India's Path to Super Power Status

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' If India has to become a super power then mere economic and political might alone would not do, for 'we have to discover spiritualism in our fine arts to become a true leader.' Coveted title for Bombay Sisters

 

Fine arts including classical dance and music are not just for entertainment, but a reflection of Bharathiya culture and ethos and being performed to cultivate spiritualism among the audience. Expressing the above, industrialist B K Krishnaraj Vanavarayar lauded Indian Fine Arts Society (IFAS) for conducting South Indian Music Conference and Festival without interruptions and obstacles for the last 74 years. Margazhi festival was not just a ritual, but an occasion to interpret the historic role of Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam in fostering Indian culture, he explained. He was speaking as chief guest yesterday at the inaugural function of IFAS' music festival in which Carnatic vocalists C Saroja and C Lalitha, more popular as Bombay sisters, were conferred with titles of Sangeetha Kalasikhamani. 'Indian art forms will be relevant forever as we have a living, vibrant culture with a 5,000-year old tradition,' he said. With great foresight, B V

Gopalakrishna Rao and other pioneers have sustained this music festival even in troubled times before Independence, he noted. Taking a broader perspective, Vanavarayar said mankind has lost inner peace and leisure with the onslaught of economic reforms and thus, survival of fittest has become the norm in a competitive society. 'In the last 150 years of progress, we have to introspect whether we have gained at all. The worst is yet to come as the heat of global economy will affect our lifestyle,' he said. In a world where change was the only constant thing, Vanavarayar said through fine arts 'we are preserving our culture which is nothing but following our tradition. If we pursue our tradition, then Vedic thoughts can be understood.' If India has to become a super power then mere economic and political might alone would not do, for 'we have to discover spiritualism in our fine arts to become a true leader.' There was a strong message and

content in Indian fine arts which if one enquired into would reveal that the 'so called knowledge revolution was first experienced by Indians over 5,000 years ago.' He patted Bombay Sisters and dancer Revathy Ramachandran who would be awarded the title Natya Kalasikhamani at the valedictory session for their achievements in Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. In her acceptance speech, Saroja and Lalitha expressed gratitude to their guru T K Govinda Rao, who, the duo said, was completely devoted in imparting Carnatic music to his disciples. 'His mode of teaching is particularly designed to suit the vocal range and modulations of the students,' they said. The sisters also paid tributes to their parents ? Chidambaram Iyer and Mukthambal ? for their remarkable growth in Carnatic music. In his special address, Govinda Rao recalled among his students Bombay sisters were foremost and they made efforts to popularise many lyrics written by him in their concerts.

Students of the Carnatic duo led by T Uma Shankar felicitated the sisters with shawls and mementos. Vellore Ramabadhran, mridangam player, and Vidushi R Vedavalli, musicologist, paid encomiums to the siblings. V Sethuram, president, IFAS, gave the welcome address and its secretary N Srinivasan gave the vote of thanks. -NT Bureau

http://newstodaynet.com/music06/1712mu3.htm