Whilst I am in Singapore, I came to know that Nrithyalaya is conducting Saint Thiagaraja Aradhana Festival near Krishnan Temple, at which Dr Balamurali Krishna was to lead the chorus singing of Panchrathna Keerthana and later in the evening, Dr Balamurali Krishna's music concert was also scheduled. Unfortunately, as Dr Krishna took ill, he could not make it. Hence the local artists conducted the chorus singing of Panchrathna Keerthana when several flutists also joined the chorus. I had the opportunity of attending this Aradhana Festival. Later, Global India Cultural Centre was organising the same festival at which Smt Sudha Raghunathan was to lead the Panchrathna Keerthana rendering. Later in the evening, Smt Sudha also gave her music concert. During the rendering of Panchrathna Keerthana, I had the opportunity of listening to Shri G Shridhar playing flute. After the festival, I had the privilege of meeting him personally. He mentioned to me about his album, 'Kuzholoviyum' the sample songs of which also I heard from the website. Though I am in the process of learning flute at Mumbai, India, after hearing Shri Shridhar, I feel more energised to learn more intensively, though I am 63 years. Thanks to Shri Shridhar for his encouraging words on my flute learing. I wish God give him all the good health, wealth and prosperity. God bless him and his family. V N Vasudevan, Mumbai, 23rd Dec 2007 |
