Jazz maestro. Narayana Tirtha. Paying tributes.

Frank Dubier's trumpet has lost its master. It will lie in a cold fold of satin. Perhaps as memorabilia for a family that is spread in this city and in Australia. But I hope musicians and jazz fans come together to celebrate his life. Host a tribute.

For, men and women of our city who are celebrated it in their lifetime deserve that honour. A tribute. Not limited to an advertisement in cold, black print.

Frank Dubier hailed from an Anglo-Indian family, like many others where music ran in the blood. Shooting for a documentary we produced on 'Anglo Indian Musicians of Madras' many years ago, he told us of the days when his musician-mom played at the Elphinstone Theatre on Mount Road. She would sit in the pit and play the piano, providing live music to the movies in an era when sound was yet to be part of cinema.

Frank learnt his music from the British of the Governor's band, who trained and employed young Anglo-Indians. And after a whirlwind career in clubs and bands here and in Calcutta and in Delhi, came back to his home and became one of the star artistes of the brass section that made music in the city's recording studios for movies.

Frank's signature runs through in the music of the greats, M. S. Vishwanathan and Ilaiyaraja.

Out city has been home to men and women who make signal contributions that oftentimes remain in the shadows, known only to a small circle.

They do get celebrated when they are hailed for their work. But they are forgotten when they say goodbye.

Tributes are times to celebrate. Not to mourn, not to despair.

This past week, we also lost another musician and promoter of the arts - Thirupoonthuruthy Venkatesan. A man who single-handedly highlighted the work of classical music composer Narayana Tirtha. He did this by encouraging artistes - musicians and dancers - to master this music and perform the songs, holding annual festivals and playing host to a celebration at Narayana Tirtha's samadhi in a village near Thanjavur.

Venkatesan was from the R. A. Puram neighbourhood. He was 83 and age did not deter him from being in the middle of the annual Thirupoonthuruthy fest some months ago.

The Carnatic music world may know of Venkatesan. A tribute on a broader stage is what men like him deserve.

If it is in your hands then, celebrate people. Pay them a handsome tribute.