MESMERISING STRINGS

(By Rema Prasanna Pisharody)

(Article of Women’s Era )

"This evening must rate as one of the best musical experiences of my life…the lash of eyes, hand signals and body gestures between the players heighten expectancy. The intricate weaving the melody, rhythm and tonal colour against the deep resonance of the bass strings and elevates the inner ear. A world of sound encompasses the air, layer upon layer of melodic invention swirls around and quite literally fills one’s being…an hour and a half seemed like ten minutes.".....Malcolm Baldwin, British columnist on Shanti's veena perfomance  in U.K

Shanti Rao is a well known Veena Player of Bangalore and here is an extract from the a mesmerising sound and rhythms of a music lover who in true level spent all her lifetime to be with this wonderful seven string instrument – Veena, associated with Goddess Saraswathi.

Your beginning and the inspiration on which you have decided to chose Veena ahead of all other musical instrument.

I began my journey with music at the age of 12. I have learnt vocal music from T.A.Venkataramayyar, and veena from Harihara Ayyar in Madras. In 1969, on moving to Bombay, my ears fell on the sounds of the veena being played by none other than veena maestro Chitti Babu who was later to become my guru. "I had never heard the veena being played in that way". I began studying the veena under the tutelage of Chitti Babu.

On moving to Bangalore in 1973, I have commuted to Madras for veena lessons with Chitti Babu, while also learning vocal from R.K Srikantan and veena from R.K Suryanarayan and Pallavi Chandrappa in Bangalore.

About Family

"My husband Kishor Rao being a cricketer , playing first class cricket for state of Maharashtra was not intimidated by a performing artist wife. He was instrumental

 ^{in making me an independent and successful veena player without the shackles of cnservatism or even radicalism. He encourages me to take opportunities as they come and use them to the best of my abilities. Also team spirit is most important he says .Soloists also have a percussionist to rely on to complete the picture.}

My 2 daughters are settled in life and what they have to say "Our mother’s music was always a divine touch to our lives. It was like a prayer to strengthen our faith in the holy spirit and to follow the Hindu ritualistic practices like celebrating the important festivals allthrough the year although we led a life which was unorthodox in many ways.

Your first solo concert

In 1976, I made my solo veena debut at the Ramanavmi celebrations in Chamrajpet. It was well received as to enable other numerous engagements to follow. With time and experience, I have found it interesting to interact with other soloists like Dr. M Balamurali Krishna (Vocal), J.Vasanth Kumar (sitar), Konarak Reddy (guitar),T.Menezes (keyboard), as and when opportunity arose.

Veena is an instrument played in different style and the regional influence on that factor.

The predominant styles are Mysore, Tanjavoor, Andhra and also Trivandrum. Each one has its own uniqueness and it is difficult to differentiate on style and variety. It is a blend of traditional and contemporary method which appeal the masses.

Performances Abroad and the special moments of playing before Queen Elizabeth II

I have toured extensively around the world and I treasure those experiences. I have to say here that it was a privilege for me that I could perform before Queen Elizabeth II. I have experienced this wonderful feeling to be part of those music lovers both Indians abroad and people unfamiliar with Indian classical music and/or the divine instrument. I have toured Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, U.K, Germany and the U.S.A several times and performed at important functions and centers. On my tour of the U.S, I performed in 30 cities and was repeatedly invited to perform in U.K for three consecutive years where I played before the audiences and the response was electrifying. On another tour, I visited Cornwall, a small town in U.K. I can recollect that the town was so small, and had my doubts whether the crowd would appreciate/ understand the intricacies of music. That night, I have received three standing ovations and was talked about in the village some three years later. I can even remember the constable on beat applauding me on the streets as "a very nice concert Ma’am."

Performances at the Indian Platform

Back at home, I have performed in almost all the most prestigious sabha’s having received praise, accolades and innumerable media reports.

Awards And Recognitions

I have received the following awards and I consider it all as a reward for the years of determinination and hard wark.

1. "Best debutante" in 1980 from the prestigious Madras Music Academy.

2. "Best veena player" in 1996 from the Indian Fine Arts Society.

3. The title "Mahati Mohini" by Dr. M Balamurali Krishna.

4. Mahati is the name of the veena sage Narada believed to have played on.

5. Vocational Excellence Award from the Rotary Club of Bangalore.

              Other Achievements

1. Established the Veena Vani Institute of Music, Indiranagar, Bangalore in 1996.

2. Headed a 10 member all women band in 2002 consisting of a Pancha veena team, Keyboard, bass, Indian and western drums and vocals.

3. Was invited by Kuldip Nayar, U.K High commissioner to be a cultural ambassador of India, having the distinction of performing before Queen Elizabeth II.

4. Received acclaim for her innovation of the "Double stringed Veena"

Myriad Musical Experiences

1. Played with Pianist Mervin Afrika in U.K.

2. Recorded with Trilok Gurtu at Cologne, Germany.

3. Recorded Pulse (fusion music album) with Shivmani.

4. Played with Tommy Menezes (keyboard), Shivmani (drums), Konarak Reddy (Guitar), Imme and Jerry Demos (Bass and Drums respectively) at Chennai and Bangalore.

Innovation

I have learnt with rigorous practice to effortlessly blend old with the new and the East with the West. But in mind I am very loyal to the traditional style of playing veena. I have experimented on contemporary styles to perform fusion styles with some renowned artistes such as percussionist Trilok Gurtu of Germany, the ace pianist Mervyn of U.K, Guitarist Jery Demos of Germany and the popular percussionist Siva Mani, having performed in various shows from Jazz Yatra festival in Bangalore to UK and Germany. I have played the Veena for musical directors Hamsalekha and R.N Nagendra for which I have modified my instrument incorporating a blend of Mysore and Tanjore styles.

I am dedicated to the traditional form of veena but I have tried a few innovations on it to keep with the changing times. The "double string veena" received acknowledgments for its wonderful tonal quality and received acclaim from Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan,     M Balamurali Krishna. I have created 7 albums and 2 fusion music albums.

I was a visiting professor of Music at Bangalore University. I have started Veenavani Centre for Music in Indiranagar, Bangalaore to train those who got this passion for this wonderful instrument.

Shanti has an attitude that is raring to go to create that extra "special" that would strike a rhythm with the people