19th February 2009, a day to remember.

Shri Gurubhyo Namaha,
On the 19th of February this year, we had an opportunity to perform at Shri Kanchi Mutt, right in front of Shri Maha Periyaval's Adhishtanam. The concert was arranged as part of HH Shri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal's Jayanthi celebrations. We reached Kanchi around 5.00 pm. and as always the atmosphere of the Matam was electrifying and serenely calm. What else can we expect of a place sanctified by the Acharyas descending from Shri Adi Sankara himself. As Carnatic musicians , I am sure, everybody would feel the subtle yet brilliant echo of Kanchadaladakshi and Amba Kamashi rendered by Deekshithar and Shyama Sastrigal respectively, as they enter the precincts of this sacred city. Kanchi pulsates with our culture ranging from Vedas, Agamas to the fine arts that flourished during the days of our Rishis.

Needless to say, we can invoke the Bhava resplendant in all the Krithis, when rendered here. One such evening we thoroughly enjoyed on the 19th of February 2009. We chose to sing Mokshamu Galada as the main. MA Sundaresan mama on the violin was brilliant and the soul refreshing accompaniment of our dad on the Mridangam and Venkat on the Ghatam added to the beauty of the Krithi. Saramathi itself is a deeply meditative raga and the ambience that the Matam radiated made it all the more serene.

What followed after the concert made the day one of the most memorable in our lives. HH Shri Vijayendra Saraswathy Swamigal came and blessed all of us. HE was gettting ready for the evening Puja and was in a little hurry. As we were prostrating there was an announcement stating that Shri Matam is conferring a title on us. "Sangeetha Nada Mani" the title read. This means a lot to us and our family who have had the Kanchi Acharyas as our our Gurus for so many generations. As kids we were blessed to have sung before the Acharyas. I am sure we will cherish this title forever.

Yours Musically,
Srikrishna Mohan. (Trichur Brothers)