‘Thikkugal ettum sithari, Pakka malaigal udainthu, Andam saayuthu’... It was a goosebump-worthy moment when members of MBS Youth Choir (MBSYC) sang the lines from Subramania Bharathi’s poem, ‘Mazhai’, with vigour and power in their voices. The poem captures the all-consuming fury of nature – heavy downpour, thunderstorm, winds, lightning and the destruction that ensues. But, on a deeper level, the poet was calling for massive, public uprising against the British.It is one among the hundreds of songs set to tune by MB Sreenivasan or MBS, who believed that music has the power to bring in change. As the nation enters the 80th year of independence, MBSYC is not only holding fast to the legacy of MBS, who pioneered a tradition combining Indian classical and folk tradition with Western harmony, but also his objective to promote secularism, peace and unity through music.
Rehearsal of MBS Youth Choir in progress
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“We are the only choir in Kerala that follows this format of singing, without break for the last 38 years,” says Ashok S, coordinator of the choir, which was an initiative of his father, late Subramania Sharma or Sharmaji. While Ashok and his sister Anitha S are the coordinators, another sibling S Santhi is the patron of the choir formed in 1988, after the passing of MBS by Sharmaji and a group of like-minded musicians and prominent figures in the cultural circle of Thiruvananthapuram.The choir meets every Saturday at Lenin Balavadi, Vazhuthacaud, for rehearsals. “Times have changed. But what drives us is the energy we get from the songs and the dedication of the singers. Over the years, probably 1,000 singers have come and gone. Right from composer M Jayachandran, who trained under MBS and was there during the formation of the choir. He still acknowledges the role played by the choir in his musical journey,” Ashok adds.John Mathai, 61, secretary of the choir and one of its founding members, adds that they were actually fulfilling MBS’ dream with the launch of the group. “MBS had once said that Thiruvananthapuram should have a choir. So when we got together for the condolence meeting after his sudden demise, Sharmaji recalled his wish,” says John.
