Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

'Ghatam' My Alternate Soul: Grammy-winner Vikku Vinayakram

Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Jul, 2019 09:05 PM

    Padma Bhushan recipient musician Vikku Vinayakram is credited for putting the Carnatic music instrument of 'Ghatam' (an earthen pot) on the world map by playing it for a Grammy-winning music album.


    Still playing the instrument with the same energy as ever, he feels the 'Ghatam' is his alternate soul.


    "Without the 'Ghatam,' I am nothing. It's my breath, my life, my soul. Playing it is a ritual for me. I see God through my 'Ghatam'. It's part of my prayer through which I meditate," the award-winning percussionist told IANS.


    Born in 1942, Vinayakram has collaborated with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and leading Carnatic vocalists such as M.K. Thyagaraja Bagavathar, G.N. Balasubramaniam and M.S. Subbulakshmi. He played alongside Hussain for Mickey Hart's music album "Planet Drum" which won the Grammy in 1991.


    Even at 77, with his third generation into music, the exponent feels each concert has something to teach.


    "We are all part of the same family. Each concert is a learning and there is a lot to learn from each other. That's how we mature over a period of time through the music we share," he said about his collaborations.


    Asked how the youth can be roped in as listeners and patrons of classical music, Vinayakram pointed to more concerts and outreach through radio.


    "Radio channels play a big role for the Indian population but there are few public radio broadcasters that play classical music. This needs to increase and music should be taught as a curriculum from young age," said the Sangeet Natak Akademi fellow.


    Looking back at an illustrious career in music that started at age 13, he observed: "We used to have long hours of practice and performances that has changed a bit".


    The music maestro added that everything is an evolution and "you have to adapt along else you will become obsolete".


    Vinayakram is set to put together a unique Carnatic percussion act '3G' at an HCL concert, with his son V. Selvaganesh and grandson Swaminathan on Friday. Renowned Bharatanatyam artiste and actor Shobana's dance performance is also scheduled at the event.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Ensure Return Of Literature Taken From Golden Temple During Bluestar: Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa To Centre

    Raising the issue during “Zero Hour” in Rajya Sabha, Dhindsa urged the Centre to constitute a Committee to resolve the issue satisfactorily in conjunction with the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee

    Ensure Return Of Literature Taken From Golden Temple During Bluestar: Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa To Centre

    Azam Khan’s Name Put On Up Govt’s Online List Of Land Mafias; SP Protests

    Azam Khan’s Name Put On Up Govt’s Online List Of Land Mafias; SP Protests
    The state BJP government dismissed the SP’s allegations, asserting it is treating everyone the same and the action is not driven by any political vendetta.

    Azam Khan’s Name Put On Up Govt’s Online List Of Land Mafias; SP Protests

    Bargari Morcha Sikh Activist And Singer Pritpal Singh Attacked; Narrowly Escapes

    The unidentified assailants fired at least two shots at him from automatic weapons but he narrowly escaped.

    Bargari Morcha Sikh Activist And Singer Pritpal Singh Attacked; Narrowly Escapes

    DGCA Suspends Pilot For 3 Months For Wrongly Transmitting Hijack Code

    DGCA Suspends Pilot For 3 Months For Wrongly Transmitting Hijack Code
    According to the sources, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to the pilot in the matter on June 28.  

    DGCA Suspends Pilot For 3 Months For Wrongly Transmitting Hijack Code

    Release Plea Of Jessica Lal, Priyadarshini Mattoo's Killers Rejected

    Manu Sharma, the convict in the murder case of Jessica, and Mattoo's killer Santosh Singh were among 204 who had approached the board, headed by state Home Minister Satyendar Jain, the sources said.

    Release Plea Of Jessica Lal, Priyadarshini Mattoo's Killers Rejected

    UP Man Entered House To Avoid Stray Dogs, Mistaken For Thief And Set On Fire: Police

    Kumar sustained burn injuries on his back and was rushed to Civil Hospital, Lucknow.

    UP Man Entered House To Avoid Stray Dogs, Mistaken For Thief And Set On Fire: Police

    PrevNext