Date:04/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/04/stories/2005070406120300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

From Vedas to science, for rain

Staff Reporter

Classical music on the one hand, cloud-seeding on the other

ANANTAPUR: It was a musical evening, alright. But it was not meant for the music aficionados. It was directed at the rain gods, imploring them to bless rain-starved Anantapur district with their bounty.

Krishna Kala Mandir, the venue of the programme organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and the District Cultural Affairs Council, was filled with music lovers on Sunday evening. The responsibility of invoking the rain gods via classical music was given to the Hyderabad Brothers - D. Seshachary and D. Raghavachary.

The brothers did succeed in enthralling the audience with ragas like Varshapriya, Varunapriya, Harapriya, Megharanjani, Kharahapriya, and Shankarabharam among others. However, it has to be seen whether their attempt will succeed or not. Some may dismiss it as unscientific. But, `Vedas' cite instances of propitiating rain gods by chanting `slokas', conducting `homas' and reciting musical notes.

The authorities are tinkering with science too for rain through cloud-seeding. Heavy winds have made the operations difficult since they were launched on June 21.

`Encouraging results'

Appropriately, the vocal concert for inciting the rain gods was named as `varshini'. The Hyderabad Brothers claimed that there were encouraging results when such an attempt was made in Hyderabad earlier. They were in Mahabubnagar on Saturday night for the same exercise. Hopefully, the rain gods will like the brothers' music.