Your message kindled memories of yore days from the bottom of my heart.
I belong to Kallidaikurichi in Tirunelveli Dist. which patronised fine arts for a long time. As you mention, I had seen "Terukoothus" , "Villu Paattus", "Bommalattam" and the like also. Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai's troupe would camp in our village every year. But, CM was uppermost in patronage. We had good opportunities to listen to the stalwarts of those days at close quarters. Every marriage would have at least one concert and there were number of "Satir Kutcheries" ( Bharat Natyam!) and "Katha Kaalakshepams".
I would like to mention here an interesting fact.
One wealthy Muslim gentleman celebrated his son's wedding (Nikah) and he arranged two concerts. One was by Karukurichi Arunachalam (just, he had made his debut) and the next day, much to the delight of inhabitants of our village as well as nearby villages, it was the concert of GNB with Kumbakonam Rajamanickam Pillai on the fiddle and PMI on Mridungam! (If one desires to under the real character of a Raaga (Aashiptikam) without any adultration with 100% melody, one should listen to Kumbakonam Rajamanckam Pillai). The concert was held in front of the gentleman's house a few yards away from the main mosque of the village! The audience which included people from all communities listened to the whole concert with rapt attention.
I think that this is a unique occasion!
We should be thankful to those stalwarts who made CM immortal!
V.Aiyah
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