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| U. Shrinivas champions a cause By Aruna. S / Madras |   | |||
Reaching out to care for the physically challenged is The Shakthi Foundation in Madras. Pioneering for the cause of these special people, the Foundation has been taking up various projects in the last few years. And last weekend (on 22 March), this organisation put up a fund raising concert, 'Miracle 2003' at the TTK auditorium of The Music Academy in Madras. And the musicians who made it possible were young maestro Mandolin U. Shrinivas, guitarist Michael Brook, drummer Edward Quinn and Chris Tin on the keyboard. While Shrinivas is known for his wizardry in mandolin, Brook, the Los Angeles based guitarist is known for his invention of the 'infinite' guitar (the strings of this guitar hold a note for a longer period and sustain the sound indefinitely). Brook is also known for jamming up with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in 'Mustt Mustt...'. Tin, who plays the keyboard is a Chinese and he has scored the music for several film tracks. Percussionist Quinn who composes music for TV, film and produces albums is also a writer. A well promoted event, the concert drew the usual Madras audience that filled up the auditorium. The programme commenced with a two-minute film on 'Project Ramp' directed by film maker Rajiv Menon. This featured Indian cricketer Anil Kumble championing the need for ramps in public buildings. Following this were short video clippings where cricketers Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Kumble offered their support for Shakthi Foundation and said they would urge the need for ramps in cricket stadiums. (And all this on the eve of the world cup cricket finals between India and Australia). The audience at the Academy cheered in full strength. It was then that the maestros took centre stage. The four-some swung the audience with their music and you could hear whistles for Shrinivas's raga alapana! What was a little harsh was the lighting. With differently coloured spot lights on each of the musicians, the light man did not know when a piece was getting over. He would switch off all the lights, while the musicians continued. At times, Brook couldn't even look at his notations. And this apart, one of the television cameramen was allowed to shoot on stage. And he made sure, he was walking up and down the stage, for those tight shots through his lenses. Wish we practised some 'concert ethics' here. Nevertheless, the audience preferred just listening... Says Vasanth Raghuvir, the founder of Shakthi Foundation, "Music is universal. And this is a coming together for a cause." Says U. Shrinivas, "It gives us so much peace when we play for a cause." The show concluded with students of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, who lined up on the stage with candles in their hands singing 'Heal the world...'. Contact: The Shakthi Foundation at 9, Manickeswari Road, Kilpauk, Chennai. Ph: 044-26611213. |
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