Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Government music schools must include flute in curriculum: maestro

— Photo: R. M. Rajarathinam

genius at work: N. Ramani rendering a recital at Sri Sringeri Sankara Mutt in Srirangam.

TIRUCHI: Government music schools in the State must include flute as one of the branches of study and offer intensive training in this instrument, noted flute maestro N. Ramani.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Friday, Mr. Ramani said that a growing number of disciples at his institutions in Chennai and Tiruvananthapuram was an encouraging factor. However, there was a strong case to motivate more number of persons to practise playing flute in parts of Tamil Nadu. This could be achieved through a concerted effort by the Government music schools.Mr. Ramani, who was influenced by his grandfather, Narayanasamy Iyer, and his uncle, Mali, said that a coordinated effort by mentors, disciples and special encouragement by sabhas and organisers would go a long way in bringing out latent talent of the youth.

“I was fortunate enough to undergo training under expert artistes, besides adequate patronage and support by leading sabhas, including Krishna Gana Sabha and Music Academy, for the past five decades since 1956. I had, on an average, performed 50 recitals every year during my early career, thanks to the support by the sabhas,” he said.

Contrary to the past, when there were only a limited number of artistes, the strength of talented artistes had increased these days, he said adding that the current scenario even posed a stiff competition among artistes. Only talented ones could survive in the present situation.

He suggests that disciples should learn the nuances of flute at an young age, preferably before Standard X. Having mastered the fundamental lessons of the wind instrument, it would be convenient for the disciple to adapt to the technique.

Mr. Ramani points out that he had given up his educational career for the sake of learning the complexity of flute. “Although many of my friends joined the intermediate course in 1951, I had no regrets,” he says.

Mr. Ramani was here to render his concert at the Sri Sringeri Sankara Mutt in connection with the Vasantha Navarathiri festival.

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