Thursday, September 1, 2016
Another article on Carnatic Music
Maargazhi Raagam- First ever Carnatic movie...
Vrinda. K. Nair
Classical music of South India is beckoning the music lovers across the world from the silver screen. In a novel concept, Margazhi Raagam, a 110 minute musical concert, is brought out to enthral them at Cinema. And, remember, it’s no film.
Thus, the music lovers got the first feel of ‘Margazhi Raagam’- the first ever visualisation of Carnatic music in silver screen. It was released across the cities in South India. Even though it was presented in a new form, in a digital visualization, and in an ultra modern theatre, the basic idea it expressed is the language of pure Carnatic.
As usual, the film starts with the display of titles. Though we expect some soft musical background for title display it was in pin drop silence. In a soft breeze appears the heroine on the screen. She is none other than our Bombay Jayashri. And she starts with 'Sarvamangala' in Mayamalavagowla raga accompanied by Embar S Kannan's violin, Patri Sathish Kumar's Mridangam and Chathra Prasanna's and Keerthana V Nath's Tamburu. Through that kriti she made the viewers alive and energetic. Then, in the movie the lights were dimmed for a couple of seconds and then, she shifted to another one in Neelambari raga. This raga with its soothing effect always Trans plants the audience to drowsiness of a sweet order. When Jayashri sung it, obviously it left the viewers into a dreamy world and the visualization also suits the occasion well; to take away the viewers like a kite.
As if the film director wants to awake the viewers from that dream world, next came an item in 'Reethi Gowla' raga. This raga always leaves a 'reethi' for the masters it sung. So, Jayashri made an elaborate 'raga visthara' accompanied by other artists. And the viewers also liked the way it performed and we can hear the appraisal sound from many areas in the theatre hall. Following that in the 'charana' time the characters in the movie started changing. First it leaves an impression that the accompanying artists changed. But after that all on a sudden the hero of the movie stole the scene. And it is obvious that he is T.M.Krishna, the owner of magnificent voice in Carnatic music. Anyway, that was an unpredictable twist in the movie. When the first song was finished by Jayashri, the viewers expected T.M.Krishna will come next. But that time he didn't come as if the time was not yet ripe. But after that in the last portion of a 'kriti' giving a complete surprise, he came, and gave an action thriller mood to the viewers.
He was accompanied by R.K.Shriram Kumar's violin, K.Arun Prakash's mridangam, B.S.Purushotham's Kanjira, Emmanuelle Martin's and Rithvik Raja's Tambura. As usual, he took away the audience also through the many intricate ways of jawali and kamaz raga which was accompanied by his body, which made the viewers, thinks that he is travelling through the ragas.
The climax was directed so perfectly in which Jayashri's master piece 'Jagadhodharana' and Krishna's 'vandematharam' captured the audience. And all the artists perfectly joined with the hero and heroine and that gives the viewers also a new experience.
"Through this attempt we actually tried to give a new face to the Carnatic music. With the emergence of many musical forms our traditional music is fading away little bit. Since, movie is a strong media we tried to give a new life to Carnatic music through the movie form. And we succeeded in that well." Srikanth Chandrasekhar, the producer of 'Margazhi raagam' says.
It cannot help saying that the makers of 'Margazhi Raagam' really achieved what they meant. And they really deserves appraisal for the efforts taken to sustain a musical form which has a very old tradition.
Vrinda. K. Nair
Classical music of South India is beckoning the music lovers across the world from the silver screen. In a novel concept, Margazhi Raagam, a 110 minute musical concert, is brought out to enthral them at Cinema. And, remember, it’s no film.
Thus, the music lovers got the first feel of ‘Margazhi Raagam’- the first ever visualisation of Carnatic music in silver screen. It was released across the cities in South India. Even though it was presented in a new form, in a digital visualization, and in an ultra modern theatre, the basic idea it expressed is the language of pure Carnatic.
As usual, the film starts with the display of titles. Though we expect some soft musical background for title display it was in pin drop silence. In a soft breeze appears the heroine on the screen. She is none other than our Bombay Jayashri. And she starts with 'Sarvamangala' in Mayamalavagowla raga accompanied by Embar S Kannan's violin, Patri Sathish Kumar's Mridangam and Chathra Prasanna's and Keerthana V Nath's Tamburu. Through that kriti she made the viewers alive and energetic. Then, in the movie the lights were dimmed for a couple of seconds and then, she shifted to another one in Neelambari raga. This raga with its soothing effect always Trans plants the audience to drowsiness of a sweet order. When Jayashri sung it, obviously it left the viewers into a dreamy world and the visualization also suits the occasion well; to take away the viewers like a kite.
