Sweet performance: TM Krishna performs at Sangeet Academy on Wednesday. | Photo credit: M. Srinath
Dismissing the theory that people don’t attend concerts anymore, revelers flocked to Sangeetha Kalanidhi-nominee TM Krishna’s morning concert at the Sangeet Academy on Wednesday.
All the seats were filled at the free concert, and even the sides of the stage were packed. Organizers had to accommodate many people by placing plastic chairs outside the main auditorium, which relayed the concert on LED screens.
Music Academy President N Murali said the atmosphere was magical and the concert was amazing.
“Every seat in the auditorium was occupied. More than 100 people were on stage, and about 200 latecomers watched the concert streaming on a TV screen in the foyer. It was an incredibly joyful scene, with rapturous applause, and a spontaneous standing ovation at the end. I had never seen such a scene at the academy before. People came out of the concert with high spirits and a sense of complete joy and satisfaction. Indeed, this is a strong testimony of Krishna, who has gone through so much in the last several months…,” he said.
Mohan from Velachery, who attended the concert with his wife Revathi, said that although he had no formal training in Carnatic music, he loved listening to it and wanted to attend concerts by TM Krishna, Aruna Sairam and Sanjay Subrahmanyam.
“Since it was a free concert, I couldn’t miss it. The crowd listened to the song with rapture. There was no conversation in between. I enjoyed two Tamil songs – one about freedom, and the other about Narayan Guru. The huge crowd and their overwhelming response to his Music and his music seemed to be an endorsement of the Kalanidhi Award.”
The concert was scheduled between 9 am to 11.30 am
Chartered Accountant Vidya Nagarajan, who has attended concerts and lek-dems at Sangeet Academy since the age of 10, said: “Christmas morning has not been the same for me since 2019, when I last heard violinist TN Krishnan. But another Krishna has made a glorious dawn for me. We all gathered to listen to good music, and TM Krishna, RK Sriramkumar, K. Arun Prakash and N. We came out feeling inspired by Guru Prasad’s music.”
Renowned Gynecologist Uma Ram said that all the music of Shri Krishna was a beautiful experience and today’s concert was special. “Yamuna Kalyani was running. It was a Christmas morning treat.” Mr. Krishna said most of the compositions he sang were chosen on the spot or suggested by his co-stars and students. “The song of freedom was written by Perumal Murugan, and set to my voice. It was a real experience. The love and affection of those gathered was immense. “
The song list for the day includes Karubaru in Mukhari by Sant Tyagaraj, Lavanya Ram in Purnasadja and Appaday Ni in Salaga Bhairavi. Muthuswami Dikshitar’s Jambupate at Yamuna Kalyani; Pankaja Lochana in Kalyani by Maharaja Swati Thirunal.
He also performed Alpanas in Sahana, Kamboji, Begda, Kamas, Todi and Kalyani.
published – December 25, 2024 at 11:57 pm IST