“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 3rd ‘SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS’ – A Virtual Cultural Meet during this extraordinary pandemic situation and lockdown. It was a unique concept and a different conclave involving professionals of different genre. The congregation consisted of a Professor, Art Director, Chartered Accountants, Ph.D Research Scholars, Dancers, Musicians and Members of various fields. BIRDS OF “DIFFERENT FEATHERS’’ FLOCKED TOGETHER.
A platform was provided to a speaker to talk on a subject of his choice or profession or expertise followed by a questionnaire session. After a gap of 4 standstill months, this new concept of an Intellectual Meet through Online ‘THREADING VARIOUS FLOWERS OF DIFFERENT NATURE’ was accomplished overnight. THE COMMON THREAD WAS THE FOUNDATION WHICH BINDS ONE AND ALL.
The 3rd Session was conducted on Sunday, 19th July, 2020 from 4.00pm to 6.30pm. The Programme began with the Prayer on the Trio's Foster Parents Smt. Sumukhi and Shri. Rajasekharan and their Grand Mother Smt. Nagammal, written and sung by Smt. Revathy Sankkaran.
The Mylapore Trio welcomed the gathering and explained the new concept. They shared the experiences of their childhood with Sumukhi Amma.
Surendranath an Art Director, shared some memories of Sumukhi. He said that Sumukhi hailed from Bangalore and she learnt music from the Great Legend Muthaiah Bhagavathar who came to their house early morning to teach her along with her sisters. He had appreciated her for her mellifluous voice and dedication in learning music even through ‘Kelvi Gnaanam”.
He shared a divine experience of Amma with Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharishi. She had the divine opportunity to sing a Thyagaraja Keertanai (Abhimanamennudu kalgura) in front of Ramanar during his 60th Birthday Celebrations at Ramanashramam in the jam-packed hall. Ramanar sat erect, listened to her song filled with pure bhakthi and blessed her. After her as a young lad, Pithukuli Murugadass sang (Uraithiduveer Ramana Sankarabarana) on Ramanar. She used to share all divine experiences with the Trio.
Suren was also elated to say that Trio bequeathed Sumukhi Amma’s musical instruments which are more than 100 years and are preserved for their historicity. He said that Amma had taught them songs which had instilled abundant bhakthi and spirituality in them. Suren had learnt music in Kalakshetra under Mani Sir, who was a pradhana sishya of Paapanasam Sivan and shared his experiences.
Amarnath being a Professor of History, made some important references to Music from the Indian History. Evidences of Dancing Girl and proto musical instruments from the Indus Civilization, reference of Music in “Saama Gaanam”, Samudra Gupta was an excellent Veena Player and had issued innumerable Gold Coins with his image as a Veena player. Aurangazeb, though a puritan, ridiculed Music. Raja Sarfojii 11 had patronised all art forms including Carnatic Music. He also shared his observations about a Ph.D. viva-voce on History of Music held in his dept a decade back. He thus gave a warmup for the audience about the background of the topic.
Aparna, also a Kalakshetra Alumnus was happy to share her experiences. She said after her dance class, she used to wait at Suren’s music class and listened to his melodious singing in that ‘serene atmosphere’ of parnasaala. The then Director of Kalakshetra Shri.Rajaram – The Grandson of Mysore Vasudevachar was very close to the Trio and every Saraswathi Pooja day, Aparna took the car to bring him home for the Golu. She said that it was he who named her as ‘Aparna Devi’ in Kalakshetra records. Aparna also said that their Music Teacher in BASS School Smt. Rajalakshmi, taught her all beautiful and worthy songs to be sung during the prayer at Tapovanam.
Smt. Shilpa Gopalakrishnan – a Musician by profession gave a talk on “Impact of Music in Life and Character – Past and Present”. She presented in the form of pictures and slides which was divided into Four segments viz., Music in Mythology and Legends, Music during Sangam and Post Sangam periods, Musicians and their compositions and the last part is her music learning experiences.
In the 1st part, she referred to Gods associated with music and also musical instruments used by deities of Hindu Pantheon. In the second section, she talked about the music and instruments mentioned in the Sangam Literature. In the third part, she scanned through the various composers and their compositions. The last but not the least segment was a narration of her “Gurukulavasam” with her Guru late legend Shri.Lalgudi Jayaraman.
She also acknowledged the Sumukhi Foundation for giving her an opportunity to showcase her talents through various events for over a decade. She said she along with her children have learnt many cultural values by participating in many of our value-based programmes.
The Trio said they conferred her with the Title “Gaana Chinthamani” on !5th February during the Foundation Anniversary in the year ……. incidentally, it also happens to be Shilpa’s Wedding Anniversary every year - a historic coincidence indeed.
The Second segment of the Sadhas was ‘NATURO-UPAYA’ in which Shri. Sugathan – Secretary, who is also a Naturopath gave some Tips on natural remedies for ailments. He declared that henceforth he shall give tips on health and hygiene from ‘Head to Foot’ from this session. So he started with head – Gave tips on maintenance of hair, hair fall cure, washing and cleaning methods etc - suggested some naturopathic remedies using flowers, herbs and other natural stuff. It was interesting to listen to his nature cure.
As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Traditional Attire with Cream & Olive Green as the Colour Code.
The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.
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