`Let there be variety without sacrificing classical values'
LAKSHMI DEVNATH
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Nedunuri Krishanmurthy's life is a story of hard work and resounding success. The veteran talks about the essentials of good music, right teaching, and the approach of young performers.
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Young artistes... should first concentrate on training themselves thoroughly rather than focussing on opportunities to sing.
VETERAN ARTISTE: Nedunuri Krishnamurthy
A classic is timeless; a classic sets standards; a classic contains the seeds of toil. The recent concert at the Music Academy of veteran artiste, , Nedunuri Krishnamurthy inspired these thoughts! His life is a story of hard work and resounding success. This self-confessed introvert begins the interview on a poignant note.
"This is the last chapter of my life. As a veteran with a career of 60 years, I have a few points to make. I expect that they will be taken in the right spirit."
Nedunuri's guru, Dr. Sripada Pinakapani, extended his scientific approach to the study and teaching of music. Nedunuri elaborates, "My master is a sangita sadguru. From him, I also learnt the importance of notation.
Great masters
When he taught songs, he would supplement the session with examples culled from the music of great masters... Ariyakkudi, Semmangudi, Mudicondan and the like. He would highlight the gamakas, punctuations and intonations that had contributed to the emotion created by the musical phrase. Pinakapani-garu opened my eyes to the essentials of good music and right teaching. A good teacher should also be broadminded enough to allow students to learn from other vidwans. Today, with institutions also playing the role of gurus, Nedunuri says, with particular reference to the Music Academy, "The Music Academy, it must be noted, is not a Sabha but a body of experts. The Academy's role in the preservation and propagation of our musical heritage is of utmost significance today. I recommend that the Academy conduct sessions wherein they play the concerts of yesteryear stalwarts and have prominent sishyas of these paramparas explain the distinguishing features of their masters' music. This will sensitise young performers, listeners and critics to the essentials of great music.
Guided listening
``Aren't there occasions when elaborate raga alapanas fail to satisfy the listener? Guided listening will aid critics to review concerts more objectively and analytically instead of merely displaying linguistic skills. Further, the Academy should conduct music-appreciation programmes in schools and colleges."
In 1945, at the age of 18, Nedunuri received his first earning of less than fifty rupees as a concert performer. Till then, as a student at Vijayanagaram, he had been living on a pocket money of Re.1 from his father! This is probably why he observes, "Nowadays, music as a profession offers artistes immense material benefits. Youngsters should study the lives of great masters to understand the difficult path they had trodden in their journey to success and fame. I accept that there is immense competition today but due to the proliferation of sabhas, it is comparatively easy to get a platform.
``In those days rasikas demanded more manodharma sangita, replete with feeling and depth. But nowadays the majority is interested in listening to a variety of songs. The expectations of today's audience seem to have come down and they are also very generous in their appreciation. Merely singing a few swaras and some raga phrases have listeners applauding. Real music demands a lot more. Hence, it becomes the responsibility of the performer to create discerning rasikas. I suggest that `the variety' be presented without sacrificing classical values.
``It is important for youngsters to believe that their talents are due to poorva janma sukritham; that the subject is vast and what one has learnt is but meagre. Young artistes of today should first concentrate on training themselves thoroughly rather than focussing on opportunities to sing. Dedication to music and devotion to God should be the two cardinal principles of a student. The latter of course, is purely personal."
In 1951, Nedunuri entered the portals of the Madras Music Academy. Since then, the Academy has been inviting Nedunuri every year and in 1991, also honoured him with the title, Sangita Kalanidhi. Nedunuri further expands on the Academy's pivotal role. "The Academy should at least make its morning slot one of three hours. That is the minimum time required to present a well-balanced concert with salient features like chowka kala alapana and RTP. It should be careful in the choice of artistes. The Academy should never open its doors to immature or premature talent. I suggest that the advisory body do an initial talent scout and then recommend worthy candidates.
Dilution of art
``While the younger generation of artistes is talented and intelligent, I feel that some amongst them focus on technical expertise rather than on sukha bhava. This has resulted in diluting the art. Youngsters should avoid excessive speed and singing a barrage of swaras without variety. They must keep arithmetic in swaraprastharas to the minimum necessary level. Singing of ragas and niraval should be given greater importance. In these, they should be guided by the compositions of the Trinity. Raga bhava is the life of our music."
Nedunuri recalls with embarrassment how, as an inexperienced, young performer, he had presented a disproportionately elaborate exposition of Ahiri, a minor raga, before a stalwart like Semmangudi! "While appreciating my creative ability, he affectionately cautioned me to properly understand the range and scope of a raga. This is a lesson to youngsters. Proportion in music is very important."
The interview almost draws to a close when Nedunuri adds as an afterthought, "Do you think newspapers like The Hindu and music magazines like Sruti could throw open an exclusive feature, `Veteran's column for Vintage Music'? Through them, senior vidwans could offer constructive opinions on the essentials of good music."
Nedunuri's deep concern for preserving traditional values in music is apparent. As he himself says, "It is our glorious heritage."
This 80-year old legend will inaugurate the Sadas of the 80-year old Music Academy on New Year day!
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