A three day workshop on “Music” was conducted by RABM(P), Thiruvananthapuram from 24th October to 26th October 2017 at Thiruvaiyaru at the Samadhi of St.Thyagaraja, the Music maestro; where the wind, the sand and even the rocks emanate the fragrance of Music. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri.Radhakrishnan.S, AD(P), RABM(P), Thiruvananthapuram. In the inaugural address, Shri.Radhakrishnan highlighted the need for formulating ideas for the rejuvenation and celebration of Music programmes over All India Radio and Doordarshan. He called upon the participants to storm their brains for shaping up innovative ideas in the realm of Musical contributions in our channels and threby attracting more audience and in turn, more of revenue. Smt.Lekha Gopal, PEX, RABM(P) welcomed the gathering. Shri.K.Natarajan, AD(P), AIR, Trichy and Smt.Uma Maheswari, Principal, Govt. Music College, Thiruvaiyaru felicitated the inmates. Shri.Natarajan said that this is an era of competition in every sphere of broadcasting and that Music can provide an excellent platform for AIR and DD to win the major slice of audience and higher share of revenue. AIR, Trichy arranged a live broadcast led by Shri.Natarajan, for a duration of almost one hour from the venue of the Training Programme over FM Rainbow, Trichy.
The session by Dr.Uma Maheswari, the Principal of Govt.Music College, Thiruvaiyaru referred to the achievements of Prasar Bharati as a Public Broadcaster in the field of Music. Her demonstrative lecture dealt with topic from three different perspectives. She told that from the view point of a Musician, grading as an AIR artist makes one a hit winner and a performer cherishing real values. From the view point of a literate ‘Rasika/Listener’, AIR is a treasure house of art and culture. She pointed out a case where a Rasika turned into a performer solely by listening to Radio. The thematic presentations over Radio have given in-depth experience to the knowledge thirsty ‘Rasika’. From the view point of even an illiterate listener, programmes broadcast/telecast are eye openers.
The sessions handled by eminent Musicologist and performer Dr.G.S.Mani were marked by illustrative demonstrations.
The whole staff and students of the college actively participated in various sessions, imbibing what they could. Karnatic, Hindustai and Western Music formats and creative amalgamation of various styles were dealt with by Sri.Madurai G.S.Mani in the course of his classes. He described in detail, how a song is born from the lyrics. An account of his experiences in the Film field as a Music Composer, proved to be of immense benefit to the participants.Dr.N.Sajith, Director, South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur visited the College and interacted with the participants, with illustrative Musical demonstrations.“AIR/DD archives and Digital Online Marketing” was the topic handled by Dr.G.Lalitha, AD(P), Chennai Archives.
Difference between the Music productions over Radio and Television was discussed seriously among the participants during the session by Smt.Andaal Priyadarshini, Head of Programmes, DDK, Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore.Visit to the Samadhi of the Great Music Guru Tyagaraja Swamikal, adjacent to the venue enriched the morale of the trainees. ASDs, PEXs, Announcers and Music Composers from various stations of AIR & DD all over India participated in the Workshop. The trainees were divided into four groups. Each group presented a light music production of its own by writing the lyrics, composing it and presenting it in the valedictory session.
Suggestions put forward by the Trainees:
a) High Quality Music programmes before ‘Mann ki Baath’ programme.
b) Speed musical programmes may be broadcast on National level on World Radio Day (13th February) every year.
c) Vadhya Vrindha unit is to be reinvented.
d) The recording system is to be updated using the best technology and the best technical knowhow.
e) Archival recordings are to be broadcast at fixed regular intervals and a catalog is to be published in the print media in attractive formats.
f) The Mobile apps for All India Radio and Raagam channel have to be fine tuned to attract the young generation.
Contributed by :- RABM Trivandrum ,rabmptvm@gmail.com