Hats off to you for your outstanding exposition of 'creativity' in your editorial. According to modern psychoanalysts, creativity is a unique phenomenon that arises from beyond the human mind. In a state of 'no mind' several brilliant scientists were able solve the scientific problems in a flash. That could be termed as a sudden inspiration springing from nowhere! In the ancient days, our sculptors used to sign a Muchalika [promissory note] that they would not reproduce the same sculpture anywhere else, after they finished their stone work in a particular temple. The Kodungai [stone balls inside the pillars] of Tiruveezhimizhalai temple in Thanjavur district is a classical example, where the sculptors have created an unbelievable phenomenon.

   In our modern days, Steve Jobs of Apple fame, is one such a creator. He made several innovations in the cell phones that could not be replicated by any one else for a long time to come. Through his untiring efforts, today we have internet in our cell phones and several other features. This is called "Apps" and has come into world wide use. Whenever he innovated, people thronged the Apple stores to get the instrument then and there! Such was his popularity all over the world. When Steve Jobs passed away, the entire world mourned for him.

We remember all the creative artistes till now, just because their creativity was unique and unbelievable. Such creative artistes are worshipped forever. The world will not be able to forget them at all. - B.R.Kumar, Chennai-41

Thanks for the January issue of Samudhra. Lot of information and very democratic in featuring readers and rasikas view. If only more rasikas come out to call a spade a spade, and demand genuine music in genuine proportion from all the performers that go to make a team, Artistes who have cared to tread the path of creativity and matured enough to share aesthetics would get noticed and their contributions would enrich the ranjitham!

There was a column on "Thoughtful Pallavi".  Though the thoughtfulness was intellectually good, a justification of the choice of lyrics (despite being   a great thirupugazh line)  was not appropriate in a humanitarian ground.   If the "Samayojitham" happened upon a good event/happening (even if the lyrics had not referred to any deity and were funny)  it is appreciable. A cyclonic storm that devastated the lives of a big portion of our society can be in the context of a music concert..... 1. If the lyrics appeals for a divine solace or compassion, 2. If  the purpose of the concert itself was to mobilise support.  I have great admiration for both the singer and the mridangam player. Yet their creativity  was Praiseworthy for the audience but Pain-worthy for the victims.  - Ghatam Vaidyanathan Suresh, Chennai

I am a great fan of T.N.Seshagopalan and I fully endorse your view in the editorial that he is a phenomenon. Recently, I happened to see the interview of Sanjay Subramaniam in “ Yugiudan Yugi” in Jaya TV and I remember him saying that TNS sir was far ahead of his times, in the sense that what Sanjay was thinking musically now, TNS had thought about and implemented 15-20 years back! - Murali Swaminathan, Chennai

Your article on the Chennai December Season made interesting reading, taking into view the perspective of rasikas also. Yes, there are so many kinds of rasikas who attend the Music Season for so many reasons, but the thrill and joy of being a part of this great fest is something which cannot be described in words. - Sumathi  Gurunathan, Chennai

In the last issue, the article “Art and Artists” is nice and enjoyable. I completed 60 years with December 2011 season in attending music concerts at Madras, of course almost all in Music Academy where I am one of the life members. Mudhra  is one example of a sabha which has conducted 31-day fast! Congrats to Mudhra for organizing 31 days festival successfully.

In your article, you have mentioned that “not many are really called to perform and it is the artist who has to call the secretary to get a performance!” I see no wrong, as it is not at all possible for the organization and its office bearers to know all the artists, barring some. Simply because an artist gives a call to a Secretary, chance is not going to be offered without observing necessary formalities and verification of talent of the callers. - P.Sarangapani, Kumbakonam