A Metaphysical Elevating Experience with MJ Sri. M. Jayachandran A film score composer, singer, and musician performing at Perumchellur Sangeetha Sabha, Taliparamba Kannur Dist Kerala. He has won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director for a record number of seven times. In 2005, he also won the state award for best male singer. Sangeetha Rathnam, Sri. M. Jayachandran’s concert at Perumchellur Sangeetha Sabha, Taliparamba had aroused everyone’s interest as was seen by the audience beyond the full-house that had gathered to listen to him. Just before the start of the concert I was told by his personal assistant & accompanying artists that the concert will end by 9pm & have the post concert arrangements accordingly. I didn’t have doubts as on the previous evening at Mattannur Sangeetha Sabha, MJ sang only for 1 hr 20 min. MJ's concerts whip up a great amount of anticipation, expectations and excitement. The heartening factor is that always he delivers what is expected from him. Each of his concerts has something novel & presented to the Rasika like a dazzling diamond set in a fine piece of jewellery. His Aalapanas were inspiring too. And no need to mention his repertoire ... each keerthanam acquires charm and glory at his hands and served with great fervor. His singing had an intensity that is also conveyed through his body language … very pleasing to the senses. He transformed the concert to a meditative journey… a great unforgettable classic musical experience! All of a sudden we realized it was 10.25 pm!!! He seemed energetic & fresh. When I turned back, I found even the rasikas very cheerful & in an unbelievable expression - how he is able to sing like this! MJ then stated…he was guided by a strong SPIRITUAL PRESENCE that made him to extent the concert till 10.25pm. The hall is very divine. For more than 70 years continuously our ancestors had performed pooja, bhajans & other noble deeds in this space. So that positive energy still is vibrant and gets showered on all of us. Enlightened personality Sri. P.Neelakanta Iyer is like a spiritual dynamos; have a very strong presence which touches the people; transmit something of their enlightenment to us even if they don’t exist in physical form. This feel by MJ didn’t come as a surprise to me because all the artists who performed here had shared the same spiritual experience. Even artists and rasikas who aren’t at all spiritual usually feel a sense of well-being in this space. For people who have made some spiritual progress already, the effect can be extremely powerful. No wonder MJ performed for 3 hours & 25 minutes! Sri. Attukaal Balasubramanyam on the violin was equal to the task. He followed a clear line that helped him to play with incredible ease and grace. His answering during the swara sessions exhibited astuteness and his bowing retained its sweetness always. Sri. Mavelikkara R.V.Rajesh on the mridangam fitted the slot exceptionally well. His accompanying style for songs was purely on a need-based approach. He gave a thani of substance that had a combination of strokes and nadais of absorbing variety and quality. Sri. Adichanellur Anil kumar on the Ghatam was a proof to the fact that loudness does not necessarily make good music. His playing was very aesthetic. Anil Kumar’s Ghatam accompanying style asusual was the best of its kind. Nature too blessed us with good rains…we realized when we came out of the concert hall! We couldn’t have asked for more! Both MIND & ENVIRONMENT at cool...