|
Aathirai's amudasurabhi
 The proliferation of English medium schools and the invasion of satellite television have made children not even understand what 'pallikoodam' means. It is only 'school' for these little ones. But in such a situation, there is a college goer, with a charming Tamil name, Aathirai, doing great service to Tamil and instilling confidence in people that there is no death for this wonderful language.
She performs great programmes to showcase the greatness of Tamil, its sweetness, its vastness and its music.
When we met her one evening at her house, she spoke extensively about her love for Tamil, Tamil music, her research into the music in Silappadikaram (pan araichi) and Tamil literature.
You have a beautiful Tamil name, Aathirai
When Manimekalai got the Amudhasurabhi, she was told that for the 'begging bowl' to be always filled with food, she should get the first 'yachagam' (contribution) from a virtuous and great woman. She took the first contribution from Aathirai. My parents liked this name and hoped that anything that I touch would also grow.
 What are you doing now and how did you fall in love with
Tamil?
After completing my schooling in Chettinad Vidhyashram, I am doing my second year B. Tech in information technology in Sri Subramani Nadar Engineering College.
I was always interested in Tamil. My family could have been one of the reasons for that. My father Kannappan is a Tamil professor. When my mother used to feed me when I was a baby, she used to tell me a lot of stories. She used to tell me children's stories, Panchatantra stories and even religious stories. This was an everyday ritual. One day she narrated the Ramayanam to me. Of all the stories, I became very involved in the Ramayanam and Hanuman's story.
I would not just passively listen to the stories. I would keep raising doubts. My parents would anwer all my questions. Sometimes they would even refer books to answer my questions.
I would debate about the characters of Ramayanam. For example, I would argue that Kooni was a villain but a good character. I would support my argument with suitable statements. This happened regularly in my house. I became more and more interested in
Ramayanam.
When did you start appearing on stage?
My father used to participate in a lot of patti mandrams. I would accompany my parents wherever they went, carrying with me a Ramayana book ad a colouring book. Once when we went to Kolkata for a patti mandram, the man who had organised the show, K S Manian, saw my craze for Ramayanam and asked me father if he could hold a show with me. Though hesitant at first, my father agreed to it reluctantly due to the confidence that Manian gave. It was to be a half-hour show.
They prepared 500 questions that day and I answere every one of them without hesitation. I was 4 1/2 years old then (the show was featured in the Kolkata radio news bulletin.). The audience were so surprised that they wanted a repeat performance and there was one. A number of other shows followed.
After specialising in Ramayana, how did you turn your attention to Tamil music?
Because my father is a Tamil professor, he would always be singing Tamil sandham and Tamil songs at home. I started imbibing them. I read the songs of Ramayana with greater interest. I then got an opportunity to sing Ramayana songs in Malaysia.
Seeing my growing interest in Tamil literature, my father started collecting all the material he could lay his hands on in newspapers and magazines. I have never set aside a time to read literature. I would read while eating, or my father would ask me to read a poem or song while we were sitting and chatting. So, my parents are primarily responsible for my interest in Tamil literature.
 Following the division in Tamil literature - Sanga Kalam, Idai Kalam, Pir Kalam, Thar Kalam - we selected good songs, songs that were different or had some philosophy.
Silapadikaram, Kurinji pattu, Kabilar, Ahananooru, Purananooru belong to Sanga Kalam; Kambaramayanam belongs to the Idai Kalam,
Thevaram and other religious works belong to Pir Kalam and Bharatiyar, Bharatidasan and pudu kavithai belong to Thar
Kalam.
We select songs from all these periods and give a mixture for the audience. Another vital ingredient in our presentation is humour. We shape our work to suit the audience, whether they belong to the villages, towns, or are abroad. Till now we have conducted about 2000 shows.
Are you trained in music?
I started learning Carnatic music from Lakshminarayanan from the time I was three years old till I was about 10. My father taught me a number of Tamil keertanais. He composed music for many Tamil songs and taught me. Though I started off by first reciting the poems, I later started singing them for better effect. I have presented Tamil concerts also.
About the awards you have won...
 Irayarut Chelvi - Kancheepuram Sankara Madam, Sri Jayendra Saraswati
Gnanavaridhi - Sri Madurai Adheenam
Gnana Vinodhini - Malaysia Srutilaya Gnana Vidyalaya
Yugadi Puraskar - Chennai Telugu Academy
Veenvadavidhushi - Vellore Ratnagiri Balamuruganadi Swamigal
Arunthamizh Vani - Nalvazhi Nilayam, Chennai
Ilayavariyar - Chidambaram M A Krishnaswamy
Ilakkiya Chelvi - Loyola College
are some of the awards that I have bagged.
What are you plans?
I am now forced to divide my time between my studies and Tamil. I would like to devote all my time to Tamil. Since I am specialising in electronics, I would like to use the medium of computers to spread Tamil. I would like to record separately children's songs, lullabies, etc., and ensure that future generations know about the sweetness and greatness of Tamil.
|
