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Home > Discover Bangalore > Art & Culture > Music Personalities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Music Personalities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Mrs. Aruna
Sunderlal is a western classical music singer of global repute. A well-known
mezzo-soprano, she has enthralled the audience with the power and timbre
of her voice. She is known for her services to western music both in India
and abroad. Being the Founder-Director of Bangalore School of
Music, she has endeavoured to bring western music into the limelight.Sunderlal came to Bangalore in late 1986 after the death of her husband. She decided to set up a music school to cater to the needs of western classical music lovers and students. The Bangalore Music School came into being in 1987. She is the founder member of the Association of Western Music Schools in India. She has been honoured with many awards, including the 20th Century Achievement Award by the American Biographical Institute. Recently, she was listed in the 'Who is Who' in Asia and Pacific Nations, published by IBC, England. She had the honour of releasing The Mozart stamp in Karnataka on behalf of the Dept. of Posts & Telegraphs. Interview What is music, according to you?It's a science and art - it's an intellectual art! It is also a spiritual experience! The activities of your school? Apart from academic training… We give 12-15 performances a year. We also present overseas artistes. We have developed a Chamber Orchestra - wherein teachers, students, and professionals of the recording industry participate. Our orchestra has played with famous soloists from overseas. What's the method you adopt to teach your students? We follow the syllabi of the The London Boards of Music as a base and add pieces of interest and variety, depending on age and grade of student. Music appreciation, tests and concerts are part of the training. Which instrument is more receptive to Western music? Piano is the basic instrument for western music. Guitar has become very popular in Bangalore. The school has been instrumental in promoting other instruments as the recorder, flute, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone and specially the violin. Many children and even adults are learning this instrument . Do you provide instruments to the students? The students are expected to bring their own instruments, except pianos! Most of the instruments we use are imported. They are very costly, though. Some can't afford the high prices. Brass instruments are made in North India and string ones as the guitar and violin in Calcutta, Rampur, Bangalore and Chennai. But sadly the quality leaves much to be desired. So, we are dependent on imported items. This situation must change… What are the drawbacks of western music in India? No grants from the State or Central Government. The imported instruments are very costly! One example - a good classical guitar costs over Rs 25,000/- The present younger generation is more attracted to rock and pop music, than classical music…. Parents should guide the children in the right direction. They should channel their energy in sports and/or the fine arts. Nowadays, success is measured in wealth and material gain - not creativity. What's the present state of Classical music in our country? Western classical music has suffered, not rock 'n' pop. Jazz is very good. It's the same for classical. Getting support and sponsorship for the Classical Arts is a difficult task. What's the essence of learning classical music? Dedication and consistent work… The base in classical music is a must. Once the base is solid, you can become more creative. You can create fusion with the knowledge of both Western and Indian classical traditions. Blending is possible, once classical background is there. Then there is no end to your creativity
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D.
S. Srivathsa is one of the leading singers for dance, especially for Bharathanatyam,
in the state of Karnataka. A competent solo performer, pursuing music
from the past 22 years, he is one of the Directors of Nartana Keertana
Centre for Performing Arts and a disciple of Vidhwan Sri. D.V.
Nagaraja from Vijaya College of Music. He is also a graded
artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. He has performed extensively
in the USA and England. In the year 1997, Srivathsa was one of the lead
singers for Tagore's Bengali dance ballet "Shyama" lead by renowned
artist Lakshmi Shankar. Presently, along with his wife Soundarya,
a well-known Bharathanatyam dancer of Karnataka, he is running the Nartana
Keertana Centre for Performing Arts in Bangalore.
