Water from Jolarpettai to Chennai taps

“Water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink,” quoted Samuel Taylor in one of his work. With the latter part being the reality, we witnessed some optimistic posts on social media to visualize the former part of the quote believing the power of positivity.

We spoke cricket, politics, GST, inflation, and a thousand other things beyond the basic needs all these years. At least this period has made us complain about water scarcity and discuss conservation. The water level has drained in various parts of Chennai. Do we all recollect how Chennai was hit by flood previously? Where did the water go by? Do we have proper water reservoirs? Proud that we decided to act for it.

Day after day news on residents initiating ‘clean-up’ campaigns popped in including the Chitlapakkam lake restoration. I came across various social media posts discussing water supplies, minimizing the consumption level, and others. Luckily, there was no question of wastage as there was no possibility for the same. When the first spell of rain was expected, we did activities required to store the rainwater for our use.  Now, the water from Jolarpettai has arrived in Chennai.

Reportedly, 2.5 million litres of water has reached Chennai by train. The authorities claim that the arrangement is expected to serve us for the next six months ‘until the advent of North-East monsoon.’ Let us ensure we meet our needs and not greed. What nature can do to a man is inevitable. Let us continue to practice sustainable development. Let us always remember we owe our future generations.

Agatha’s ‘A Murder is Announced’

One of my favorites from Agatha Christie. Her thriller and mysteries are incomparable. This one featuring the fictional character Miss Marple is woven with an interesting plot. Primarily, I fall for the titles of her books. Isn’t “A Murder is Announced” daring?

The novel starts with an advertisement in the local newspaper announcing a murder at Little Paddocks on 29th October. Though the death of Scherz at the gathering is initially believed to be a suicide, the inspector Craddock proved his brilliance by solving the murder case arresting Letitia Blacklock.

The fun in arranging a birthday party for Bunny was engaging. The cake baked by the cook is wittily nicknamed as ‘Delicious Death.’ It is more of an oxymoron. Though it all added to the fun factor, another death hits the house costing the life of Bunny. I would say that the novel had collective emotion.

A thrilling read!

Celebrating music: Chithirai Thiruvizha 2019

To the performers, the two best things about musical events are learning and practices.

One of the two grand events conducted every year by the SAIFINE ARTS is the Chithirai Thiruvizha. The students are awarded for their performances in the music grade exams conducted annually at this event. The number of students who get facilitated at this occasion always amazed me. I had the opportunity to see what it takes. Our ideal Guru Nellai M Vinayagamoorthy gave us the opportunity to teach basics at the class and I observed how the Gurus train the students, test them periodically and appreciate these budding artists.

I still remember a class hour at which our Guru cited to use the chance of teaching other students through which we will improve collectively. Special thanks to Guru Nellai M Vinayagamoorthy for believing in us and allowing us to handle classes. It definitely helps us grow. I had to listen to various lessons I didn’t know in the first place. I go directly to any of the Gurus including the two brilliant violinists, Ms Sai Priyadharshini and Ms Sai Meenalochani.  I learn and then help the student who learns a particular lesson.

We had an instrumental concert at the start of the Chithirai Thiruvizha event. Every performance including that of seniors has put a ‘wow’ emotion. Each practice session is a fine memory. For the instrumental concert, I paired with my sister- herself on violin and me- veena. I take joy in mentioning that we never lose out on opportunities as our Gurus and our beloved parents always encouraged us to pursue it. Thanks do not equalize the teachings and support we received from Guru Nellai M Vinayagamoorthy and Guru A Vishwamithran. The ‘you people are improving’ report from our Guru Nellai M Vinayagamoorthy post the event meant a lot to us.

I never thought I would equally practice Carnatic vocal too. The consistent practice sessions for various concerts developed the interest, I must mention. Speaking of the vocal concert of this Chithirai Thiruvizha, we learnt songs in various ragas namely Keeravani, Hamsadhwani, Kapi, and others. This time the opportunity coupled with responsibility. I was instructed to assist the kids while practising bhajans. It made me ensure I learn every song right. I used to seek my sister, Archena, to rehearse the songs as she is skilled at this than myself. I remember the first practice session with the kids at which we sang Krishna Krishna Manamohana, a bhajan in Kapi raga. I used to ask myself if I’m doing it right. I recollect, I requested Ms Sai Priyadharshini to check if we are singing it in the way it should be. I must say that the whole sessions I had with those kids were always interesting. I admit that they know most of the lyrics by heart while we adolescents always have a lyric note to support. When I shared such experiences at home, my mother came with a witty statement saying “You should practise at home too, in the morning. Not sufficient when you do it only in class.” Realizing mom is always a mom, I would go silent. I rejoice the session of practice sessions we used to have at 8 pm with extra attention.

Practising Ayi Giri Nandini, Vinayaga in Hamsadhwani, Rama Kodanda Rama in Bhairavi and all the other songs were exciting and challenging. Varum Ondru in Sudha Dhanyasi raga gets a special mention because every time we sing it, the chittaswaras that comes in the song always puts a smile on my face in the memory of my elder sister. We have a memory lined to it. Let the mention of it here put a smile on her face too as she reads it. We had a lot of learning and practice sessions. Sincere thanks to Guru Nellai M Vinayagamoorthy for teaching, supporting, and encouraging us in all possible ways and grateful for the extended opportunities in all forms.

Realizing I have a long way to go and cherishing the journey.

Happy music!