singers for voice. The meeting with him was life changing.
He helped me find that core that changed my entire approach
to find a connection between voice, body and mind.
Take us through your practise routine
The day starts with 45 minutes of pranayama which is
a very crucial part of a singer’s life. I consider walking
as a part of my vocal preparation because unless the
body is ready, it might affect my singing. Singers are
sedentary people so that airing and movement ought
to be given in order for it to react while singing.
I do some vocalises, some basic exercises like sarali varisai
in different vowels at different speeds and holding the Sa at a
particular pitch for long lengths of time.
For the intellectual practise of a repertoire happens after 10am.
On the concert day, I don’t sing so much but I think a lot!
Can western techniques help a Carnatic vocalist? Your thoughts on that.
This takes me back to the time I learnt from my guru in
Germany. He made me understand that when you are talking
about voice as an instrument, it is a particular instrument that
is similar for all human beings. The nature of it is different
while the mechanism is the same. There could be a shrill voice,
mid-level voice, base voice, a deep voice etc. The voice box is the
producer of the sound but the abdomen and chest are resonators
of the sound.
What would be your tips to aspiring Carnatic musicians?
I am deeply impressed by young musicians today. They are
working hard and are focussed and professional in their
attitudes. If at all, I would take the liberty of my age, as an elder,
I would only say two words Shraddha Saburi which meaning
focus and patience.
If you hang in there and stay focus, sooner or later, things are
going to happen!
RAPID FIRE
Your favourite Non-Indian singer :
Maria Callas, a famous Opera singer of
yesteryears
Tell us something that your rasika has
done that touched your heart
Recently, I had my birthday and there was this
Artists in the Non-Carnatic field that you beautiful WhatsApp message that somebody
sent me. It has some of my favourite yesteryears
would love to perform with
songs Baar Baar Din Ye Aaye by Mohammed
Pandit Ajay Chakraborty
Rafi and a whole collage of my pictures. It
Your Non- Indian favourite song of all
really touched my heart. I wanted to know who
time
this was and I called the number, somebody
mumbles and it turned out to be a small girl
Something in the way by Beatles
called Anumita. She said she had 500 pictures
Name an instrument you love to learn
of me. It was very cute and I was touched
Mridhangam
because it was a young child.
Favorite food
Vathakozhambu and Chepang kazhangu roast
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