Ragas at Chitlapakkam lake for a cause

When the Chitlapakkam lake shimmers in the gloaming, music floats across the promenade, disrupting walkers’ routine, turning them into eager rasikas. The “disrupter-in-chief” is V.S. Anantharaman, a retired Development Officer, United India Insurance Company, who wades in with a modest set of instruments, a microphone and a donation box. A donation box indeed! A small ensemble of visually challenged musicians assist Anantharaman in these daily music performances and are in turn benefitted by the generosity of the listeners. The objective of these daily music performances travels on a dual-track: one, supporting those visually challenged musicians as well as underprivileged families; and the other obvious one has to do with keeping lake visitors entertained.

The concert begins at 5.30 p.m. first running through a set of Hindu, Christian and Muslim devotional songs, striking the chord of unity in a resounding manner. Following this, as the shadows deepen, the lake is doused in sounds of popular film songs.

Anantharaman founded this karaoke orchestra, “Ananda Raagham Innisai Kuzhu”, following his retirement from UIIC, Tambaram, letting his passion for music drive a social service. Among the regular performers are Syed, known for his effortless renditions of T.M. Soundararajan’s songs, and James, whose repertoire of Hindi songs includes classics by Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi. Their music, lake regulars say, adds warmth to the renovated public space.

“With the lake now a hub for walkers and nature lovers, the music enhances our daily routine,” says Charles, an IT professional and regular visitor.

An active singer himself, Anantharaman had earlier been part of Ayyappa troupes performing devotional songs in praise of Lord Ayyappa, besides amateur music orchestras. “Meeting Prabhakar, a talented but physically challenged singer at the mobile orchestra in Tambaram, moved me deeply. I felt this should become a public cause,” he recalls.

After Prabhakar’s passing, the group continued its support for Syed and James, who have since become familiar voices along the lake. Several walkers, including Amritaraj and Ramaswamy, have also joined the effort as volunteer singers.

An extended mission

Beyond supporting the two artistes and their families, the group funds the education of six children from economically weaker sections and provides essential provisions to an equal number of underprivileged families. The annual expenditure, Anantharaman says, is around ₹3 lakh.

Anantharaman can be contacted at 9444269926.