Converting passion to profession is not easy. It’s even tougher if you happen to be the first one in your family to pursue that particular profession. But it gets more interesting when the profession you are choosing is in the field of performing arts. What do you think about a Biotech Engineer, who has worked as an executive at Biocon, turns into a full-time music professional? Presenting to you an inspiring interview of a lady, who in 2010, aged 21, was directly upgraded to an A-grade artiste of AIR, has received many notable awards and scholarships, has an amazing fan following, and is among the foremost and popular young performing classical musicians- Aishwarya Vidhya Raghunath. [Read Aishwarya Vidhya Raghunath Biography]
Straddling Two Horses
I loved genetics and molecular biology in school and always imagined myself singing in a laboratory! I finished my BE in Biotechnology from PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore, and landed up in the industry. As is the case with most South Indian families, I was sent to music class and began lessons at the age of 3. My motivation to go for music class was not just the music, but also the steaming idlis that were fed to me! As a child, I’d hold my grandmother’s little finger and trudge along to Carnatic music concerts. My wonderful Guru, Sangeetha Kalacharya Smt. Seethalakshmi Venkatesan took me under her wing when I was just 10 and started moulding me into a concert musician. I subsequently began learning under Padma Bhushan Sri. PS Narayanaswamy and Sangeetha Kalasagaram Smt. Vegavahini Vijayaraghavan, both of whom have added tremendous value to not just my music, but also to my life. I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to interact and learn from musical giants and magnanimous human beings.
I realized that while I did love Biotechnology, music was really my calling, and that I would do injustice if I did not invest the right amount of time and energy in it. Music, like any other profession, is a full-time job and requires a lot of thought and mind space as a performing art.
Passion to Performance
Passion is always the underlying factor! You hone your passion and acquire the skills to pursue it as a profession. Every concert is situational and is a test of one’s prowess. The key really is to enjoy it and I absolutely love performing.
Engaging with Audience
As I walk onto the stage every time, I think about sharing the joy of music with the audience. The exhilaration of singing spreads to the people. A successful musician is also defined by the way his/her audience receives his/her performance. A concert is a team effort to create musical magic that would strike a chord with the rasikas.
The lyrics in Carnatic music compositions are mainly in Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, and Manipravalam. Most of us don’t understand all of those. While each person can relate to their language, and try and understand the meanings and the composer’s intent, music by itself is immensely powerful. The music is really everything!
Social media and the internet have taken Carnatic music from the auditorium to across the world in real time. This has quite changed the dimension of the audience.
Innovation in Tradition
Over the years, we have been privileged to listen to many great masters. The depth in the field is immense and each one of us tries to cultivate a USP for ourselves. There is enough scope for innovation within the traditional format of Carnatic music. It’s beautiful to challenge and try and better oneself each time.
Training involves hitting Gym
I have a musical routine. I begin the day with practice, listen to and learn a lot of music, immerse myself in a book, practice over the day, hit the gym in the evening for fitness, splash a canvas with charcoal, oil or water colours every now and then, and listen to Turkish and Western classical music religiously. Although my profession involves travel and intense practice, music gives me the perfect work-life balance because I relish what I do.
Quickies:
One musician you want to bring back alive: Smt. T.Brinda/ Shri. Ramnad Krishnan
One concert you want to sing at: Singing is what I love and I give it my all each time, so I’m inspired for every concert!
Music: My breath
Magic: Listening to a master transport you to another world with a single phrase or note
Concert: Is a huge learning experience and a means for self-discovery
Audience: Is whom you’re happy to share your music with!
Future: Is bright
KnowYourStar.com congratulates Aishwarya Vidhya Raghunath for winning Best Concert prize by the Madras Music Academy for her performance during the December Season in 2014. Many more to to come with encouragement and support of rasikas like you and us! We are receiving overwhelming response for our open fellow positions and story suggestions. We seek your support in expanding the universe of stars in our portal, please contribute.