Master of docu-drama

N. KRISHNASWAMY OF ENKAY Visions is a visionary. His series of short tele-films , "The Great Masters" featuring Carnatic musicians had a recent re-run on Podigai Channel, and reminded the innumerable viewers of the cultural ethos of a unique tradition of music. Of all the Arts, for which India can be proud of, Carnatic music is a fine example of an amalgam of language, melody, life-style and spirituality.

Krishnaswamy, who started out as a cameraman, in feature films, went on to become a producer. But his current forte is docu- drama. His team comprises his two sons and daughter, and to keep the film rolling in the business they do all kinds of films on different subjects, including a serial based on a fiction. It is not surprising that our spiritual leaders too have the need for wider communication. His cassettes on Melmaruvathur Amma are in great demand among devotees. A serial on the subject is also being planned.

Did anybody know that the Ministry of Defence commissions serials? Well, they have, and it is being made by Krishnaswamy - a mammoth production called "Aayudh".

Krishnaswamy speaks of his association with the critic Subbudu, who helped him and initiated not only the filming of Tyagaraja's Pancharatna kritis, and later supported "The Great Masters" series. Anu Gopal, Krishnaswamy's daughter, has been a keen researcher for such painstaking projects. While I persuade Krishnaswamy to release the series as VCDs, he tells me how important it is for the lovers of music, particularly the younger ones, to see these films to learn a little about the greatness that preceded their time.

The visuals in the docu-dramas are handled sensitively by Suresh, his younger son. Anu and Suresh speak of the exciting time they had filming the "Role of the Indian Stage in the Freedom Movement." Featured in this series was Dinanath Mangeshkar (father of Lata), Veer Savarkar, Subash Chandra Bose, and others. Their series on the role of Tamil in the freedom struggle identified Viswanath Das, and Muthuramalinga Thevar. Forgotten figures thus came to be duly recognised. "Amita Malik wrote highly of my documentary detailing the first sound studio founded by A. Narayanan with his wife Meena, the first woman recordist," says Krishnaswamy.

The Krishnaswamys take on several projects, but emphasise how little the resources are for high art, especially classical music and dance. The shying away of commercial sponsors from such programmes is a problem that has not been addressed by anyone. I was wondering whether the multinationals, could be persuaded to support the classical arts as part of a Heritage programme. In the meantime, Krishnaswamy continues to look for avenues to explore in music. Bala, another son, runs around to find support, and shoulders the administration of this committed family's work. Their next project will be a series on the Vaggeyakaras (composers)".

LAKSHMI VISWANATHAN

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