A cool January evening, turned out to be a pleasantly surprising, transcendental experience, beyond imagination. It was a small gathering of music or rather classical music lovers, hailing from South India, and the occasion was Thyagararja Aaradhanai, meaning salutations to the one and only classical music exponent Thyagaraja Bhagadavar.
I am definitely not competent enough to speak or comment about this revered and profound subject, but I was just thankful and privileged to be a part of the electrifying atmosphere that evening. Just to be, as an observer, trying to drink in, the sheer pleasure of listening to a mesmerizing performance. The violinist played such soul-stirring music, that we found ourselves drawn completely into his world of poignant, soulful notes. Not in vain is it termed the 'queen of instruments'! The truth being we did not sit through the entire programme, but what I did manage to garner from those few hours was enough to make an indelible impression, which seemed to pervade me for a while.
Apart from the utter enjoyment of the scintillating performance, rendered by the group, what sort of shook me and made me realize, is how we tend to forget our roots, and miss out on the richness of the bottomless pit of wealth, it has to offer. As the speakers with their vibrant and striking words, unfolded before us the background behind the Thyagaraajar’s life, and about his astounding compositions, we could all but listen, in awe and wonder. The Pancharathna Kirthis was expounded upon so vividly, that for a lay person like me, who had no inkling that it had such such intense and insightful depth to it, it was a wonderful revelation. This might give you a general idea about, what I have or I had been so taken up with!
And of course it was so unbelievable being in a milieu, that could have easily passed off as a gathering, right in the heart of any town or city in Tamilnadu; the pattu paavadais, and kanjeevarams the diamond thodus (earrings), and the tinkling of Tamil all around! Was left to muse, how we uproot ourselves, to be transplanted elsewhere, and we sadly loose the initiative to celebrate the vastness and the incredible beauty of our beloved heritage. And it has been more than a week now as I think back, the intensity of my feelings has definitely petered out a bit, and am glad that I did manage to capture that moment in writing, for I would need a reminder about, things that lay beyond the everyday realms of our lives. The untouched ocean of knowledge, that lies beyond, to be tasted and savoured. And I would like to tell myself, I have …’miles to go, before I sleep’….
7 comments:
An impressive delineation of a profound subject. Brought out the full depth of our heritage and enduring values. Along with the perks of appropriate dressing. Nothing like silk saris and pavadais to elicit the mood
I don't know for some reason I wanted to hear MSS voice this morning and what am I seeing here!! Though I could not listen to the music now you brought the mood now!!
My Poetry Section is Up and open. Thanks for the inspiration to post one
- thank you for the appreciation of my attempts at 'delineation'. and thanks for the new word up my sleeve now, to be tossed around..! :)
- @ maddy : glad to be of some help, however small! :) hope you did finally get to hear the melodious voice at some point of the day. will look up the poetry section some time, for sure.
U have written this post so beautifully.....I felt like I was in there with U.
Do u have any training in classical arts??? U sure sound like u have.
I too am in awe whenever I see a musician extracting the most soulful music out of a violin...sometimes brings tears to the eye.
@ reflections - thanks a lot for the appreciation, and feels good, that i was able to convey the feelings experienced, effectively!
training...i did learn veena, so if that counts, yes. Was never good at vocal though, would love to give a try again sometime! :)
Was this one of the Dar al Athan al Islamiyya performances? It sounds like something that shouldn't have been missed!
@ intlxpatr - no, it was not the one you'd mentioned.
this was the typical south indian classical music rendition, by a group of artists here. and good i didnt miss this one! :)
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