Songs of celebration

Balaji Narasimhan watches Margazhi Raagam and wonders whether it marks the beginning of a sabha culture in Bangalore

MAGICAL MUSIC: The scintillating performances of T M Krishna and Bombay Jayashri have been captured brilliantly on film. Margazhi Raagam features 5.1 digital surround sound and the voices sound crisp and clear

Balaji Narasimhan watches Margazhi Raagam and wonders whether it marks the beginning of a sabha culture in Bangaloreu00a0

What is the difference between a Madrasi and a true Madrasi?u00a0

Answer:

While Tamilians are, to an extent, culturally superior when compared to the rest of us, there is also a small element of snob value. Many of my cousins who live in Chennai tell me, "No, I don't need anything from Bangalore", when I ask them if they need me to send anything from here. Their unspoken comment is, "We have Grand Sweets kai murruku and Aavin paal khova, thank you very much because no sweets or savouries can get any better than that."u00a0

If they can be so fastidious about coffee and food, can you say anything to them when it comes to music, especially in Margazhi, which has been extolled by Krishna in the Gita? They have so many sabhas that Chennai-ites naturally look down upon us Bangaloreans.u00a0u00a0

Not any more. For, soon, namma Bengaluru will celebrate Margazhi too, with Bombay Jayashri and TM Krishna. The show will start playing at Fun Cinemas at Sigma Mall on Cunningham Road from tomorrow (January 2-4) at 5 pm (3989 5050 / funcinemas.com; you can also check out the site margazhiraagam.com)u00a0

The film covers a full 120 minutes. It opens with Bombay Jayashri, and later moves on to TM Krishna. In the crescendo, both sing together.u00a0

There are purists who will feel that the best way to listen to music is live, and they have a point. But Margazhi Raagam features 5.1 digital surround sound and the music and the voices sounded crisp and clear.
Go ahead and enjoy yourself.u00a0u00a0

Of course, while a sabha fan will feel good about this, a true sabha fan in Chennai would say that there is nobody in Carnatic music like Alamelu.u00a0

Alamelu who, you ask? You mean you didn't know that DK Pattammal was named Alamelu? Of course, we can't expect anybody other than a true sabha fan in Chennai to know this, can we?

Margazhi in Chennai

In chapter 10 of the Gita, Krishna says, 'maasaanam maarga sirshoham' (10:35). Translated, it means, "Among months, I'm Margazhi." He also says 'vedanam sama vedo' (10:22) (Of the Vedas I am the Sama Veda). And since the Sama Veda is hailed as the bedrock of Indian music, this could perhaps explain the strong links between the month of Margazhi and the culture of music. During this month, the cold notwithstanding, temples open a lot earlier than usual.u00a0

In Chennai, this is the time for music. The tradition dates back to 1927, when the Madras Music Academy was founded. This academy was founded as an outcome of the All-India Music Conference, which was held during the Madras session of the Indian National Congress.u00a0

From that time itself, the academy started conducting a small music festival every year. This has grown tremendously over the years. One of the nice things is that this is a time for budding artistes to showcase their talents.

Margazhi Raagam, featuring Bombay Jayashri and TM Krishna, will start playing at Fun Cinemas at Sigma Mall on Cunningham Road from tomorrow (January 2, 3 and 4) at 5 pm (3989 5050 / funcinemas.com; you can also check out margazhiraagam.com)u00a0