How important is sound – for an instrumentalist point of view ? What are the steps you usually take for the best sound on live / or in recording ?
Sound is the most important component for life . Without sound nothing exists . Music is the highest expression of sound and so it is at the most fundamental stage of Music . To understand the sound of your instrument and in a deeper sense understand your Sound as a musician is the essence of one ’ s musical journey .
To keep my instrument in its optimum is one of the most important feature in getting the best sound of my instrument . Also , while choosing the , pick up , I try and get that particular one which brings out the true tone of my instrument on a live concert scene and of course these days we have such high quality sound system that we get pretty good sound at most places . I normally record acoustic in a recording set up and most of the times I record at Laya Digi , where I get my best sound when it comes to recording .
Your association with Ganesh as a performer ? Are there any memorable onstage moments that are truly spontaneous and still you guys pulled it off ?
I have been playing with my brother Ganesh ji for almost 50 years now . That is a phenomenal journey and we have so many unforgettable memories both on and off stage . There have been so many instances where we will reach the concert venue from different places get on stage and we will start the show at the same time with the same phrase . Once we had a concert at the
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Tiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Aradhana , I was driving from Bangalore and Ganesh ji was coming from Chennai , he called up and said I have an idea and shall we try it out today . I was actually one hour from the venue . I said ok , and then we both rehearsed the composition in the car , he in his car and me in mine - on line , learnt that composition and boom on stage it came out like Magic . These are all blessed moments and a direct sign that there is a much higher force in operation and we are all being played .
Your wife Jayanthi is a fantastic Veena player . How is your association with her in music ? Are there interesting musical debates that happen in the house on a daily basis ?
Jayanthi is a one of a kind artiste and a very special one at that . our collaboration is a very interesting one . Violin is a bowed instrument and hence it has a long and continuous sound where as Veena is a plucking instrument and hence the sound is a very short one . Moreover , both the instruments have a sound difference of an octave - Violin is an octave higher to the Veena , this fusion of the bass sound of the Veena and the higher sound of the violin brings out a very unique sound scape which is very delicate , deep , and dynamic . Yes we do have many musical conversations and debates at home . We both come from a very different musical thought process and hence there is so much to learn from each others perspective .
What are the three most important qualities a Carnatic violinist should have ? What are they and why ?
Learn to play the instrument - Understand the qualities and potential of the instrument Think beyond lyrics based music and compositions
Some musicologists say that certain raagas are not suitable for instrumental playing , and certain raagas are quite good . Your take on this ?
Thinking and reading about music is vastly different from actually playing and practising music . The understanding and experiences are fundamentally different . There are no limitations on any instrument , it is all in the mind . All Ragas are can be played in their most profound and subtle dimensions on any instrument .
How did you spend your lockdown times ? Were there any significant realizations musically as well as philosophically ?
I try to keep my mind in a very positive frame most times . So when