Exam time begins, and my mind slips away into deep reverie on how I’m going to enjoy my holidays. And once done, my musical journey starts. On Friday I had been to Sanjay Subrahmanyam’s concert. It was at a half-past-six, but I saw no throngs of people, waiting to nudge their way through with a no-care-attitude as to whose toes are getting stamped. Surprisingly, the smart rasikas were already inside, listening to the earlier concert!
In the balcony, there were just steps, like the chepauk stadium B-Stand, where one is comfortable in the “chaplaankaal” posture. Quite contrastingly in the lower bays, chairs were haphazard for maamis wanting to socialize like in a wedding. My uncle, managed it into the VIP bay claiming “Enakku IG ya nalla theriyum”. Envying, I wanted to experiment. Luckily, I was wearing a Fab India Kurta. Maintaining a gait of an elite rasika, I walked towards the VIP gate. The security guy there, believing that I was a musical stalwart, saluted me with a customary “Namaskaram” and ushered me to a seat in the VIP bay! I was on cloud nine.
The kutcheri began. Junta were on “talaiyaattal” mode. I’m sure its a good exercise for spinal stenosis. Or would it worsen it? The heads rotate, gyrate, shake with all possible degrees of freedom with an oft repeated Aah..ah! or Sabaash…!! In identifying ragas, our people are the best. The man in the olive green shirt got it spot on as “Sahana”, whispered it carefully to his wife only being loud enough for the eavesdropping maama two rows away ready for an auditory catch. What comes next is predictable. The maama was boisterously exulting… “Sahana…aha”…. “Sahana…aha”.
Figuring out taalams? Hilarious! I saw not ONE but TWO maamis clad in exquisite “pattu” sarees, earnestly tapping “Adi Taalam” with their fingers swaying in air, for a song undoubtedly in “Rupaka Taalam” which Sanjay was tapping with all josh.
The attitude which Sanjay exuded was super-cool. His pronunciation was crystal-spashtam. His energy levels are unprecedented and he sure is as charismatic as he is referred to be. The theme - Dhandapani Desikar was an appropriate tribute on his centenary. Tamizh in its purest form reverberated through the hall and our minds. Profound philosophy emanated in golden words and undulating ragas.
The “Kelvi Neram” was the icing on the cake. All questions were given witty and thought provoking replies. Sanjay redefined music, being totally creative, making us truly enjoy music like never before. With rib-tickling ripostes and soul-stirring renditions, Sanjay “Splendid” Subrahmanyam took us all to seventh heaven with just seven beautiful swaras.
Aravindh Kamakshinadha
December 6, 2008
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