Switch To Hindustani Music

An iconic figure in the world of music, Rajam’s numerous achievements defy counting. Today both her granddaughters ably accompany her on stage, continuing the family’s commitment to Indian classical music. In an interview with Shailaja Khanna, the noted violinist says a handful of musicians may be diluting the purity of our traditions, but there are more keeping it alive. So many musicians in the younger generation are purists, she says.Dr N. Rajam, Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellow rightly regarded as the face of the violin in North India, is charming, but reticent. An iconic figure with her many achievements in the world of music, her numerous achievements defy counting. Today, both her grand daughters ably accompany her on the stage, taking her familyChina High Purity Targets for sale link with classical music to the 9th generation. It was a pleasure interacting with this gracious musician, with the ways of an older, more cultivated generation. Excerpts:Q. Rajam ji, please tell us about your connection with music, from the beginning.A. My family has been musicians for seven generations.

They were in the Cochin # court; we are originally from Kerala. In my father's generation, only he was a musician. Among my siblings, all were musicians, and also their children. Today, there are over a dozen violinists in my family.My father's contributions to violin, and techniques in violin playing are really praiseworthy. It was he who suggested I train in the North Indian idiom, even though we are traditionally Carnatic musicians. He had a job that entailed travel, and he heard Pt Vishnu Digambar and others who inspired him, so he desired that at least one of children learn this style. So I decided to switch to Hindustani music; I had already been leaning Carnatic music for 12 years and was playing concerts accompanying Smt MS Subbulakshmi and others. But when one is young, it’s relatively easy to switch styles and I managed. I remember I was only 14 years 3 months when I did my Matriculation; whereas the requirement for entry into college was 14 years 6 months! So my father suggested I learn Hindustani music for my Intermediate and appear as a private candidate (this facility was available for lady candidates), so as not to waste time.

It was easy for me to cover the entire course fast as I was already a practising musician.Q. How did you decide to learn from Pt Omkarnath Thakur?A. I had heard 78 RPM records of Pt Omkar Nath ji Thakur, when I was 13-14 and they left an indelible impression on me. Banaras was my centre for the Intermediate examination and he was the founder principal of the music college there. So things fell into place - I played before him and he thought I had talent and was kind enough to take me on as a disciple. I used to travel to Banaras for my exams, and also for my lessons from Guruji. I lived in Banaras for close to 40 years, as later I got a teaching job there.Q. Was it difficult for you to adjust to living in a small town in North India?A. Small towns are closed in everywhere, not just in North India. I was devoted to music all hours of the day, so it didn't really matter where I lived, or the small town mentality. My father was really a strict disciplinarian, and the family was very conservative. And I never lived alone. My parents were with me throughout, till I got married.