Anjana Anand
Sahrdaya Creative Spaces launched its new venture, Sahrdaya Sound Studio in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai on 1 January, 2021. A dream project of dancer – nattuvunar and choreographer Sheejith Krishna, the studio follows closely on the heels of the 70-seat Black Box which was inaugurated a year ago. The Kalakshetra alumnus envisions a space where artists can create and record work with quality infrastructure. The idea of this recording studio is more than just a space to record new work. It offers artists the choice to use in - house consulting and musicians in their artistic endeavors. The artistic team comprises of Sheejith Krishna, Jyothishmathi Sheejith and Akhila Ramnarayan who offer their expertise in helping artists create unique work. Sheejith, who has to his credit many original productions like Marthyan, Masquerade, Pravaha, Ram Katha and Don Quixote has decades of experience putting together ensemble work from scratch -including musical score, instrumentation and dance choreography. Jyothishmathi Sheejith, also a Kalakshetra alumnus trained in Carnatic music has honed skills as a singer in Rukmini Devi’s dance dramas and later as a vocalist for leading Bharatanatyam dancers. She has composed music for many of her husband’s productions. Akhila Ramnarayan is a writer and has been part of the creative work at Sahrdaya since 2011.
The studio also has experienced recordists who are themselves musicians- Deepu K Nair (vocalist), Rakesh Pazhedam(mridangam) and Sheejith himself. The studio has two sound booths, one for live and the other for vocals. The console is equipped with state-of-the-art recording equipment and technology. A unique feature of the studio is a rehearsal space in the same premises where the composer or choreographer can practice and compose while recording happens simultaneously. This allows artists to meet, brainstorm and create while the recording is in progress. Future plans include a library and archival centre open to all, where dance compositions of legendary musicians are preserved. Sheejith Krishna shares his vision with Sruti.
Music plays a large role in your understanding of natyam. Please share your experiences.
I experience music as a series of patterns which is sometimes interrupted by a cross rhythm or just silence. That interplay between repetition and interruption in pattern creates different soundscapes. The idea of the coming together of sound, silence and melody has always fascinated me. My exposure to music in Kalakshetra has laid this foundation for me. The beautiful compositions of Rukmini Devi’s dance drama productions instilled a deep sense of aesthetics in me. Dance is just an extension of my musical understanding.
Sahrdaya Creative Spaces includes the Black Box and a recording studio. Was this part of the plan from the beginning?
This has always been a dream project of mine - to have a space where all artists can experiment and create work. This fuels my own creativity and love for art. I have always been enamored by technology. I am very sensitive to sound and enjoy dabbling with different equipment. This is the reason I did not want to compromise on the quality of my equipment.
The reason this did not happen much earlier was because I was worried about the finances of the whole project. During the lockdown, I decided that I would somehow raise the funds to kickstart my long term dream.
What would you say are the unique features of Sahrdaya Sound Studio?
As I mentioned, artists can expect a high quality out of recordings because we have both the equipment and the team to run it. I was lucky to have the goodwill of experienced sound engineer/designer Madhu Viswanathan to advise me on the studio set up along with my good friend Deepu K. Nair. The studio acoustic design was handled by Jaishankar Iyer. The success of a studio lies largely with good sound engineers, and all three of us, Deepu, Rakesh and I have enough experience in this area along with musical training to take care of our artists’ needs.
Our rehearsal area in the premises is available for artists to work with musicians and our creative team during the recording process. I would like to help budding dancers and choreographers to record work with inputs from our consulting team. I want to make their recording experience a stress-free and creative one.
I spent a lot of time on the interior designing of the studio, choosing fabrics, woodwork and colours myself. I believe strongly that the aesthetics of a space creates a positive vibration, which will allow an artist’s creativity to unfold naturally.