It has been the need and dream of many art connoisseurs living in and around Powai suburb. “With all the infrastructure facilities in our area we always felt the need for a forum for fine arts. Though I am a member in other fine arts associations but find it difficult to commute and wade through the traffic to reach the venues and quite often desist from going. If there is a programme in and around our complex it makes life easy,” says Suman Badami, dance exponent and guru from Powai Hiranandani.
The Iyer brothers perform at the inaugral concert held at IIT Powai
“For quite some time we have been planning starting a fine arts association and the time to launch the same has come now. We are glad to open the launch with a quality concert at the Industrial Design Centre of IIT Mumbai,” says Dr. G Ramakrishnan, one of the main founders.
Many cars entered the gates of the imposing IIT campus on January 2 and the auditorium was full in no time. After the traditional lighting of the lamp and formal acknowledgements, the Veena duet by Iyer Brothers from Melbourne, Australia followed.
Ramnath and Gopinath, known popularly as Iyer brothers, disciples of Veena Maestro R Pichumani and Trivandrum R Venkataraman were supported on the mridangam by Rajesh Sreenivasan and Mahesh on the ghatam.
The brothers began their recital with an Ata thala varnam in Ragam Kamboji and went on with Mahaganapati in Nattai. Sabhapathiku in Abhogi ragam was followed by Mamava Meenakshi in Varali and Samagana Lole came as a tribute to the legendary GNB to mark his centenary. Ragam Tanam in main ragam Shankarabharanam had a crowning percussion thani session by Rajesh and Mahesh on Mridangam and Ghatam.
Enna Thavam and Chinnanchiru Kiliye, popular numbers were followed by the concluding Misra thillana in Sivaranjani ragam, composition of Lalgudi Jayaraman.Residents of Australia since two decades the Iyer brothers could well relate to the IIT campus as they are both masters from IIT Chennai.
“We come every year to Chennai for the December, January music festival and this year we feel honoured to be part of the Powai Fine Arts,” say Iyer brothers.They have established the Pichumani School of Carnatic Music in Melbourne in the year 1990 and many Indian and foreign students are learning in this school. Both are A-graded artistes of All India Radio and in spite of their busy schedule make it to India for performing pleasure.
Padma Vibhushan Dr N Rajam was the Chief Guest of the evening. Dr R K Shevgaonkar, Deputy Director of IIT, Dr G G Ray, Head of Industrial Design Centre, Parvathy Parshuram, singer, Dr Raman Srinivasan, Director Nanotechnology Centre, IIT, K K Iyer, MD of IED Advisors and Venkitachalam of MBA Foundation were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.
N Rajgopal, President of Mulund Fine Arts and R Seshadri, President of Bhandup Fine Arts, both sister organizations operating in near vicinity for over four decades were present to show their solidarity and support.“We are willing to offer our help for growth of fine arts and will work together with Powai fine arts,” assured N Rajgopal.
“It is our aim and effort to bring good artistes to our suburb and provide wholesome entertainment closer to home,” says Dr Ramkrishnan.
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