Old world charm wafts out from letters
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Musicians’ correspondence with their patrons offers fascinating insights
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Voice from the past: Nagaswaram maestro Rajarathinam Pillai requested ₹350 for a concert in 1935. | Photo Credit:
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Musicians’ correspondence with their patrons offers fascinating insights
The Chettinadu region has always patronised classical music and musicians. Weddings, temple festivals and other functions featured the concerts of the best musicians of the time. A treasure trove of letters written by musicians themselves reveals interesting details of the remuneration for their performance.
“I collect old magazines, stamps and books and found these letters among them. The Chettiar families normally keep these letters tagged with their response as records,” said an antiques dealer who wishes to be anonymous.