The Musical Journey (Chithirai Thiruvizha)

A measure to bridge the gap between me and music!

We overcome a lot during the day, and love to pen them in our diary. There are some instances which we wish to expose on the internet. I had one such happening in the recent time.

Chithirai Thiruvizha, the event conducted by Sai Fine Arts, Nanganallur to felicitate the budding musicians who have qualified the annual examination.

The event happened on 7th July 2018 with the graceful presence of Mrs. Kanthalakshmi Chandramouli, Writer and Journalist; Kavinaya Chelvar Mannai Pasanthi; and Mr. Sathaya Ganesh, the correspondent, and principal of Karpaga Vigneshwara Vidhyalaya.

Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy, the young energetic tutor at Sai Fine Arts scheduled a vocal concert to be performed at the beginning of the ceremony. Delighted that I was part of the team.

It has been one and half years since I had been practicing Veena and Vocal under the guidance of the gurus at the Sai Fine Arts. I believe music fall under the same ambit of academics. There are so much to learn, practice and tap creativity. I had been wondering at the skills obtained by the co-students, mostly in the ninth and tenth grade of school whom I proudly address as my seniors in music. I and my sibling were associated with such talented performers for the vocal concert. Though the kid in them seemed visible, they outperformed.

I remember the practice sessions began in the second week of June. Songs were challenging, especially the Krithis. I remember each day we were taught a new Krithi by our Guru, I would look at my sister with that ‘CAN I?’ feel. She acknowledges with a smile each time I do that. I recollect recording the songs sung by Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy, and the Sai Sisters (daughters of the Guru, awarded with the Sangeetha Yuva Sarathi title). They never denied to help us when we were struck at something during the practice sessions.

Sometimes, we always need that minimal percentage of fear which pulls us to practice better and perform better. I go by it.

Every day after work, we gathered, learned, practiced and practiced. The practices equipped the skills and helped confidence balance the fear. I recognized that the energy during those sessions never lessened, rather it increased day after day. It was solely possible because of the ideal Guru who kept endlessly, teaching, correcting, advising, encouraging, motivating and grooming us.

The bhajans were given equal importance like that of the Krithis and I recollect the kids, probably below the age of ten, actively participating.

The learnings were THE HUGE. I realize that there are so much in music that demands a lifetime and beyond to master the art. Once again, this concert has helped us get understand the nuances in music. I witnessed many passionate students rewarded for qualifying the musical grade exams. Numerous awards and titles were given including the Guru S P Sivasubramania Bhagavathar award. 

A word of gratitude, from us as disciples, seem ‘no equal’ to the efforts put by the Gurus at the Sai Fine Arts. The desire to learn more never ends.

Aspiring to bridge the gap between me and music with the teachings and guidance of Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy, Guru Shrimathi V Thanga Selvi, Guru Shri A Vishwamithran and the budding musicians in line with practice.

Margazhi Maha Utsavam- The Grand Musical Delight by Sai Fine Arts

It is a gargantuan task to identify musical talents in youngsters and kids. Even more huge to equip, educate and teach the art to them. That is what Sai Fine Arts does at its best!! The institution was formed by Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy who is the disciple of Suchindram S.P. Sivasubramania Bhagavatar. If you desire to learn any music instrument say Violin, Veena, Keyboard, Guitar, Tabla, Piano and such others, Sai Fine Arts bridges the journey to meet the desire. Gurus at Sai Fine Arts includes Shrimathi V. Thanga Selvi, wife of Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy and Shri A. Vishwamithran.

With average interest to learn Veena, I joined in January 2017 with my sibling who desired to learn Violin. Right at the start, Guru Shri A. Vishwamithran said us that one vocal session is made compulsory in each week for students who learn musical instruments. That shook me. I hadn’t been into singing since my lower class but my sister had already been establishing her singing standards with bhajan groups in school. Guru Shri Nellai M Vinayaka Moorthy emphasized that learning vocal supports effective playing of notes in the instruments. His passion for music drives him to teach his disciples. I and my sister were part of a vocal group for whom classes were held on Tuesday. The team had been so adaptive and caring, I must admit. With time, interest developed and I still keep trying to enhance each day. Be a beginner or a budding music professional, he showers right amount of interest in teaching. There are enormous activities conducted for the students to equip and enhance their skills.

One such is the ‘Weekly Rounds’. The students play instruments before Guru each Wednesday and the Guru tirelessly reviews the performances. Music Quiz, Tempo Maestro and such others are conducted just to enrich learning. Musical theories are also taught during Vocal sessions. Guru Vinayaga Moorthy had also said about the importance of theoretical knowledge requirement. We, the students are also given opportunities to perform at various music concerts through Sai Fine Arts.

Wonder what? The greatest gratitude students can ever give to their Guru’s is rendering an astonishing performance over the stage granted. That is what Sai Fine Arts did at a recent event. The Sai Fine Arts hosted ‘Margazhi Maha Utsavam’ on 7th January, this year. Nearly 150 of us participated in the event.  It was a whole day event with students performing numerous songs in groups during the day and an exclusive event, ‘Meha Concert’ where all the budding musicians performing in a row. It was such a pleasant feeling to witness the performances. The parents and friends were the major audiences. Known or the unknown, you get greeted by people for having performed on stage. Such friendly atmosphere prevailed. The Meha Concert was astounding with each song played at various tempos. The coordination should be recognized and applauded. The reason behind such delivery are the practice sessions.    

Having the lessons being taught much prior, we had effective practice sessions in the class. For almost two weeks prior to the event, students had been performing before Guru Vinayaga Moorthy with Guru Vishwamithran playing Tabla. And if they notice something wasn’t inline, they just uttered “You have much more time to practice. You can”. So much of positive vibes. To unite the members of each group, train them passionately in the midst of exam season and others aided in putting up a grand show. When I’m questioned to cite living examples who dedicatedly teach any form of art to their students, I get only one name all through my mind; Sai Fine Arts. The chief guests of the event notably spoke about Guru Vinayaga Moorthy’s deeds. Every participant was honored with a trophy and medal. The event ended but the journey had not.

I took to come up with this write-up as a tribute to Guru Nellai M Vinayaga Moorthy and A Vishwamithran since ‘thank you’ seemed to be much less.

To all the budding musicians, wish you a great future. ‘Age is no bar to begin.’