This is typical Delhi-Mumbaicentric journalism. However even in the south little is done beyond the Cheenai classical music festival at national level. Some 10-12 years ago I know that an Tamil architect proposed the restoration and conservaiton of the ancient Gangaikondacholapuram complex to house a Veena making and music school, the reply given by the state CULTURAL minister himself a cultured gentleman, was that there was no future for such venture, that no one would go there. Such shortsighted political thinking is what curtails the development of our culture, maybe the fact that it was an Indian and not a foreigner who worked on the project free of cost, was why it was held in little consideration. After all if the govt. paid a foreigner (with little or no knowledge of our culture) through the nose to undertake the project,it would have been taken up, with flashy photos of the smiling political leaders shaking hands with the whites at the inauguration.Glory to them. As it is the project was shelved and the temple complex has been repaired (not restores) using cement mortar and PWD workmanship which we know will last until the rain washes the "cement" away and the bricks crumble. So much so for respect for classical music - classical architecture - classical art.
