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November 22, 2012

Vanakkam, Seasson's greetings!

It is not quite often you get to hear 'Vanakkam' in the traditional Carnatic music concert halls, especially at the felicitation ceremonies and inaugural functions.

'Namaskaram' or the most popular 'Sri Gurubhyo namah' makes it to the opening of every long or short speeches.

But at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's opening day, we were greeted with a 'Vanakkam'!

And who greeted was Jennifer McIntyre, Consul General of the USA in Chennai. She felicitated the artistes and remembered listening to Aruna Sairam, who received the Sri. P. Obul Reddy and Smt. P. Gnanambal Memorial award along with the violinist brothers Ganesh & Kumaresh.

Also felicitated were the senior nadaswaram artiste Seshampatti Sivalingam, makeup artiste K. Sethumadhavan, tambura artiste R. Lakshminarayanan and young flutist J.B. Sruthi Sagar.

Seshampatti Sivalingam also presented the Mangala Isai on the first day.

Sisters Ranjani and Gayathri presented a packed concert following the inauguration.

Incidentally, the opening day at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is the first day of the December Season in Chennai. Bhavan's auditorium, which is neither too large nor too small, but just right for classical music or dance concerts lending the audience a closer connection with the performing artistes on stage is a much sought after one throughout the year. After its own festival that is on till Dec. 12, 2012, the auditorium will be the venue for other sabhas to host their festivals. Both in the main hall and the mini hall.

With the pleasant weather setting in a little early this year, the 'season' sets in with the usual zeal in the houseful hall and in the yard, where people walking in, just sit and watch the CCTV relays.
The schedule of concerts at the BVB can be found here.

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