Artistes look back at their first competition

As The Puucho Classical Music Competition begins to obtain entries for its first such aggressive occasion (The final date is December 12), outstanding artistes go back in time for a throwback on their first competition/efficiency, recalling tidbits of knowledge on what they wore, what they sang, who applauded them, and who didn’t.

Renowned vocalist Sudha Raghunathan remembers that she wore a specific blue silk pavadai set for all her competitions after she gained the competition at the Thyagaraja Vidwath Samajam.

“Stalwarts D. K. Jayaraman and M. S. Gopalakrishnan were judges and since it was crowded, they asked us to sing just the Pallavi and Charanam. I sang Sundaradhara Deham, a small composition and was not very sure of winning — the prize was a gold medal. Initially, I was not too particular to participate but my mother insisted and at the end of a long day I won. After that I would just agree to whatever she said. Competitions helped me build my repertoire, they made me shed my fears and build confidence,” she mentioned.

Ghatam vidwan Dr. Karthick narrated an glad anecdote of his being awarded the Percussion Special Mention Prize at Anna University’s Techofest.

“The boys who were to play mridangam and violin with me backed out when they saw that the judges were the great M. Balamuralikrishna, Chitravina N. Ravikiran and vocalist Charumathi Ramachandran. I played solo and won the prize. The icing on the cake was that Charumathi amma asked me if I would be interested in performing in a concert with her. The memory remains a very sweet one,” he mentioned.

Senior Nagaswaram vidwan S.R.G. Rajanna of Sembannarkoil Brothers fame recalled how judges at a competition within the metropolis requested him to not carry out for the reason that prize-winner had been already determined.

“My brother told them that since I had registered I would perform and that the prize did not matter. I too was of the same opinion. I played my grandfather Ramasamy Pillai’s Rakthi Melam in Nattakurunji. The judges were very impressed and at the end of the competition apologised for not awarding me the prize,” he recalled.

Open for entries

Entries for The Puucho Margazhi Classical Music Competition could be despatched by these studying and practising Hindustani and Carnatic vocal, instrument and percussion below the age of 40.

The video entries (below 5 minutes) could be emailed as Google Drive or Dropbox hyperlinks to thmargazhi @thehindu.co.in.

For extra particulars go to https://www. google.com/amp/s/www.thehindu.com/information/ nationwide/tamil-nadu/the-hindu-announces-margazhi-competition- for-young-indian-classical-musicians/ article33231111.ece/amp/