17th November 2005
CHENNAI: S Parthasarathy, Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer with the Southern Railway, is a self-confessed addict of Carnatic music.
He strongly feels that ‘‘every South Indian who cares about culture and tradition must learn to appreciate and propagate this glorious musical style’’.
Propagate; that is exactly what Parthasarathy likes to do. His maiden book 108 Divya Ragams, was released in September 2004 by film director Rajeev Menon. His second book - 108 Cine Ragams: Carnatic Music in Tamil Films - which will be accompanied by a free CD-ROM, is to be released on Thursday.
Born in Mylapore, Parthasarathy says that love for Carnatic music came to him quite naturally. After serving in the Railway in Mumbai, he was transferred to Chennai in 2002. Back home, he started attending music concerts and found more time to spend on writing his books. His wife Amritha Parthasarathy is the publisher of the new book. The couple had sent the book to President A P J Abdul Kalam and got an audience with him.
Parthasarathy says about his second work, ‘‘This book has been written with the sole intention of creating awareness about Carnatic music. Material for this book has been taken from hundreds of websites.’’
During a pre-release press briefing on Wednesday, Parthasarathy said that the CD is bi-lingual while the book is in English. The book is however being translated into Tamil and it will be ready in a few months’ time.
Parthasarathy says that he had planned a set of four books (each with a CD-ROM) for taking a beginner with no knowledge of Carnatic music to the stage of attending concerts.
He elaborates, ‘‘108 Cine Ragams is aimed at creating awareness. My earlier book, 108 Divya Ragams was aimed at giving inputs about Carnatic music. 108 Ragams Identifier, planned for release in April 2006, would help in identifying ragams and 216 Ragams Concert Guide, planned for release in September 2006, will be a guide on attending concerts.
This book, dedicated to the memory of his brothers S Rajagopalan and S Sampath, has eight chapters. Each of the chapters carries names of Tamil movies like Kalidas, an introduction, Ambikapathy on ragams, Nandanar on music directors, Meera on singers, Avvaiyar on playback singers, Tillana Mohanambal on lyricists, Salangai Oli on masala pages and Sindhubhairavi on what next.
‘‘The beauty of Carnatic music in Tamil films is brought out through anecdotes, humour and puzzles,’’ says Parthasarathy.
Parthasarathy, who is obsessed with cryptic crossword puzzles and computers too, plans to a write a book on cryptic crosswords.
From The New Indian Express (Chennai Edition) dated 17/11/2005
MAIN PAGE OF BOOK RELEASE FUNCTION