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Music can spread harmony in the minds of listeners,
says Dr. Ganesh |
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He has a simple frame and a steely resolve. A veterinary
doctor - turned - finance professional, Dr.R.Ganesh
learnt the fine art of Carnatic music from late
Maharajapuram Santhanam. He and his friends in the
music fraternity have embarked upon Irai Isai Payanam.
Here, Dr. Ganesh talks to Sudha
Jagannathan in detail on the journey. |
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What is the objective
of `house concerts' which you have embarked upon?
Dr. Ganesh: We (including my accompaniments) wanted
to exploit the talent that God has bestowed on us
for a social/divine cause. We took up the cause
of renovation of old dilapidated temples. For raising
funds for this, we chose to perform house concerts
like how Christmas Carols are done during Christmas
times. People who donate in small quantities like
Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 2.000 – they simply donate.
Larger donors - say in the category of Rs. 1 lakh
or Rs. 2 lakhs - are generally corporates and philanthropists.
There is, however, a huge untapped segment of people
who would donate Rs.10,000 or Rs. 15,000. It is
for this segment our Irai Isai Payanam was launched.
Besides you, who are the
other artistes involved in this project?
Dr. Ganesh: Madurai S Balasubramanaian and V. V.
Srinivasa Rao on violin, Chidambaram S. Balashankar
and Umayalpuram Mali on mridangam. There are lot
of other artistes who want to participate.
What has been the response for
such concerts - in terms of audience and funds raised?
Dr. Ganesh: Apart from the hosting donor, his friends,
neighbours and the like account for close to 50
to 75 people. The response is very good. So far
for the current project at Meppedu, we have done
49 concerts and raised Rs.13.5 lakhs.
How
many cause-based concerts have been done so far?
Dr. Ganesh: For this temple, so far 49. Authorities
of other temples have also approached us.
Do you think professional artistes
come in a big way to perform for cause-based concerts?
Dr. Ganesh: To some extent, they are also participating.
What are the positives
and negatives of such `house concerts'?
Dr. Ganesh: The positives are that you are having
a very close rapport with the audience. They listen
to it in rapt attention. They feel it more divine
than a regular sabha concert. There are some negatives.
Some times we will get the strain because of absence
of sound amplification. Some flats do not permit
this.
Do you think
Carnatic musicians are coming in a big way to work
for charity causes?
Dr. Ganesh: Yes. For Kargil, Gujarat earthquake,
Tsunami etc., Carnatic musicians have contributed
in a great way. In fact during the last music season,
almost all the musicians who sang in a leading sabha
donated their entire sambhavanai for the treatment
of an ailing young musician.
What
role should an artiste pursuing a traditional art
form like Carnatic musich play in the society?
Dr. Ganesh: In today's world, for a youngster, there
are thousand ways to go berserk. Music is Nadopasana
and to a great extent, it will restrict him from
falling into vices, bad company etc. Music has the
miraculous effect of calming down the mind. It spreads
harmony in the lives of listeners.
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