The 93rd annual South Indian Music Conference and Festival organised by Indian Fine Arts Society began at Ethiraja Kalyana Nilayam, Alwarpet on Wednesday evening. Prof. V. Kamakot (fifth from left, Director IIT-Madras inaugurated the event in the presence of Dr. Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetty (sixth from left). Others in the picture include Ms. Mangalam Shankar, recipient of GNB Award, Cleveland Sundaram, K.V. Ramachandran, President, IFAS, Mr. J. Vaidyanathan, recipient of Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman Award, Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, who were conferred the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award, and Ms. Nirupama and Mr. Rajendra, who received the Natya Kalasikhamani Award.
Students proficient in traditional music can now pursue engineering at IIT-Madras and parents should encourage their children to learn music from a young age, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT-Madras said on Wednesday evening.
Delivering the inaugural address at the 93rd annual South Indian Music Conference and Festival of Indian Fine Arts Society, among the oldest sabhas of Chennai, Prof. Kamakoti said that people will soon become tired of watching music programmes on digital platforms and would start yearning to attend live concerts. “Bring your children along with you to concerts. Initiate them into music from a young age onwards,” Prof. Kamakoti remarked in the presence of industrialist Dr. Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetty, at the function held in Ethiraja Kalyana Nilayam, Alwarpet.
Among other initiatives to promote music at IIT-Madras, he said they were specialising in inter-disciplinary education. They included establishing a ‘bamboo-based mic-less’ auditorium and were also in the process of establishing the Ilaiyaraya Centre for Excellence in Music. “We are focussing on inter-disciplinary education at IIT-Madras. Operation Sindhoor is an example of this as 10-11 disciplines of engineering were involved in that operation.
Stating that Sama Gaanam was the basis for all music and Swaras originated from it. “Swaras come from Vedas, and hence music has originated from Vedas. Sama Veda is the foundation for our music, which is divine,” he said. Music has a strong basis for science, especially mathematics there was plenty of empirical proof. “We at IIT-Madras are working a lot on this,” Prof. Kamakoti remarked. Sangeeta Shastra has to be used properly along with Bhakti as without it, it will not last long. He also said that if the current generation listened to songs broadcast on All India Radio’s Vaadhya Vrinda during the 1970’s and 1980’s, they would forget the songs of the current era, adding that he had requested the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to bring out and re-release Vaadhya Vrinda for the benefit of everyone.
On the occasion, Prof. Kamakoti bestowed the title of Sangeetha Kalasikhamani on Lalgudi G.J.R. Krishnan, and Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, and also gave them a cash award.
Dr. Kuppusami Chetty gave the title Natya Kalasikhamani to Kathak and Bharathanrithyam exponents Ms. Nirupama and Mr. Rajendran, along with a cash award. The two cash awards were sponsored by Apollo Hospitals. Dr. Kuppusami Chetty also handed over the Dr. Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman Award to Mrudanga Vidwan Mr. J. Vaidynathan and the GNB Award instituted by GNB Foundation to Smt. Mangalam Shankar.
Mr. V. Rajesh, Honorary Secretary, and Mr. S.L. Rajesh, Trustee respectively of Narayana Guruviah Chetty’s Estate and Charities, the venue sponsors, handed over the Nataka Kalasikhamani Award to Ms. Dharini Komal.
Dr. Kuppuswami Chetty, in his address, said he was delighted to be associated with IFAS for many years and the society, an entirely-volunteer driven institution not only conserved music, dance, and drama, but also promoted them among the younger generation.
Earlier, Mr. K. Venkatrangam, Vice President of Indian Fine Arts Society welcomed the gathering, while the Society’s president Mr. K. V. Ramachandran delivered the presidential address. Mr. R. Radhakrishnan, the Society’s Honorary Secretary, thanked the gathering. The inaugural function was followed by ‘medaiyil sirukathaigal’ play Ms. Komal and team.
