Musical satiety

Concerts these days dont hold much attraction for people. There are endless musical programmes on the regional channels - from the ancient Chitrahaars on the ever-boring national channel (wonder if they are still there) to the dial-a-song and reality shows that are the rage now on Tamil and Malayalam channels.
So even when the church announced a musical extravaganza by KS Chitra, Kerala's very own nightingale, on 17th evening, there were not many takers for the tickets, which were slightly expensive even by city standards. And it fell on a working day. Those who bought the tickets did so because a good part of the money was to go for charity.
One of my most exciting memories from childhood is attending a concert organised by our school. I cant remember the singers (but they were not famous playback singers, just some musical troupe trying to make some money). The venue was packed and people did not mind the heat or the lack of proper seating. But those were days when television hadnt invaded our lives and a kathaprasangam or a drama thrilled people. Now you need an airconditioned hall (with toilets) and food stalls to sit for two hours.
And even Chitra couldnt keep the children - for whom she sang Enthu paranjaalum nee entethalle vaave ('whatever you do/say you are mine baby') - rooted to their seats. They ran up and down the aisle in the second half, to be joined by some boisterous men. A drunken Chitra fan dancing to the melodies excited Ash more than the singers on stage. So much so that he kept asking for some video shots of his (but which we had failed to capture) today. Ash and Mira saw only the beginning and end of the programme. They slept through the mid-half after munching on homemade murukkus.
Since it began over an hour late, the programme ended only around 10.30 p.m. And by 9.30 p.m., many people started leaving. But it was more fun towards the end when a few kidsgot bold enough to join the performers on the stage and dance along. V got a few photo opportunities from the stage, and with the mimicry artistes.