Saptaswar Light Music

Nov 10, 2007
South Florida Tamil Sangam Banquet

Frankly I did not come to the program with the intention of writing a commentary like the ones I have done for the Carnatic music or Bharatha Natyam dance concerts. But after listening to the melodious program I was inspired to write. I was tossing between English and Tamil. Let me first write in English for my multi-lingual mailing list.

Before talking about the program, I felt it is important to give a preamble about the program sponsor, our South Florida Tamil Sangam (http://www.sfts.org/). It is an excellent organization with terrific people doing great service to Tamil language and the community at large. A Tamilian is supposed to live by the statement “Yádum úre yávarum kélir”, meaning “every town is my town and everyone is my relative” (the accent marks in the thanglish is to help with the pronunciation – my Spanish training finally pays off). South Florida Tamilians have lived up to and I am sure will continue to live up to this bold statement. For example, during the tragedies such as fire in a school in Kumbakonam, Tsunami and hurricane Wilma we came together to show our support to the affected families in several ways including financially, physically and morally. SFTS is also serving the local community by teaming with other non-profit organizations.

As a family we have been associated with SFTS for years as active members. Jayanthi and I have also served on the SFTS board. Both my children have participated in several programs and have been enriched by them. I would encourage the members to actively participate. I am sure there are activities that will suit your taste and talent. Choices include Tamil literary forums, Tamil class, variety programs, banquets, dramas, cultural programs, picnics, sports etc. In addition, SFTS publishes a magazine called Tamil Osai to bring out the poet in you. Let me tell you something folks – I wrote Tamil prose and poetry after a long time and surprised myself. Try it you will also surprise yourselves.

Our Sangam is now officially eight years young but unofficially a lot more. We have come a long way but we need to go much longer such as developing SFTS into a stage at the national and international levels. Working as a team, our future SFTS leaders and supporting members will surely take us there. Let us remember – “Onru pattál undu vázhvu nammil ottrumai neengidil anaivarkum tházhve” – “United we can achieve but divided we all go down”

The concert: The current SFTS board has brought to us yet another superb program and an enjoyable evening with friends. Saptaswar group (http://www.saptaswar.org/) from the Boston area performed at the annual SFTS banquet. I have heard one of the singers before, Sudha, when she visited us earlier. She has a mature voice and great control. But to be honest, I was a bit disappointed when I heard that the program is based on karaoke and not live orchestra. I realize it is expensive to bring a larger troupe of musicians and SFTS is still a relatively young organization with limited resources. But when Sudha started the evening with the song “Chinna Chinna Aasai” there was no turning back. The singers Sudha Rao and Raghu Saranathan carried the entire program on their voices. The quality of karaoke was also very good – powered by iPod, a computer, amp and speakers. Technology – you have come a long way baby.

It was a melodious evening. We were gently glided through the time dimension almost through the entire life of Tamil film industry. I am sure some of the “younger” fans would have preferred some “kuthu páttu” but most of the “young-at-hearts” were quite satisfied. The song selection, interaction with the audience, allowing the audience to participate and showing grace on stage were all excellent. I understand that they have a full orchestra back in Boston and they perform for several charity events in several Indian languages. Recently they raised $40,000 to fund Ekal Vidhyalaya (One teacher schools in Indian villages) – great work.

I always knew that the South Florida audience is knowledgeable when it comes to music of any kind. But I never expected one segment of our community to come out this strong. I am talking about children under the age of 8. Wow, their knowledge of recent Tamil songs is mind boggling. Should I thank or admonish SUN-TV and the DVD makers? Keerthika Masilamani was the leader of the pack. These kids can dance with grace, sing along, “name that tune” in one note and actually request songs.

The songs for the evening –
“Chinna Chinna Ásai (from Roja, you’ve got to fall in love with the lyrics)”,
“Panivizhum Malarvanam (Raghu even duplicated the patented laugh of SPB)”,
“Konja Néram (Chandramukhi – create the romantic mood)”,
“Káthal Óviyam (sorry - did nothing to me)”,
“Suttum Vizhi Chudaré (Gajini – ok if you like constant beats)”,
“Ithu Oru Pon Málai Pozhudu (sure is)”,
“Yen Enakku Mayakkam (from the remake of Naan Avanillai, packs a good punch)”,
“Kátrin Mozhi (my favorite song from my favorite movie Mozhi – a future classic?)”,
“Kokku Para para (Chandramukhi – kids had fun singing and dancing on the stage)”,
“Anru Vandadhum Adhé Nila (well, moon and this song will never go out of style)”,
“Pártha mudhal nále (from Vettai Aadu Vilaiyadu, peppy)”,
“Engéyum Eppódhum (Ninaiththaale Inikkum – limit on-stage audience participation)”,
“Másilla Unmai Kádhali (never dying classic)”,
“Áda varalám” “Palingunál Oru Máligai (classics by LR Eashwari)”,
“Unnai Kandu Nán (Deepavali song, could have been the first song of the evening)”,
“Vasantha Mullai (remix version from Pokkiri – Keerthika guessed it and I didn’t)”.
Closed the program with two Hindi numbers -
“Mera Nam Chin Chin Chin” and “Dum Maro Dum (in the Temple premises? Well, Hare Krishna Hare Ram will cleanse the sins)”.

When I asked for the list of songs they sang for the write-up, Sudha readily gave the list. But I think I read shorthand better – that handwriting is nowhere near their singing. I may have missed a few but most of the songs from the evening are in the list above.

Sudha has a very mature voice with lots of performance experience and it clearly showed. She led the duo in interacting with the audience. Raghu had a velvety voice. They both have solid foundation in music fundamentals. They sing the older film songs with a lot more ease. When it came to the newer songs voice gets subdued sometimes. It seemed like they specialize in melodious songs, at least for this evening. Choosing a few “kuthu páttu” like “Appadi Pódu Pódu” would have pleased one segment but no complaints here. I wish the group all the very best, they are doing a great service.

Discussions from previous commentaries:

Malladi Brothers Concert: I thank you all for taking the time to write back or let me know in person on how you feel about the commentaries. One comment stood out from Padmasri Adyar Lakshman Sir, a living legend. I quote his words of wisdom:

“It is very good to have music concerts in that area. People must get used to appreciate such good concerts. Actually it is good for dance students to develop musical knowledge. It is not that they only dance, any dance form. Especially for Bharata Natyam students it is very important to have musical knowledge and such concerts will help them build up the raga/thala understanding. What all can be done in music, in Bharata Natyam also one can bring. I wish and appreciate your effort to keep Florida develop listening to musical or instrumental concerts”.

Parents and Dance teachers – please pass this on to every dance student.
Dance students – attend classical music concerts and develop your ability to understand and appreciate the music you dance to. You can also go one step further by learning music as well.

Thanks to Ramakrishnan, Sekar and Madhu for clarifying that some duets who suggest that they are siblings in their names are in fact not. Examples are Alathur Brothers and Carnatica Brothers. I am glad my write-up on Navarathri brought back some nostalgic memories of Navarathri in your homes to some of you.

Music Primer: Visit http://www.sangeethapriya.org/ for online concerts including some rare collection from artists of yester years. The site allows free download of MP3 files.

Jayanthi joins me in wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

See you all at the next concert
Nov 16-18 Sixth Varshikotsavam Festival at our Temple
Nov 17, 9:00AM-5:00PM Cultural Program by local talent at the Community Hall
B. Seetharaman
Nov 15, 2007