Abaswaram S. Ramjhi’s  Issai Mazhalai troupe – the city’s first professional music troupe for children — completes 25 years on May 14.
| Photo Credit: R RAGU

On Sunday, the celebrations were not about musician Abaswaram S. Ramjhi or his musical journey with his rock band Frustrations Amalgamated or light music troupe Abaswaram. As Ramjhi or Ramakrishnan himself said, “it is about the success of my children, who have evolved into talented musicians in their own right.” His Issai Mazhalai troupe – the city’s first professional music troupe for children — completes 25 years on May 14.

He chose to mark the day by reminiscing about how parents would travel by three buses to bring their children to the training camps; the concerts they sang at weddings, temples; television programmes and memorable local and foreign trips.

“We had the opportunity to meet and perform in front of the then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who spent over two hours listening and appreciating the music of the children. When we did not have money for the tickets, the then Railway Minister from Tamil Nadu gave us free tickets,” he recalled.

Speaking in his inimitable style, he had the audience in splits sharing untold tales from his travels with the children. Carnatic vocalist and disciple of Padma Chandilyan and Suguna Varadachari, Vidya Kalyanaraman said that the event was an opportunity to tell their Uncle that they were all very grateful for the opportunities and experiences that they got. “He usually does not like such encomiums. Our childhood has been very special thanks to him.”

Musician and playback singer Haricharan thanked Manjula Choudhry and the parents for supporting and caring for them. He said Mr. Ramjhi meant the world to all Issai Mazhalai pass outs. “You have been a spark in all our lives. Your whole family including Shobha aunty have been inspiring and giving us opportunities.”

Musicians Bharat Sundar, Super Singer winners Sai Charan and Ajish, vocalists Sowmya Ramani Mahadevan, Apoorva and Anahita, Erode Anantharaman, Abilash Giriprasad, Rohini Aravind, and Morsing Vidwan Sai Subramaniam were present on the occasion.