Aruna Sairam enthralls audience with her vocal prowess
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It was the youngsters' zeal for Carnatic music that stood out at the grand finale of the seventh edition of Times Thyagaraja Awards. While the audience waited with bated breath, Sidharth Prakash, nominated by Maduradwani Sabha, was declared the winner of Times Thyagaraja Awards 2018 by singer Aruna Sairam.
He was selected from among the five finalists after they presented a concert each. Sidharth, a disciple of Neyveli Santhanagopal, sangSankari , a Syama Sastrigal composition in Saveri, delighting the audience and the judges alike. The panel of judges included Aruna Ranganathan, Bhushani Kalyanaraman and Chinmaya Sisters, Uma and Radhika.
Commenting on the passion and the impressive way in which the youngsters sang, Aruna Ranganathan said that they used four paramteres to select the winner. "While we judged the candidates by the way they presented the niraval, swaram and manodharma, we gave prime importance to sruthi sudham," she said.Bhushani recalled her association with the Times Thyagaraja Awards and appreciated the candidates for presenting well-packaged concerts within the given 18 minutes.
Chinmaya Sisters highlighted the need for divinity in Carnatic music and added, "Carnatic music has stood the test of time because the composers ensured that there was bakthi towards the Supreme. Each singer should keep this in mind and render songs with utmost reverence and humility."
Aruna Sairam lauded the efforts of the parents in encouraging their children's artistic talents. She, along with Vimesh P (Assistant Vice President, Casa Grand) handed over the trophy, certificate and a cash prize of `50,000 to Sidharth Prakash. Interestingly, Sidharth also won the Rasika Choice Award by garnering a whopping 12,000-plus views on the Times Thyagaraja Awards' Facebook page.
An elated Sidharth said that he was dedicating the award to his parents and guru. He said, "This award will motivate me to up my work and practise harder. I want to further understand Carnatic music in depth and perform more concerts in the coming year." Prithvi Harish, who was adjudged the 1st runner-up, said that the award has motivated him to take up Carnatic music professionally. He added, "Though I performed during the season, singing at the finale was a unique experience. Presenting a well-packaged concert within a time frame before a discerned audience, and at a venue like Music Academy, was both a challenge and an opportunity."
G Vishwanath, who won the 2nd runner-up title, said that the award meant a lot to him. "This will give me a head start in the field of music and I consider it a privilege to start my music journey with this."
Ending the grand event on a grander note was Aruna Sairam. Before beginning her power-packed recital, she recalled an incident when her father motivated and encouraged her when she did not win a music competition in her younger days. She then went on to sing some popular songs, along with new compositions including Karuthil Nirainthai Kannil Marainthai , composed by Thiruvarur Ramamurthy Bhagavathar, and Kanthimathi Pillai Thamizh. She also obliged audience by singing Vishamakara Kannan and Kalinga Narthana Thillana on request.