Capturing the spirit of Tiruvaiyaru

I read a report in The Hindu and also Sruti magazine about the 3 concerts at legendary venues of Tiruvaiyaru - Pushya Mandap, Panchanadeeswara temple and a Rajah college quadrangle. It was called "Tiruvaiyaru on Kaveri - a festival of sacred music".

What a laudable venture! Just reading about it and looking at the serene pictures of Bombay Jayashri in concert against the backdrop of the ancient temple was a hair-raising experience. The cool breeze of the night, the inspiring backdrop of the temple, the presence of music trinity in spirit (the very place they had once touched with their feet) and the soulful music of Jayashree...Wish I had been there.

http://www.sruti.com/2009/sruti_magazine_april_2009.php#nn1

Amazing Contrasts

India is a country of amazing contrasts. I am sure that I am not the first one to have said this...won't be the last one either. On one side, garbage heaps abound with all kinds of plastic fluttering atop in seeming victory over civic sense and civic responsibility. On the other side, I see towns such as Kodai which are relatively free of the plastic menace. Beautiful, clean recycled newspaper bags are provided there by all the retailers. The exhortation from a roasted corn vendor topped it all when he urged us to throw the corn into the dust bins only. Such ownership and responsibility!

All this when the most educated people of Bangalore (and for that matter, replace Bangalore with any Indian city of your choice) don't bat an eyelid before dropping the cigarette, chips wrappers and all kinds of trash on the roads!

Education needs to educate, refine, sensitize people. Else, it is not worth the paper it is printed on.

Earth day is on April 22nd. Take the time to make the right call!

- Krishnaprasad