Date:28/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/28/stories/2008122850960200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Tamil Isai Vizha inaugurated

Special Correspondent

Future generation of musicians need support of ‘rasikas’ to succeed, says violinist
T.N. Krishnan

CHENNAI: It is the encouragement of the audience that helps a musician to continue performing, said violinist T.N. Krishnan, who was honoured with ‘Tamizhisai Vendar’ title at a function here on Friday.

“A good audience will make a musician want to perform. Rasikas have encouraged me for over 70 years. Only if you understand the meaning of the song can you enjoy a performance. The future generation of musicians need the good support of rasikas to succeed,” he told a gathering of fans at a programme organised by Karthik Fine Arts.

Awards presented

‘Cho’ Ramaswamy, Editor, Thuglak, who inaugurated the Tamil Isai Vizha and presented awards, recalled his interview with the musician for his magazine. “Thirty years ago, he spoke of training youngsters and encouraging them to perform. He fought for solo performances by violinists in sabhas at a time when the stage was the prerogative of vocalists,” he said.

The award to Mr.Krishnan included a silver miniature tambura, purse and a citation.

Titles conferred

Vocalist Prasanna Venkataraman was presented the title of ‘Isai Chudar’ and Bharatnatyam artist Divya Kasturi was presented the Shriram Award of Excellence. They were presented a gold medallion and a citation each.

Vocalist Thirupampuram Shanmuga Sundaram was presented Dr. Sirkali Govindarajan Memorial Award.

‘Avvai’ Natarajan, chairman of the Isai Vizha committee, and A. Natarajan, former director of Doordarshan Kendra, spoke.