CELEBRATING
DUALITY
conversations with Ranjani & Gayatri
When they arrive on stage, the
magic happens just with the way
they hold a shadjam note…
Their singing together is not just unison
but a conversational beauty.
The contrasts they have are mesmerizingly
amalgamated like an artistically
weaved kancheevaram silk saree.
They are none other than the power-packed
Carnatic vocal duo Ranjani- Gayatri!
The Score Magazine has had the privilege
to interact with these two fantastic
Carnatic vocalists on the eve of Bolava
Vittal concert in Hyderabad,Ravindra
Bharati as part of their annual tour.
Carnatic vocal duo is not a new idea at all
in the world of classical music. Stalwarts
like Bombay Sisters, Priya Sisters, and
Hyderabad Brothers have gained much
popularity in performing as pairs and
enthralling the audience for decades
altogether. But what makes Ranjani-Gayatri different? How did they manage to set such
gold standard for younger generations on
how to render a raagalapana or an abhang?
Their journey was quite a big leap when
looked in depth because , transforming from
an instrumental player to a vocalist is not
an easy job at all. The nuances needed for
an instrument playing is quite different from
being a performing vocalist. But Ranjani-
Gayatri made the transformation swift
with relentless perseverance and saadhana
and of course- unfaltering love for classical
music. Their musical talent is not just
confined to vocal performances but they have
also expanded their base as Carnatic music
educators, ambassadors and also violin
duo! Ranjani-Gayatri have the credit of
bringing a glamorous and stylish status to
Carnatic music performers but all this did
not happen overnight. Here is an exclusive
chit chat with Ranjani-Gayatri who are
also popularly known as Ra-Ga for short!
Hello Ranjani and Gayatri,it is
a pleasure to meet you. it which proves time and again that music
is all about surrendering to the divine. We
started singing abhangs almost 20 years
and it has become a part of our regime.
Hello, the pleasure is ours. It is amazing
to perform once again in Hyderabad
on the eve of Bolava Vittal.
What is your exclusive connect
towards Bolava Vittal which is
predominantly a Marathi tradition?
Gayatri: Though we are Tamil natives,
we were born and brought up in Mumbai
where Bolava Vittal is a huge happening. We
remember witnessing the Vittal processions
and the music accompanying the same
during our childhood as well. The music is
so mesmerizing and has an arresting feel to
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Score Magazine
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Ranjani: Yes, the magical appeal of abhangs
is extremely pleasing and draws the
devotees magnetically towards the deity.
There is no better path than music for it.
How different it is to be a vocal
Carnatic performer compared to being
an instrumentalist? You started out as
violinists and then ventured into singing.
How was the journey of transformation?
Gayatri: (Laughs) This question has been
asked so many times and yet forms and