Twenty-four-year-old violinist Aneesh Vidyashankar is on a mission. Popularly known as the ‘wireless walking violinist’, the enterprising musician is out to reclaim Indian classical music in a way never seen before.
“Karnatic and Hindustani are the most deep-rooted forms of music. More people should listen to them. But in order for them to do that, I should take them on a different route. So I help them connect through Western classical fusion. I call it an infusion.”
After his debut album Pure Expressions , which is a collection of Carnatic compositions, Aneesh set out on a different path. “In mid-2014, I went on a world tour and made a world fusion CD called Synthesis which is a blend of Western and Indian classical music. Since I was blending the purest forms of both, I used Carnatic and Hindustani. I haven’t seen anyone else do it. I combined ‘Fur Elise’ by Beethoven with Tyagaraja’s Mokshamu galada. And since then, I perform this kind of music almost like a live DJ in a soothing ambient music set up.”
Soon enough, Aneesh was fusing Maroon 5’s ‘Animals’ with the Hindi song ‘Zara Zara’ or classically theming ‘Demons’ by Imagine Dragons, Guns ‘n’ Roses’ ‘Sweet Child of Mine’, Bryan Adams’ ‘Summer of ‘69’ and Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ with Carnatic and Hindustani melodies and ragas.
On why he is called the wireless walking violinist, Aneesh explains that the tag came after he developed a technique to walk and perform the violin. “The violin is a tough instrument to master and people generally play it standing up or sitting down with only a little movement, especially Indian classical music. My dad and I developed this wireless technique where we walk and perform; this gives us the freedom and mobility to improvise our performances. We have not seen anyone else do this in India, especially with Indian classical music.”
Professionally performing for the last 18 years and having toured 23 countries promoting his music, Aneesh insists his father, S. R. Vidyashankar, who hails from the Lalgudi School, is his guru.
Though a stalwart promoter of Carnatic music, Aneesh has played for a spectrum of bands from metal and pop to rock and jazz and is also a graduate of architectural studies. But Aneesh hasn’t stopped there. The young prodigy also wishes to change the corporate music and wedding scenes.
“While playing at weddings, I noticed that there is a general commotion and no real respect for the performing musician. So I decided why not change the way people look at weddings. I developed something I call grand entries where I accompany the bride and groom performing their favourite song and welcome them onto stage like the real stars.”
This sets the mood of the wedding and kicks off the programme on a high note. I also took this up in the corporate sector and showroom launches for the main achievers and CEOs, and even a fashion show walking in with the models.”
Talking of his goal, Aneesh says: “My aim is to cater to all the HNI (High Network Individuals) crowd of Bangalore and interact with them. I want my music to reach people at the highest level. The spectrum of people I cater to is very vast — from spiritual gurus and software giants to automobile manufacturers and building contractors. I am also pursuing my architectural studies and plan to create a synergy between architecture and music by enhancing spaces with music.”
What started at the age of three has now become a lifelong journey for Aneesh. “Whenever I play the violin, I perform happy music. I am always in a good mood when it comes to music and I love what I’m doing. It was love at first sound when I heard my dad play it when I was a child and now it has become my anthem to touch souls with that music.”
Looking ahead, Aneesh aims to get the Bharat Ratna one day. “My music is termed as soulful. I want to touch every since individual in Bangalore and cater to all age groups. My music should appeal to the innocence of a baby to the traditional outlook of our great grandparents.”
