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MADRAS MUSIC MELA 2001
SOWMYA AND SANJAY SUBRAMANYAM BAG THE FIRST NADA OLI AWARDS
In a brief chat with Carnatica's Pushkala Ramakrishnan, SVK, as he is widely known, talks about the Sabha and the selection process for such awards.
- When did you start Naada Inbam?
I started a Sabha called Raga Sudha in Coimbatore in 1974. There we had our own premises with an excellent sound system. Eventually in 1982, I started Naada Inbam in Madras. Initially we were conducting our concerts in Srinivasa Sastri Hall. In 1997, our own acoustically designed hall (called Raga Sudha Hall), in Luz Avenue was ready. We got this hall also air-conditioned in September 2001.
- Who are the founders of Naada Inbam?
I am the founder of Naada Inbam, helped by a band of serious music lovers who came forward to support me both physically and financially.
- Any particular incident which prompted you to start the Sabha?
Actually in Coimbatore there was nobody to promote any musical activity. Being a music lover, I wished to do something about it and started Raga Sudha. This was very popular for more than 15 years, after which it continued in the name of Manoranjitam. It still continues under the same name. On the other hand, in Madras highly talented yet not very popular artistes like Vina K S Narayanaswami, T M Tyagarajan, and Tanjavur S Kalyanaraman were not getting proper recognition during the annual music season. We at Naada Inbam decided to present these eminent artistes, even though other Sabhas failed to do so.
- What are the general objectives of your Sabha?
We believe in promoting chaste Carnatic music, giving people what they need and not what they want. It is like what a teacher would do to his student or a doctor to his patient! Our principles are reflected in the artistes who perform in our Sabha. We also stress on the importance of Trinity compositions (viz. Tyagaraja, Dikshitar and Syama Sastri). On an average Naada Inbam conducts 4 - 5 concerts every month of seniors and juniors, apart from lending the hall for other like-minded organisations.
- How are you different from other Sabhas?
We don't have a membership with a fixed subscription but a mailing list leaving it to each music lover to decide upon the quantum of support. This enables even economically backward music lovers to regularly attend music programmes since almost all concerts are free of entry fee.
- What is the award that you give?
The award that we give is 'Nada Oli' which means 'Shine by sound'. I'm sufficiently experienced as an organiser to realise the need for the proper recognition of meritorious artistes, not merely encouraging their talent. Since 1974 I have been actively engaged in organising music. We have chosen 7 artistes (mentioned above) who are in the middle level of progress. The award carries a gold medal and a citation. Senior vocalist R Vedavalli will inaugurate the festival while T K Govinda Rao, another very experienced musician will confer the award.
- What is the criterion on which the artistes have been chosen for award?
These artistes have been selected for their 1) competence in the field 2) commitment to the art and its propagation 3) co-operation with our organisation.
- Do you have any new type of concerts this year?
No, we don't have anything like that. It has been our regular practice to remember the continuous service of successive generations of artistes, who have cared to pass the art from time immemorial like Tyagaraja, Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.
- How do you think music today is kept alive in the society?
Every sensitive member of the society has a love for music in various degrees. The fact remains that classical music, especially Carnatic music has survived for over a thousand years largely due to such music lovers who have learned from elders, enabled youngsters to learn, encouraged talented musicians, formed organisations and even invited critics to help impartial assessment of the quality. I also thank Carnatica.com in coming forward to create an awareness on the happenings in Chennai. I sincerely invite them to attend all the concerts at our Sabha and give their opinions.
Posted 26th November 2001
