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`Jugalbandi is a discovery'

Anoorada Sriram and Sriram Parasuram are musically in sync without much effort

NEW AVENUES Anoorada Sriram and Sriram Parasuram say their focus is on widening the gamut of classical music PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Anoorada Sriram and Sriram Parasuram firmly believe that music does not and should not have boundaries. The belief is endorsed by their versatility. Anoorada has made her mark as a singer, exploring Carnatic, Hindustani, Indipop and playback music. For Parasuram, music is a vital part of his life. From playing the violin as a child to learning Hindustani, Carnatic and Western music, he has never hesitated to push the envelope. He is at ease being part of Three Brothers and a Violin where he performs with his brothers, as he is while sharing the stage with Anoorada for a jugalbandi or composing for films.

The couple discuss the facets of music that bind them together.

SANGEETHA DEVI K. listens in...

Parasuram: We've been doing jugalbandis for the last five-six years. It's a blessing that musically we are in sync without much effort. I think it's because our musical values and sense of aesthetics are common. Being part of a collaborative effort comes naturally to us.

Anoorada: Of course, but when something goes wrong, I blame you, which I know is unfair (laughs).

Parasuram: I laugh about it and take it in my stride. Basically, I like the fact that we can discuss music in any setting. Even when you are cooking and I am watching television, we can have a discussion going.

Anoorada: But you are more passionate about music. Often you've asked me how I can switch off when there is nice music playing. But my attention is divided since I am a mother. (The couple has two sons, aged six and two)

Parasuram: When we perform together too, there are differences in opinion but not conflict.

Anoorada: That's because we respect each other's creative ideas.

Parasuram: There are no dogmas that we adhere to. Our focus is on widening the gamut of classical music. Our jugalbandi is neither traditional nor gimmicky but genuinely innovative. Conflict between two people in a collaborative effort comes due to one-upmanship. This perhaps arises when the two musicians don't know each other well.

Anoorada: The credit for this should also go to both of our parents as well. They've exposed us to different kinds of music. My mother, being a playback singer and a pioneer in stage concerts, was particular that I get a strong foundation in Carnatic music. She also made me learn Hindustani so that my potential can be utilised well.

Parasuram: True. I should add that your mother used to sing Lata Mangeskar's songs better than Lata herself. My father, though rooted in Carnatic music, listened to Beethoven or qawwalis when I was growing up because he believed that there is greatness in every kind of music. It is silly to say that only one kind of music is great. Being proud about your legacy is different from closing your mind to other forms of music.

Anoorada: The meeting point for the two of us was music. Do you remember?

Parasuram: Yes, we met in the U.S. I was doing my PhD and you came to pursue MA. We got to know each other in a very short time.

Anoorada: You were my student help after I got admission. I wrote to you and your first reply letter reached me on Ramanavami. My father pulled my leg saying: "Oh! Sriram has written to you on Ramanavami." Maybe it psychologically worked and later on I proposed to you.

Parasuram: My parents and brothers were also taken in by your nature.

Anoorada: The first time I came to your house for lunch, I was touched seeing all of you singing together. Your family was musically inclined and that was also one big factor that made me decide to marry you.

Parasuram: So you didn't like me because of my height or good looks (both burst into laughter).

Anoorada: To tell the truth, I was impressed when I learnt that you knew both Carnatic and Hindustani music and also did masters in Western music. First I thought you could only play violin. But then you also sang so beautifully.

Parasuram: We started performing together in the U.S..

(The talk shifts to other issues before reverting to music.)

Parasuram: Over the years, it's heartening to see that people have started to relax and tune in to different kinds of music. But this freedom also has a flipside as there is a possibility for mediocrity.

Anoorada: Mediocrity can be curtailed only when musicians have a sense of responsibility.

Parasuram: I feel unlike film music, which is limiting, sky is the limit to experiment in classical music.

Anoorada: The premise of playback singing is different. You sing someone else's composition, lyrics and play a different role each time.

Parasuram: You don't need to evaluate yourself and be too harsh on yourself for film music. Here, it is important to present the craft in a way that suits a film.

Anoorada: You are a very good father, which is why I can divide my time between work and home.

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