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Following is the text of the
President’s address during the conferment
of Sangeet Natak Akademi awards 2005, here today:
Music is a
divine manifestation
“I am delighted to participate in the
conferment of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the year 2005. I greet the
organizers, musicians, dancers, theatre artists, folk artists, art lovers and
distinguished participants. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, which is now 53 years of
age, has honoured many practitioners, Gurus and scholars in the performing
arts, who represent the nation’s highest achievement in Music, Dance and Drama.
When I think of classical music I find that every Raga has a special purpose
and meaning. I extend my congratulations to all the recipients of the Sangeet
Natak Akademi Ratna and Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar for the year 2004. Today,
I would like to talk on the topic "Music is a divine manifestation".
Let me share with you a musical experience.
Confluence of Music
I recently attended a function to
celebrate the 100 years of Bangalore Gayana Samaja. On this occasion, they
recognized three artists: Hindustani Vocalist Dr. Gangubai Hangal (93 years),
Carnatic vocalist Dr. R.K. Srikantan and Mirudangam Vidwan Shri Vellore
Ramabadran with the centenary award. As a part of the celebrations, there was a
programme by the Violin Maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam. He was accompanied by
another young Violinist, Mridangam, Ghatam, Kanjira and Morsing Vidwans.
The artists before starting
the music offered their prayers to the Almighty and paid their respects to the
audience. The recital began with the kriti 'Vathapi Ganapatim Bhaje' composed
by Muthusamy Dikshitar on Hamsadwani Raga and Adi Tala. L. Subramaniam played
the violin solo; then together with young violinist in combination. Then the
violin artist shared in sequence with each artist Violin, Mridangam, Morsing
and Kanjira in the background of Swaram. The way the Maestro recognized the
best of performance of every artists was indeed a beautiful scene. Every artist
was bringing out the best of the music and it was well recognized by the
audience. The peak was yet to come. In the final phase, all the artists
together with the violin in the mid stream performed in unison and the whole
audience merged with the musical rhythm.
The scene was indeed like a confluence of
a multiple river streams flowing rhythmically into the ocean of divine music.
The twenty minutes of the integrated musical performance of the artists took
the audience to the plane of bliss. There was a standing ovation from the
audience for the musical performance that came out of the integration of hearts
and minds of the artists. The period of rhythmic divine music is indeed an
elevating experience to all of us. Music transcends on thousands of minds
bringing peace and happiness. When I see you all friends, belonging to that
tradition, I salute you all.
Searching the talents and promotion
The country has multiple
organisations such as Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Sangeet Natak
Akademi, and similar institutions in the State sectors and the private initiatives
such as Kala Kshetra, Music Akademi, several drama and music troupes for
promoting music, dance and drama. It is essential to bring the best from all
parts of the country. The Sangeet Natak Academy can have the specialist team
for various regions for searching the talent in the music, dance and drama,
encourage the best and bring them to participate in the festivals. The aim
should be to reach a larger number of people particularly the youth so that our
ancient culture is preserved, nurtured and passed on to the next generation, in
all its richness.
Music integrates
Divine compositions,
Purandaradasa and Sadasiva Brahmendra continue to uplift the minds of millions
even this day. When we hear Balamurali Krishna sing 'Cetaha Sriramam' or the Dhun
of Ustad Bismillah Khan in (Shehnai) or when we hear Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma's
Rag Yaman on Santoor, it is difficult to express the joy and elevated thoughts
in words. It can only be experienced and felt. Similarly, when we hear Kishori
Amoankar sing "nainanu neenuu bahe" or a ballad of Bhojpuri; or
Papanasam Sivan’s Amba manam kanindhu, even if we do not follow the exact
words, rhythm captivates us.
