How does it really feel to obtain the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award?
The Sangeet Nadaka Akademi is just like the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan for artistes. A committee shaped by the federal government with specialists within the music trade decides who’s eligible to obtain the award. It’s a nice honour to get recognised by these specialists and to obtain the award from the palms of the President. Moreover, the federal government took care of all of the bills for my journey, and I used to be handled so effectively. The awards have been delayed on account of COVID, and I acquired the award for 2019. My mom (Sikkil Neela) and my aunt (Sikkil Kunjumani) had earlier received it, and I’m proud to obtain this award now. I feel it’s all of the blessings of the artists and elders in my household who’ve devoted their lives to music. This recognition is extra of a duty for me now.
Hailing from a household that has a musical lineage, did you’re feeling any stress as a performer?As a performer, there are two issues: enjoying the flute in a standard, classical method, and enjoying to succeed in a wider part of the viewers. My household has been making an attempt to play with each the category and the lots for all kinds of audiences to grasp, and this has been our USP. Nevertheless, sustaining the standard of that music is the largest problem within the present age. As an illustration, the music Varaaha Roopam in Kantara might be categorized as classical music, however I can’t play it as a result of it has a unique really feel. I can ship high quality music by enjoying songs of Thyagaraja or different composers who’ve experimented with ragas and take the essence of these songs to individuals in the precise method. That’s my intention. In our system of enjoying, we don’t change the flute for the completely different ranges. The flute is just like the human voice, and we’ve to play it in order that it talks to individuals in a method that’s much like lyrics.
How a lot significance is given to flute music within the Carnatic music scene? Do you assume individuals anticipate fusion music from instrumentalists lately?
In right now’s world, vocalists are getting essentially the most prominence. Only some instrumentalists are fortunate sufficient to seek out sponsors. Some organisers consider that the viewers isn’t within the pure type of Carnatic music, however wants some form of masala and expects that from artistes like us. However such is the expectation now that we will’t complain about it. Nowadays, there are a lot of fusion acts, and persons are typically all for them. Even I’ve collaborated with violin and veenaartists for ensemble-like performances. I’ve additionally accomplished vocal and flute performances. Nevertheless, I’ll by no means do performances that have an effect on my concepts or my system of music. I can’t spoil my originality.
In what methods do you envision making a contribution to the music trade?
I’m educating music, and I strongly consider that music is a primary talent that one should be taught first. All devices might be performed utilizing methods, however music information, or sangeetham, is the bottom. Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja and lots of different prime musicians have been capable of broaden their musical skills after studying classical music. I additionally need to strengthen the Sikkil method of enjoying. That’s my objective. There are completely different methods to provide sound, and the way in which the flute is performed by the Sikkil lineage is completely different. I’ve to strengthen it, and cross it on to the following era. I by no means intention for awards.
How was it to carry out along with your mom and aunt?
As an artiste and pupil, I’ve noticed how they each performed on stage and current themselves. They’d the power to make a kutcheri efficiency partaking and seize the viewers’s consideration all through. I’ve had a wealthy expertise being with them and rising with them. I’ve additionally performed with thavil artiste Pazhanivel sir, which is difficult, requiring nice energy to play. I’ve at all times admired M S Subbulakshmi amma, who remained humble despiteher fame. That is one thing I’ve discovered from her and different elders. Solely by being humble and open to studying can we develop as individuals and artistes. My dream is to play the flute identical to how MS amma sang, taking inspiration from vocalists and delivering it with bhakti.
How did your journey with the flute begin?
After I was 5-6 years previous, I went out for summer time holidays with my mother. A flute maker in Nagercoil, who additionally performed the instrument, gifted me a flute. I began enjoying and developed an curiosity. Throughout my closing yr of education, I began performing in TV packages and went to auditions. After that, kutcheris occurred, and I’ve been enjoying often.
How do you discover the kutcheri scene in Chennai?
Persons are making an attempt to proceed the legacy of kutcheris whereas adapting to modifications in viewers tastes and sustaining the category of Carnatic music. They’re making an attempt combos of nadaswaram, violin with thavil and mridangam. Since I performed many reveals with my mother and aunt, I couldn’t showcase my unique self as a solo performer throughout these days. So, now, I favor solo kutcheris. Sabha secretaries are all for fusion acts as they’re typically the gang pullers. Nevertheless, solely after they enable me to carry out as a solo act can they understand how a lot I can have interaction individuals.
What’s your observe routine?
My observe contains safeguarding my throat. For flute enjoying, lung energy is significant, so I do pranayama. Additionally, I attempt to keep away from getting colds.