CHENNAI: As the Thirumeygnanam brothers performed a short and sweet nadaswaram concert, you knew that the Margazhi Music season was finally upon you – the Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium crackled with goodwill, the enthusiasm of rasikas, and the presence of three stars on the cultural heavens, as Brahma Gana Sabha honoured its chosen achievers.
Kanimozhi, the chief guest might not have been present, but the evening lost none of its charm as Aruna Sairam, K J Sarasa and Bombay Gnanam were each presented with the Sabha’s prestigious awards of Gana Padhmam, Nattya Padhmam and Nadaga Padhamam each.
Aruna Sairam - known for her presentation pf abhangs to her audience, her unique voice and musical talent; K J Sarasa - doyenne of dance who had seen more than 500 arangetrams and created a 1000 students; Bombay Gnanam – creator of the Mahalakshmi Drama Troup, an allwomen group with 15 theatrical productions to their credit, were each felicitated, with many tributes.
A veritable galaxy of the who’swho of the music, dance and drama worlds were present, to watch the honours being bestowed. Many a puns were traded, wishes given and general good cheer spread around – despite a lowering of spirits on account of the Mumbai tragedy. Brahma Gana Sabha signalled the beginning of the December Art Festival, as M C T Pethachi lit the kuthuvilakku, followed by the other chief guests.
The evening’s anchor Anirudh set the tone, perhaps, by introducing guests, awardees and patrons alike in chaste Tamil – yet with puns, riddles and rhymes that kept everyone chuckling. Nalli Kuppusami Chettiar, the Sabha’s President, welcomed the audience formally, before yielding his place to S Jagadeesan, former Supreme Court Judge and Chairman of Ethiraj College, who presented the awards. A Natarajan former director of Doordarshan mentioned Nalli Kuppusami Chettiar’s magnanimity in honouring sabhas and artistes alike – giving, he said, before anyone asked him to.
Aruna Sairam, who gave her acceptance speech, perhaps said it best when she explained that our culture and arts, by their very uplifting nature, acted as the perfect anti-thesis to terror. “Nowhere in the world can you see a music festival such as the Margazhi season – nothing equals it in size, magnitude or proportion,” she exulted, visibly moved. K J Sarasa expressed her thanks on receiving the award, while sprightly Bombay Gnanam expressed her dream – she had been dreaming big for years – that while she’d now won one lotus, she would like to win one more – the Padmashri.
On that enthusiastic note ended the evening, as artistes and chief guests mingled alike, even as the vote of thanks was being delivered.
These were the moments music-lovers waited for – a perfect mingling of art and appreciation, and in convivial surroundings.
expresso@epmltd.com