Madurai, India, Dec 10, 2010 (Press Information Bureau) The month of Margazhi (roughly December – January) is a period where the climate is relatively very cool and comfortable in Tamil Nadu. Margazhi is a period of “mellow music”, sprightly dance and all forms of colorful arts. The various music societies of Chennai, including the famous Music Academy hold their annual Carnatic Music and Dance festivals during this month. These exhibitions of the best in Classical Carnatic Music and Dance have attained international acclaim and the period is now treated as a tourism season in Chennai and its environs.

Commemorative Stamps

To commemorate the season, India's Department of Posts, has released a set of three commemorative stamps picturing giants of Carnatic music. The postage stamps were officially released on December 3, 2010.

The musicians whose pictures grace the commemorative stamps are the famous Nadaswaram artist T N Rajarathinam Pillai, T Balasaraswathi, the renowned danseuse and Veena Dhanmmal, the illustrious genius who mesmerized a whole generation through her prowess on one of the most difficult musical instruments, the veena.

The Musicians

T N Rajarathinam Pillai was born on 27 August 1898 to Shri Kuppuswami Pillai and Smt. Govindamani in Thiruvaduthurai in Thanjavur District which is the cradle of culture in Tamil Nadu. He learned music at very young age. Later he learned to play Nadaswaram, a wind instrument from Shri Ammachatram Kannuswami Pillai, a vidwan (scholar) of great repute. He became a great exponent of music. His playing of Nadaswaram attracted people from all walks of life and held them spell bound. This great music maestro passed away on 12 December 1956.

Veena Dhanammal was born in George Town, Chennai into a family of musicians and dancers in 1867. Her great grandmother, grandfather, and her own mother were all accomplished musicians in their own right. She learned veena and vocal music from renowned teachers. She was supreme in playing the veena with refinement. Her heritage, her pre-eminence, her personality and her life style evoked reverence and awe. She passed away on 15th October 1938.

Balasaraswati was the great granddaughter of Veena Dhanammal. She was born on 15th May 1918 into a family of musicians. Her mother Jayammal was a versatile singer and tabla player. She blossomed into one of the greatest Bharatanatyam artists and she became a name synonymous with artistic brilliance. Her mastery of ‘abhinaya’ was par excellence. She was conferred Bharat Bhushan award in 1957. This illustrious dancer passed away on 9th February 1984.

The Department of Posts has brought out 87 commemorative postage stamps this year.

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