Music in Sriramapuram . . .

There are many sides to Bangalore. The old areas which live in the very past still survive.

On Saturday evening, we drove through chaos and heavy traffic to get to Sriramapuram. A neighborhood that lies in darkness in most parts, tonight the temples of Sri Anjaneya and Sri Rama were bathed in strings of illumination.

The Sri Rama Temple is a small one and has been recently reconstructed by the Trust that manages it affairs. Another Trust hosts the Sri Ramanavami celebrations. Music is a part of it.

One admires the tenacity and dedication of the hosts - to host music in a small, old hall where the music is drowned by peak-hour traffic on its two sides and passers-by stop for a few minutes to peep in and watch the concert in progress.

This hall, still bearing the old design strong and well was raised and owned by a local patron. This year, a Trust member funded its repairs and white-wash - so it looked clean and neat this weekend.

Some 30/40 people sit through the concerts; this is a no-frills kind of celebration. Simple. Easy. Friendly.

Inside this small hall is the large stage erected, plus space marked out for the audio controls and chairs for seniors. Nobody complains. People listen to the artistes. It does not matter who the artistes are - famous, talented, young. The music makes the celebration of the season.

At the end of the concert, prasadam ( made by a neighborhood family) and sweets are distributed to all those present.

Donors can drop off their contributions in small boxes.

This evening, the well-known percussionist Anoor Ananthakrishna Sarma and his team of young musicians are on stage. Sweat bathes them all. But they seem to enjoy their session.