This anecdote was shared by Sri. V. Aiyah in www.sangeethapriya.org forum.
DD program (audio) on Ariyakudi was quite interesting. (I couldn’t enjoy the video though I have Divx with codec)
In the program, there is a passing reference to Ariyakudi’s ever first concert.
Sri “Elarvi”, a prominent Tamil writer has penned a book in Tamil titled “Ariyakudi” (1956) in which he has elaborately dealt on his first concert. I desire to give here a synopsis of what he has written for the benefit of my fellow Rasikas:
“A.R.A.R.S.M. Somasundaram Chettiar was a prominent wealthy man of Devakottai. He had deep friendship with all the vidwans of the time. He had great respect for Thiruvenkatathienga r (Ariyakudi’s father) and Chettiar used to consult him for each and everything!
In 1912, he conducted a family marriage in Kandanur; he had invited all the vidwans for the same and every one of them turned to attend the function. There were concerts and cultural programs galore. One day, there was a concert by the great Konerirajapuram Vaidyanathier accompanied by Thirukodikaval Krishna Iyer on the violin, Kumbakonam Azhaganambi Pillai on Mridungam, Puthukottai Dakhinamoorthy on Kanjira and Umaiyalpuram Sundaramier on Ghatam. The concert lasted nearly for four hours and the big crowd that had gathered there listened throughout with rapt attention.
In the meantime, Chettiar entertained a desire to arrange a maiden concert of the young “Ramanujam” then and there. He expressed his desire to Thiruvenkatathiengar. Sri Iyenger agreed for the proposal, but, told him to obtain permission from his son’s Guru, Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar. Chettiar then approached Sri Poochi Iyenger who readily agreed and calling Ramanujam, asked him to proceed to the platform Ramanujam was, however, hesitant seeing the big “Jambhavans” assembled there and also the rasikas. Sri Poochi, however, told him not get nervous and proceed.
The next poser for Chettiar was to arrange the accompanists. The group which accompanied Koonerirajapuram were all top ranking artists and further, they should have become tired after performing for nearly four hours. However, the news that Ramanujam would be performing for the first time on the dais reached the ears of these artists. They informed Chettiar that they would gladly play for Ramanujam.
Ramanujam prostrated before his Guru and father and proceeded to the dais quite nervously. He became more nervous as he neared the platform and saw the artists sitting there ready to accompany him. He touched the platform and stoked his eyes, climbed on it with nervousness still lingering and sat on the farthermost side of it.
Seeing his plight, Thirukodikaval Krishna Iyer clasped his hands and pulled him to the front saying “come forward” (Munnukku Vaa!)
Was it an order or blessing, for. thereafter Ramanujam was only on the forward march with success after success!
Young Ramanujam started the concert with the ‘Kriti’ “Vedalunu Kothandapani” in :”Thodi” and no doubt that his maiden performance was a grand success!
V.Aiyah
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