Interacting with the popular Carnatic and film singer Unnikrishnan, the students learnt many things about music and culture. Kiruthika S, a student of standard 8, who was the session shares her experience.
On Dec. 19, 2012 in the Y.G.P.Auditorium, first an interactive session between singer Unnikrishnan and all the students were held. Some of us got a lucky chance to ask questions to Unnikrishnan. A student of Standard 8, Akshitha Shankar had an opportunity to sing along with him.
The popular singer Unnikrishnan sang the song Harivarasanam and Asha Ramanujam of 8-C found the ragam that it is Madyamavathi. There was also a student of class 8, grandson of the violin maestro Lalgudi Jayaraman who sang the Arohanam and Avarohanam of the Raga Pantuvarali.
We also got a lucky chance to witness Unnikrishnan sing some of his songs like Ennavale and Uyirum Neeye which fetched him a National Award!
He mentioned that his favourite singer was K.J.Yesudoss and he adored his base voice. He also sang Kanne Kalaimane, a famous vintage Tamil song sung by Yesudoss. He also patiently answered our questions and explained the value of classical music in our culture. At the end of this session, we got to know much more about Carnatic music.
After the amazing interactive session with Unnikrishnan, there was an awe-inspiring flute recital by Mysore Chandan Kumar.
The flutist began the performance with Mahaganapthim, in the raga Nattai. He also produced fantastic and amazing renditions in various ragas such as Kandhanakudhugalam.
He asked questions to guess the ragas, a students from class 8 answered the identification of the morning raga Bowli and gave an example of a song in the same. The flutist was accompanied by a mridangist and an accomplished violinist who was mind blowing. He ended the performance with the Raga Madhyamavati. We all loved the performance and learnt a lot.