Artist: Patri Satish Kumar
Instrument: Mridangam
Your thoughts on the Margazhi Season and what it means to you…
The Season presents a great opportunity to learn something new, be they kritis, talas or RTPs. I also get to meet friends, artists and visitors from abroad. The Season offers many challenges on the stage as well.
So, how do you get ready for the concerts? Any special preparation?
I set new tasks, new challenges for myself. Students come in large numbers with some expectations, which I need to satisfy. So I always have a surprise element reserved for them. While playing, I try to be on the same wave length as the main performer rather than mechanically follow his or her songs.
How do you select your instrument?
I work on the sound of my instrument well ahead of a concert. I ensure that four or five mridangams are kept ready for a concert. Some artists enjoy my chapu, some my left and some others prefer a balanced approach. I prepare the instrument to suit the style of the main artist.
Artist: Vaikkom Gopalakrishnan
Instrument: Ghatam
On the December Music festival and his connection with it…
I have been part of this festival for 30 years. Season offers ample scope to showcase talent. Also, our artistic growth finds expression during this time. With the number of artists increasing, we have to gear ourselves to suit every artist we accompany. Each Season is unique in its own way.
On preparing the instrument…
Every year I travel to Manamadurai and order 15 to 20 ghatams in various pitches. I carry my pitch pipe to check the sruti of the pots. I use Chinese clay to adjust minor variations in tuning but beyond a point, the clay robs the naadham of the ghatam. Hence, I have to look for new ones to match pitches. I always carry two ghatams to my concert.
On the significance of the Season…
I have been playing for Das anna (K.J. Yesudas) for more than three decades now. He is generous in sharing stage time with me, and gives me enough scope to perform. I also play regularly for Prof. T.N. Krishnan in his solo performances, besides a host of vidwans. I feel blessed to be part of this amazing cultural festival.
Artist: Pudukottai Ramachandran
Instrument: Ghatam
Your Margazhi experiences…
I’ve been part of this Isai vizha for 30 years now. During my stint as a staff artist at AIR, monotony would set in after a point. But the Season throws up quite a few challenges for a percussion artist. And yes, it’s time to explore new ragas, talas and RTPs.
If you had to compare your job at AIR with your playing during the Season…
As a staff artist of AIR, each day was a new test. In comparison, the December Season is akin to an annual examination. I get to interact with many artists and try to play in such a way as to complement the main performer.
Speciality of the Season…
Artists from other States would converge in the city during the Season. Interacting with them is always enjoyable and thought-provoking. I also get to meet old friends who left Chennai for various reasons but return every year for the Season.
(This is the first in a series on pakkavadhyam and upa pakkavadhyam artists, without whom a concert will not be complete.)
