Dr Ravi Santosham, a pulmonologist by profession, is a born singer. An avid fan of country and western music, Ravi has been part of the GATT quintet that has performed across the world, including at the prestigious 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The current vice-president of the Madras Christian College Alumni Association and convener of the Alumni concerts which MCC has been holding for the last 22 years, Ravi also served as the President of the Madras Musical Association till 2014. He waxes lyrical about Chennai’s carol scene. “The city is doing extremely well. There are a lot of choirs and carol groups here, and every day there is something or the other happening in every corner of Chennai.”
Ravi goes back in time, talking about his early carolling days. “The MCC Alumni Association wanted to bring people together to meet and interact. So, we started this tradition of a carol concert, inviting choirs from all over the city to sing at the MCC school’s open-air theatre. Very soon it gained tremendous momentum. Now, we hold it over two days, but we’re still unable to accommodate all the groups who want to be part of it.”
Talking of the commitment displayed by the choirs, he recounts one incident when, during a programme, the power supply suddenly snapped. “But nobody moved away, everybody started singing,” he remembers.
On what is special this year, Ravi says “we are featuring an Acappella quartet called Organised Chaos.”
About some misconceptions that people hold about Christmas songs, Ravi says “Christmas music is not always religious. Christmas is all about humility, forgiveness, reconciliation and joy.”
Father Anthony Raj, who is currently serving as the parish priest at our Lady of Visitation Church,is looking forward to his first carol experience in Chennai.
“Christmas is always full of joy and happiness. We visit families and sing carols.
We also share our mite with the poor and less fortunate ones to express our concern for them. It's a festival which is celebrated by everyone irrespective of religion, caste and creed,” he says.
