Sruti has been receiving emails from artists, rasikas and Sruti readers on their inspirations, experiences this lockdown and what they are listening to during this period. Sruti has compiled this series as lockdown diaries and sharing some of them with you.
As a musician 24 ×7 is not enough to learn this art form. There are so many things in Carnatic music and Carnatic laya to master. This learning process has nothing to do with the stature we have in the music field (stature arising out of name fame and money). As a musician, I constantly keep working towards the challenges that this art form throws at me. So the learning, researching, analyzing everything is an ongoing process for me- lockdown or otherwise.
Click here to listen to Arun Prakash’s compostion of a tillana on motherhood in raga Sarangaprakashini https://youtu.be/NHe_gLBWmg0
T.V.Ramprasadh, Carnatic Vocalist
Post the lockdown, It was just me with with my son and our pets. I knew that this was a task on hand - to cook, clean, take care of the plants , dogs and my own online classes. My son Vishnu is a good help, but the onus still being on me, I can feel the strain and fatigue in getting through the household chores. I told myself to change something permanently in me, for the good, during this period and am working on it positively. I have managed to get myself to be more organized and am working hard on my music, like old days. I have bonded well with my students and am trying to give them that extra.
I did not imagine that the world can come to a standstill. I have learnt to live every moment fully, not to postpone anything, and engage with loved ones. Nothing is permanent, though that fact was in my mind, this time around the tug on the carpet below my legs was telling. I have learnt how we do not want so many things in our life and how to channelize energies into productive pursuits. Felt good in working on various philanthropic initiatives and spread good.
Bharathi Ramasubban, Carnatic musician
The lockdown, albeit for a grave reason, has forced us to quieten down and be more introspective. To be able to sing just for the sake of singing is refreshing. Earlier, my usual practice schedule, in terms of timings, used to be quite fluid. But now, with so many things to juggle, it helps when I plan my day. It has also been a good time to revisit old compositions and learn new ones that I have been meaning to learn for a long time.
The emergence of virtual concert experiences has been interesting. Several organisations have been conducting virtual music fests. However, I still do miss the synergy and give and take that happens between artistes on stage. The Covid-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown have ushered in so much uncertainty, both short and long term. It has been particularly hard for artistes who are solely dependant on their art for their livelihood. We must come together as a community and reach out to them. Hope, kindness and empathy are what will ensure we come out stronger at the other end of this experience.
Gayathri Girish, Carnatic musician
Call it a pandemic, lockdown or anything else, none of which are synonyms but relate to each other in a manner that unfortunately stokes unbridled scare and terror in all of humankind. However, amidst all this trepidation, worry and anxiety, comes a rare kind of strength - to explore the kitchen, for example, honing the hitherto untested culinary capabilities, delegate work amongst family members, spending quality time with them and trying not to miss the house- helpers too much.
I got an opportunity during this lockdown period, to create a video on selected slokas titled Roga nivaarana stotrasas guided by Kanchi Acharya and am currently working on another project guided by him. I am also part of an online namachanting satsang, where we have undertaken daily nama chanting to help us all tide over these difficult times.
Also, with the concert calendar going haywire, I have been trying hard to learn new pieces, revising songs that I haven't sung in a long time and also reading books when time permits. Yes, our lives have certainly gone topsy-turvy, but we shall emerge from it stronger and more resilient. Jai Hind!
Gowtham Bharadwaj, Singer
This lockdown has been a time to manage time effectively and do things purely by staying at home . There is time set for office work and practice by the night and also giving scope to collaborate with fellow artists. There are so many art forms and creations that have been inspiring but for me, it's been exploring by myself and spending time within the four walls doing things l like Am listening to Hazir and Nescafe Basement