Charulatha Mani

On 22nd February I gave a lecture demonstration to students of Kola Saraswati Vaishnav School at Kilpauk. They were children of classes 5 to 8. Very cherubic faced, enthusiastic kids. I started off with an introduction to Mayamalavagowla, then Malahari, Mohanam, Kapi, Kaanada etc. I asked them simple questions and they chorused the answers. They sang along in Mohanam geetam "Vara Veena". The jubilation in their faces when they got an answer correct was something I will remember for a long time. Later requests came in for the show-stoppers like "Kurai Ondrum Illai" which I gladly fulfilled. I was their requested by the students (they screamed out loud) to sing "En Uchi Mandaila" from "Vettaikaran" at the end of the show. They sang that along too!!!

It was a great pleasure to sing on stage with the living legend Dr SP Balasubramaniam on February 14th at Kamarajar Arangam, Chennai. I sang the song from Vedham Pudhidu "Kannukkul Nooru Nilava" in Shanmukhapriya raga with him among other songs and he appreciated me on stage. It was a memorable moment for me. He also presented me with a memento. It was very refreshing to see his utmost sincerity and commitment towards music.

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