Those who are concerned about our fading traditions and anxious about the younger generation being kept away from it all should witness the annual Sangeeta Shibhira (music camp) organised by the renowned violin vidwan Vittal Ramamurthy.

Held every year in May at Nidle, a small hamlet near Mangalore which is on Karnataka's coastal region, amid traditional setting and in a typical Gurukulam style, this Carnatic music workshop exposes the younger generation not only to traditional methods of learning and assimilating Carnatic music but also brings the participants closer to customary practices and conventional ways of living.

Initiated in 2001 by Vidhushi Rajarajeswari Bhat (sister of Vittal Ramamurthy) it is now being carried forward by Ramamurthy with the support of his parents Subraya Hebbar Krishnaveni Hebbar, his wife and sisters.

Several visiting musicians like T. V. Shankaranarayan , Neyveli Santanagoplan, Vijay Siva, Vellore Ramabhadran, Kamalakar Rao, Shankari Krishan, T.M. Krishna and S Kasturirangan have been a part of it by teaching children and then performing on the final day.

This year the musical camp, ninth in the series, was held from May 5 to 10 and over 120 students from neighbouring towns and villages participated in it. These students, from six year old kids to twenty five year old adults - were trained in different groups according to their age and learning capacity. But all of them shared the same environment: eating, singing, sleeping under one roof , a century old house called Karambithlu ( meaning sugarcane in Kannada ) the ancestral home of Ramamurthy.

Located against a hilly backdrop, lush greenery and farms that produce cashew and arecanuts, mango and jackfruit, a rare scenery in itself for city-based people, this house and its owners played host, like every year to these students as also to the teachers and musicians.

During the workshop period, the house as its surroundings echo to Carnatic music day and night as the classes , practice sessions, lecture demonstrations and concerts fill the pure air.

This year, eminent musician from Mumbai, Kalyani Sharma, recipient of Bodhaka award (2008) from The Music Academy graced the occasion and taught the students. Her senior students who had come along with her, joined the home team in conducting various musical events which generally began around 9.30 in the morning every day.

But for the students, the day started much earlier - around three in the morning as they took turns to complete their morning rituals, including bath and breakfast to be ready for the music lessons and practice sessions that would continue non-stop except for the breaks to have 'kashayam' (a health drink ) and lunch, ending around 4.30 p.m. with snacks and milk. Then it was time for little relaxation which most of them spent in exploring the hills and farms.

The evening performance sessions from 6 to 8.30 p.m. provided every student an opportunity to perform on stage either singly or in groups. The presentations varied from simple geetams, krithis to elaborate concerts depending on the student’s capability. Then it would be time for dinner and some students would continue practicing what they learnt that day till they fell asleep !

The interest, dedication and discipline displayed by the students was amazing and highly commendable. So was the ease with which they adapted to the new environment, the enthusiasm with which they helped each other in performing their daily chores as also in conducting the event. It was no doubt a musical bonding of high order

Other highlights of the Shibira were memorable vocal concerts by Vidushi Kalyani Sharma, Vidwan Pattabhirama Pandit of Bangalore and a veena concert by Viswan G.R. S. Murthy. The artistes were accompanied by Vittal Ramamurthy on violin, Mannarkoil J Balaji and Kanchana Eswara Bhat on mridangam.

Every journey had to end and so did ours. Parting was painful but we all vowed to meet again the next year. And the experience – from the chirping of birds, rustle of the leaves to melodious music - still lingers on adding a new perspective to our life.