Almost throughout last week, Chennai - or at least the majority of the connoisseurs Carnatic music - was in a celebration mood. There were two major functions in the city to celebrate the birth centenary of one of the most brilliant musicians of India, Shri Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. One was organized by Nalli Kuppuswamy Chettiar on July 22, on the birth star of the 'Last of the Titans'. Semmangudi's prime disciples P S Narayanaswamy, V Subramaniam and Palai Ramachandran were honoured on the occasion. Narada Gana Sabha's R Krishnaswamy and Cleveland V V Sundaram paid rich tributes to 'the traditionalist, who effortlessly assimilated his own original novelties into the rich stream of Carnatic music'.

The Bhavan's journal of the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan has come out with a special issue, dedicated to the maestro. This was released on the occasion. Let me now quote from the Journal: 'When Sakharama Rao's health failed, Cheenu resumed study with Narayanaswami Iyer at Kumbakonam. Practice for eight hours a day was mandatory. Thus Cheenu's voice was honed to a razor-sharp, velvet smooth strength, piercing in madhyamasruti.



Later, Semmangudi was to wrestle constantly with his voice for mastery. He was to face heartbreak when Dakshinamurti Pillai suggested a switch over to the violin; that instigated frenzied practice backed by an obstinate will.' I feel that is what is called Thapas.

On his Gurukulavasa Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Semmangudi recalls and I quote: 'Picture me on a train with tambura on my lap, my guru's steel trunk, silver betel-leaf box and water jug roped together and fastened to my waist. I couldn't sleep when he was asleep and he wouldn't let me sleep when he was awake!'

Another function was organized by the Music Academy, Chennai. Former President Dr. Abdul Kalam and T N Seshagopalan were reminiscing about Semmangudi.

This writer had the good fortune to interact with Semmangudi on several occasions. An year before he died, when I met him with a group of friends, he asked us how old he was. Before we could guess, he said, '49. You will have to reverse it!'

On an earlier occasion, when I asked him why he turned down the several requests for visiting the U S, he told me, "I had given a word to my father that I shall never cross the ocean."

I asked him if he had any unfulfilled desire. He said, "No. I have led a full life. All I need is Anaayaasaena Maranam. I want to leave this earth without any difficulty." And true to his wish, he could do that too!

My eyes turned wet when I happened to go through an obituary reference in English daily. That was of Sarika Shah. On July 23, 1998 - on her birthday, Sarika, a student of Ethiraj College fell victim to eve-teasing in the very vicinity of her College. She was manhandled and the injuries that she sustained proved fatal. Ten years have passed, but the poignant moment remains green in our memory.

Obituary references vary in degree, and in their expression. I read one recently: "Dust of time blows off like wind. With tears we are waiting still at the golden gates of the heaven to see you."

Chennaionline is offering you the download of thirty four of his select renderings at a nominal cost.