As if the film director wants to awake the viewers from that dream world, next came an item in 'Reethi Gowla' raga. This raga always leaves a 'reethi' for the masters it sung. So, Jayashri made an elaborate 'raga visthara' accompanied by other artists. And the viewers also liked the way it performed and we can hear the appraisal sound from many areas in the theatre hall. Following that in the 'charana' time the characters in the movie started changing. First it leaves an impression that the accompanying artists changed. But after that all on a sudden the hero of the movie stole the scene. And it is obvious that he is T.M.Krishna, the owner of magnificent voice in Carnatic music. Anyway, that was an unpredictable twist in the movie. When the first song was finished by Jayashri, the viewers expected T.M.Krishna will come next. But that time he didn't come as if the time was not yet ripe. But after that in the last portion of a 'kriti' giving a complete surprise, he came, and gave an action thriller mood to the viewers.
He was accompanied by R.K.Shriram Kumar's violin, K.Arun Prakash's mridangam, B.S.Purushotham's Kanjira, Emmanuelle Martin's and Rithvik Raja's Tambura. As usual, he took away the audience also through the many intricate ways of jawali and kamaz raga which was accompanied by his body, which made the viewers, thinks that he is travelling through the ragas.
The climax was directed so perfectly in which Jayashri's master piece 'Jagadhodharana' and Krishna's 'vandematharam' captured the audience. And all the artists perfectly joined with the hero and heroine and that gives the viewers also a new experience.
"Through this attempt we actually tried to give a new face to the Carnatic music. With the emergence of many musical forms our traditional music is fading away little bit. Since, movie is a strong media we tried to give a new life to Carnatic music through the movie form. And we succeeded in that well." Srikanth Chandrasekhar, the producer of 'Margazhi raagam' says.
It cannot help saying that the makers of 'Margazhi Raagam' really achieved what they meant. And they really deserves appraisal for the efforts taken to sustain a musical form which has a very old tradition.
My Article Published on Indian Express
HELPING OUT SOME HAPLESS SOULS
Vrinda. K. Nair
One day some wretched souls asked Yama, God of Death, "Our bodies are still on Earth as we still haven't been buried properly. Our family members are helpless for they don't have the cash to even cremate us or bury us as they are all living in utter penury as complete destitute. O God, is our poverty such a big sin? Can't you do anything to save our bodies?" With a sarcastic smile Yama replied, “All those who are alive are complaining that they are not getting any care. So how can I promise your dead body a decent burial?”
But in Coimbatore, maybe there are no such hapless souls. The Thozhar trust here facilitates the burials of even the down trodden in our society. Four years back, five ordinary flower sellers, Shantakumar, Ibrahim, Jeevanandam, Annadurai, and Sampath Kumar launched the trust after a particularly horrifying experience surprisingly inspired them to find a solution to an age old problem.
Shanthakumar narrates about the incident which sparked their noble initiative. “We all used to donate blood regularly. One day when we had gone to the Government hospital to donate blood, a disgusting foul stench assaulted our senses. It was originating from the mortuary. When we enquired about that, the hospital authorities disclosed to us that on those days, when certain unclaimed dead bodies are left behind, with no one willing to shoulder their responsibility, they tend to rot at the morgue. This naked truth, the very existence of orphans even among the dead, touched our hearts and souls. So that very day itself, we talked with the hospital authorities and the police about whether they will allow us to take care of those unwanted bodies and provided them a decent burial.”
Once the Rubicon was crossed, there was no looking back as they started interment of the unwanted bodies. 470 corpses have been inhumed by the Thozhar trust so far including just one-day-old babies, AIDS patients, and unclaimed dead bodies. Recently a prisoner’s mother was to be buried and they succeeded in making arrangements for the prisoner to attend the burial. Seven AIDS patients were also cremated by them.
As far as they are concerned, no one escapes unnoticed from the clutches of death. In every person’s life, death is an uninvited but inevitable guest. Ibrahim says, “We will also die one day. So how can we close our eyes against others when they die? Some organizations even care for the dead animals but in the case of human beings, there is no such concern shown. Our policy is that no one should abandon their beloved one’s dead body due to financial constraints.”
