K : Throughout my journey , I have had the privilege of meeting many incredible people who have dedicated their lives to doing good .
One such inspiring figure is the current Acharya of Kanchi Mutt , who we respectfully refer to as Periyava . His official name is HH Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal . I have had the opportunity to observe him closely in challenging situations , and his unwavering perseverance and selfbelief are truly remarkable .
His kindness and generosity are felt by all those around him . He is a true example of discipline and devotion , as he never misses his personal , professional , or spiritual duties . His life is an inspiration to many , and his dedication to his role as the Acharya and head of the mutt , as well as his curiosity about the latest technological developments , is truly admirable . He listens to the joys and sorrows of all his devotees with a calm and detached demeanor , which is a testament to his inner strength . His humility is appealing , and his energy is contagious .
I have personally experienced the profound impact of his wisdom and guidance in my life , but it ’ s hard to put into words . We are fortunate to live in a country where such great personalities emerge to guide us on the path of truth and self-discovery .
Your website states that you are “ currently researching the possibility of Dhanur Veena , an instrument referred to in our ancient scriptures , being the origin of the modern-day violin .” Could you tell us a bit about this ? By research , do you mean an academic pursuit ?
K : The musical tradition of India dates back thousands of years , long before the West even knew what art , culture , and music were . Our ancestors had already developed advanced melodic and rhythmic structures , which they codified .
The word “ Karnatakam ” means “ very old ” in Tamil , and it ’ s used to describe this ancient music . The term “ Veena ” refers to any stringed instrument . So , we have various types of Veena , such as Saraswathi Veena , Rudra Veena , Shatatantri Veena ( which is similar to modern-day Santoor ), and even the human voice is considered a type of Veena , known as Shareera or Gaatra Veena .
Among many other instruments , there was an instrument called Dhanur Veena , which is the modern-day Violin . Some old sculptures in South Indian and Sri Lankan temples closely resemble the modern-day Violin . Shathatantri Veena is the original name of Santoor .
The above pictures are testimony to that . The one on the left is from the famous Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram and the one on the right is from the temple in Tirumukoodal - now called as T . Narasingapura near Mysore . The origin of the Chidambaram temple can be traced to Sangam literature times , and the temple in Mysore is from the 8th century built by the Cholas . This set us on the path to do some exploring and find out the source of the Violin . By the way , it is interesting to note that the Lute family of instruments went from Rajasthan to Europe in the 6th century . Before that , there is no reference or evidence of any music in western civilization at all . The gypsy migration was the beginning of any music in western civilization .
Would you mind giving us a glimpse into your daily life ?
K : A typical day starts with some time spent connecting to myself within - doing “ Sandhya
Vandanam “ which is also called Nitya Karma .
First , I spend a few hours on music , whether it ’ s practicing , teaching , or composing . Then , I have breakfast and chat with Jayanthi Kumaresh ( my life partner ) about various topics other than music like politics or what we ’ ll have for lunch . I have some domestic and professional work to do after that . Later , I like to decorate divine forms with flowers while chanting slokas or mantras to celebrate the divine . Then , I have lunch and watch some mindless TV shows or movies , followed by a nap . In the evening , I continue my musical pursuits and sometimes go out to see our parents or go shopping , or just stay home and enjoy a nice dinner .
14 . What should your fans look out for in 2023 ?
K : Of course , music ! The GK 50 show was a grand success and there have been many requests to repeat the show in many other places . That is something which we all are looking forward to .
G : Thank you so much for your kind words and support over the past 50 years . It means a lot to us that you have appreciated our music and encouraged our interpretations and compositions . We are deeply grateful for your contribution in preserving and advancing our classical music traditions . We humbly request you to keep spreading your love for traditional music , particularly among the younger generation of musicians and music enthusiasts .
If someone entirely new to Carnatic music asked you for recommendations , who would you suggest ?
K : Jayanthi Kumaresh , brilliant Veena artist and my life partner :)
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