Muraleeravam, a musical day at Veenavadini Music School

Kasargod…. A very bad stretch of the remnants of a road, and
Yogeeshwar was there waiting for us, beside a very small board which stated Narayaneeyam Music Campus.  It was past 1 and the morning session had come to a close and it was lunch time.
  Broad smiles greeted us, and His Highness Ashwathi Thirunal Rama Varma came forward, expreesing his disappointment that we missed the morning session.. Steel plates and small glass tumblers were kept on the shining granite floor. I don’t remember the last time I had eaten food laid out on the floor, but the simplicity makes you feel free as a kite.. I was surprised to see the dedication the Prince had towards music. It was so difficult to reach this remote place. Ladies had come from Bangalore, Mangalore and Hyderabad even, to attend this camp. The afternoon session started with akhilandeshwari.. Rakshamaa..the goddess seemed to bestow her blessings on the small group… an eternal favourite of mine. The children sang with gay abandon, but I was surprised at the ease with which they sang thillanas which require mathematic precision. Two hours of soul filling music,handed down by our sages, it was surreal, and we trooped out. Tea, coffee and snacks were ready. The prince was seen coming out with two large bubble blowers filled with soapy water. He joined in the fun, blowing bubbles. He said that this is his most favorite spot on earth.
This school is run by a very enterprising and young man. Yogeesh Sharma. His dedication to music is total, and I thank the Prince for motivating Santhosh enough to make him drive all the way to Kasargod. It was as a temple visit, and an escape from the run of the mill existence, an opportunity which comes once in a blue moon. No road blocks, no blaring horns, only divine music. While driving back to materialism, we reflected on the diverse paths people take, and it is indeed refreshing to meet such unselfish youngsters dedicated and giving themselves, to a cause. Will I go back again?…… here I am, already tangled in the web of excuses!