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Amidst the surfeit of kutcheris happening across the City, the homage to one of Tamil Nadu’s fiercest freedom fighters struck a different chord. Vaanavil Panpattu Maiyyam had organised its annual Bharati Vizha to commemorate the Mundasukavi’s birth anniversary. It was a moment of ecstasy for the audience, when five songs chosen from Bharati’s huge repertoire were presented on the lines of the Tyagaraja Pancharatna sung at the saint’s aradana.
It was a new experience for the overflowing audience in the huge hall, a part of Bharathi Illam, Tiruvallikeni, Chennai, where the Mayyam celebrates Bharati Festival every year. Only this time round, the date was pushed to 16 and 17, due to which some musicians could not attend.
The entire proceedings were telecast live by Doordarshan. Those who could not find seats inside the hall were moved to Peyazhwar Sannidhi, where a huge screen relayed the event. The Bharati palanquin started its journey from the Sri Parthasarathy Swami temple. Students of Lalitha Ganapathi accompanied Jati Pallakku, dancing happily, till it reached the memorial, where arti was performed by singer Aruna Sairam.
With the flute providing a prelude in Vasantha, Bharati’s ‘Manathil Urudhi Vendum’ was rendered. ‘Vazhga Nirantharam, Vazhga Thamizhmozhi...’ closing with the line ‘Vazhiya Senthamizh Vazhga Natramizhar,’ came as the concluding piece, which began with Revati and concluded in Madhyamavati. The collective voice of the rendition was drenched in patriotic flavour. “It was a blissful moment for me,” said Ela. Ganesan, M.P. and Patron of Potramarai, literary organisation. “I was dreaming of such an event in Bharati Illam for a long time and it has come true. Next year, the event should be held at a bigger place where more than a lakh Bharathi admirers can gather to pay homage to Mahakavi,” he added. Besides well-known artists such as Aruna Sairam, Geetha Raja, Maharajapuram Srinivasan, his son Ganesh, Mahathi, the poet’s great grandson Rajkumar Bharati, Dr. Sirkazhi Siva Chidambaram, Charumathi Ramachandran and Shobana Ramesh, a large number of students from Mahathi’s Academy of Music participated in the homage.
Music Director Ramesh Vinayakam, who conducted the programme, won a round of applause. He said, “Bharati’s songs run in our veins and it was an opportunity for me to pay my respects to him.”
Were the songs set to music in the original tunes of the poet? “No” said Rajkumar Bharati. “A beginning has been made and the concept should be taken forward in the coming years,” he said expressing happiness and satisfaction.
“We practised for about ten days and it was a thrilling experience,” said Maharajapuram Srinivasan, his son Ganesh nodding in agreement. And for Bharati bhaktas, it was a moment to cherish.