After completing the necessary formalities with the police and the hospital authorities, the corpses are taken to the burial ground in Puliakulam. Raja Ambulance helps the trust by providing their services free of cost. Many ladies and school and college going students also aid in this admirable effort.
Generally as a matter of principle, religious ceremonies are not conducted by the trust. “Usually we ignore the particular religious background because, it may hike the cost involved. But if the relatives of the deceased persons demand any such observances, then we allow it.” Shanthakumar says.
Do they get any help from government? Shanthakumar shrugs, “No help at all from the government. Some persons and organizations however assist us in different ways. Lions club gave us an Omni van. Others offer some financial aid.”
‘Adakkam’ or ‘burial’ by Mathi Ananth has documented all these activities of the trust. The documentary highlights their immense social service. Perhaps more aid will now reach the Thozhar trust after this publicity, so far just words of appreciation have been received.
But not withstanding the society’s general apathy, they continue on this sojourn, a journey where only dead bodies are there as co travelers. If you feel the trust is worthy of your help, feel free to contact them and offer your assistance in their mission.
The contact numbers are 09842267700, 0942251523, and 0943347786.
.......................................
Vrinda. K. Nair
One day some wretched souls asked Yama, God of Death, "Our bodies are still on Earth as we still haven't been buried properly. Our family members are helpless for they don't have the cash to even cremate us or bury us as they are all living in utter penury as complete destitute. O God, is our poverty such a big sin? Can't you do anything to save our bodies?" With a sarcastic smile Yama replied, “All those who are alive are complaining that they are not getting any care. So how can I promise your dead body a decent burial?”
But in Coimbatore, maybe there are no such hapless souls. The Thozhar trust here facilitates the burials of even the down trodden in our society. Four years back, five ordinary flower sellers, Shantakumar, Ibrahim, Jeevanandam, Annadurai, and Sampath Kumar launched the trust after a particularly horrifying experience surprisingly inspired them to find a solution to an age old problem.
Shanthakumar narrates about the incident which sparked their noble initiative. “We all used to donate blood regularly. One day when we had gone to the Government hospital to donate blood, a disgusting foul stench assaulted our senses. It was originating from the mortuary. When we enquired about that, the hospital authorities disclosed to us that on those days, when certain unclaimed dead bodies are left behind, with no one willing to shoulder their responsibility, they tend to rot at the morgue. This naked truth, the very existence of orphans even among the dead, touched our hearts and souls. So that very day itself, we talked with the hospital authorities and the police about whether they will allow us to take care of those unwanted bodies and provided them a decent burial.”
Once the Rubicon was crossed, there was no looking back as they started interment of the unwanted bodies. 470 corpses have been inhumed by the Thozhar trust so far including just one-day-old babies, AIDS patients, and unclaimed dead bodies. Recently a prisoner’s mother was to be buried and they succeeded in making arrangements for the prisoner to attend the burial. Seven AIDS patients were also cremated by them.
As far as they are concerned, no one escapes unnoticed from the clutches of death. In every person’s life, death is an uninvited but inevitable guest. Ibrahim says, “We will also die one day. So how can we close our eyes against others when they die? Some organizations even care for the dead animals but in the case of human beings, there is no such concern shown. Our policy is that no one should abandon their beloved one’s dead body due to financial constraints.”
After completing the necessary formalities with the police and the hospital authorities, the corpses are taken to the burial ground in Puliakulam. Raja Ambulance helps the trust by providing their services free of cost. Many ladies and school and college going students also aid in this admirable effort.
Generally as a matter of principle, religious ceremonies are not conducted by the trust. “Usually we ignore the particular religious background because, it may hike the cost involved. But if the relatives of the deceased persons demand any such observances, then we allow it.” Shanthakumar says.
Do they get any help from government? Shanthakumar shrugs, “No help at all from the government. Some persons and organizations however assist us in different ways. Lions club gave us an Omni van. Others offer some financial aid.”
‘Adakkam’ or ‘burial’ by Mathi Ananth has documented all these activities of the trust. The documentary highlights their immense social service. Perhaps more aid will now reach the Thozhar trust after this publicity, so far just words of appreciation have been received.
But not withstanding the society’s general apathy, they continue on this sojourn, a journey where only dead bodies are there as co travelers. If you feel the trust is worthy of your help, feel free to contact them and offer your assistance in their mission.
The contact numbers are 09842267700, 0942251523, and 0943347786.
.......................................
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