Flautist Pravin Godkhindi has been consistently on the move this concert season. While he’s just back after performances at Goa and Nagpur, he’s prepping up for his next act at Bengaluru before he heads to Hyderabad for the season five of One World Fusion (on August 15). One World Fusion, presents a unique collaboration of sorts, with the flautist teaming up with the likes of Tarun Bhattacharya (santoor), Gino Banks (drummer) and George Brooks (saxophone). “Though I’ve known each of them personally, it’s the first time, we’ll all be coming together on the same stage,” he says.
He springs a surprise when he says he enjoys solo concerts more than jugalbandis. “The latter, will have, us coordinating and adjusting to our accompanists and how much ever you deny, there will be a compromise. Moreover, your idea should gel with the other person’s thought. Music is here to provide joy to those who listen, it should rather celebrate one’s similarities than the dissimilarity,” he states.
Even after an elaborate career in music, he continues to learn a thing or two about the right selection of compositions for his every performance. “We get to learn a lot from music, both the complicated and regular compositions. The kind of audience, you’re playing for, matters. Hindustani, for instance, I try to present both traditional and contemporary gayakis, so that rasikas get a complete package.”
His father Venkatesh Godkhindi being his first guru, we ask him the possible plusses and minuses in having a home-bound guru, “There’s hardly any disadvantage. In fact, having them around us 24X7 for guidance besides an additional understanding only takes the guru-shishya equation further ahead.” His other guru multi-instrumentalist Anoor Anantha Krishna Sharma, whom he fondly calls Shivu sir, was equally critical in shaping his repertoire. “I noticed him first when I began my recording career and as we became better friends, I realised his scientific approach towards layakaari. Understanding its practical application came through the association. This was well beyond a traditional guru-shishya bond. We mutually appreciated each other’s works, performed together.”
One common trait that he and his gurus share is to appreciate the oneness of music. His career has been a good example of that, from hosting a television show to working in films to performing with international bands and classical concerts, he’s been open to music from several directions. He has a word of caution though, “An aspect that ideally one should take into consideration is to not to play around with the forms. When one’s performing for a classical concert, the form shouldn’t interfere with the others.”
Pravin’s 14-year-old son Shadaj is doing his bit to sustain his familial legacy and has accompanied his father in many concerts to date. There’s harmless pride and excitement in Pravin’s voice as he talks about him. “He’s debuted at the age of three and does plan to become a full-time musician. A wonder kid, he’s among the rarest flautists who’re good drummers as well.”
