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I was assured by the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Southern Railway that the release of my book would get good coverage in the press though that day was also the death anniversary of Bharathiyar and a number of functions were taking place in the city. On 12th, we scanned Hindu and Express eagerly, but found no mention of the event. We were however happy to see that Dinamani, the Tamil paper from Indian Express group had a detailed report with photograph.
6.45 AM, 13th September 2004-- 'Sir, I am Vijayendra from T.Nagar. I got your number from a Railway friend. I read about your book just now in today's Hindu. Where can I buy it?'
'Sir, PRO of The Hindu is desparate to contact you', was the message from CPRO to me on 13th September as soon as I reached the office.
I contacted Mr.Gnanam of The Hindu who said, 'Sir, we have received over 100 calls enquiring how to buy your book.' I gave him my office and residence numbers.
The power of the press is amazing. One item each in The Hindu and Indian Express and my phone did not stop ringing for almost three days. It was a heady feeling getting calls from total strangers wanting to buy your book or praising it to you after reading it.
There were also some amusing calls. Like a true publisher, Amritha told one caller,'Madam, please leave your address. The book will be delivered to you.' The caller, a lady, thanked Amritha and said, Madam, will you kindly ask your husband to advise my son and guide him to take the correct path.' Conscious of the great responsibility thrust on her husband, Amritha wanted to know the age of her son and was shocked and amused to hear the voice at the other end say, 'Madam, he is 29.'
'Sir, I am Rajasekhar from Anna Nagar. I read about your book in Hindu.'
'Tell me, Mr.Rajasekhar, what can I do for you?'
Sir, I am learning Western music for the last two years. If I buy your book, can I learn Carnatic music.'
'No, Mr.Rajasekhar, my book is on appreciating Carnatic music and not learning it'.
'But, sir, it was reported in the paper that your book and CD are handy guides to Carnatic music.'
'Yes, but they are guides to appreciating Carnatic music.'
But sir, I am learning Western music for two years. Can I not learn Carnatic music easily?'
'Though cricket and golf are similar, they are two different games. Kapil Dev played cricket for twenty years
and learnt golf faster than others. Similarly with your knowledge of Western music, you can learn Carnatic music faster.
'Thank you very much, sir. It was a pleasure talking to you'
'Sir, I am Srinivasan from Perungudi. I have already ordered the book. When can I get it?
My PA replied, 'We printed only 100 copies for the release function. The balance copies are expected by Friday. We'll deliver your copy as soon as we get the copies.'
'OK, I'll wait. But is there any other book by Mr.Parthasarathy that I can buy?'
'No sir, this is his first book.'
'Madam, Ask your husband to write a lot of books. We'll buy them.' This heartening statement was made to my wife by a gentleman who was waiting to read my book.
'Sir, I can't wait till Friday as I am leaving for Muscat tomorrow. Please send me just one copy today itself.' This was a lady to my PA who after consulting me told her to come to the office and take the book.
'Sir, I am Secretary to Mr. (Pollachi) Mahalingam's son-in-law. He is leaving for Delhi today and is keen to buy your book today itself.' I told him to come to the office and take the book.
'Mr.Parthasarathy, I am Dr.J.Sridharan, Chief Commissioner, Excise. I read about your book and want to buy a copy.' I told him to send someone immediately.
'Sir, I am Dr. Vijaya Kumar, Faculty in charge of the Second year PG course on Mass Media and Applied Communications in Anna University. I read about your book in Express. Can you take a session on Music Appreciation to my students?' I was flattered. I conducted the session for about 30 youngsters on 5th September and it went off very well.
'Sir, Mr. Mani Sharma, a leading music director of Telugu films rang up Rajiv to know where he can buy your book.' This was from my colleague, Karunakar Menon, brother of Rajiv Menon. We arranged to deliver the book to Mani Sharma
More than 15 retired railway officers from all departments called. There were also calls from many music and book shops. Because of my trip to Berlin, I took time in tying up with the book shops. Even then, the sales of the book, which is high-priced by Chennai standards, is encouraging. Carnatic Music Book Centre in Royapettah which is a niche shop for all Carnatic music needs took 20 copies on 10th October. On 13th evening, the owner of the shop rang up to say that 16 copies had already been sold and wanted 100 copies more.
