Dear Chittappa-s,
Thanks for all the praise!! The 'ice' on my head has helped in cooling down what has otherwise been a terribly hot month!
I really loved every minute of the workshop with Vedavalli(Amma). I had read about the 72 Melaragamalika, but had never heard it sung. It is truly a monumental work, and the most amazing thing is its simplicity & logical progression. But it is a tight-rope walk - the kind of focus we need to sing it - I am sure we can keep Alzheimer's at bay if we try out this one song, hahaha!
I now got hold of a cd where MS has sung this piece. And, my God, what perfection! I am now working on it on my own, with the recording we made during class. Once I am confident, I have decided to hone it on MS' rendering.
I had told Rajam sir about my joining this workshop right at the beginning. But somehow he sort of dismissed it as - bits and pieces of a raga, nothing to rave about. But he never dissuaded me from joining and learning from another Guru. And he was also good enough to attend the function and give away the certificates. So I was doubly blessed.
Gayathri