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Mind the audience, says flautist B.K. Anantha Ram |
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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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