Music and Poetry

Chennai: Irai Vaasam

Their disability did not come in the way of their ambition to achieve prominence in music field. Fifteen visually impaired persons joined hands to bring tout a Tamil music album, ‘Irai Vaasam,’ said to be a first of its kind effort in the city.

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner T. Pitchandi launched the devotional music album. Music director Gangai Amaran received the first copy.

Dedicated efforts

Recalling the hard work that went to the album, president of the All India Louis Braille Association of the Blind S. Murugesan said their dedicated efforts over two months paid rich dividends with the launch of the album.

Mr. Murugesan, who is also the music composer and lyricist of the album, said the composition was done under different situations. One song was composed during a train journey and another after a temple visit. He appealed to the government to provide land for setting up a recording studio for such visually impaired artistes. Mr. Pitchandi said such efforts of visually challenged persons must be encouraged.

Tamil poetry book

He also released a Tamil poetry book, ‘Agalveli’, authored by Mr. Murugesan.
Proprietor of kannasasan Pathipagam Gandhi Kannadasan said boojks of lyricist kannadasan and Tamil poet Bharathiya would soon be published in braille from and districted free to associations and schools for the visually challenged.
Vishranthi Charitable Trust Chairperson Savithri Vaithi participated.
The All India Louis Braille Association of the Blind plans to bring out more such music albums.

Source: Visually challenged launch music album. The Hindu, Daily, Chennai, 2 March 2007.