Charulatha Mani

http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/music/article96093.ece

Today, the 20th of Jan is the day I appeared as a shrivelled up new-born in this world. I love my parents, who have given me such a lovely life, I love my husband Karthik, and my kids, and on my birthday I only feel sadder that I have one year less to live with these wonderful people. It feels like the clock is ticking and we have to make the most of the time at hand. I hate birthdays because it reminds me of how old we are all growing. It is a sweet warning bell..But what the heck! Everyone grows old, so I guess it's fine. Good fun...

It was a lovely Pongal day and I ate lots of it. Then ran a lot on my elliptical... Appeared on SUN Tv " Pattikada Pattanama " and Jaya TV "Galatta Kutcheri" with Mano sir on 15th Jan. I performed at the Thiruvaiyaru Tamil Isai Festival on the 15th. The concert was between 11:30 pm and 1 am (yes you read it right!), and the audience were sitting and listening to music well into the night. Earlier I visited the Panchanatheswarar Temple and Dharmasamvardhini temple. This was the place where Dikshitar composed the Madhyamavati piece Dharmasamvardhini , and Syama Sastri composed the Varali piece Karunajoodavamma . In Thyagaraja's Muripemu Galige also there in a reference to Panchanatheeswara temple in the charanam. Very large premises, and nice darshan. Also prayed at the Aatkondeswarar sannidhi. A nice change from the city lights!

I received the "Most Popular Entertainer of the Year" award from the Vijay TV Super Singer Awards on 10th Jan. I received the award from Nityashree akka, and Srinivasji, myself, and Krishna Iyer performed our winning song " En Uchi Mandaila " from Vettaikkaran after collecting the bouquet and trophy. I thank God for this award and promise to work harder for music in the coming years also...

On Jan. 9th I was at the capital, New Delhi...freezing as it was, I had the good fortune of landing within hours of the concert armed with a mere shawl and muffler. Mr Motilal Vohra was the chief guest for the evening, and several other dignitaries were supposed to attend the " Isai Kurisil " Award ceremony at the Delhi Tamil Sangam Audi, Dharam Marg. The concert was billed as "Charulatha Mani" - Live in Concert. It was a light music show Delhi Tamils were eagerly looking forward to. I was excited and delivered the goods. Smt Barkha Singh, MLA honoured me with the title, and the concert was a resounding success.

It was a fine day at Colombo, on Jan 3rd, and the stage was set for a massive show at the Kadiresan Auditorium, Colombo. Presented by Vetri TV, this show included singers Srimathumitha, Mukesh, Jayadev, and myself. It was a grand show with a large youthful crowd. "Enn Ucchi Mandaila" was as usual received with thunderous applause and screams. I cannot forget my happiness while singing "Kanne Kalaimane" from Moondrampirai . The next day we shopped like crazy in Colombo and rushed to catch the flight. A hectic visit, and memorable evening.

I sang at the Parthasarathy Swami Sabha for the season on the 1st Jan. I had a lovely audience and since it was Thiruvadirai Day of Arudra Darshan I sang mainly pieces on Lord Shiva. The highlights of the concert were "Siva Siva" of Thyagaraja in Pantuvarali and "Aadum Deivam" of Papanasam Sivan in Kambhoji raga. I included a new abhang "Eyegathu" in Revati raag as a tail-piece and as always it was very well-received. A fine start to a fantastic year. Dear cyberians, have a great year ahead, take care and god bless.