TV Gopalakrishnan Photo Courtesy: Raveendran_R
Among the thousands of foreign students who requested mridangist TV Gopalakrishnan to guide them, there was also a European drummer who wanted a crash course on Indian rhythms. Under the expert guidance of Gopalakrishnan, the drummer performed a special Tani-avatarana (Carnatic percussion solo) on stage within a month of dedicated practice.
“The credit goes to his passion and effort,” says TV Gopalakrishnan over a video call ahead of his visit to Bengaluru to receive the honor during the annual Sankranti music festival organized by Vidwan RK Srikantan Trust. “My way of teaching is different – I want to make every student of mine an artiste,” says the enthusiastic 93-year-old, who is happy that he is still able to perform in about 40 concerts a year, loves travelling. We do. On the road with his music connoisseur wife Radhai.
“Srikanth’s dedication and perfection remains an inspiration to all generations,” says Gopalakrishnan, who will be honored with the title of ‘Srikanth-Shankar’ at the event for his musical journey over the last eight decades . He is not just a Mridanga-scholar, but also a classical singer, composer, researcher, teacher and collaborator of global styles. Gopalakrishnan has honed a style in laya that is both traditional and global in its influence.
“This reflects his eclectic spirit of participation, helping him expand his student base to include the film, jazz and rock worlds in addition to classical-based musicians from outside the world of Carnatic music,” says singer Ramakant Srikantan, who now runs the RK Srikantan Trust. , “My father, RK Srikantan, who performed many concerts with Gopalakrishnan as his mridangist, often used to say that he was a versatile all-rounder.”
TV Gopalakrishnan Photo Credit: Raveendran R
Ramakant says, “Over the last four decades, TVG has introduced the largest number of performing young artistes to the stage and composed music for hundreds of creations, while his disciples include popular singers and mridangists.”
your voice
Tripunithura Vishwanath Iyer Gopalakrishnan, or TVG as he is referred to in the music fraternity, says what he has enjoyed most – his collaborations with music stalwarts like George Harrison, John McLaughlin, John Handy, Pt. In addition to intercultural exchange. His research was into voice culture and music therapy – among others Ravi Shankar and Pierre Febvre. his book, your voice Many musicians have benefited from incorporating both ancient Vedic literature and modern scientific study of the singing voice.
“I have also designed a unique methodology and curriculum to delve into the art of performance, enunciation and diction related to music. As far as Carnatic music is concerned, language barriers can create disease rather than melody, as the words have to be considered sincerely to get the true meaning. I even want to make a manual on it,” says TVG.
The maestro’s love for Karnataka stems from his association with most of the artistes and sabhas in Bengaluru, where he has been performing for decades. “Karnataka has the privilege of giving birth to the Bhakti movement which has valuable works of Dasa literature. I composed the music for the album Dasaru Kanda Srinivas It includes the works of the six Dasas,” says TVG, “I love Kannada, and I have always wanted to be more associated with Karnataka.”
TV Gopalakrishnan Photo Courtesy: R Raveendran
Padma Bhushan recipient Gopalakrishnan is a disciple of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, and was born in Tripunithura, Kerala in 1932. He was the eldest of nine siblings and his family history goes back two centuries of music, his father TG Vishwanath Bhagavathar, professor of music, being the court musician of the Cochin royal family. TVG started playing the Mridangam at the age of four and gave his first performance at the Cochin Palace at the age of six. He holds a doctorate in rhythm aspects in Carnatic music.
Over the years, he has developed a distinctive style of wearing silk Jubba, Zari-limited dhotiDazzling earrings, and sandalwood and kumkum applied on her forehead.
concert
The three-day Sankranti Music Festival by RK Srikantan Trust will run from January 14 to 16 and there will be concerts every evening. The awards ceremony will be held on the inauguration day. RK Srikantan National Eminence Award and the title of Srikant-Shankar will be given to TVG, while the title of ‘Shankaradvaita Tatvagnya’ will be given to Veda expert Ji Shivram Agnihotri in the presence of Sri Swayamprakash Sachchidananda Saraswati Swamiji of Hariharpura.
published – January 15, 2025 03:50 PM IST
