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The next generation of musicians will be
from the West Chennaionline spoke to some parents
to get their take on the festival, over the
years, through their eyes.
One such parent is Kalpana Mohan, whose son Parthiv, a 14
yr old, is one of the major reasons for her turning up year
after year. Kalpana is from San Jose, California. Mohan,
Kalpan's husband, is an IBM fellow.
(Though this conversation took place before the announcement
of prize winners in various categories, Parthiv has since
won so many trophies; in fact he had a tough time holding on
to all of them!)
COL: Kalpana, How many years to Cleveland, now?
 Kalpana:
Hi Ravi, Its great to see you here.
Chennaionline is really going places, now. (Thanks)
This is my 4th year @ Cleveland.
COL: What brings you here year after year?
Kalpana: Firstly, I accompany my son, Parthiv, who
has been competing in many categories. He is being trained
in vocal, violin & he plays the mridangam too.
Second, I like this atmosphere; I love it. I’m a trained
musician, too, though I am not a professional artiste. I
have great interest in and a fairly good knowledge about
Carnatic music and I like to come here and mix with so many
aficionados and music lovers.
I have also met long lost relatives and friends at
Cleveland.
COL: Tell me something more about Parthiv, your take
on how this is helping him overall…..?
Kalpana: He is being trained by Anuradha Sridhar
for the last seven years. It is intensive coaching; he has
to follow a strict regimen. He is committed and hard
working.
He has made a number of friends, his age group, who are
pursuing serious music.
Serious music interaction happens among the children.
This competition motivates Parthiv & other children like
him.
I think it is a great service for the children.
With the large number of kids taking to music in a big
way, I’m sure the next generation of musicians will be from
the West (read from USA).
COL: Any other observations?
Kalpana: This year the audience turn out is lower,
for sure. Various reasons, I suppose, like economy, gas
prices, weather….
Some of the arrangements, particularly, for the
competition, could be better, I feel, though I’ve to admit,
that this year we had to run around less – all competitions
were in the same building.
Talking about competition, one of the judges told me that
the parents were intimidating. May be a good idea to not
permit parents inside.
The food arrangements, as always, excellent.
Thank you, for this opportunity.
COL: Thanks for your time.
L.Ravichandran
March 28, 2008
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