Young Carnatic musicians detail their challenging journey to the concert circuit

If you scan the Margazhi music program of Sabhas in Chennai, you will find the names of many Gen Z artistes in the morning, mid-morning and afternoon slots. This is definitely the most heartwarming note of this season. Despite many detractors, this bodes well for the future of Carnatic music. It is interesting to know why these youth are attracted towards classical music which requires systematic and rigorous training and practice. Also, in a digitally driven world, how do they strike a balance between traditional and contemporary sensibilities? Today the challenges and expectations are different. That’s why most of them establish a strong online presence, sometimes even before reaching audiences through physical stores. We spoke to six young musicians to find out how they are preparing themselves for the long journey ahead.

She is just 20 years old, but violinist VSP Gayatri Sivani has already been a part of many kucheris. Her mother Arundhati initially trained Gayatri in singing from the age of three, but soon felt she was more suited to the violin and enrolled her under Vidwan Ganduri Srinivas Murthy. Raised in Vijayawada, Gayatri started performing in chamber concerts held at her guru’s house when she was nine years old. “My father Lakshmi Narasimha Murthy deepened my interest in music by playing me recordings of old scholars. Murthy sir’s intensive training in Manodharma and concert dynamics laid a strong foundation,” says Gayathri. A rare Surutti raga-based concert for Vidwan Modumudi Sudhakar at the Parupalli Ramakrishnayya Pantulu birth anniversary celebrations in his hometown in 2015 won the 11-year-old accolade from the music fraternity. That performance also solidified his decision to pursue violin professionally.

Gayatri recalls: “It was a difficult decision for my family. However, my parents supported me and even arranged fortnightly trips to Chennai to train under Vidwan M. Chandrasekaran,” says this prodigy, who also studied under senior violinist Narmada Gopalakrishnan. Have you learnt.

Victories in competitions led to the success of Mannargudi Easwaran, Malladi Suribabu, Trichy Sankaran, N. Opened up performance opportunities for stalwarts like Ravikiran, Hyderabad Sisters, Yella Venkateswara Rao and Neyveli Santhanagopalan. Gayatri has also learned the 72 melakarta compositions of Vidwan M. Balamuralikrishna from composer DV Mohana Krishna.

Flute player Purnima Imani Krishna also credits her guru V. Nagaraju for maintaining her confidence in the early days of her training. Purnima began singing and veena lessons at the age of four from her mother and Chitraveena exponent Imani Lalita Krishna. However, at the age of 10, she was inspired to become a flute player after hearing a concert by the Sikkim Sisters in Hyderabad. He had no idea that the first year of training would be challenging because his fingers were so short. “My mother gave me a year to learn the first lesson properly. With Sir’s sustained efforts and confidence, I succeeded,” reminisces Poornima, who has been performing in Margazhi Seasons (with her mother) since 2007 and in Chennai since 2016.

Winning competitions opened up performance opportunities for stalwarts like Mannargudi Easwaran, Malladi Suribabu, Trichy Sankaran, N Ravikiran, Hyderabad Sisters, Yella Venkateswara Rao and Neyveli Santhanagopalan. Gayatri has also learned the 72 melakarta compositions of Vidwan M. Balamuralikrishna from composer DV Mohana Krishna.

Flute player Purnima Imani Krishna also credits her guru V. Nagaraju for maintaining her confidence in the early days of her training. Purnima began singing and veena lessons at the age of four from her mother and Chitraveena exponent Imani Lalita Krishna. However, at the age of 10, she was inspired to become a flute player after hearing a concert by the Sikkim Sisters in Hyderabad. He had no idea that the first year of training would be challenging because his fingers were so short. “My mother gave me a year to learn the first lesson properly. With Sir’s sustained efforts and confidence, I succeeded,” reminisces Poornima, who has been performing in Margazhi Seasons (with her mother) since 2007 and in Chennai since 2016.

