He sets the stage here
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C.G. Ananthaswamy's organisational skills have played a big role in making the Bangalore music scene vibrant
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PHOTO: Sampath Kumar G.P.
SURVIVAL STRATEGY C.G. Ananthaswamy feels that public involvement, government funding and corporate sponsorship are all crucial for the survival of the arts
C.G. Ananthaswamy is a figure every Hindustani music lover of Bangalore would know as the quiet worker who has put in years of service promoting classical music in Karnataka.
Being the grandson of the scholarly veena exponent Bhairavi Laxminarayanappa, Asthana Vidwan in the Mysore durbar, and nephew of Gaanakala Bhushana Vidwan L. Raja Rao, Ananthaswamy took to music very young. While his mother, Kamalamma, a doctor who was also well versed in Carnatic music, initiated him into classical music on the veena, violin and vocals, he was initiated into Hindustani classical music by Pandit Sheshadri Gawai.
In 1964, Ananthaswamy continued his taleem under another great, Pandit Rama Rao Naik of the Agra gharana and D.S. Garud, who taught him tabla. But after some years, Ananthaswamy could not continue learning vocal music. Also being an industrialist, Ananthaswamy did not consider music as a full-time career. So, over the years, he picked up skills of organising programmes and started Shashikala Sahitya Mandira. The mandira, which helped disseminate knowledge in music, dance and literature, featured eminent speakers such as the late Shivaram Karanth. He also carried on with his range of other hobbies, from carving and painting to cine-banner making.
He did not, however, cut himself off from learning music. "I did not get time to consolidate my learning in vocal, but I gradually began to play the harmonium. I was not formally taught, but I found I could accompany any style or gharana." He became a graded artiste of All India Radio and Doordarshan and is now on the audition panel of AIR.
Patron of the arts
But it is as a patron of the arts that Ananthaswamy is best known. He has founded and run several organisations for the propagation of classical music. In 1970, he founded Kalashri that promoted both Carnatic and Hindustani music. In 1973 prominent artistes including Pandit Ramrao Naik, D.S. Garud, Pandit Sheshadri Gawai, Vasanth Kawali, Pandit D.B. Harindra, N.V. Gopinath and K.S. Naik came together to form an artistes' forum, Hindustani Sangeet Kalakaara Mandali. Ananthaswamy was an important force behind this.
The mandali introduced several maestros including Pandit Arjunsa Nakod, Pandit Vinayak Torvi, Pandit Prakash Singh Salunke, Pandit Pundalika Shenoy, Pandit Sudhindra Bhaumik and Hanumanth Rao Gonawar to the Bangalore audiences.
Meanwhile, Pandit Rama Rao Naik had suggested that he provide a platform for amateur performers whose talent was going unrecognised. In May 1983, Shruti was born. "With the help of a team constituted by Andal Sharma, R. Leela Bai, Lalitha Kaikini, Harish Kaikini, Sunidhi Dutt, Pushpa Divekar and Kumud Kini, we have been able to conduct monthly programmes, which are now over 264 programmes," Ananthaswamy says with pride. "When Pandit Rama Rao Naik passed away in 1998, I decided that in order to pay tribute to the great soul, a forum where his disciples perform had to be started. Smriti was born, and till date, we have a programme once in three months."
Ailing organisations
Speaking on the need for more music patrons, Ananthaswamy observes: "Most organisations either die an early death or are ailing due to lack of funds. Subscription through members just doesn't suffice to pay for artistes from outside, who demand a huge sum. It becomes necessary to have sponsorship from corporates or business houses."
He points out that those who conduct star-musician concerts do it as a one-time activity, whereas those patronising artistes at all levels, doing regular programmes are finding it really hard to sustain.
"Public involvement, government funding will help a great deal. Individuals who can sponsor an artiste or two are welcome as this will go a along way in sustaining the arts," says a hopeful Ananthaswamy.
SMITA BELLUR
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