Compositions, productions
The versatile violinist is also an accomplished composer and lyricist with a number of rare pallavis and more than 50 Carnatic classical kritis, including varnams, in Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit to his credit.
This A-grade artiste of All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram, has scored several musical productions such as `Nadopasana - Saptaswarangalil layicha Mahanubhaavan,' `Ganesha Prabhavam,' `Swati Pranamam,' and so on. Sasikumar's tryst with music began at an early age and it was his father, M. K. Bhaskara Panicker, a nadaswara vidwan, who trained him. "I saw a neighbour playing the violin and decided to try it on my father's violin. My father heard me play and was impressed. That's when he decided to teach me," he recalls.
Sasikumar's first concert with his father was at the age of 12. "I played the violin at his flute kutcheri.''
Soon, Sasikumar began to perform regularly for Kathaprasangams and plays, and he also got paid for it. On completion of his matriculation, Sasikumar got admission for Ganapraveena at the Music Academy. After passing the course he was appointed as second grade professor at the academy. In the meantime he passed an audition test in the light music section of AIR. Subsequently he got a job in the light music section.
Says Sasikumar: "Each person has his own style of rendering a song. I follow my father's method. I give importance to the kalpanaswaras and kalpana sangitam. Sahitya comes only next. In Carnatic music, the gamakas should be sung with precision. The ragabhavam should to be maintained. M. D. Ramanathan's voice quality may not be soothing but the pause, the timing that he gives while presenting a raga, that is what strikes the listener."
Sasikumar believes that Carnatic and Hindustani music are all forms of folk music, which is similar everywhere. "Hindustani starts with alaap, tabla beats and progresses further. In Carnatic music, too, you have the raga alapanam and tala,'' he says.
He stopped going for Kathaprasangam programmes to concentrate on concerts. "My first important concert was for the Music Academy anniversary where I accompanied K.J. Yesudas. After that I got the opportunity to accompany Chembai Swamigal at Vaikom. Then I performed at some joint concerts of Chembai and Yesudas," remembers Sasikumar.
Memorable concerts
He says his memorable concerts were those with Chembai, Balamurali Krishna and K.V.Narayana Swamy. "They used to compliment me on the spot. Once, Chembai noticed that the audience did not express their appreciaton when I played a piece. Immediately he said - `why don't you give him a clap. If you won't, I'll do it. He is playing well.' That was Chembai."
Sasikumar has hundreds of disciples whom he has taught without a fee. "Teaching has always been a passion for me. I would like to share my knowledge with others. Otherwise it is of no use,'' he says. Many of his students have made their mark in the field of music.
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