"Pooja Vidhanam" - Workshop for Women 102nd Month "Kala Poshakam" - August, 2014

Report of 6th Year “MOTTAMAADI NILAA CUTCHERY” and “NILAA CHORU” - Saturday, 12th July, 2014.

To beat the summer heat, recently The Mylapore Trio Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted a Very Different Special Music Concert – “MOTTAMAADI NILAA CUTCHERY” and “NILAA CHORU” (Terrace Moonlight Concert) without mikes (101st Kala Poshakam – Monthly Concert) & Moonlight Dinner for the 6th consecutive year on Saturday, 12^th July, 2014. Incidentally it was a Full Moon day. The event was hosted by Shri. Krishnamurthy (Foundation parent) at his Flat “Mangaljothi Apartments” at Mandaveipakkam, Chennai, where around 80 guests mostly consisting of Septuagenarians and Octogenarians peppered with youngsters. The senior citizens stayed the whole programme forgetting their health problems and medicines. At the stroke of 6pm, 9 children rendered songs (vocal and instrumental) with great enthusiasm - a real Music to the Ears… merging with the cool breeze. The singers were Krishna, Srinithi, Arnav, Ayswarya, Sivapriya and instrumentalists brothers - Abirath (keyboard) Aadesh (violin) and Ashwin & Aditya (violin Duo) rendered songs. The Songs had varied genres like Keerthanais, Bharathiyar Paadal, Light classical songs, English notes, etc. and Cutchery Kalai Kattiyathu. At the end of the programme, The Mylapore Trio presented the children with age-old antique pictures of Gods, which were worshipped by their foster parents late Sri. Rajasekharan & Smt. Sumukhi & paati Smt. Nagammal at their home for decades. These were apt gifts (aashirvaadham) to the children on the auspicious Guru Pournami. At the end of the programme the Gods were overwhelmed with the children’s bhakthi – showered their grace on them as rain drizzles… a real blessing indeed.

The ambience at the mottamaadi (with terracotta tiles) was serene and pleasant though it was surrounded by concrete jungle. An apt traditional welcome with chandanam, kumkumam pushpam and Badam gheer was served to all the invitees. In that calm and collective atmosphere, the audience were breezed / fanned by nature’s punkas, sat spell bound for two hours inundated in the divine music. The atmosphere was very pleasant and since it was a cloudy day, the moon was playing hide & seek.

Sevikku Alitha Virunthu piragu Vayitrukkum Eeyyapattathu. At the end of the Cutchery, all were served with sumptuous “Nilaa Choru”. Literally Nila appeared on the dark sky and many of us had nostalgic memories…. Mothers feeding “mammu” to their children showing the Full Moon….singing “Nila Nila Odiva”. “Chithrannam” included Puliyan Saadam, Elumichai Saadam, Sambar Sadam, Urulai Kizhangu Curry finely Thayir Saadam with chopped Elumichai Oorgaai, Karuvadam, Urulai Kizhangu Chips, Carrot Halwa and not to miss the traditional Thamizh Naattu welcome drink “Paanagham”… which was served at the middle of the concert. 

The host and the parents appreciated the efforts of The Trio in inculcating cultural values to children through their programs. The children opined that it was their maiden performance of such a kind and a new experience for them. They felt that it was indeed a very innovative concept and thanked the Foundation for reviving age-old customs that are becoming obsolete.  A parent commented “It was a new experience to hear different kinds of voices without mikes - whether melodious, bold, soft, sharp, shrill, etc. and the very purpose of the innovative event was attained”. The participants and their parents presented themselves in Traditional attire. The Trio, Foundation Members and others were overwhelmed with the hospitality & dinner. The TRIO felt it was really a memorable event with a new dimension altogether. It was indeed a very cool, breezy and pleasant evening - post Agni Natchathiram days. 

Report of 100th Month “Kala Poshakam” - Sunday, 29th June, 2014.

The Mylapore Trio of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation celebrated the 100^th “Kala Poshakam” programme recently. ‘Satya Kala Poshka Sundaram’ was a title conferred on the trio for their Multi-faceted cultural contributions by Bharatanjali Trust in 2005, on the occasion of Swami Satya Sai Baba’s birthday. In order to perpetuate the divine title, The Mylapore trio started monthly programmes in the name of Kala Poshakam in February 2006, which was inaugurated by late Smt. Leela Sekhar, (former Chairperson-IDA) and Smt. Anita Guha of Bharatanjali. Today “Kala Poshakam” is a free monthly platform for anybody and everybody in any art form.

On 29^th June, the historic 100^th month event was celebrated at Narada Gana Sabha with pomp and splendor. Smt. Anita Guha was the Chief Guest, who explained the jam-packed audience on how she was impressed by the Mylapore Trio’s Great Grand Golu and the divine intuition from Baba to confer the exclusive title on them. She appreciated the earnest efforts of the trio in upholding and perpetuating the spiritual, cultural and traditional values amongst the children through their innovative cultural events, workshops, camps and golu etc.

On this memorable occassion Smt. Saraswathi Chandrasekhar, was conferred the title “Isai Gnana Chudar” and presented with the Recognition Award for her commendable talents in Carnatic Music & Tamizh Isai. The award trophy had a spiritual touch of the trio as usual. It was a gold lacquered “Kumbha Deepam” – Kumbham signifying knowledge (gnanam) Deepajothi symbolising chudar.

Nearly 150 participants of “Balar Chithirai Kalai Vizha” competition also received their certificates, medals, prizes, talent and multi talent prizes from septugenarian and octogenarians maami who are all experts in the respective fields. There was a cultural programme by winners which included Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, Naatupura Nadanam, Violin Isai, Mono acting, Oratory etc.

The stage décor of the Trio added glitter to the magnificent event.

Sunday, 29th June 2014. 12th Year BCKV. Prize Distribution - Participants' Roll Nos. 1 to 50