So, yet another year is coming to a close. 

The year had many events in all areas, and in many individuals’ personal and professional lives also. I just leave politics. 

But art and journalism have always been my favourite subjects. I look at these arenas only. I remember those days when I were young, the glorious December Season of classical music and dance belonged to only three sabhas. They were The Madras Music Academy, The Indian Fine Arts Society and The Thamizhisai Sangam. The season would be for only ten days or a fortnight or so, ticketed, and there were concerts and dance programmes only in the evenings. I remember, I once attended the dance program of Hemamalini with my sis in Tamil Isai Sangam at Raja Annamalai Mandram. Indeed, long ago and it was a nice one. 

But today the organisations, performers and the audience had swollen to gigantic proportions. The music and dance celebrations start from November, and extend up to mid -January.

No wonder; as the population increased, new artistes have emerged, and become popular on par with film stars. The catering area with special menus introduced had also garnered star status. 

The audience? Oh, they also come in plenty from other states of India apart from the great exodus from abroad (read US mainly!). Some are performers also, and today classical music singers and Bharatnatyam dancers globe-trot than scientists and engineers throughout the year. 

Classical arts, music and bharatnatyam especially never had it so good. Several discussions and deliberations go on every aspect, from the subtle nuances of classical music to the emotional folklore, and are discussed in detail. In addition, all powerful social media also has a fantastic role to play. 

All magazines in Tamil Nadu, both in Tamil and English, cover and publish reviews of the concerts and other programs. The artistes are encouraged with titles, encomiums and awards. I don’t come across any caustic or adverse comments on anything related to these celebrations; all young and seasoned artistes are adored, and the youngsters are appreciated. Gone are the days of caustic or disturbing reviews of certain old-timers, whose words used to hurt some and elevated a few. 

Many used to feel that our ancient art form of music and dance may go extinct in the course of time. It proved to be wrong; they didn’t, as we see they are growing, reaching and promoted by many artistes of the present gen.

Similarly, I find several net magazines in Tamil, which encourage all forms of writing. These carry articles, analysis, short stories, art-related essays, modern forms of writing, cinema, and also about writers of yore. A bunch of new-age writers have emerged. 

However, notwithstanding these facts, for me, this gigantic growth, milling crowds for popular performers and just a handful for freshers and even for seniors, all look too good to be true.  

Do I sound pessimistic? Forgive me, I am an old hat.