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 Dear Editor, A Perspective from a Senior student of the School A huge hall - a vast stage - a throng of people - a beautiful pooja - endless songs - tasty prasadam. This is a typical Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandir Vijayadashami seen through the eyes of a young child. I can remember Jayashree auntie's dedication to preserving the importance of this sacred day: she was always organized, always passionate, always smiling. I can easily recollect my journey from the time when I was a beginner - eagerly awaiting my first opportunity of singing before an audience - to the present when I just as eagerly, but perhaps more anxiosly, ascended the stage to sing a solo. The smooth pace of this day will perhaps always remain imprinted in my memory. First there is a concise and yet elaborate pooja to Devi, followed by harmonious synchronized singing from each and every group of students, then the teaching of a new song, and finally, the "socializaiton." I have always been astounded by the way such young children not only have such great voices, but how they are always in tune, perfectly sunchronized, and so happy to be on stage. Vijayasashami has always been the perfect opportunity to appreciate the beauty of music and revel in the amazing talent of such a great teacher. With over a hundred students, these events could so easily grow chaotic and troublesome, yet each year they are put together with such painstaking care that there is no room for such problems. In fact, far from being chaotic, these Vijayadashamis are a time when everyone seems to come together. Beginning with the setup - fathers and siblings aid in putting up chairs and cleaning the stage. Mothers spend much time carefully preparing, packaging and serving prasadam. Thus, Vijayadashami is a time for us to appreciate the importance of this school. Every year Vijayadashami gives me, and all students, the time to reflect on how much Jayashree auntie has impacted and in fact permeated our very beings. For she is not just a music teacher, but also an advisor, mother, and a friend. She is constantly pushing me to look inside myself to find my capabilities and more importantly, use them. Through her patience and wisdom she has shown me the importance, and in fact necessity of understanding the meaning of every lyric I sing and correctly decoding the notes of these words. I have grown to understand that the beauty of music lies in the purity of these notes, as well as proper adherence to tala and sruti. Auntie is always reassuring, and teaching through real-life examples and stories; I cannot remember a time when class was not filled with laughter. Just as methodical as our weekly classes are, these Vijayadashamis, in which an entire school comes together to celebrate the beauty, the purity and the vast knowledge that lies beneath Carnatic music. Jayashree auntie's great care and deep knowledge will always be appreciated. NOTE: Letters without a name will not be published. All letters should be faxed, mailed or e-mailed. Editor reserves the right to withhold the name of the writers(at their request), edit and condense the letters. |
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