Margazhi Musings_ Episode2- Resonating rasikas

It so happened that I had to travel to a concert(to enjoy listening only) by train during the Margazhi season. A familiar face ,in almost nearing 70's sat next to me. This thatha went to "ekantha nelai" closing his eyes when the train started to move.

Once or twice he would extend hands, making some actions as though shooing a fly. I then observed him hearing music through wireless earphones(blue-tooth hopefully). His rasikathuva( ability to appreciate music) was mistaken to be a kunfu step or perhaps a dance step by a small kid sitting opposite. He parallelly started to sing along the music he was hearing unaware of its consequences outside( as he was still closing his eyes). Nobody dared to take a seat next to him on the other side until I got down at Mylapore.

I took an auto to a sabha. It was 10:40 am by then. It was a instrumental concert which was going on. I slided quietly into a row taking the cushioned seat. Air conditioned hall, cushioned seat, pongal for breakfast( in canteen), and melodic music in neelambari raaga -a perfect combo.I saw two three people taking a nice small nap. How could it be their mistake?who could resist a nap while the conditions are so much favoring.

I looked around again, this time it was a newspaper Rasika who got my attention. Shaking one of his crossed foot to the rhythm, this thata grazed the newspaper. I thought he almost finished reading his paper. He brushed it aside as the song got over. Then rstarted with the same newspaper all over once again. While the artist took a break between songs, this newspaper thata took his break from his studious reading too.

Suddenly a unfamiliar voice took the artist by surprise that he stopped for a minute or two and retrieved back his playing. The sound was nothing more than "something.... something.... sabash"(an appreciation). Another middle-aged aged rasika, wiped of something in his hand, i thought it to be a touch phone until he folded it and put into his mouth. I realized it was paan. Another rasika oscillated his head to the beats of song.I saw a small kid moving around in curiosity, not knowing what to do. A girl near me was busy finding out raaga of the krithi that was being played  from wikipedia and noted it down.

Some were busy admiring reactions of artists in the dais while others were busy scrutinizing their mobile phones as though they are seeing it for the first time in their lifetime. I continued to look around enjoying the brilliant music.

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