I dedicate this video to the Indians who were, are and will always be resilient in the face of times of adversity. I condemn the terrorist attacks in Mumbai as a cowardly act of a people who are full of hate and fear. These are elements who are unable to tolerate the success of the Indians.
They fail to understand that greatness of a people comes from a heritage filled with a heart full of compassion, tolerance and wisdom.

Down Memory Lane - Pt.2

Kalakshetra is synonymous with Rukmini Arundale. Fondly called athai by every one around her, one cannot imagine Kalakshetra without her. We used to be in awe of her. She set up Kalakshetra which provided an institutional setting for the students of music and dance. Here she retained the positive aspects of the system and persuaded outstanding musicians and dance gurus to join the faculty and created for them an ambience devoid of commercial considerations. I still remember there was so much of excitement in the college, when the then prime minister Morarji Desai offered the chair of the President of India to Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1977. She declined, preferring to dedicate herself to the arts .

I could say that I had the greatest honor of coming across some great legendary figures who have amazed and inspired me. Some of them were in Kalakshetra. I was young and quite naïve then. I had no idea that these were some of the greatest musicians, dancers and artists of our time.



I remember going to MD Ramanathan sir's classroom whenever I found some free time to listen to him singing. Ramanathan Sir is known for his unique style of singing. He had a fabulously deep and resonant voice which used to keep us all in awe. He would be with his students teaching them and sometimes singing all by himself.

Another legendary figure I have to mention is the maestro Shri Bhoodalur Sastrigal who used to play the gottuvadhyam. He used to look so fragile yet so magestic since he was of advanced age during that time. A sweet natured person who was always lost in his music. Such a blessing to have been able to sit before him when he was free, and he used to demonstrate the gottuvadhyam to my friends and me.

I also have to say about my vocal master, Mr. Mani Iyer who was a disciple of Shri Papanasam Sivan. A gentle soul with so much of simplicity. I remember him walking with his black umbrella in his hand. An unassuming man, Mani Sir was a patient and genuine teacher. When he was not teaching he could be found in his class with his tambura all by himself singing. I had the privilege of learning a number of Papanasam Sivan’s kritis under him.

Down Memory Lane - Pt.1

Just the other day someone I know asked me about the great maestro, MD Ramanathan and immediately memories of many great legends who have left an indelible mark in my life rushed in. I suppose as we grow older we have the privilege of going down memory lane often. If not for anything else, it is because we have the time to sit and ponder. When we are young we are always rushing to get things done and miss out on the valuable experiences and relationships that we come by. The passage of time teaches us to value and cherish the wonderful journey we have taken.

Yes , today this journey of mine when I look back has been above all a sweet one. Everyone’s journey is beautiful if we only know how to appreciate all that we have experienced. Time is a wonderful gift to us. It teaches us patience. Time soothes us and heals all the wounds.

So, my journey too has been with it’s ups and downs. However insignificant one may seem to the rest of the world, we as an individual are in our own world. I realize that I came to this beautiful land called earth – to experience all the joy that it has to offer. How strange that I have mistaken it to be a mixture of pain and joy. It is only pure joy if I only know how to embrace it. I have been given this beautiful gift of appreciation and when I can learn to use this tool , what a journey this can become !




Yes , who can forget this banyan tree? This is where our mornings started off. Our daily prayers accompanied to the sounds of the tambura .
We would gather every morning under this beautiful tree. Students from every where came to this beautiful place to learn the arts. The peaceful atmosphere and holistic approach was the secret to it’s attraction. Remembering this banyan tree brings calmness to me. I am back 30 years ago, sitting under this beautiful tree. We would start off with the shlokas in Sanskrit followed by songs dedicated to the various gods.

Black and White

This poem was nominated by UN as the best poem of 2006
written by an African Kid

When I born, I black

When I grow up, I black

When I go in Sun, I black

When I scared, I black

When I sick, I black

And when I die, I still black

And you white fellow

When you born, you pink

When you grow up, you white

When you go in sun, you red

When you cold, you blue

When you scared, you yellow

When you sick, you green

And when you die, you gray

And you calling me coloured?

courtesy of http://sjsandteam.wordpress.com/

Freedom

Spread your wings,
and fly -
Fly in the winds of freedom.

Trust

I trust.
I trust that whatever may happen ,
I trust that it happens for the good.

I trust,
I trust that whatever I lost,
I trust that I lost it for my benefit.

I trust,
I trust that whatever I have gained,
I trust that I have gained it for my betterment.

I trust,
I trust that the pains that I have endured,
I trust that the pains were to learn my lessons of life.

I trust,
I trust that the joys that I have received,
I trust that the joys were for me to appreciate all the blessings I have.