Charulatha Mani

It was a poolside dinner at Le Royal Meridien, and the guests included some of the most prominent persons in Chennai, including Smt. Aruna Sairam, Sri Narayanan of Seventh Channel, Madan Bob, A.R. Raihanah among others. The party was hosted by Mr. Ravishankar of Bharani Minerals as a thank you gesture for the AR Rahman Salute concert. I had the rare honour of performing unplugged some of the melodious songs of AR Rahman before Smt. Aruna Sairam and Mr. Sairam. They said they loved it, and Aruna amma said " Hai Raama " in Pantuvarali is one of her favourites from the film Rangeela . It was a nice breezy evening and the Mouna Ragam orchestra had much to offer, with Srimathumitha singing " Porale Ponnuthayee " and " Idhu Varai " soulfully. Aruna Sairamji has heard my Classical music and all my rasikas know by now that I am greatly inspired by her music and persona, but I shall not forget this day when she sat back and enjoyed my film music offering as well.

On 4th April, Kamarajar Arangam was packed to capacity. The occassion was a celebration of ARR's victories in the world of music. Various popular singers presented ARR's best songs. I had the honour of presenting "Maduraikku Pogathedi" from Azhagiya Tamizh Magan, a Vijay starrer (a prelude to "En Ucchi Mandaila!!). ARR's sister Raihanah was at the helm of affairs, meticulous in co-ordination. Well organised show. The back-stage was a fun place what with singers including Mano sir, myself, Prasanna, Velmurugan, Anantu, Ganga, and others jiving with the music. ARR rocks!!

On March 28th, it was an evening to Tamizh compositions from Tevaram, to Divyaprabandam, Muthuthandavar, Arunachala Kavi, Gopalakrishna Bharati to Bharatiar and Bharatidasan, and finally Arunagirinathar. The highlights of the evening were Sabapathikku (Abhogi), Aadikondar (Mayamalavagowla), Enneramum (Poorvikalyani, Syama Sastri), Eppadi Manam (Huseni), among others. The Vani Mahal auditorium was full, and rasikas were receptive. I presented each piece preceded by a short introduction to the meaning and musical speciality of the item. Listen to MP3 clips of the concert: 01 Varnam - Charukesi - Lalgudi Jayaraman 02 Varanamukha - Hamsadhwani - Kotiswara Iyer 03 Thodudaiya - Gambhiranattai - Sambandhar thevaram 04 Sabhapatiku - Abhogi - Gopalakrishna Bharathi 05 Aadikondar - Mayamalavagaula - Muthuthandavar 06 Eppadimanam - Huseni - Arunachala Kavi   07 Enneramum - Purvikalyani - Shyama Shastri   08 Alaipayude - Kaanada - Oothukaadu Venkatasubbaiyer   09 Yaro ivar yaro - Bhairavi - Arunac...