Being a good rasika

At the outset, I am sorry for posting this very late though written in early January.

Music season for 2012 is over. For avid listeners like me, there is no beginning to a season and neither an end to it. Any day, any time, good music- I will try my level best to register my presence. This time around, I got lot of opportunity to listen to MUSIC for EARS and to SOUL!. However, buying tickets and sitting in the audience side, I witnessed some irritating moments. I wish to share and this is a humble request to all rasikas such that we make listening better and beautiful(if not for you personally, at least for fellow rasikas):

1. Rasikas, please do not chat when the concert has begun. This definitely irritates the others who like you have come to listen. If you want to talk about your family issues or anything, this DEFINITELY is not the place. Please go out, talk freely and come back and listen peacefully.

2. Music & movie - I have heard from some friends that they like to watch a movie right from the time the advertisements appear with jarring sound. Please apply the same to music - please be there at least 5 minutes before the concert begins. Do you like watching it half way? - No right! The same should be applied here.

3. Please, do not get up when the Thani aavarthanam(any instrument) is happening. This is like insulting the accompanying artists(sorry for being a little harsh). It is a team work. TA does not mean the artist plays separately for himself or for the singing artist. It is to showcase his/her brilliance in presenting the song (or even to embellish the concert sometimes). Thani is not an INTERMISSION. I try not to go out. Sometimes, I am forced to. I will try to avoid that as well. 

4. Life members, please make sure you come to the concert on time. Being a life member does not mean that you can walk-in to the concert anytime you want before the concert ends. It definitely done not create a respect to the artist.

5. Please do not get up and leave the concert when the artist sings Mangalam or Thillana. That is also another interesting flavor to the concert.

6. Above all, please put your cell phones in silent mode or best - switch off. This reminds me of what I read in a newspapar recently. During this season, somewhere, Chitraveena exponent Shri Ravikiran requested the audience to turn their mobile to silent mode/turn off OR set their ring tone to Varali ragam. Sounds funny, but has so much meaning to it.

7. Once the concert is over, comment about the concert to your close people and not to strangers sitting by the side of you. What you like, they might not and what they like, you might not relish.

8. I remember one incident - 1 mama(an elderly person) was quick to comment after an really excellent concert(according to me), got over. "Enna paadaraan avan... Naan edhir paartha maadhiri illai". Question to mama, "What did you expect, what did the singer not deliver?"

To sabhas:

Sabhas do a great service in all the aspects right from best arrangements to motivating artists by awarding the best set. However, there are little things that can be taken care of and make the place wonderful.

1. Ensure the mic quality is good and speakers work well It should be an aid to the artist and not hamper in their creativity.

2. It would be great, if the seating arrangement is properly done. No paavadai tapes, etc, PLEASE!

3. I know this might not be possible - Still, please try to avoid reserving a seat. Sometimes, there are vacant seats in the 4th or 5th rows itself. 

3. Clear instructions, directions would greatly help. In case, tickets are not available for a concert or tickets are sold only the previous day, it would be good if it appears in the dailies. Rasikas will not be disappointed.

To artists:

I do not have anything to say, except when you sing krithis in rare ragams, it would be nice if you mention before the start.It would be really helpful if you could also announce the parent(in case of janya) or melakartha number if its MK. That way, it is easy to understand better. Not all would know a Salagam or a Sudha Seemandhini etc. This is just a humble request.

Tail piece note: I have heard from my parents, that in those days concerts would run for 5 to 6 hours of which Thani alone goes for 1 hour. Inquisitively, I asked my father wouldn't people walk like how they do these days? - My father's answer was - No one will get up and every one will sit and enjoy as they would have finished their food when they come and they respected each and every artist... How blissful it had been, right?
If it is possible for a 5 hours concert, I humbly feel it must be possible for its exact half - 2.5 hours concert, right? Let us give due respect to every accompanist on the stage!.

Signing off,

SPH

My listening to Music Season 2012

In general, there is a saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". Planning is important to everyone and in everything..  Whether it is the musicians or the rasikas, planning is required. There are so many rasikas who plan well such that they attend almost all the concerts and stay for a few songs and hop sabhas. Somehow, I personally do not like to go in the mid of any concert unless there is an emergency. Last year(2011), I planned to attend many concerts depending on my work schedule. Sometimes, in life, many things happen when it is totally un-planned. When I had planned, I achieved very less.

This time, I decided I am not going to plan. I will attend concerts as it goes. I was able to attend to at least 20 concerts. Shri Vijay Siva's concert organized by Brahma Gana Sabha was the "pillaiyar suzhi" for my ears which has gotten ready to listen more.I am sorry for posting so late (blame it to procrastination). This year season was very special to me for:

1. I got an opportunity to listen to more concerts this time.

2. Acquaintances with great people gives you positive thoughts and spreads positive vibes.

3. Music music music - Good quality music.

4. First time, at MA, got a chance to listen to concerts thoroughly sitting in dias.- Adhu oru thani sugam...

5. Excellent RTPs....

and many many more.....

