With strings attached
ANJANA RAJAN
|
Continuing the series on dance accompanists, here is veena exponent Shyamala Bhaskar. ANJANA RAJAN
|
ALL IN A DAY'S WORK Shyamala Bhaskar and her veena are inseparable companions Photo: R.V. Moorthy.
Here is a matriarchal heritage to do a daughter proud. Shyamala Bhaskar, a veena player settled in New Delhi, traces her family tree to the celebrated Karaikudi brothers, Sambasiva Iyer and Subbarama Iyer, veena vidwans.
"My mother belongs to the ninth generation of the Subbarama Iyer parampara," relates Shyamala. "She still teaches in Pondicherry. Her name is Karaikudi Kamala Pasupati, and the title Isaiyanachooda has been prefixed to her name."
Trained by her mother in veena playing, Shyamala moved to Delhi after her marriage. "My husband and in-laws have always supported me in my career. My first programme here was in 1995, at the temple in Janakpuri. It was in 1996 that I started playing for dance. A mridangam artiste, Mohana Krishna, introduced me to Swapnasundari. She was the first dancer I played for. By now, I have played for a great many Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers."
For the past several years, Shyamala has been a regular member of Mohiniattam exponent Bharati Shivaji's orchestra as well as that of Deepti Omcherry Bhalla and Bharatanatyam dancer Jayalakshmi Easwar. "I enjoy playing for dance. Mohiniattam especially provides a chance for improvisation and a leisurely pace. Moreover, playing in an orchestra with a number of percussionists has enriched my experience."
It is not only in the rhythm department that Shyamala's confidence has increased. "The first time I went abroad, with Deepti Bhalla's troupe, I was very tense, but all the group members were very supportive. Right from how to eat during the flight, they helped me out in every way. It was a full month's tour. And by the end of it, I felt so confident that I could lead others!"
With a delicate instrument like the veena, travelling can be tricky even for the seasoned globetrotter. "Usually my veena stands in the space provided for the crew to change into their cabin clothes," she explains.
Gloriously oblivious to tales of great artistes known to travel by two plane tickets to accommodate their delicate stringed instrument in the next seat, Shyamala cheerfully declares, "I never ask questions. I just arrive at the airport and go where I am told!"
And as far as local trips are concerned, she points out nonchalantly, transporting the delicate instrument in auto-rickshaws is part of the job, otherwise, who would include her in a team? Shyamala has also participated in theatre productions, including "Nepathya Raag" directed by Bharati Sharma with music by Ratna Padmanabhan as well as "Abhignana Shakuntalam". Like many concert artistes of the Carnatic genre who settle in Delhi, Shyamala finds the variety of opportunities here - dance accompaniment, orchestral compositions, theatre and experimental productions besides the latest trend of fusion - compensates for the lack of solo concerts. She asserts genially, "We musicians do owe a lot to the classical dancers, without whom we would not have much work."
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
