Some more stage space for nadaswaram

Nadaswaram-tavil concerts seem to have been slotted during the 'season' - they are the opening, 'auspicious', preview concerts at all music festivals.

But two arts promoters have been giving these artists a stage of their own.

One is Parivadini which organizes nadaswaram concerts of great talent even outside the Season.

The other is the Sumanasa Foundation promoted by vocalist T. M. Krishna - this Season it is supporting a few nadaswaram concerts at Raga Sudha hall and does so even otherwise.

Sri Krishna Gana Sabha also hosts a nadaswaram fest on the eve of Pongal festival; even that has been clipped a bit in recent times.

Space for nadaswaram at Pongal time

This is a week that will lead to the harvest festival of Pongal. The city will empty itself for the long weekend starting Saturday as families go back to their hometowns for the holiday.

With the sparse monsoon and trickle from the Cauvery river, there will be little to celebrate for farmers and farm hands. So the interiors may see a very sober Pongal.

Pongal is also a time when some sabhas in the city give the stage to nadaswarm concerts.
Sri Krishna Gana Sabha in T. Nagar hosts a longish nadaswaram festival, featuring the best around.

Though the stage is welcome for these artistes, the air-conditioned hall is simply not the best place for this music. Perhaps the city parks would be a better space to host the vidwans. Or even the mantapams inside our leading temples.

This atmosphere may well be just the thing that artistes and genuine rasikas look forward to.