You just need ONE reason to listen to GOOD, QUALITY music..

Every concert was a gem in its own ways. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to concerts and of course, when you get good set of people to accompany to enjoy the music, what more do you ask for?. You will but not fail to LEAD ( Listening lEading to Anandham and Divinity).

I went to almost all the artists' concerts - ranging from a beginner to a junior level to mid level to seasoned musician and also super seniors. I must admit, it was a real blessing.

Just when I thought I am missing listening to instrumental music, there sprung a surprise. Ranjani Gayatri duo gave an excellent performance in Violin. It was the first time I listened to them play LIVE and Oh my God, "the fingers literally flew (intentional vernacular translation)".

What more, I did get another opportunity to listen to another mellifluous instrument that was once used as accompanying instrument - Veena. My cousin played in Sri KGS and I was there "aajar".

Normally, concerts span for a 2 1/2 hour duration and some cases goes up to 3 hours. When you get a chance to listen to a kind of Marathon, what will you say - Yes, right? Yes, I also listened to RG's 4 hours and  TMK's 4 hours concert.

I intend posting the list of songs (partial list of concerts I attended) of the songs rendered in Season 2012. 

The 4 hours concert was something special.. 

Jan 5th and 6th concerts at Kalarasana with Smts Ranjani & Gayatri with superb accompanying artists. The team enthralled the audience continuously for 4 hours. 

5th - Smts RG superbly supported by Shri HN Bhaskar on the Violin, Shri Arunprakash Krishnan on the Mridangam and Shri KV Gopalakrishnan on the Kanjira. 

6th was Shri TMK's concert excellent support by Shri RK ShriramKumar on the violin, Shri Tanjore Sankaran on the Mridangam and Shri B S Purushotham on the Kanjira and Shri Guru Prasad on the Ghatam.

I loved both the ones. Not that I did not like the others. Listening to 4 hours is entirely different from normal season concerts for 2 and half to 3 hours.

With God's blessing, parents' blessings, Guru's karunai, , my best siblings support, my listening spree is continuing.. I hope to listen more in 2013.

I am not going to comment/critic on anyone's music for 2 reasons : I do not possess/ qualify the technical skills and expertise; it would not be apt for me to comment about stalwarts. I leave to music critics and Connoisseurs.

Signing off,

SPH

Nature is my friend!-1

Hot hot peanuts in my hand
Walking with the gusty wind
This climate is hard to find
Many sweet memories in my mind
Nature is always my friend!!

- My first attempt after watching the Neelam cyclone. Shall expand this further!

அடி உதவுவது போல் அண்ணன் தம்பி உதவ மாட்டார்

I am sure most of you would have heard of this statement. Like many, I understood this statement in its literal meaning. It was only after I listened to one discourse on Mahabaratham, I came to know the exact meaning of this statement.
The exact meaning of this statement is that:
Even in critical situation or trouble times, siblings / relatives may not be able to help us. Surrender at the feet of Lord(adi) , HE will save us. One should always surrender at the feet of God. Catch hold of HIS feet. HE is the one who will help us and attain Mukthi. In Bhagvad Gita, chapter 18 (Perfection of Renunciation), Lord Krishna says:

                                                   sarva-dharman parityajya
                                                   mam ekam saranam vraja(what you see in Lord Oppiliappan shrine)
                                                   aham twam sarva papebhyo
                                                   mokshayisyami ma sucah

This is what other religions also say in their own language, in different forms, in different ways!. 

Interesting isn't it!

Signing off,

SPH

The King and 4 wives

This is the story of a King who had 4 wives. Among the 4 wives, he loved the 4th one the most!. He ensured that his 4th wife gets the best in everything!.

He loved the other wives too. His 3rd wife looked more beautiful. He was proud of her and was showing her off to the neighboring kingdoms. He had a fear in him that she might leave him and go with other men!

His 2nd wife was a confident, strong and provided support to him. She helped him in his difficult times.

His 1st wife was very loyal, made greater contributions to maintaining his wealth, kingdom. She loved him deeply while the King did not love the 1st wife and he hardly took notice of her!.

Days passed by and the King fell ill. He knew his end was nearing. So, he called his wives and asked his 4th wife whom he loved the most,"I have always loved you the most and took great care of you, gave you the best in everything. If I die, I will be alone. Will you give me company?".

His 4th wife replied, "No way!" and walked off.

He asked his 3rd wife,"I loved you. Will you come with me after I die?".

His 3rd wife replied, "It is not possible. If you die, I will re-marry. I want to live long".

His 2nd wife when asked the same question, replied, "I am sorry that I can not help you this time!".

