Date:29/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2008/08/29/stories/2008082951230100.htm Back Friday Review Bangalore Chennai and Tamil Nadu Delhi Hyderabad Thiruvananthapuram
Symphony on stringsV. BALASUBRAMANIAN
He might not have made it to the concert circuit but Rajasekar is training students, many of whom have talent and focus.
Violin is one of the toughest instruments and perfection is achieved only through rigorous practice. - C.A. Rajasekar
Photo : R. Shivaji Rao
DEDICATED TEACHER: C.A. Rajasekar.Venue: Mahodaya Hall, Stree Seva Mandir,
Date: August 30, (7 p.m.)
Guests of Honour: Madurai G.S. Mani and V.V. Subrahmanyam
Violin is one of the toughest instruments and perfection is achieved only through rigorous practice. –
Veteran composer, M.S. Visvanathan is said to have recorded the song “Engay Nimmadhi…” with more than 70 violins. Ilaiyaraaja has tuned several songs with the strings playing a dominant part. However, the use of acoustic instrum ents in general, and strings in particular, is becoming a rarity in film music, what with all sorts of gadgets available to mimic the sounds. It is true that there is a dearth of accomplished violinists — to accompany artists or play solo.
This brings into the picture C.A. Rajasekar, who has trained over 100 students in violin. His CARVA (C.A. Rajasekar’s Violin Academy) is celebrating its anniversary tomorrow, 6.01 p.m. at the Stree Seva Mandir Auditorium, 36, Fourth Avenue, Ashok Nagar. The hour-long function that includes the release of a souvenir by veteran violinist V.V. Subrahmanyam will conclude with the violin recital of 100 students.
Father first guruRajasekar is the fourth generation violin vidwan in his family. His forefathers belonged to Cholavaram village in Tamil Nadu. A chance job to teach violin and vocal music at Sri Ram Vilas Sabha in Chitoor made Vedachalam Iyer, Rajasekar’s paternal grandfather, settle there permanently. “My father Appanna and his three brothers were all trained in violin. I learnt the rudiments from my father,” says C.A. Rajasekar one of the Trustees of CARVA.
“I concentrated more on music than studies. Yet, I did B.A. and M.A. (Music) from the University of Madras and was in fact a gold medallist in M.A. I went on to do M. Phil on the violin teaching methodology of various schools in classical music.” Raja joined vidwan M. Chandrasekaran for advanced training and says that playing alongside him for a concert in Malaysia was an unforgettable experience.
Students rehearsing for their concert.Ever since he finished his school, Raja has been teaching violin apart from playing concerts as an accompaniment. “For reasons only known to the Almighty, my career as an accompanist never took off and hence I started teaching violin, full swing,” Raja declares matter-of-factly. CARVA was born in 2000 officially though my teaching dates back to 1982.
As you are talking to him at the Kali Bari temple, West Mambalam, tiny tots hardly the size of the violin bow walk in confidently with their instruments for rehearsal. Some settle down straightway with the violin while others choose a corner to do their homework, waiting for the master’s call. “It is this academic pressure with numerous tests, homework, etc., that deter children from joining music classes. Those who stick it out reap the harvest, for music helps them to relax, increases their thinking and retention capabilities,” Raja asserts.
The rehearsal begins, once the students belonging to all age groups get ready and the strains of the Bilahari Swarajati and the Khambodi varnam fill the air — a soothing experience. “At least some of my present students would for sure, make a mark in the classical music field within a few years from now, I believe. Violin is one of the toughest instruments and perfection is achieved only through rigorous practice,” Raja emphasises. “In order to sustain their interest I thought of this annual event when all the students are given an opportunity to present their talent.” Raja has earned widespread appreciation from leading vidwans.
Among Raja’s students is Ramaswamy, a young software engineer employed in Bangalore, who comes down to Chennai during weekends to learn violin. “The first year was very tough, but later I started enjoying it and now I can’t live without it. I derive a lot of pleasure playing with the children and this is definitely a stress reliever.”
Varun, a seventh standard student, joined because he had a special liking for the violin. Will he make it his profession? He shrugs in response. “I get an insight into Carnatic music when I play the violin,” says teenager Ganapathysubramanian. Aishwarya, a plus one student wants to become a performer and she is happy that she has found a perfect guru in Rajasekar while Arpitha Shivmani, a young lawyer, wants to go on learning violin seriously as long as she could.
“To the sound health of the violin” — the bows rise in unison, as Rajasekhar’s young brigade resumes rehearsal with all sincerity.
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