Vocalist O S Arun to screen documentary on Alapana Trust

CHENNAI: Vocalist O S Arun is renowned in the field of Carnatic music. But only a few are aware of his mission to enrich the lives of the less privileged through music. Arun is organising the screening of the documentary, ‘Ratna Sangamam,’ in Chennai on September 30 to raise awareness about the work he is carrying out through his charitable organisation Alapana Trust.
“The 28-minute documentary, directed by S P Kanthan, will showcase our community service projects,” says Arun, who established the trust in 1998.
“We initially formed it to promote music. We have been regularly organising festivals of classical music and dance, youth festivals that give a platform to youngsters, workshops and lectures on music in different places,” says Arun, adding that eminent artistes such as Leela Samson, Chitra Visweswaran, Bombay Sisters, and the Hyderabad Brothers have performed for the trust in the past.
However, three years ago, Arun and his wife felt that there was something missing. “After singing for more than 30 years, I wanted to give back to society and do something meaningful that gave me more satisfaction,” says Arun. So the couple approached old age homes, orphanages and organisations that worked with children with autism and Down syndrome as well as visually challenged children.
“We wanted to go to these places and perform for them as it would be difficult for them not just to buy tickets for concerts but also transport people to the sabhas,” says Arun, who began the initiative by performing at Annai Illam, an old age home in Mylapore.
“I had sung in many sabhas and for corporates, but I was initially nervous as to how the people would respond,” he says. “But to my surprise, everyone was very enthusiastic and even sang along.”
The trust also tries to support each centre that they visit in whatever way they can. “We do an anna danam and feed people there. At Annai Illam, we also gave sarees to elderly women. In another centre near Trichy, we gave them gave an entire month’s provision. In another old age home in Thanjavur district, we gave mattresses to the elderly as theirs were worn out and we also repaired the roof of an orphanage in Chengalpet,” says Arun.
However, funds are scarce as he has so far been doing it in an individual capacity. And that’s where the idea of ‘Ratna Sangamam’ took seed. “People told me that I should spread more awareness about the initiative so that more people can contribute. Since we already had video footage of all our events, we just had to script the documentary,” says Arun.
‘Ratna Sangamam’ will be screened at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan auditorium at 6:30pm on September 30. It will be followed by a concert by O S Arun at 7pm. “The show is free,” says Arun. “On the occasion, we will also be gifting musical instruments to a few autistic children from The Lotus Foundation.”