Drama and
Theatre
Drama has been a great
form of entertainment for invigorating the minds of people. It can be a
powerful medium for messages and planting excellent imaginative thoughts for
young and old. When I was in school, I have seen many dramas being enacted in
the schools and even outside. This form of art has been under great pressure due
to cinema, TV and multimedia, which have their own role. But we need to
recapture many of our ancient drama forms, and rich traditional stories
embedded in them. I would like to explain my personal experience in native
theater of arts. During the period 1985 to 1995, quite often I used to travel
by road from Bhubaneshwar to Chandipur in Balasore District of Orissa. It is a
five hours drive from Bhubaneshwar air port. In this journey I will be passing
through a number of villages covering at least five districts of Orissa, during
the nights. During the Navratri period it used to be a beautiful scene of
dance, music and drama played by village artists in front of different images
of the Goddess Durga throughout this route. This used to be a great musical and
happy meeting of the citizens of that area and it also generated a large number
of local talents. This should be encouraged and appreciated by institutions
such as Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Encouraging
Young Artists
I have briefly discussed earlier
about the spreading of the classical dance, music and drama to the masses.
There is another crucial problem needing urgent solution. There are many young
artists from all over the country especially from smaller towns and villages.
For them to pursue artistic profession even on part time basis is a difficult
job. There are many entry barriers. Sangeet Natak Akademi would need to address
it urgently. Otherwise, best of the young persons who do not have patrons to
promote them, may not get into artistic profession at all. If talented youth
from different walks of life are facilitated to enter into art, the richness
and diversity of the Indian art forms will get the much needed nourishment.
Rashtrapati
Bhavan Experience
To pay tribute to the India’s Cultural heritage and to
celebrate performing art a series of cultural programmes organised under the
auspices of "Indradhanush". The aim of "Indradhanush" is to
acknowledge the contribution of the renowned as well as the young artists. So
far, we have organized eighteen such programmes. It started with the
performance of Pandit Jasraj. He sang among other bhakti geets, Govind Damodar
and Mero Allah Meherbaan. Also, Flute Maestro Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia,
Rudra Veena by Asad Ali Khan, Saraswathi Veena by E. Gayathri and Odissi dance
performance by Sonal Mansingh gave excellent performance. Recently, a Ghazal
performance by Shri Jagjit Singh was conducted. I would like to share with you
my experience with two Nadaswaram Vidwans – Sheikh Mahboob Subhani and Smt.
Subhani. They gave a beautiful Nadaswaram recital performance to the
Rashtrapati Bhavan audience. After the recital I requested the couple to
perform for the differently abled children, whenever they get an opportunity.
They made it a point to perform for some of our special children in Chennai and
I understand that it gave lot of happiness to these special children. This is a
very noble cause and I would request the artists assembled here to follow this
example whenever they get an opportunity to make the special children happy.
In addition, we have also organized several cultural
programmes of young artists were, Master Abhay Goyal, an eight year old boy
played Piano. Master Siddharth Nagarajan a seven year old boy played the drums,
sixteen year old L. Athira performed violin and children of Sridevi
Nrithyalaya, Chennai performed Bal Ramayan dance drama. Let us encourage our
children and youth to participate in arts and culture and demonstrate their
abilities which will motivate the other children to perform better in their
field of expertise, and enable the nation to preserve our cultural heritage and
bring about societal harmony.
Conclusion:
Music, Dance, Drama for Unity of minds
I had
the opportunity to witness the great exponents of music, dance and drama. The
experience of listening and seeing them makes me think that whether music and
dance can be used as an instrument for ensuring global peace and act as a
binding force. Fortunately, we have a rich civilizational heritage of more than
5000 years blending literature, music, dance and drama.
The music and dance takes you
to a different plane and gives you a breeze of happiness and peace. I believe
such music and dance will emanate only when the artists themselves are in peace
and in a happy state of mind. In this state they will become an elegant example
of propagators of peace and happiness to the society.
Normally the peak performance
of an Indian classical music needs minimum one hour. It is essential to attract
the youth to this kind of musical performance through the TV advertisement
clips by showing the peak musical performance as a special 'minute bulletins'
to catch the imagination of the youth.
When we give these awards, I
realize that we are admiring and recognizing the performance of experienced
artists. In addition to this, we have to admire and nurture upcoming artists,
in different parts of the country including the remote areas. At least 10
awards may be instituted for celebrating the young artists below 20 years. I
suggest a special team should be deputed for spotting the artists by visiting
the rural areas.
I
once again congratulate the recipients of Sangeet Natak Akademi awards. My best
wishes to all the members of Sangeet Natak Akademi in their mission of
preserving, nurturing and promoting our traditional performing art form among
the youth of the nation.
May God bless you.”
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YSR/DS/HS/CS
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President’s address during the conferment of Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2005
