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Mind the audience, says flautist B.K. Anantha Ram
Flautist B.K. Anantha Ram hails from a family of musicians.
He had his first lessons in music from his mother A Rajamma
Keshavamurthy, a well-known vocalist. Later, Anantha Ram took
to flute and learnt from C. M. Madhuranath, B.N. Suresh, M.
R. Doraisvvamy and Anoor Ramakrishna. After initial training
from them, he perfected it under master flautist Dr. N. Ramani.
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The Government of India recently awarded
him the Senior Fellowship on a project called Karnataka Venu
Parampare. He also runs Vamshi Academy of Music Trust, which
conducts cultural programmes to promote classical music (both
vocal & instrumental). In an interview to Sudha
Jagannathan, he talks on very many issues.
Of late, you don't find many rasikas for
instrumental music. What is your view?
Answer: No, this is not true. Many people are interested in
learning instruments for their melody. And, there is no need
to bother about sahitya.
If an instrumental musician were to attract
a larger audience, what should he/she do?
Answer: One has to take care of the audience, who are present
at the programme. An artiste has to select the songs in such
a way that they appeal to the music lovers. Also, the artiste
has to work within the possibilities of a particular instrument.
Flute should be played like a flute and not as a veena. One
can, however, consider some of the sangathis and adopt them
in the instrument he or she is playing. Vocalisation of the
instrument is very important. The artiste should know the sahitya
bhava, so that he or she can present it in a better way.
Is it correct to say that the scope is very
limited for an instrumental musician to attract rasikas?
Answer: No, it is not true. It is very much depended on the
creativity of an artiste. An artiste can present it in a better
way by involving other instruments also along with the instrument
with which he/she is involved.
What kind of an audience comes for instrumental
music - learned ones or all?
Answer: Everyone likes the instrumental music.
Unlike vocal, instruments don't have a language
barrier. Is it an advantage or a disadvantage?
Answer: It is an advantage because it will be non-controversial.
More over, people like to enjoy the melody of a particular instrument.
The wind instrument like flute - not many
people are learning. Why?
Answer: Nowadays, many people are learning flute. Earlier, there
weren’t many teachers. Also, they were reluctant to teach
many youngsters because of their narrow mindedness. I am not
saying all the flautists were like that. But there were some.
Secondly, flute is a difficult instrument to learn, especially
in the beginning. One should have good patience to stay with
the guru and follow his advice in a very dedicated manner. I
am teaching for nearly 60 students of various age groups. Many
female artistes are now interested in learning flute.
What is needed to become a good flautist?
Answer: First of all, it requires a good blowing. This will
be bestowed on us by the Supreme. Only a few will have it as
God's gift. With a good blowing, an artiste can attract the
audience in a better way. Fifty per cent of the playing will
appeal to the lovers for its blowing. If you had keenly observed
the blowing of Shri Mahalingam, an all time great - he gave
such a solo status for the flute.
How important lyrics are for flute-playing
with expression?
Answer: Definitely lyrics play a vital role in any instrument.
By possessing the knowledge of sahity bhava, one can present
the instrumental playing in a lovely manner. First of all, the
artiste has to enjoy his/her own playing.
How eager are youngsters to learn flute?
Answer: Nowadays, the interest is more among the youngsters
to learn the flute. This is because of its soothing sound and
melody. Everyone need not be a great flautist. They can also
be a very good connoisseur of music.
What is the difference in the teaching methodology
adopted by your school?
Answer: Being a student of the great Mali school, the sweet
blowing is an edge compared to others. Also, I have learnt vocal
music in the beginning from my mother Vidushi A. Rajamma Keshavamurthy.
As she is a great vocalist of our State, it has helped me a
lot in teaching flute.
What is the objective of your flute school?
Answer: My objective is to give a better stage for young, upcoming
and veteran artistes, train at least 200 flautists and give
a sense that flute playing is very easy. In that direction,
I have released nine volumes of flute teaching VCDs. By playing
these, anybody can learn the art of flute playing even in my
absence as they contain direct teaching methods. Also, the school
is keen to train connoisseurs of music to gain awareness about
carnatic music. A unique programme is being conducted all over
the State - in residences, schools and colleges. The programme
is called `Maneyangaladalli Sangeetha Satsang’. Under
the programme, I have a plan to train nearly 10,000 audiences.
My dream is to see at least 500 people in the audience in any
carnatic music concert - not merely 10 to 15 music lovers.
What kind of students come to your school?
Answer: All types of people come to our school for learning
flute.
Software engineers, doctors, IAS officers, housewives and even
children come here. Some of them come to learn flute and view
flute-playing as one of the best methods of good breathing,
which is like doing Pranayama.
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