At this point in time, if popularity is the yardstick, instrumental music may not be on top of the chart. In fact during the Season, instrument concerts are not on a par with vocal, in terms of numbers. Of course, there are exceptions with a few sabhas giving equal importance to instruments in their itinerary. In this context, the global veena festival, now on at the Narada Gana Sabha deserves attention, which in turn would lead us to the man behind the show.
The festival initially helmed by the Delhi-based veena vidwan Raghurama Iyer and Chennai’s Mudhra Bhaskar since 2005, was a welcome initiative that gladdened the hearts of vainikas and veena lovers. In 2010, Iyer passed on the mantle to another veena vidwan, who joined hands with the Narada Gana Sabha Trust, to continue the tradition. An accomplished veena player himself, he never performs at this festival; he is too busy with the arrangements and taking care of the artists.
The artist is B. Kannan, who was recently conferred the ‘ Veena Mudhra’ Award at the veena festival that Mudhra Bhaskar conducted in August.
In a chat, Kannan is happy to share his experiences about the festival and his classical journey so far. “It was divine will,” observes Kannan. Impressed by the veena festival held at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, the late R. Krishnaswamy of the Narada Gana Sabha came forward to organise veena concerts at the mini hall of the Sabha and even reward them with remuneration, a support that has continued. This year, the festival is for 10 days and 128 artists are performing. (As many as 25 had to be politely turned down). Since 2009, the festival has been growing in stature. Kannan values the support of N. Murali, president, The Music Academy Madras and L. Sabaretnam of BVB.
Artists from different parts of India and the world have converged at the festival. Kannan wants to include the santoor (shata tantri veena), sarod and the sitar too. Already, the mandolin, gottu vadhyam and chitraveena are part of this festival.
Music has been an intrinsic part of Kannan’s life as he hails from an artistically inclined family. His parents, vocalist and research scholar Shyamala Balakrishnan and documentary film maker Balakrishnan, spotted musical talent in him when he was trying out kritis on a a toy guitar.
Vasantha Krishnamurthy, who was teaching his grandmother Meenakshi Subramaniam, began teaching him. And then vidwan R. Pichumani Iyer took over.
How did he meet Veenai S. Balachander? “SB was conducting a raga yagna weekly programme and I was one of the participants. After listening to his explanations about vivadi ragas, I started playing them in my concerts. SB never believed that vivadhi ragas were inauspicious,” says Kannan.
Kannan is known for his controlled speed and fluency over the instrument. His ability to traverse the three octaves at high speeds speaks volumes about his talent. How did he acquire this special skill? “I attribute this to my sadhakam (practice), something my gurus have always insisted on.”
Kannan is a key member of aunt Padma Subrahmanyam’s orchestra. Of his role, he says, “Playing for dance has been an enriching experience. My aunt’s extempore improvisations on stage are always a challenge for the orchestra. It gives my skill a new dimension.” He has composed many thillanas and assists his renowned aunt in composing music for her thematic presentations. He has also composed music for several television serials and documentaries.
Kannan was the youngest veena artist to participate in the Festival of India in Russia in 1987. Kannan recalls how it rained heavily after he played raga Amrithavarshini. And this when the local weather office had predicted a heat wave! Kannan says this happens every time he plays the raga and attributes it to faith. To commemorate the 50th year of the Independence of Singapore, Kannan will present a show there bringing together 50 local veena artists.
Seldom does a conversation with Kannan end without the mention of Kanchi Paramacharya. “He has had a great influence on us. He is also a vainika. When I bought a new Ekaanta veena, I went to him seeking blessings. He took the instrument in his hand and ran his fingers all over twice - before and after my musical offering to him. I’m sure his Divine touch is the source of all my energy.”
Veena Mahotsavam, co-ordinated by B. Kannan under the auspices of the Narada Gana Sabha Trust, is on at the Mini Hall with 27 veena artists, 20 mridangam and 20 ghatam artists. ‘Harmony of Strings for Human Harmony,’ on till September 17, (except on 15), 6.15 p.m., features recitals by vainikas from across the country and the U.S., Dubai, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. Some highlights are Rajhesh Vaidhya (Sept 11, 8 p.m.), Neyveli Santhanagopalan and Meera Santhanagopalan (Sept 12, 8 p.m.) and Baradwaj Raman (Sept 17, 7.25 p.m.).
