Illayaraja in Symphony and two other things...
I have long believed in the Schopenhaurian theory (my paraphrase) that it is only in the contemplation of true art is the self able to rise above itself/its ego.
And today, it was so true.
A sneak preview into the Thiruvasagam in Symphony (Oratorio) by Maestro Illayaraja elevates another dull day spent clearing cobwebs and scrubbing the carpet. Some thirty people were invited by Father Jegath Gasper Raj to listen to two compositions from the Symphony.
One was a rather lengthy piece from the Oratorio, and the other, a composition that is less Classical Western, more to appeal to the common man.
As I listened to the rising and falling cadences of the Oratorio, my eyes closed, i could feel the skin of my hand, the back of my neck break out in goose pimples. Apart from that physical feeling of ecstacy, I hardly was conscious of my self. Schopenhauer?!
I don't know. Maybe it was Illayaraja.
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I'm only doing this because no one is looking at my photoblog. I've got four pics up, representative of the fifteen I cannot possibly post online, from my last trip to Nagapattinam (yes, Bill Clinton) and Cuddalore. Do take a look when you can, unless you are allergic to fish - shoals of fish.
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I now know that my piece on Bloggers Meets will be up in the Sunday Magazine issue dtd. June 12. And thought I should let you know. Thanks a ton for all your inputs, I've been able to quote some of you, but rest assured that I've put in as many thoughts and sentiments as possible into this 900-word piece.
May the Force be with all of us!
