At a time when Tyagaraja aradhana programmes are in full swing in various parts of the Capital, one could easily spot Krishna Vageesh leading the group singing Pancharatna kritis at many venues. This much sought after Carnatic musician and composer has been a part of the aradhana celebrations in the Capital for many years, and is perhaps the longest ever by any musician in Delhi. Belonging to the renowned Tiger Varadachariar school of music , Vageesh grew up in an environment rich in music, Sanskrit and traditional values. His maternal aunt, H.S. Mahalakshmi, a well known Carnatic vocalist of Mysore, gave him systematic training in music and groomed him. Alongside, Vageesh continued his studies and got his degree in science from Mysore University. With his natural flare for music, Vageesh also did his post graduation in music at the university before getting a Ph.D in music from Delhi University. After a short stint at a multinational company, Vageesh joined All India Radio as a programme executive in 1980 and served the public service broadcaster for 34 years, rising to the position of Deputy Director General at the time of his superannuation last year.
In an interview here, Vageesh took time off to elaborate on a few questions on his musical career. Excerpts:
On shaping into a professional artiste of repute
With the kind of background in which I grew up, I was a prize winner in all the music competitions that were held at Mysore and the surrounding areas. I used to listen to the concerts of visiting maestros. While doing my post graduation in music, I learnt from Prof. V. Ramaratnam, Vidushi Gowri Kuppuswamy and others. Once I had a rare opportunity to sing along with Prof. Ramaratnam in a concert. Mridangam maestro Palaghat Mani Iyer was providing the accompaniment. After the concert, Mani Iyer appreciated and blessed me, which till date remains a memorable incident in my musical career. As a first prize winner of AIR’s music competition, I became a graded artiste directly.
On his serving the cause of music while at the AIR
Whenever I used to go to the AIR Bangalore station for broadcast purposes, I would dream of getting an opportunity to work at AIR. I was lucky to join AIR in 1980 as programme executive (music) and my joy knew no bounds. I produced a number of programmes and won the AIR Annual Awards thrice for producing the best musical features. Working at AIR Thiruchirapalli was a golden period for me. I introduced a number of new programmes which increased the listenership many folds.
On his role as a composer
I have composed more than 70 songs, including varnams and tillanas, in praise of different deities and in different languages like Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. My first composition was dedicated to Andavan Swamigal. Recently, one of my varnams was choreographed by a renowned Delhi-based Bharatanatyam exponent for one of her programmes.
On rendering Pancharatna kritis
Rendering Pancharatnam and Divyanamam is a divine experience, that too when you enjoy the meaning of every word, the feelings of the composer and supplication before the Lord. Singing in chorus is another great experience. When all voices join together and render the kritis, one is sure to enjoy divine bliss. We should be grateful to Saint Tyagaraja for the opportunity to bring together all musicians. What a masterpiece is “Endaro Mahanubhavulu” (the fifth Pancharatnam in Sri raga). My voice invariably gets choked when all the voices together render the lines from this song.
His advice to young students of Carnatic music
Youngsters and aspiring music students should constantly listen to the music of the maestros. Like a honey bee, collect the best aspects from every artiste as each one is unique in his/ her own way. But ultimately, students should develop their own style.