News - Views - Reviews
MADRAS MUSIC MELA 2001
INTERVIEW WITH S SUNDARARAMAN, KAPALI FINE ARTS
- When did you start Kapali Fine Arts?
Our sabha was started in the year 1969, on December 13th.
- Who are the founders of the Sabha?
I'm the founder-Secretary, Film Director K Balachandar was the founder-President and film actor K Nagesh, a patron.
- Any particular incident which prompted you to start the Sabha?
The three of us were active members in the Swatantra party during India's freedom struggle. At that time we needed a medium through which we could spread the urge for freedom. So we started a Sabha through which we conducted dramas to spread our messages. Slowly we started introducing music concerts which was well appreciated by a group of people. That is how the Sabha started.
- What are the general objectives of your Sabha?
Our objective is to promote music and bring in people from other castes into the fold. But without the support of popular musicians, we cannot do that. If any popular musician is willing to extend their helping hand in this regard, we will surely support them to any extent. Music should not be limited to one sect of people. It should be spread widely.
- How are you different from other Sabhas?
The major difference is that we do not have our own premises. Sponsorship
is less for our Sabha but with God's grace and the help of our members, we are able to run our
Sabha.
We are very careful in selecting the musicians who perform in our Sabha. We give
opportunities to only deserving musicians. We conduct about 50 concerts every music
season as also competitions for the young and upcoming.
- What is the award that you give and what do you give the awardees?
We do not believe in giving cash awards. We give a shawl worth Rs. 1,800/-, a silver-plated medal worth Rs. 2,500/- and a garland. However, we have given cash awards to musicians who are really in need of money or those who have done voluntary service to music. One such example is Cheglepet Ranganathan.
- What is the criterion on which artistes are chosen for the awards?
We choose elderly people around 50 years of age and above, with a lot of experience in the music field.
- Any new ideas for the music season?
We do not generally have new ideas just for the sake of having them. We just have traditional Carnatic music concerts as we do not find any good response for other kinds of music. Besides, it also depends on the location of our venues. Right now, we are in a place where people enjoy and appreciate only Carnatic music.
Posted on 21st December 2001
