Tamil Nadu   

"Treat fine arts as part of your education"

"Music has a unifying energy to integrate people across the world."

Intense determination and commitment to master the chosen art form has made him what he is today.

Having achieved the desired goal to his utmost satisfaction, mridangan maestro, Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman is jubilant over his career spanning over 60 years, which he proudly terms as `Sashtiyabthapurthi' for his percussion instrument. In an interview with M. Balaganessin, he shares the experience that he gained while accompanying eminent vocalists and musicians in his illustrious career.

Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman does not accept that the interest among youth in learning music is on the decline. He is rather happy that young talents are emerging at present in every branch of music — be it Hindustani or Carnatic. There has been a growing interest among youth towards music and to become professionals. The number of boys and girls enrolled in music colleges all over the country has been on the rise every year, he points out.

He advises young artistes not to take fine arts as a pastime, but treat it as part of their education. Sincerity and dedication are the vital traits to success. "Up and coming artistes should set a goal and work for it and should not fritter away their energy especially when they struggle to achieve the desired levels of success," Mr. Sivaraman says.

There should be no compromise on quality at any cost. Young artistes should practise different kirtans in a single ragam and be familiar with different ragams.

Everyone should realise that music has a unifying energy to integrate people across the world. These were the principles he practised to reach his goals. Going down memory lane, he says that exponents like Alathur brothers, G.N. Balasubramanian, Rajamanickam Pillai, Pappa Venkatarama Iyer, Musiri Subramanya Iyer, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Ariyakudi Ramanujam Iyengar, Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer and Palakad Mani Iyer (the list goes on), encouraged him, after identifying his talent.

"Great vocalists provided a lot of opportunities to me, which helped me reach the zenith." One such opportunity was the `thani avardhanam', which he got thrice in a single concert; another programme he considers as memorable is the solo performance for Sattur Subramania Iyer for a Thiyagaraja kirtan, `Nidhi chala sukamo.'

Chance to guide Sivaji

Mr. Sivaraman also had the opportunity to guide `Sivaji' Ganesan in the film `Mridanga Chakravarthy'. He recalls how the thespian actor carefully attended to minute details of finger movements and body language. "He was always willing to make corrections and sought clarification from time to time," Mr. Sivaraman recalls.

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