Today, my major learning, research, and practice revolve around the art of improvisation using the Indian system of music, blending into the western harmonies, using the play of many Ragas. It has been an invigorating experience learning a new thing or two, each day. It indeed is a vast ocean!
1. Tell us more about your background and journey.
I was born to musician parents H S Venugopal (Carnatic Flautist and Guru) and T V Rama (Carnatic Singer). My parents are my initial gurus. I was fortunate enough to have parents who exposed me to music from very early on in my life.
I was found to have the talent to recognize about 50 ragas when I was 18 months old. Looked like I had registered some information from what I had heard during my father’s flute lessons. My father later nurtured my talents and began introducing me to the basic lessons of Carnatic Music.
By the time I was 4, I was able to recognize about 200 Ragas. I was later put under the guidance of Vidushi H Geetha for formal training in Carnatic singing. After a few years of training under Vidushi H Geetha, I went on to train under the guidance of Vidwan Salem P Sundaresan. I also started training in Carnatic Flute-playing under my father’s guidance by when I was 12.
My teens and middle to high school years opened a different world through the internet. There was so much new music that I was exposed to from all parts of the world. I was fascinated by the various cultures of music and was intrigued by the different and unique sound and feel of all those genres of music. I was specifically drawn towards Jazz.
This resulted in me digging deeper and exploring a lot of music and getting inspired by the many legends of Jazz. Today, my major learning, research, and practice revolve around the art of improvisation using the Indian system of music, blending into the western harmonies, using the play of many Ragas. It has been an invigorating experience learning a new thing or two, each day. It indeed is a vast ocean!
2. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue music and how did you start?
Taking up music was not a decision. It happened naturally. Music was in fact the first-ever language that I was taught, I must say. As a toddler, I used to sit in when my father conducted flute lessons.
All that and listening to a lot of records on a daily basis, attending concerts, helped me discover my passion. It was music. I knew that’s what I wanted to be - a musician. It is my best way of expression. And it has eventually turned out to be a good journey.
3. Who is your favorite artist and why?
I can’t name just one favorite artist. I have many favorites. Let me mention a few artists and the inspiration I draw from them.
Dr. M Balamurali Krishna for his genius original approach towards Carnatic Music and singing style, and his composition skills.
Ustad Ghulam Ali, who is the reason why I developed an interest in Ghazal singing. His effortless and flawless flowy singing is one of a kind.
Bobby McFerrin, one of my singer Gods. For me, he opened a new universe of what all the human voice is capable of.
Chick Corea, another great source of inspiration to me. One of the greatest composers and improvisers ever.
João Gilberto, one of the most sensitive, soulful singers the world has seen. His singing comes straight out of his heart and straight reaches the heart of the listener.
4. Can you throw some light on opportunities one gets as a singer?
Depends on what form of singing the singer is pursuing. On a personal note, being a Carnatic singer and now a singer who is exploring cross-cultural - cross-genre - improvisational music, I find many many opportunities coming my way, which facilitates me to keep challenging myself with something new to learn every day.
It may be a Carnatic concert or a session recording for a film or a Jazz collaboration or conducting a masterclass about Indian Classical singing and its application in global music.
Singing from the heart, having a good skill set of techniques, having good control over lyrical content - these things help a singer season well and present them with opportunities of various kinds depending on what kind of music they are specialized in.
5. Is format training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?
Definitely yes. One’s initial years of training in any format play a crucial role in one’s evolvement as a musician. The foundation always needs to be strong and training in any classical format proves to be highly beneficial.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?
Well, I don’t know if I can advise, but I would like to humbly share a few thoughts that have helped me have an enriching experience as a student of music.
Never stop learning. Keep looking out for new frontiers - new music - new techniques. Stay curious, passionate, and humble. Surrender to the art form and it shall open a new universe to you.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. It is a fantastic book about following your heart and chasing your dreams.
Varijashree Venugopal - Singer, Song Writer, Composer, Flautist
Interviewed By: Nishad Kinhikar
){kind=link}
0 Comments