Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A strikingly different ambience for them

— Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

An evening of music: A violin concert in progress at the Nageswararao Park, Mylapore as part of the Chennai Sangamam festival.

CHENNAI: Just a few weeks ago, it was about performing in an ambience that they were used to. Familiar sounds systems, a fairly predictable crowd and sabhas that have traditionally been featuring Carnatic music concerts. Now, it meant performing at an unconventional venue, to a new audience, and in a strikingly different ambience.

Carnatic musicians, who performed at parks and other open spaces as part of ‘Chennai Sangamam’ over the last few days, describe the experience as “very interesting,” “totally refreshing” and “a lot fun.” Vocalist S. Sowmya seems to have thoroughly enjoyed herself at these performances. “For the concert at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore, I included a bit of raga aalapana and swaram. But, for the one at the Institute of Road Transport, Taramani, I chose to present more songs… those of Bharatiyar, other famous compositions in Tamil and Kaavadichindus.” In fact, she even encouraged the children at the venue to dance to the kaavadichindus.

“Oh, we had a great time. After the performance, the children crowded around us, saying how much they liked it…wishing us for Pongal and all sorts of things,” she says. “The possibility for such interaction and the sense of togetherness at the venue is amazing,” she adds.

It was not just Ms. Sowmya who was excited. Seeing all the fun, her nine-year-old Sankrith volunteered to perform with her during both her concerts.

Vocalist Bombay Jayashree says the atmosphere enables the child in everyone to surface. At her concert at Natesan Park, T.Nagar, on Tuesday hundreds of people gathered around the dais. Many seated on the grass, several kneeling down, and some standing behind and peeping occasionally.

A section of the audience was merrily clapping along, as the artist sang Bharatiyar’s inimitable ‘Chinnanjiru Kiliyae…’

“I have always believed that Carnatic music is something everyone can enjoy. It is not an elitist art form,” she says.

Recalling her performance at Nageswara Rao Park last year, she says: “Autorickshaw drivers in their uniforms and street children were sitting right under my nose, eagerly listening. It is a beautiful experience singing for them.” Their reception to this music is contrary to the perception that only those who understand the grammar of Carnatic music or have been learning for a considerable period of time can enjoy it, she adds.

The audience was a mix of those who are regulars at concerts, some of them who dropped by out of curiosity, some who came to eat, some who came for a walk and some, who were there to be part of a celebration. “Carnatic music being part of such a celebration is truly wonderful,” she says.

O.S.Arun was a little sceptical about performing at Chintadripet. “But the response was overwhelming. I gave brief introductions to the songs I rendered and the audience was very, very receptive; particularly the children.

When the artist sang ‘Vishamara Kannan,’ a breezy and folk number-like composition of Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyyar, the audience swayed in joy.

The audience had no inhibition expressing their appreciation, artists feel. Though different from the ‘Sabash’s and ‘Besh’s often heard at the sabhas, the sudden applauses or the occasional whistling seem to have added more colour and feel to ‘Thiruvizha Namma Theruvizha,’ making these performances memorable for the artists as well.

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