Get soaked in an unforgettable experience

After facing the nature’s fury Chennai is back on track. And it is all set to host the month long musical extravaganza, which will surely enthrall the aficionados of classical music

Come disasters and cities in the country display an element of encouraging resilience to be back on the track. I am sure this is true the world over. Nepal after the seismic disaster or Paris after the terrorist attack has shown that no matter what, life goes on. It is perhaps the sign of life that we prepare for a new dawn even by the setting of dusk.

The human tragedy that befell Chennai is beyond description. However, while on the one hand it was a rude reminder of Nature’s fury, it also reflected how the nation stands up and together in an hour of crisis. Thanks to social media support systems got cracking and Chennai is back on rails.

“The show must go on” – and this is more than just a cliché. It is mega mix of metaphysics and real-physics. Chennai is an altogether different city in December and January. The city witnesses the conduct of over 6,000 concerts in about 30 days. Backward engineer the figures and you have about 200 concerts in a day along with lecture – demonstrations too.

Starting around 8 am for about 14 hours thereon each day the “Sabhas” have anywhere between five or less concerts per day. These mind boggling numbers need to seep into our minds to impact the enormity of the event and its inner strength. To those in our state these numbers are benumbing!

The mere scale of the event makes the event unprecedented. The who’s who in the field, are out there vying for space, place and acceptance. Unending debates on who is the best and who has not got his due are up for the taking. Does Sudha deserve the Sangeethakalanidhi? Does Sriram Ganghadharan deserve better placing? Where is Rajkumar Bharati…

The variety of singing approaches, the accepted placement in the hierarchy, awards and as a common denomination – devotion – the breath line of Carnatic music will be in fusion with the Kanchipattu sarees, the diamond ear studs, the threaded jasmines, the Kapi (not the raga!) the steaming hot idlis and oh! The list is endless.

Various Sabhas are competing to have not just the very best but also the most promising. So when an Abhishek Raghuram is performing at the Narada Gana Sabha, not only is the auditorium full, but the “very special” have the privilege of being seated on the huge stage! This youngster is just an example of how crowd pullers are not just the aging veterans or the veterans.

Every Sabha also ensures that the events have a few ‘ticketed’ concerts and some ‘free’ concerts. The ‘arrival’ or popularity of an artiste is neither measured by the crowd at ‘a concert’ or the hour of the singing at a particular ‘Sabha’.

Followers and fans have detailed time-tables, which they can dig into. In case you are the follower of the art without being dubbed as the ‘fan’ of a single artiste then you could literally be on the move covering over 10 km of bus on Chennai roads from a 9 am concert at one Sabha to a noon concert elsewhere and further for a 3 pm concert at one end of the city and sign off with a 7 pm concert.

Four in a day! Am I joking! Ask the Carnatic music buff in the city and you will realise that the scheme is bereft of any exaggeration. Then there are committed followers – who would literally stalk a singer at every Sabha and ensure they have heard the maximum number of an artiste. My wife for instance is out there listening to every concert of Trichur Brothers.

This brings us to another interesting yet unique aspect of Carnatic music. Duos singing in tandem. From the greats like Alathur Brothers, Brinda – Mukta, Radha – Jayalakshmi, Bombay Sisters (my favs!!) to contemporary Hyderabad Sisters, Malladi Brothers, Trichur Brothers… the list of the unique style is a fascinating facet of the art. There are also thematic concerts. Raga based, composer based, and many innovative themes. In short the city wakes up to music melody and rhythm like no other city does in the country and showcases an event unmatched. Our own Woodstock! Mardi gras!.

Pack your bags and experience the rich tapestry of raga and tala, of dance and vadya, of alapana and neraval and get soaked in an unforgettable experience. Recognise the richness of our art and the awesome variety it has to offer. Of the collective, the amazing set of singers and performers it can only be said: “Entharo Mahanu Bhavulu!”