Composer Papanasam Sivan was responsible for a transformational change in the field of Carnatic music, Governor Banwarilal Purohit said.

In an event organised by Papanasam Sivan Rasikar Sangam and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan to celebrate the 128th birth anniversary of Papanasam Sivan, he said, “Just as Italian was considered the most suitable language for Western classical and operatic music, Telugu and Sanskrit compositions dominated the Carnatic concert platforms of South India for nearly two centuries.”

“With the arrival of Sivan’s compositions, musicians could not resist singing his simple yet very elegantly structured Tamil compositions with rich emotive content, as they ensured an instant connect with the many Carnatic rasikas who only knew Tamil,” he said.

Namasankeerthanam exponent Udayalur Kalyanaraman was honoured with the title ‘Sivanisai Selvar’ in the event.

N. Murali, president of the Music Academy, said, Mr. Kalyanaraman truly deserved this title as he had taken this art everywhere. “What he has done to Namasankeerthanam is monumental,” he added. On accepting the honour, Mr. Kalyanaraman said, he was delighted to be given this title. “It is our duty to preserve our culture for the next generation,” he added.

Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan K.N. Ramaswamy and president of Papanasam Sivan Rasikar Sangam Rukmini Ramani were among those who spoke at the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – September 27th, 2018