A chamber concert by 76-year-old M. Sankaranarayanan of Kallidaikurichi, a great fan of GNB, on 7 February at Chennai, was an eye-opener to those who had not heard him before. He was accompanied by two vidwans from his hometown, Balakrishnan on the violin and Sivakumar on the mridanga, and Cleveland Balu on the khanjira. The audience consisted of the vidwan's sishya-s, GNB fans and those with Kallidaikurichi connections, and the resultant chemistry between rasika-s and vidwans was very nearly magical. The septuagenarian displayed not only a strong akara-oriented, perfectly sruti-aligned voice, but also raga bhava and modulation of a high order, not to mention his GNB bhakti. Significantly, his Mumbai-based sishya and vocal accompanist Harishankar exhibited the same qualities.

Sankaranarayanan taught for many years in Mumbai before he went back to Kallidaikurichi, where we learn he continues to teach music. We can safely assume that his students follow his sterling qualities. Looking back at the recently concluded Chennai December season, however, it is depressing to note how few of our singers attempted such voice production.

At Sruti, we have always been critical of poor vocalisation, lack of sruti suddham and unacceptable vocal mannerisms in some of our leading lights, no matter how brilliant their musicianship. If there is an official Sruti stand on the vocal music of today, this would be it.

Sruti has also been an unwavering adherent since its inception to the belief that Carnatic music is raga music. This statement has been forcefully made and elaborately explained in several past issues. We continue to believe in this ideal and continue to be critical of those elements of our concert music that do not conform to it. Some of this criticism is reflected in the season coverage of this issue. More on the season including comment on the lecdems will appear in the next issue.

Sruti has suffered a great loss in the death of Sangita Kala Acharya S. Rajam. He was our mentor, guide and philosopher, who adopted the magazine as his own. For once, we can say with absolute truth that the loss is irreplaceable. Another old Sruti hand, R. Sathiamurthy, a close associate from Day 1, passed away on the same day as Rajam. The Sruti parivaar will miss them both.