An impeccable performance amidst lot of hurdles It was 20th October, 2007, on the day of Saraswathy Pooja & Mahanavami; Smt. Sudha Ragunathan's concert was arranged by M/s. Dr. Jayam Kannan & Dr. Priya Kannan at Sri Garbarakshambigai Temple, Tirukkarugavoor Village, Tanjore District. It was the occasion of the Float (Theppam) Festival. The concert was scheduled to be held at 8pm at the temple auditorium, but then suddenly, it began to rain heavily. The Organizers were put to hardship on this sudden downpour and were wondering as to how to get the concert going. Observing their predicament, and to everyone's surprise, Smt. Sudha Ragunathan brushed aside all protocol and asked for temporary structure to be put up for herself and her troupe, by the entrance (Praharam), and that she would then proceed with the concert. She did not want to disappoint the large crowd waiting to hear her, despite the rains! Immediately, a temporary stage was set up in no time by combining a few wooden benches. The time was 8.45 pm and the concert commenced. There was only very feeble lighting at the Praharam, and as it was only the path-way, there wasn't adequate ventilation. It was field for mosquitoes and the atmosphere was very sultry, on account of the rains. Amidst all this discomfiture, Smt. Sudha Ragunathan sang for 3 hours, with full tempo and dedication. A pedestal fan arranged was also switched off on her insistence that it would affect the audio. The mosquito coil that was lit to keep the insects at bay was also turned down by her. At the end, during her Mangalam there appeared a lizard, just in front of her notepad fast approaching her (which perhaps may have come to enjoy her music too!). Unmindful of all these impediments, she enjoyed singing almost close to midnight. The Praharam was packed with audience and even more amazing was her relating to all genres of people with the same affection and warmth, untiringly even at such a late hour. We were bereft of words to express our appreciation of her humility. Also on a request from the temple Executive Officer and the office bearers, she entered into the Float (Theppam), which was very well decorated, and went around the temple tank, which she seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed. The above incident just goes to show that Smt. Sudha Ragunathan's commitment and dedication is way beyond any money or publicity situations. Her sincerity, simplicity, adaptability and true affection has impressed many a rasikas that evening and we are sure that the Goddess Garbarakshambigai has blessed her abundantly. K. Srividhya (of Tirukkarugavoor) RR Builders, Madipakkam. Mobile: 9444415957.

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