The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that life is incomplete if we do not have finer elements like knowledge, music, dance, painting, sculpture and crafts. He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating Smt. D.K. Pattammal’s Centenary Celebrations, in Chennai.
The Vice President said that Pattammal’s uncompromising adherence to tradition when values were fast changing, her dedication to the art, without aspiring for returns and her judicious selection of musical offerings in her concerts, made her an inspiring personality. He further said that she was an example of an empowered woman, passionate about music and dedicated to the values she deeply cherished. Pattammal carved out a path as a professional musician against all social odds and she was a self-taught musician with no formal gurukula training, he added.
The Vice President said that she had a remarkable musical ear that enabled her to absorb the nuances of classical music effortlessly. He further said that she was a rare genius and her contribution to the world of music satisfies the most critical music critics and create a joyful environment to the common listener, at the same time. Music is a universal unifier and it has no barriers and in our increasingly conflict-ridden world, music can provide the much needed soothing touch, he added.
The Vice President said that Indian classical music especially carnatic music, has woven noble thoughts, ennobling emotions and melodious notes into a unique seamless, delightful experience. This blending needs to be appreciated and this cultural heritage and unified holistic perspective on life needs to be celebrated, he added.
