Their musical journey in the keyboard started 14 years ago when two children were initiated in to Carnatic music under Korattur Sahasaranamam who would come to their house early in the morning to teach music. This arrangement by the parents was to make the children wake up early and be engaged in some useful activity. Today that has paid off as the children have become much sought after keyboard artistes. They have played more than 600 concerts and are the only Carnatic keyboard players who perform as a team. “The sole responsibility of our musical journey is our parents, particularly father who encouraged us to practice,” says R. Arjun Sambasivan the elder sibling. He along with his younger brother R. Narayanan, was in the Capital recently for a performance organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts as part of birth centenary celebrations of late M.S. Subbulakshmi.
Narayanan says that he and his brother never dreamt of playing at concerts or learning from great gurus. He adds that the turning point in their life came when they met late Mandolin U. Shrinivas after his concert and hesitantly asked if they could learn under him to which Shrinivas agreed instantaneously. “Learning under him was a totally different experience,” recalls Narayanan. The brothers asked their guru if they could switch over to mandolin from keyboard. However, Shrinivas told them that if they were comfortable with the keyboard, they need not switch over.
Soon Arjun and Narayanan came under the tutelage of Chitravina N. Ravikiran. Arjun says that Ravikiran’s elaborate teaching methods have moulded them. The siblings are ‘B high’ graded artistes and are also pursuing their Chartered Accountancy.
How does the sibling allocate their time between music classes, practice sessions, concerts and studies? Arjun says that managing these is not at all difficult. He adds that they don’t miss both music and also their CA classes, and avoid spending time in activities like roaming with friends, watching movies, outings, etc. Narayanan pitches in saying they also find time to practice for at least two to three hours every day.
Overcoming the challenge
Producing gamakas, the hallmark of Carnatic music, is extremely difficult on the keyboard. How did they overcome this challenge? Narayanan says that though the portamento and pitch bender option which comes with keyboard helps them some extent, it is solely the performers’ ability to bring out the right gamakas. “It is because of the guidance of both our gurus, particularly Ravikiran Sir, we are able use the right oscillation and gamakas,” explains Arjun.
Arjun says the response to their concert in the Capital was very heartwarming. “Performing on the occasion of MS Amma's Centenary celebrations is a great honour and we are humbled by the opportunity given to us,” he says before signing off.
