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For the first time perhaps, Carnatic music
lovers will not be queuing up to the famed Music Academy when
the annual December Kutcheri Season gets under way in Chennai
this time around.
It has now become official that the Music Academy will hold
no concerts this kutcheri season. According to Dr. V.V. Srivatsa,
Secretary of the Music Academy, "We are restrained from
holding concerts in the Academy this year due to the Madras
High Court’s order."
This would be the first time since it was founded some decades
ago that the Academy would hold no concerts, he admitted.
Notwithstanding considerable uncertainty, the Academy managed
to hold concerts last December season after obtaining the
Court nod.
"It is like the Cricket World Cup sans the participation
of Australia," quipped a senior vocalist, referring to
the absence of concerts at Music Academy.
No doubt, the court-induced move is triggered by skirmishes
within the management of the Academy. Yet, the absence of
concerts this time around has come as big disappointment to
artistes and the fans alike.
Among the Sabhas in the city of Chennai, Music Academy is
considered the jewel. Artistes of all hues always consider
it a big honour to perform at Music Academy. For fans, too,
it is a sort of a fulfillment to visit the Academy and hear
artistes of theirliking perform.
The Sangeetha Kalanidhi title of the Academy is by for the
most prestigious award that artists can aspire to win.
The current situation is apparently caused by the decision
of the Registrar of Sabhas to freeze the asset of the Academy.
The term of the current Executive Committee, it was stated,
had expired in July last.
A committee without a legal sanction could not be allowed
to handle financial matters of the Academy, it was further
argued. The Academy has been under flak for quite sometime
now.
The bone of contention,it appears, is over as to who actually
could form the managing committee. The dispute is now before
the court.
Even as the legal row is raging, it has dampened the spirit
of the Season. The issue needs to be settled quickly for the
benefit of Carnatic music at large.
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