The king was totally devastated. He expected one of his 3 wives whom he liked a lot would give company.

There was a voice heard, "I will come with you. No matter wherever you go!, I will be with you always!". The King turned back to his surprise saw it was his 1st wife, skinny and malnutrition. He was shocked. "I should have taken care of you very well. I ignored you totally!. I am sorry!"

We relate the 4 wives to our lives!

4th wife - Body - No matter how much ever we lavish on it, and try to keep it radiant, glowing, it will leave us when we die!.

3rd wife - Our possessions, status and wealth. Some one will take it when we die. It is not going to come with us!

2nd wife - Family, Friends - They are with us most of the times, help us in trouble. Still, they won't accompany when we die!.

1st wife - Soul - Often neglected, full of jealousy, ego in pursuit of wealth, fame, power, and all wordly pleasures. We fail to take care of it as it is the only one that will accompany us wherever we go!.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

(This story was told to me by my little nephew. He listened to this in a lecture today and told the full story without any mistake!).

The fight between mind and hand

When you read the title, you may wonder what I am going to post!.

When something gets too much on you, you either quit or get addicted to it... I take no exception to it... I would not call it addiction because I felt I was obsessed with logging in repeatedly. I began spending more than the time required on Facebook posting whatever came to my mind (after all, it says what is in your mind). Realizing it will become too much (on an average I spent 1 and half to 2  hours), I decided to put a temporary halt to it( did I say temporary?). Hence, decided not to log in to FB for sometime and guess what I succeeded in not posting or commenting on any status. Giving up any activity on a single day is a little tough task... So, I consciously decided to log in, not spending much time in it and just to find out whats happening around the world!.. :D. It has been a fight between my mind and the hand.. My hand went on to type the site address while my mind resisted it.My mind won!

I feel happy of not getting in to the addiction stage - It helps in a greater way - May be one can use that time to do quality work. I do not know when I will start posting; but for sure, this break helps me a lot!. I had been contemplating on quitting Facebook for sometime... Thanks to my friend Shubha who partly attributed to my thought of being away for some time rather than quitting...The total time I spend on Facebook is reduced to 10 minutes only irrespective of how many ever times I log in!(practicing it since June 26).. Ain't it good?

It is all in the mind - When you say, come what may I will not do this and practice the same for 21 days, you will surely be out of it..

You may wonder what is this 21 days math all about - Well, don't read too much in to it - This is just a random number I typed!..

PS: This is not for people who log in to social networking site once a month or even once a week..

Have a great day!

Signing off,

SPH

 

Go Spain all the way! - (Torre)sensational match!

It seemed a gala time for the Spanish nation as it witnessed a terrific victory!...

Last night, I watched one of the world's most sensational tournament - EURO 2012.. It was a spectacular match needless to say!!

Although ,initially for the first few minutes it seemed a dull start, it picked its momentum very quickly. The Azzuries got a psychological blow in the fourteenth minute when Spain's mid-fielder Silva opened the account with a neat header. The first goal was enough for Spain to bring down Italy. Having defeated Germany in the semis, the road to finals was not easy for Italy. & so was for Spain winning the semis only through a penalty shootout against Portugal.

What went wrong for Italy?

Italy looked a positive side more after an emphatic victory over the Germans!. Was it enough to win a world title? The answer is certainly No. When the match began, it seemed Italy had more possession than Spain. Later, I guess their mental fitness started to go down after the save from Casillas & Spain's first goal. Fatigue and injuries took a great toll on Italy. Poor Italy's task became tougher and tougher as every single opportunity to convert in to a goal was efficiently stopped by the goal keeper. The paralysis came to Italy in the form of team shrinking down to 10 players when Motta pulled off an injury. The team could have worked on converting passes to goals.The team did build some crucial blocks; but they were not enough to get converted. Italy's attacking was more erratic. And above all, the Lady luck did not prove in favor of Italy!

What did Spain do differently?

Spain started off amidst tight controversies that their game is boring!.. It is tough to start a finals with that note.. Undeterred, the mighty Spanish armada started off with absolute conviction .

There is a saying.. "Little things make big difference".. Exactly!. The tiki-taka (quick -touch passing & slick combinations) passes that got its name after Euro 2008 helped Spain in a great way!. The Spaniards continued to impress with their incisive forward passing and above all the coach's trust on their team. The key to their victory is their trademark passing & more so, using it as a lethal weapon when required.

Spain made a historic treble trouncing Italy 4-0. Winning Euro 08, WC 2010, Euro 2012, the Spanish wave is here to continue for some more time and entertain us with lovely football. Felicitaciones España!

Hope the defeat will give Azzuris a great lesson & will help them become a stronger team!. It was an interesting match at the end of the day!

My 2 cents worth!

Signing off,

SPH