By R.Swathi
At a Sunday practice session of Madras MBS Choir, one can hear voices – distinct from one another, yet somehow harmoniously tuned, making scintillating melody. Founded by the legendary M.B.Srinivasan (fondly known as MBS), the choir is the oldest in India, founded in 1971.
Originally known as the Madras Youth Choir, it was part of a cultural movement alongside the Bombay Youth Choir (led by Kanu Ghosh), Calcutta Youth Choir (Ruma Guha Thakurta), and Delhi Youth Choir (Gandharva Mahavidyalaya). Each of these choirs not only sang songs in the local language, but also borrowed songs from each other. Thus, one might find the Bombay Youth Choir singing songs in Kannada or Malayalam, and the MBS Choir has Bengali and Marathi songs in their songlist.
The MBS Choir’s extensive repertoire features over 250 compositions by MBS in multiple languages, including Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and even Bengali, Assamese, Oriya and Badaga, all patented and copyrighted for the choir.
Explaining about the style of music, P.C.Ramakrishna – President of MBS says, “Many of our songs are based on Carnatic Ragas, but not fully Carnatic. Inspirations have been taken from the Varnams of Harikeshanallur Muthiah Bhagavathar and Thillana of Balamurali Krishna, and arranged them for choral music by MBS himself. We also sing songs based on folk music, but not film songs. We focus on the themes of environment, national integrity, children, unity, public awareness, social graces, etc. We also have a junior choir, who subsequently join our choir. ”
Recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the choir has performed globally, including a landmark concert at the Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C., where they sang alongside 450 international singers. This year marks the birth centenary of MBS, and the Choir will honour the occasion with a special performance on Sept.22 at the Music Academy.
The members meet every Sunday afternoon for practice and conduct workshops for new joiners. “The workshop gives an insight into what Indian Choral music is, and the Western techniques and nuances involved,” explains D.Ramachandran, Artistic Director of MBS Choir.
“We have been meeting every 50 years. Every voice is important. Music is a unifying factor. When we sing in a group, we feel happy, warm and needed. As Shakespeare said, ‘He who does not have music in his soul is only fit for treason, stratagem and spoil’. So come, listen to it, and if you like it, join us,” urges Ramakrishna.
To know more about the Choir, contact 99400 78710.
