December Music Season: Music goes knocking on seniors’ doorways

In a uncommon gesture in the direction of seniors dwelling in old-age houses, musicians could be presenting performances by their bed-side. Anandam Outdated Age House is gearing as much as host the month-long Marghazi Ishai Vizha at its newly-opened auditorium close to its campus in Ambattur from December 14.

The Carnatic musicians who’ve confirmed their participation in Marghazi Ishai Vizha embrace Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi and GJR Krishnan; Neyveli Santhanagopalan; Gayathri Venkataraghavan; Shubha Ganesan and sons of Maharajapuram Santhanam.

A villupattu efficiency for 2 days, a dance recital and a discourse by Cuddalore Gopi are among the many different occasions lined up for seniors. The surprising A er spotlight would be the efficiency by the seniors who’ve been studying music on the residence for a few years.

Bhageerathy Ramamoorthy, managing trustee of the outdated age residence, says internet hosting musical occasions by way of the yr together with throughout Navarathri is a daily function at Anandam, however that is the primary time that flavours of the Marghazhi music season are being dropped at the residents.

The stage on the auditorium, which might accommodate 150 folks on the bottom ground and 50 within the balcony, is designed to maintain these on the stage nearer to the viewers. The stage sports activities work of musical devices from the North and South.

For Anandam, the month-long occasion serves a number of function. Aside from the 100 plus residents from the house, kids and their mother and father from the free particular colleges that it runs may even get a slice of the fest. “Particularly for youngsters with particular wants, music is remedy and we wish them to take pleasure in it,” says Bhageerathy.

For seniors who can’t stroll to the auditorium, the administration is planning to relay the occasions to the rooms. “We’ve 15 people who find themselves bedridden within the sick room the place we plan to offer connection to view the live performance,” she says.

Anandam has taken a number of the seniors to sabhas throughout the earlier music seasons however the expertise has not rejuvenated them. “A majority are of their 80s and can’t sit constantly after an extended drive in a car,” says Bhageerathy.

Vishranthi Outdated Age Residence in Palavakkam has not opened its gates this time for any kutcheri as work on a brand new auditorium is going on on the campus. A employees says that many senior musicians have carried out solely for the residents of the house, each throughout and off season. “We’d all collect on the leisure corridor that may accommodate some 50 folks to see musicians singing. As soon as the brand new auditorium opens, it will have an even bigger seating capability together with a stage,” says the employees. A majority of the musicians, she says, who’ve carried out on the residence really feel prefer it’s getting additional blessings.

Vijayaraghavan, founder-president of Archana Music and Charitable Belief that not too long ago hosted a efficiency by Sikkil Gurucharan at TAG-Dakshinamoorthy auditorium, has additionally been taking artistes to old-age houses within the State for some years. “Why mustn’t these senior residents take pleasure in what we will?” is how he causes it out. He primarily associates with outdated age houses in districts the place elders are disadvantaged of such leisure.

How straightforward is it to guide a date with some musicians having a full calendar throughout the season? Vijayaraghavan says he tries to host such occasions throughout December-January but when it isn’t doable, he pushes it to February.

Bhageerathy says a lot of the musicians have been well-wishers of Anandam for a few years. Gayathri Venkataraghavan has carried out at just a few different old-age houses up to now and says there’s a “sense of belonging” at Anandam.

This season, the vocalist has shut to twenty performances lined up until mid-January.

“When you understand you’re reaching out to folks from the opposite finish of life, it provides a lot function,” says Gayathri, who rigorously selects songs that can resonate with the seniors.

“One of many residents has already given me her favorite that I will likely be singing for positive.”