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For art's sake

Shruthi UK promotes Carnatic music in West Yorkshire

If Indian classical arts today have got a global appeal and if their traditional essence is gaining fresh perspectives, it's thanks to the efforts of NRI artistes and art-lovers. They are the main participants in this cross-cultural revolution. One such NRI is Chithra Ramakrishnan, a Carnatic vocalist and Bharatanatyam dancer based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. She runs a non-profit organisation — Shruthi UK to promote south Indian classical arts in that part of the globe. "Though Hindustani music is quite popular out here, people are not much aware of Carnatic music. So I decided to do something about it," she says.

There are a lot of Asian organisations in London that invite Indian musicians to perform. Chithra thought the best way to bring some of these artistes to West Yorkshire is by having an understanding with them. "The British Government offers grants to cultural organisations run by the ethnic minority. One has to approach and register with the Arts Council England, which when convinced about your work and budget offers grants," she says. "To cut down expenses sometimes we invite only the main artistes and ask musically-trained south Indians in West Yorkshire to pitch in as accompanying artistes. This also gives local talent a platform."

Great granddaughter of Subramania Bharati, Chithra trained in the Vazhuvoor style under Kitappa Pillai and learnt Carnatic music from T.V. Gopalakrishnan. Besides performing in India and the U.K., Chithra trains students of different nationalities in music and dance. Every year, she times her visit to her parents' home in Chennai during Margazhi so that she can perform at the December festival, attend concerts and catch up with her lessons in Carnatic music. "TVG Sir has been really encouraging. Whenever he is in the U.K., he will make it a point not only to perform for Shruthi but also conduct lecture-demonstrations. And when I come here, he takes time off to guide me."

An MBA in Finance and Human Resources and a doctorate in Management, Chithra is making her debut as a playback singer in a Tamil film.

CHITRA SWAMINATHAN

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