Winning the Best Flute Player Award at the 18th National Youth Festival held at Ludhiana in 2014 and receiving the title of Pt. The Jasraj Award from the maestro boosted the confidence of Purnima, who moved to Chennai a decade ago to pursue a Master’s and M.Phil in Carnatic music. Poornima is currently training in Carnatic singing and Manodharma from Sita Narayanan and TKV Ramanujacharulu respectively.

digital visibility

Singer-violinist sisters Deepika, 27, and Nandhika, 24, who received their early training from violinists Karva Rajasekhar and Anusha Sriram and singer PB Rangachari, have been performing since 2015. Disciples of veteran musician Neyveli Santhanagopalan and A Kanyakumari nominated for it. Diploma in Advanced School of Carnatic Music at the Music Academy.

“Gopalan sir suggested this course, where we received in-depth knowledge from many musicologists and musicologists,” says Nandika. Carrying forward the legacy of their great-grandfather and vidwan Chittoor Appanna Bhagavathar, the sisters have included senior mridangists NC Bhardwaj, Delhi Sairam and violinist B. Have kept Ananthakrishnan with them. “Sharing the stage with these scholars has broadened our musical sensibilities. My learnings from senior singers, with whom I have played violin, get incorporated in vocal duet performances,” explains Deepika.

Creative musical content and updates on social media concerts often lead to visibility and recognition of musicians globally. Deepika and Nandika started their Facebook page in 2020 and have around 11,000 followers. “The Rasikas have told us that they attended our recital after hearing our talks tukkada And Vivadi Ragam The series (which has received over 30,000 views) was shared on our Facebook page. “This has resulted in higher footfall at our concerts.”

constructive feedback

Bengaluru-based mridangist Kaushik Sridhar. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Bengaluru-based first-generation musician and mridangist Kaushik Sridhar, 22, started learning the instrument from Vinay Nagarajan at the age of four. He has been performing under the guidance of his mentor and senior scholar Thrissur Mohan since 2014. Along with his mentor’s encouragement, live-streaming and videos of concerts shared on social media have played a role in making this talented youngster a recognizable face. “During the recording sessions, I got a chance to connect with young and experienced artistes,” says Kaushik. The multi-percussionist – he plays drums, canon, Latin percussion, Roland handson and kanjira – adds, “Apart from my online admirers, senior artists have also shared encouraging comments and constructive feedback on social media. This kind of digital The expressions are beneficial and have opened doors to better opportunities.”

On August 26, 2024, Poornima uploaded Brindavana Ganam on YouTube, where she is dressed as Krishna. “Some senior citizens requested me to perform in Krishna costume for the Krishnashtami event in 2019. Last year, I made an outdoor music video where I collaborated with other instrumentalists, including my mother. I used some sequences for the Dual Raga series, and presented it this year with the vocal collaboration of Hindustani musician Adwait Roy. The video gained many new followers. I have decided to release such a production every year.

balancing act

It is a challenge for young talents to combine academic and musical excellence. Young and promising singer Dhanush Anantharaman, in his final year of dual degree in Chemical Engineering and Data Science from IIT Madras, shares how he balances education and art. “I have always been academically oriented and aspired to go to IIT,” he says. He listened to Carnatic music played at home, attended music festivals and joined the faculty of the University of Madras at the age of six. Received primary education from Vijayalakshmi Shivakumar. Her passion for the art grew when she started learning from senior singer Amrita Murali. “I have also practiced, performed and participated in competitions before my exams.”

“Apart from giving concerts, I wanted to go to college,” says Gayatri, who has a degree in commerce from a college in Hyderabad. I had to shift my base to Chennai in my final year. The college suited my music programs and I was able to complete my graduation.”

Kaushik, who graduated last year, has been doing outdoor performances along with his full-time job. The mridangist, who has accompanied musicians Vishnudev, Sunil Gargyan, Sai Vignesh, Shruti Sagar, Bhargavi Venkatram and Venkat Nagarajan, among others, makes several trips to Chennai every year.

Thematic group programs involving young Carnatic musicians have emerged as influential platforms for artistic expression and learning. Recalling a memorable thematic Ramnavami concert of rare compositions on Ram by renowned composers directed by Amrita Murali, Dhanush says, ‘It was a special concert with the students of Akka and their guru Sriramkumar sir performing together for the first time. Was.’

Despite the path ahead being a little easier than before, these artists are clear that optics come second to learning. And that relevance in the context of the craft is more important than social media popularity.