Over 300 copies within a month of release is, I think, quite good. There were also letters of appreciation by known and unknown people, which is what any author treasures the most. Two letters that came by courier contained detailed analysis of the book. A few that came by e-mail are reproduced here.
From: gsvasan
To: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004
Dear Sirs,
I got your new book 108 Divya Ragams and went through it. It is really a Herculean task to compile such varied information regarding Carnatic Music and publish it in one volume to enable the music lovers to enhance their knowledge of music and to appreciate it better. Music world will ever be grateful to you for this stupendous task.
I would venture to give two suggestions:
1. If the same book is published in Tamil, it will reach more Carnatic music loversin Tamil Nadu.
2. If the Volume II containing the index of more than 10000 ragams can be published separately in Tamil and that too in a handy form to enable the music lovers to take with them easily to Kutcheries for ready reference, it will be very much beneficial. It can be priced separately.
I hope you would consider my suggestions and if you happen to bring out such volumes, pl let me know so that I can have a copy of it.
thanks and with regards
yours sincerely,
G.srinivasan
From: raghavan chari
To: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 2004
Dear sir,
I was fortunate enough to get your book and c.d rom on the above
very recently and enjoyed them thoroughly.It is indeed a morvelous job you have undertaken. My brother and a friend of mine are now interested to possess such a valuable treasure.Pl therefore let me know your phone no so that i can fix up an appointment and call on you on this coming sunday to buy them against cash payment .
THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE
R,Ramakrishnan
From: B.S.Subrahmanian
To: [email protected]
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004
Dear Sri Parthasarathy,
I congratulate you on your stupendous effort, on creating the CD and the books.This will be treasured in my house.
With kind regards
B.S.Subrahmanian
From: RanipetDivision CentralExciseChennai
To: [email protected]
Date: 15 Sep 2004
Dear Mama,
This mail from me is both as your niece and also as the reader of your book.
"Muyarchi udaiyaar, eghazhchi adyaar" goes the Tamil proverb which is very true in your case.
Those with talent and extraordinary capabilities of any kind, even if subdue themselves and show as ordinary or one among others, one day or the other the brilliance is bound to spark off, by a mere word, poem, piece of art or art forms or in the course of their profession or any compositions-like one of yours.
Your book is quite gripping and makes interesting reading. I am sure this book'108 Divya Ragams' will not only draw more people to Karnatic Music/Indian Classical Music for which it is intended but also fast dying reading habit may also be revived, as a by product in hundreds of people, like it has done spontaneously for me. Thanks to you.
My intuition tells me that if some how it reaches the hands of eminent people like Sh.Abdul Kalam ,beloved president( Sh.Venkataraman, writer Sujatha) and many more eminent people in different lines, this may win you a ever lasting name and fame thro' special award or something like that which you well deserve. Especially because the timing of your book is very good like a sixer scored on the last ball with India 5 runs to win.
The language of the book matches the learned in Karnatic Music, the sincere attempt is /will be appreciated by exponents in the field and mainly the tempo of the book with its scientific approach and a light hearted touch of humor is best suited to todays youngsters. CDRom being the special attraction.
All the good wishes to Mami and then you as Mami has been the forerunner in this having introduced you to k.Music. The fruits of hard labour by you and especially your team members have put in, is proving to be fruitful. My congratulations to all of them.
With Best wishes and regards,
Yours affectionately,
RADHA SESHADHRI.
It is, as I said earlier, a heady feeling. At the same time, I am conscious that only about 100 pages of the book are by me with the balance being 'copy/paste' job. I am also conscious that any future book by me would be measured against this book.
Parthasarathy
October 2004
Note: I have since created a site containing all details about the book. Click here to visit the site.
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