise ‘gamakkam’ in this wind instrument,” she says. She also pointed out that there was a strong case for popularising saxophone.
Although the wind instrument had been in vogue for centuries, its utility had been restricted in our country.
The ‘saxophone sisters’ will form part of the fusion team which is to take up an international tour of 16 countries from November.
“The countries included Dubai, Singapore, Germany and Italy,” they said.
A ‘patti mandram’ was held in which the nuances of devotional songs were debated.
The general secretary of the Mandram, Alagu Srinivasan, pointed out that the celebrations mainly aimed at spreading values among the youth and to channelise their energy towards a constructive purpose.